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Author :Chelsea Barron in Education

RV Slide outs can be great at making an RV feel more comfortable. One of the major considerations a person must make when shopping for an RV is whether or not they’d like their new rig to include a slide out. For some, this is an obvious choice that doesn’t require much thought. However, some may feel they don’t know enough about slide outs to make an informed decision.

This is understandable, as there are actually a number of considerations to be made when deciding for or against these RV additions.

If you’re in the market for a new RV and wondering whether you should be shopping for slides or not, this is the article for you. Here we will discuss the pros and cons of slide outs, as well as the etiquette that should be put to use when using them.

The Pros of RV Slide Outs

First we will discuss the good things that slide outs have to offer. Actually, there is really only one pro, and it is pretty obvious. And even then, this one reason still makes a pretty good case for having a slide of some sort.

What is this big bonus? More space, of course!

We all know that RVs aren’t exactly the roomiest of living spaces. Slide outs help with this by opening things up from side to side. This is especially helpful for those who prefer shorter rigs, as it means they can have more space without adding length to their setup.

That said, even those with enormous fifth wheels and Class A’s appreciate their slide outs. All in all, people love their slides so much that the vast majority of rigs on the market include at least one.

Related Read: 4 Useful RV Hacks with Pool Noodles

The Cons of RV Slide Outs

The idea of more space in your RV is definitely tempting, and in many cases, getting a slide out is a good idea. However, there are definitely some downsides to RV slides.

Many people purchase their motorhome or trailer without any knowledge of these downsides and find themselves feeling misled on down the line. Therefore, we think it is important to provide people with this knowledge so they can make the best decision possible.

Below are the biggest drawbacks to purchasing an RV with a slide out:

• Leaks — Because it is very difficult for a slide to be installed in such a way that it stays completely sealed in both the open and closed positions, most slides will develop leaks over time. Because water damage is an RV owner’s worst enemy, this is a serious drawback.

• Malfunctioning Motors — Another potential issue? A broken slide motor. Most RV slides are pulled in and out using an electric motor. Occasionally, these motors will break, leaving the owner to manually pull the slide in and get the motor replaced.

• Broken Mechanisms — Worse than a broken motor is a broken mechanism. The type of mechanism a slide uses to move in and out may differ from one unit to the next, but one thing remains true for all of them: If that mechanism is broken, you’re stuck where you are, unable to pull the slide back in.

• Drafts and Pests — As mentioned earlier, slides are difficult to make completely weatherproof. This means drafts in winter and hot air entering the rig in summer. It also means pests will have a much easier time entering your home-on-wheels.

• Cramped Space — While slides do add space to an RV when they’re extended, they can present some problems when pulled in. Most RV floorplans are not made to be used with the slides in, meaning cramped quarters should you need to use your motorhome or trailer without putting the slides out.

• Added Weight — Slides also add a lot of weight to a rig. In fact, you can count on a single slide adding as much as 1,500 lbs to the total weight of an RV. This means less cargo carrying capacity and can easily make an otherwise easily towable trailer difficult to haul.

• Uneven Weight Distribution — Perhaps the most dangerous issue a slide out can present is uneven weight distribution. Because a slide will make a rig heavier on one side than the other, the user must be very conscious of how they pack, making sure to even things out by putting more weight on the side without a slide. Failure to do so is likely to lead to tire blowouts or even loss of control while driving.

Knowing these things will not only help you make a decision; it’ll also help you understand the importance of taking care of your slide should you decide it’s an upgrade you’d like to have.

Keep in mind however that while these cons can certainly be problematic, a bit of maintenance and thinking ahead can prevent some (but certainly not all) of these issues from arising in many cases.

Essential Etiquette for Using RV Slide Outs

Finally, we will touch on the one and only unspoken rule of slide out usage. Many campers are completely unaware of this essential bit of etiquette, and this can lead to upset neighbors and other such problems. What is this magical rule? Simple: Be considerate of where your slide is.

To elaborate, RV owners should never put a slide out if it will be encroaching on the space of others. If you’ll be staying overnight in a parking lot, your slide outs should not block the flow of traffic, nor should they take over a parking spot that could be used by another vehicle, especially if the parking lot is already fairly crowded with other RVs or trucks.

Related Read: RV Campground Etiquette

Slides that jut out over a median or grassy area are usually fine, but it is good practice to confirm this with the store or restaurant in question.

This point of etiquette also means that if a campground has especially tight spaces, you may need to park strategically in order to keep your slides within your site. Remember that your campsite begins where your neighbor’s electric box, water connection, and sewer hookups end, and ends where your hookups begin.

Hopefully this article has helped you gain a better understanding of RV slide outs so you can make a decision on whether this RV feature is right for you. No matter what you decide, you’re sure to have a blast in your new home-on-wheels!