RV Slide-Outs: 5 Things You Should Know
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Embarking on the open road in an RV or Camper is a thrilling adventure, and one of the most ingenious features that enhance the RV experience is the construction of slide-outs. These retractable expansions transform the interior of your mobile home, creating extra space with the push of a button. While they offer undeniable convenience and comfort, there’s more to RV slide-outs than meets the eye. In this comprehensive guide, we delve deep into the world of RV slide-outs, uncovering essential insights and practical tips that every RVer should know. From understanding the different types of slide-outs to maintenance hacks that ensure smooth operation, we explore the intricacies of these transformative additions. Whether you’re a seasoned RV enthusiast or a newbie gearing up for your first road trip, buckle up as we unravel the secrets and nuances of RV slide-outs, making your journeys on the road more spacious, comfortable, and enjoyable.
What are RV Slide-Outs?
RV slide-outs, also known simply as “slides,” are movable sections of a Camper that can extend or retract to create additional living space inside the vehicle. These sections, usually installed on the sides of the RV, are designed to “slide out” at the touch of a button, expanding the interior and increasing living area when the RV is parked and stationary. Slide-outs are a game-changer in the world of recreational vehicles because they allow for more room without increasing the overall size of the RV when on the road.
When extended, slide-outs can contain various amenities such as sofas, dinettes, kitchens, or bedrooms, significantly enhancing the overall comfort and livability of the RV. This added space can make a significant difference, especially during longer trips or when traveling with a group of people.
RV slide-outs come in different types, including:
- Single Slide-Outs: Extend from one side of the RV, creating additional space in one area.
- Double or Dual Slide-Outs: Extend from both sides of the RV, providing extra space in two separate areas.
- Triple Slide-Outs: Extend from three sides of the RV, maximizing interior space for a more luxurious and spacious feel.
These slide-out mechanisms are generally powered by electric motors, hydraulics, or a combination of both, allowing for easy extension and retraction. While they significantly enhance comfort, it’s essential to properly maintain and care for slide-outs to ensure they function smoothly and remain leak-free over time.
There are 4 Basic Types of Slide-outs:
- Electric Rack and Pinion: The most common type of slide-out. It is used in lighter-weight RVs. There is an electric motor that turns the gear box which rotates a shaft and pushes or pulls the slide out.
- Hydraulic: This type is typically reserved for heavier, larger RVs. An electric motor-driven hydraulic pump is used to push or pull the slide out open or closed. One hydraulic system is often used for multiple slide outs, and may also move the jacks.
- Tip-out: Often used to refer to slide-outs in general, but actually slide-outs are to be operated manually with hinges on the bottom to tip out with the help of pulling on a strap or by using an electric motor.
- Drawer: Lower RV storage compartments such as slide-out drawers. They are operated manually or by rack and pinion systems.
The walls of the Slide Outs are thin. Very thin.
The wall structure of recreational vehicles is very thin and in many cases, it is nothing more than a piece of metal or fiberglass above a small slab of insulation covered over by a piece of paneling
All Slide Outs Leak
Recently I spoke with an RV repair man who works for a major, high-end manufacturer of luxury motor homes. Here is a direct quote from him:
“All slide rooms leak. Often, owners cannot see where this is happening, so the damage caused by leaks can be extensive. It can even get into the steel supports and rust them. Insurance pays for the repairs, but they are expensive and will cause rates to rise significantly.”
Therma-Slides help insulate and protect your Slide Outs
After years of people asking for us to create a solution to help protect their slide-outs, we created therma-slides! Therma-Slides are a vinyl material that wraps around slide-outs to keep them warm and protected. Our Therma-Slides work with any existing skirting or with no skirting at all. They wrap around the slide outs and there is enough tolerance to add up to 1.5″ foam insulation.
Many people like them because they help keep the slide-outs warm and others like them because they keep the slide-outs cool. The short story is that they help year-round to better protect and insulate your RV!
You can purchase Therma-slides online and we will just ship them to we will send them to you!
Position your Slide-Outs to Take Advantage of The Seasons
With a little bit of forethought, you can take advantage of the position of your RV to optimize its performance during the different seasons. as you can see in the diagram above, moving the RV can make the slide-outs work for or against you.
Pros and Cons of RV Slide-Outs
Pros:
- Additional Living Space: The most significant advantage is the extra space they provide, making the interior of the RV more spacious and comfortable, especially during extended trips.
- Comfort: With slide-outs, Camper interiors can feature amenities like larger kitchens, more seating areas, and even bedrooms, enhancing the overall comfort and livability of the vehicle.
- Versatility: Slide-outs allow for versatile floor plans, enabling manufacturers to create various layouts to suit different needs and preferences.
- Privacy: With slide-outs, separate rooms can be created within the RV, enhancing privacy for different members of the traveling party.
- Higher Resale Value: RVs with slide-outs generally have a higher resale value because they are in demand due to the additional living space they offer.
Cons
- Maintenance: RV slide-outs require regular maintenance to prevent leaks and ensure smooth operation in its construction. Seals need to be checked and potentially replaced, and mechanisms must be lubricated.
- Weight: Slide-outs add weight to the RV, which can impact fuel efficiency and the overall towing capacity of the vehicle.
- Cost: RVs with slide-outs are generally more expensive than those without, both in terms of initial purchase and potential repair costs.
- Limited Campsite Options: Some campsites might not be suitable for Campers with slide-outs due to space constraints. This limitation can reduce flexibility in choosing campsites.
- Potential for Issues: If not properly maintained, slide-outs can experience issues such as leaks, alignment problems, or malfunctioning mechanisms, which can be costly to repair.
- Decreased Insulation: Slide-outs typically have thinner walls, which might result in decreased insulation compared to the rest of the RV. This can lead to temperature variations inside the vehicle.
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