Slideouts

[RVServiceGuy]

As an RV repair tech I figured out real quick that slideouts are the Achilles heal of your average tt. Has anybody had any luck perfecting them? Or are they pretty much garbage? All I have to go off of is what major tt manufacturers send my way.

[Martiangod]

Pretty much garbage!!!
Slide out are akin to planned obsolescence.
All the RV manufacturers have perfected slide outs,
Get it out of their plant and to the dealer, let the techs deal with it.
That's perfection to the manufacturer.
And in two or three years when the trailer is garbage, sell them another one. None of this trailers lasting for 20 years chit. That's not good for business

[jstrubberg]

Aside from the problems sealing them, slide outs add complication and a LOT of weight to a trailer. Since teardrops aim to avoid both of those issues, they are not popular.

[Midget]

We have fun at trailer parks telling people we just brought the slide out this trip and left the coach at home. Some get it and some don't.

[fullon627]

Aside from the problems sealing them, slide outs add complication and a LOT of weight to a trailer. Since teardrops aim to avoid both of those issues, they are not popular.

My daughter and I are building a small trailer with a rear slide out kitchen. It will free up a lot of space inside while camping. I think it will add an extra 200-250lbs to the trailer. But we didn't start out to build a light weight one in the first place. Her car has a towing rating of 2000lbs. I think this trailer is going to weigh around 1500lbs fully loaded ready to camp. I really don't foresee any sealing problems because of its location and configuration. Your welcome to follow along to see how it comes out.

[Vedette]

Boy those sliders had better be pretty stout! As, by the looks of it you have already used what looks like 2x4;s and 3/4" plywood?? And you have not started to build the kitchen yet??
We will follow along, but at some point I think you will find that weight will become a major concern!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[fullon627]

Boy those sliders had better be pretty stout! As, by the looks of it you have already used what looks like 2x4;s and 3/4" plywood?? And you have not started to build the kitchen yet??
We will follow along, but at some point I think you will find that weight will become a major concern!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

Brian, those were oak real 2x4s that I cut down to 3x1 1/2. Yes that is 3/4 ply on the floor. It needed to be because my water tank, cooler, etc will be mounted to that floor. The walls and rear hatch wont be that thick. The slides are 500lb commercial slides made in USA for fire trucks and such. I don't think loaded ready to camp the slide out will weigh that much, but you may be right. With the slide out, there is still 10 inches of it inside the trailer. The water tank and some other heavy things will still be inside the trailer not loading the slides much. I'm also going to put a caster on the slide in the middle to roll on the floor of the trailer. The slide out will have stabilizing leveling jacks under it when it's out

[Vedette]

Good to hear you have used the best stuff you could to solve the potential weight problem!
The center caster is a great idea! As even 3/4" plywood has a tendency to sage.
What kind of jacks do you have in mind.
God Roads
Brian & Sandi

[fullon627]

Good to hear you have used the best stuff you could to solve the potential weight problem!
The center caster is a great idea! As even 3/4" plywood has a tendency to sage.
What kind of jacks do you have in mind.
God Roads
Brian & Sandi

Brian, I've narrowed it down to one of these two:

Aluminum folding telescoping legs @ $28 each. They have a weight rating of 200lbs each. These would be mounted under the slide.


Or these 12 volt linear actuators @ $65 each (kinda spendy for a budget build). They have a weight rating of 330lbs each. I would mount these in the rear inside corners of the slide with separate switches for uneven ground.

[fullon627]

BTW, I don't think I'd own another full size trailer or fifth wheel with a factory built slide outs. Been there done that.

[RVServiceGuy]

They are total garbage. I hate working on them with a passion. My problem is my wife and I often camp with friends. I need something big enogh for two couples and a slide seems to be the best way to go. I really couldn't pull a cargo trailer with our Ford Edge and it will be a minute before I can get a truck. I refuse to buy a camper. I could build two campers but most of our friends couldn't tow it.

[Greg M]

Build a second one without a galley. I can tow my 4x4x8 one (with no galley) with a 1.6litre Honda

[Ron Dickey]

you could just do a swing down.