To Slide or not to slide?

[RichardC87]

Greetings to all from Canada. My wife and I are having a dilemma. We have finally decieded to move up to a TT from the tent. Yea!! We have found what we think is the perfect layout for us, just trying to decide between the 2306 or the 2504S. Same basic layout, but the one has the slide and is slightly longer. We are trying to save weight, although our TV is rated for 9800 lbs (2013 GMC Sierra 4x4 with HD tow package) so we are good either way. I'm just wondering if a couple of years down the road, we will be kicking ourselves for not getting the extra space the slide provides. Any thoughts or input would be appreciated.

[asquared]

More than likely in a couple of years you will kick yourself for it. That said, even if you get the slide you will want to play the upgrade game as rv shopping can become quite the addiction. Now looking at these two trailers, the 2306 does not hAve a lot of cargo capacity so you will easily max the trailer gvwr out. The 2504s has more room, more cargo capacity and you are already question it so I would go for it since your truck can handle it. But if you are still debating, go sit in both with everybody that will be staying in it routinely. Close the doors and act out your daily activities (ie mom cooks dinner, dad walks to bathroom, kids play games or whatever). Make sure you actually try to move about in the bathroom and sit on the toilet as some have learned the toilet space can be a tight squeeze for either shoulders or knees. Next think about where you will put things. Ie mom's clothes in that cabinet, pots and pans in this cabinet, kids or dogs toys in that drawer, outside chairs stored here etc. Once you do this, you will see what works for you. Happy shopping!

[mbCik]

Also my understanding is that trailers with slides have a better resale. That was one reason why I went for a TT with a slide and now I'm so glad to have the extra room.

[kandl]

Welcome to the forum and yes, get the slide. We were there once pondering that and now wonder why we even pondered no slide.

[sail2liv]

Stay within the GCWR and get all the slides you can, but they do add about 500 lbs per slide....just make sure you can use all features of the trailer when the slides are in...I have seen units you cannot use the kitchen/other areas when slides are in....for me I need to cook/sleep/and use bathroom when slides are in....that way an overnight at wally world is easy....or any area that putting slides out might be a problem...

[fonzie]

I would go with the 2504S as it is 2 feet longer, way more space inside with slide open and the cargo capacity is 800 lbs more than the 2306. Average campers carry near 1000 lbs of stuff inside camper........

[youroo]

We Vote for Slide for every reason stated! BUT F/R and all other Companies make units (Without slides) so there is a market out there. Airstream sells almost (ALL) of their units Without slides? Play House at the Dealership in (Both) units with slides (In/Out) that will tell you more than we can! Youroo!!

[Dave Lyon]

I would not consider a trailer unless it had a slide......the more the better!

[RollingDownTheHighway]

our first TT was a 27' Shasta Revere with no slides, we looked at some with slides and they were a little too heavy for our TV at the time. After 3 trips in it, we sold it, upgraded my TV and got a TT with 3 slides and its a difference like night and day. The Slides add so much more room while everyone is in the TT. When we upgrade this TT, slides are a must for us

[53flattie]

2306 owner here. I would have to agree with everyone else that it's much easier to buy the bigger camper now than to discover you want more space later. I doubt you'll ever say to yourself "we really didn't need all this space"...

Having said that - the 2306 is perfectly fine for us (family of 3). We came from a pop-up, to even without slides, we feel like we're in a castle. I think camper size "needs" are all about perception. The OP is coming from a tent, so I think they will find either unit to more than big enough.


2015 Rockwood 2306
2015 Tundra CrewMax

[Mr. Dan]

Get the one with the slide.
Then you won't ever have to come back here and ask "Is it possible to add a slide to a trailer that doesn't have one?".

[Rugged Brown]

It's a live and learn situation and everyone will offer a different opinion. You need to cycle through the food chain of RV's to settle on one you like and even then, you'll always want what someone else has. My advice is to get the bare minimum you can live with , within your budget. I have had all types of campers from hard tops to trailers to motorhomes to fifth wheels with and without slides. I am camperless now, but I will admit I am currently looking a slideless travel trailer. Go figure.

[RichardC87]

Thanks Everyone for your input, looks like the slide wins. It also has a few more features the smaller one does not, so that tilted things in it's favor as well. Going to go do the deal this afternoon, can't wait.

[KAS]

Originally Posted by sail2liv

Stay within the GCWR and get all the slides you can, but they do add about 500 lbs per slide....just make sure you can use all features of the trailer when the slides are in...I have seen units you cannot use the kitchen/other areas when slides are in....for me I need to cook/sleep/and use bathroom when slides are in....that way an overnight at wally world is easy....or any area that putting slides out might be a problem...

I agree with the part about accessibility when the slide is closed. I have a MH with a slide for the bed, and when I want to move the camper it is a pain to have to unmake the bed with the bulky mattress & floppy mattress topper etc. so I can drive off, not to mention that for quick overnight stays it's more work. I do have an overhead bunk, but I use it for storage. From what I have seen in this forum, the slides with most of the problems seem to be the larger ones with sitting areas and/or kitchens, probably because of the weight, it's nice to have the extra space, though!

[dwa1000]

Definitely a slide. I had a TT without a slide and I can tell you the slide with the most room wins. Just check it out with the slide closed also. Some people don't realize what is and is not accessible. Know what your getting.

[heavynlori]

We bought our first fiver with one slide - never looked at another one without slides!!

Second fiver - two slides

Current unit - three slides!

[RVPP]

I would opt for the slide. That said make sure you can get from the door to the toilet with the slide in.
Good luck, Paul
2004 Surveyor

[Henboy]

All things considered, if your rig can handle the weight, I would prioritize the following:
1. Size of shower/bathroom;
2. Amount of open floor space when parked;
3. Storage (in trailer and under trailer);
4. Counter space;
5. Do you really need a dinette;
6. Do you really need a couch;
7. Door to toilet w/ slide in;
8. Do you need/want more than one exterior door;
9. Location/convenience of refrigerator in relation to entry door.

We love everything about our Flagstaff 21FBRS as a "couples" trailer except for the small shower.

[Stormrider151]

Go ahead and get a motorhome. That's where many wind up anyway. As said earlier, it's an addiction for which there is no cure.

[Pruittc]

My husband and I have a 30 foot Prowler with no slides. I love my trailer but now we regret not having those slides. Even one slide is a game changer.