Get the slide. The maintenance issues are nil & the trade off for the extra space is 10000000... to 1. We load 2 CAN-AM Outlander's (atv's) on the front of ours & it tows like a dream. The $$$ does seem a bit high. Our 2014 21SSL Was $18,000 without tade-in maybe because they were already getting 2015 models in. Happy hunting & bring the PDI checklist.
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2014 Shamrock/Roo 21SSL
Complete LED Lighting
Off Road Package
2010 F250 Lariat 6.8 V-10 w/Timbren SES
Custom Tunes by 5 Star Tuning
Boondocking Only
Warning, contrarian opinion:
I want my RV to be cushy, but simple and relaxing. From what I read about slides, the tradeoff for space with possible leaks, failures, and added weight, just don't pencil out for me. I bought a 183 with no slides.
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Eric, Tara, and most of China
2013 Camping Nights: 2
2014 Camping nights: 31
TT 2014 Rockwood Roo 183
TV 2012 Nissan Armada
A TT without slides can work great just as a unit with slides. The big difference to me is that if there are more than one person inside it's like living in the aisle of a bus. Someone has to sit down and get out of the way for the other person to walk by.
I believe the OP has a family of 3 plus dogs - I would recommend considering a slide out. This is coming from a family of one with a TT without slide outs. It works well for me but no one is in my way of getting from point A to point B along that bus aisle.
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Great choice for "Living within my means" and camping for one...
Formerly owned 2011 Salem Cruise Lite 20RBXL & 2011 Toyota Tundra Dbl Cab