How reliable are slides?

[ThunderRoad]

I'm toying with moving from an AFrame to a small TT in 2016 as I purchased some wooded property and don't see myself traveling as much. Think of it as a semi-permanent setup.

At the RV show this last week, I spent a lot of time looking at TTs and one thing somewhat caught my attention. Nearly everything has slides, which is understandable since it obviously gives more square footage. However, it also seems like they would be nothing but a problem waiting to happen.

So, talk to me a little bit. How reliable are they in terms of handling weather. Rain, storm, maybe a little snow. I worry about leaks, especially since they appear candidates for pooling water on top when they are opened. Any concerns if set up and left open for several weeks during the summer? Or is it a case of make sure to close up when nobody is around?

I'm not sure what make/model I'm looking at, and I'll probably go used if I can find something in good shape anyways. Something around 24-28ft. Comfy space for one or two, tolerable for more. Couch and dinnette and Queen bed.

[WFD]

In my opinion, the convenience and space provided from the slides far outweighs nay inconvenience. They are made much much better today than years back. Do they require some maintenance...absolutely, but usually not much more than lubing the gear assembly and spraying the rubber seals to keep them plyable and prevent them from drying out.
Water will collect on top after a rain, but usually drains off or dries with just a bit of sunshine. If it's raining when you are pulling up camp then some water may stay on top but most of it will drain off as the slide comes in and the rubber sweep on top pushes it off. Some have slide toppers that are like an awning, keeping "most" of the water off. I say most cause the wind can push some under the awning.
You mention a bit of snow, that can be an issue if you are going to be pulling up camp in the snow because if its freezing temps, it may be difficult to retract the slide if its frozen in the open position.
All in all they are great, and as you have noticed, vast majority of trailers have them. If you buy one without, chances are very good you will be hurting you're future resale value by not having it.

[spierce617]

Bought a used TT with the slide out and have had to do regular maintenance to it like lubing the seals and the slide parts that move. It was one of the best investments that we made. Came from a pop up before that. The extra room that you get from the slide out is great and now we put the bikes inside the camper when we transport them.

[BiigDaddy]

ThunderRoad, we leave our TT opened up all summer at home. It's what the wife and I call our "personal vacation" to go sit in the driveway in the TT while the kids and their friends are in the house. We, as the above folks do, perform the usual maintenance on them and have had no issues with extended time slid out. For the record we have 4 slides, three have slide-toppers, and we wouldn't have it either way. Go for it!

[mbauman]

Originally Posted by ThunderRoad

I'm toying with moving from an AFrame to a small TT in 2016 as I purchased some wooded property and don't see myself traveling as much. Think of it as a semi-permanent setup.

At the RV show this last week, I spent a lot of time looking at TTs and one thing somewhat caught my attention. Nearly everything has slides, which is understandable since it obviously gives more square footage. However, it also seems like they would be nothing but a problem waiting to happen.

So, talk to me a little bit. How reliable are they in terms of handling weather. Rain, storm, maybe a little snow. I worry about leaks, especially since they appear candidates for pooling water on top when they are opened. Any concerns if set up and left open for several weeks during the summer? Or is it a case of make sure to close up when nobody is around?

I'm not sure what make/model I'm looking at, and I'll probably go used if I can find something in good shape anyways. Something around 24-28ft. Comfy space for one or two, tolerable for more. Couch and dinnette and Queen bed.

I plan on purchasing a Sunseeker Class C 2300 motorhome, and I've been pondering the slide issue for a while now. You may want to search the forums for phrases such as "slide problem" or "slide trouble" - I guarantee it will be an eye opener.

Regards, Mark...