We are in the market for a new 21ft caravan, most of which have a "slide out".
My question to anyone out there - what is the general opinion of these "slide outs"?
My husband feels that it would be just another mechanical thing that could go wrong,( at the wrong time,) when travelling around Australia.
Any opinions would be appreciated.
Bruce and Bev said
01:50 PM Aug 28, 2016
Hi Janelh and a warm welcome to the GN's :) We are always happy to help those new to this fantastic lifestyle. Please don't hesitate to ask as many questions you have about vanning and travelling and in due course we look forward to you telling us all the great places you visit and the things you see !
I have a 2 yr old van and it doesn't have a slideout. I could have bought one, but the honest (yep, there are a few around) salesman said while most of them give little fault, when they go wrong it seems impossible to get right and if this happens the unit can get twisted so not only will it not close at the press of the button, it will not wind back manually (the backup mechanism).
But there are heaps of vans out there with slideouts and we don't see many complaints about them on this site.
Guess that if you get a slideout van, just keep your fingers crossed and hope it was well built !!
Good luck and enjoy your travels
Two Strays said
01:57 PM Aug 28, 2016
Hi Janelh
Early versions did have problems. Sliding off their guides during transit, no power (flat battery) means no movement eitherway,
Leaking around the edeges etc. The newer ones have extended awnings over the top to reduce water ingress.
They do provide extra space etc ,however, I will not be getting one in any future van.
Hubby is on the right track, I believe.
Cheers
-- Edited by Two Strays on Sunday 28th of August 2016 08:45:43 PM
iana said
02:02 PM Aug 28, 2016
We have a slide out in our van, however my thoughts are the same as your hubbies. Just another thing to go wrong, add extra weight, extra to service and clean. If you can manage with out, I would take that path.
Again it all depends on your needs, if you need the extra room, or as in our case the model comes with a slide out, like it or lump it.
Janelh said
02:48 PM Aug 28, 2016
Thanks for the replies,
my main problem is that the layout of the new vans we are looking at ALL have slide outs.
I'm not sure if this is appropriate but are there any opinions of the new Jayco Silverline/Starcraft or the Coromal Element?
iana, have you had any problems with your slide out? Have you done many miles travelling with it?
iana said
05:30 PM Aug 28, 2016
We went and brought a Jayco Silverline, which has probably got the same layout as the 21 foot model, the club lounge being slightly smaller. One of the main issues we have that we did not pick up when looking at them, but only surfaced after a few trips away was when the bed (slide out) was extended, it is very hard to get into the bed.
It is early days for us yet, but to-date we have had no trouble with the slide-out.
The model Silverline we brought does not have the club lounge, but has two recliner chairs instead. Feel free to ask more questions if need be.
Janelh said
05:57 PM Aug 28, 2016
Thank you iana,
It is the Silverline with the club lounge we were looking at, I value your feedback and will look at the bed situation
Brisand said
06:04 PM Aug 28, 2016
We have a Jayco Silverline 21 ft double slideout, we previously had a 21 ft sterling with no slideout.
Once you have the slideout you would never be without one, no climbing over the bed to go to ensuite, more space and more storage.
No problems with it, and anyone who speaks against it has never had one, the best thing since sliced bread
Brisand
Brisand said
06:09 PM Aug 28, 2016
iana, please explain your comment re when you have the bed slide out you have to climb over the bed, when the slide out is out you can walk around the bed the whole reason for having a slideout ???
iana said
06:31 PM Aug 28, 2016
OH dear, Brisand, please read what I wrote, not what you thought I wrote.
The double size slide out may address the issue, but the slide-out which just encloses the bed is an issue.
Woody n Sue said
07:35 PM Aug 28, 2016
We have a fifth wheeler with twin slide outs for the table and recliners, the bed is up front as per usual in these ours is an older van no real issues yet but the seal against the Slideout is not quite what it could be but something we felt we could live with given the extra room that they create, ( we bought it second hand ).
Iana please don't bite my head off as I don't know your layout, but, is sleeping the other way around an option for easier access to the bed ?
Woody
iana said
08:34 PM Aug 28, 2016
Hi Woody,
I was so close to getting a 5 wheeler, if I won tats tomorrow I would get one. Yes having the bed-head at the other end would fix the problem, and I have applied thought in this direction. Trouble is the bed being extendable, and only designed to support light weight at that end does not make it a proposition. That is the end of the bed is pushed in before one brings the slide-out back into its home position.
Would I bite your head off? meeee!
JohnR said
09:50 PM Aug 28, 2016
We have 2013 Jayco Outback 23' with the full slide out. We are full time "Grey Nomads" as to say. Previously 21' Jayco Sterling with slide out just for the bed. I agree with Brisland that the slide out makes the caravan and would not be without it. This van is close to 3 years old, full time on the road, does let a little dust in that can be wiped off. No mechanical issues, no water leaks and only those people who do not have one, or wish they had one make the complaints.
We make sure our sites are level and use WD40 spray on regular basis for the teeth in the opening/closure mechanism. At the end of the day you can worry about a lot of things when caravaning, but if things like this stress you out then you may need to stay home with the security blanket of your home.
JohnR
gwb said
01:39 PM Aug 30, 2016
Our 2011 Jayco Sterling has a slideout. We have done approx. 80,000 kms and all is well so far, but like all things regular servicing must help.
Geoff and Bev
Janelh said
10:45 AM Aug 31, 2016
Thanks everyone, I think the decision has been made. Now we just have to sell our old caravan
Hello everyone,
We are in the market for a new 21ft caravan, most of which have a "slide out".
My question to anyone out there - what is the general opinion of these "slide outs"?
My husband feels that it would be just another mechanical thing that could go wrong,( at the wrong time,) when travelling around Australia.
Any opinions would be appreciated.
I have a 2 yr old van and it doesn't have a slideout. I could have bought one, but the honest (yep, there are a few around) salesman said while most of them give little fault, when they go wrong it seems impossible to get right and if this happens the unit can get twisted so not only will it not close at the press of the button, it will not wind back manually (the backup mechanism).
But there are heaps of vans out there with slideouts and we don't see many complaints about them on this site.
Guess that if you get a slideout van, just keep your fingers crossed and hope it was well built !!
Good luck and enjoy your travels
Hi Janelh
Early versions did have problems. Sliding off their guides during transit, no power (flat battery) means no movement eitherway,
Leaking around the edeges etc. The newer ones have extended awnings over the top to reduce water ingress.
They do provide extra space etc ,however, I will not be getting one in any future van.
Hubby is on the right track, I believe.
Cheers
-- Edited by Two Strays on Sunday 28th of August 2016 08:45:43 PM
Again it all depends on your needs, if you need the extra room, or as in our case the model comes with a slide out, like it or lump it.
my main problem is that the layout of the new vans we are looking at ALL have slide outs.
I'm not sure if this is appropriate but are there any opinions of the new Jayco Silverline/Starcraft or the Coromal Element?
iana, have you had any problems with your slide out? Have you done many miles travelling with it?
It is early days for us yet, but to-date we have had no trouble with the slide-out.
The model Silverline we brought does not have the club lounge, but has two recliner chairs instead. Feel free to ask more questions if need be.
It is the Silverline with the club lounge we were looking at, I value your feedback and will look at the bed situation
We have a Jayco Silverline 21 ft double slideout, we previously had a 21 ft sterling with no slideout.
Once you have the slideout you would never be without one, no climbing over the bed to go to ensuite, more space and more storage.
No problems with it, and anyone who speaks against it has never had one, the best thing since sliced bread
Brisand
iana, please explain your comment re when you have the bed slide out you have to climb over the bed, when the slide out is out you can walk around the bed the whole reason for having a slideout ???
The double size slide out may address the issue, but the slide-out which just encloses the bed is an issue.
Iana please don't bite my head off as I don't know your layout, but, is sleeping the other way around an option for easier access to the bed ?
Woody
I was so close to getting a 5 wheeler, if I won tats tomorrow I would get one. Yes having the bed-head at the other end would fix the problem, and I have applied thought in this direction. Trouble is the bed being extendable, and only designed to support light weight at that end does not make it a proposition. That is the end of the bed is pushed in before one brings the slide-out back into its home position.
Would I bite your head off? meeee!
We have 2013 Jayco Outback 23' with the full slide out. We are full time "Grey Nomads" as to say. Previously 21' Jayco Sterling with slide out just for the bed. I agree with Brisland that the slide out makes the caravan and would not be without it. This van is close to 3 years old, full time on the road, does let a little dust in that can be wiped off. No mechanical issues, no water leaks and only those people who do not have one, or wish they had one make the complaints.
We make sure our sites are level and use WD40 spray on regular basis for the teeth in the opening/closure mechanism. At the end of the day you can worry about a lot of things when caravaning, but if things like this stress you out then you may need to stay home with the security blanket of your home.
JohnR
Geoff and Bev