Ditto,as Larry said.When we were looking for a motor home we test drove a Longreach with slide outs,it had travelled only 39 k,s,when we turned right ,water that had collected in the slide out gushed down the floor, flooding the floor area.We then decided no slide outs for us ...cheers Peter.

Another tick for the slide out!  We have one and the benefits way outweigh the disadvantages and potential problems. We had a problem a couple of weeks after purchase of our 2nd hand Avida Esperence - turned out to be a crack in the wormscrew mechanism and the repairer thought the problem was caused by the previous owner not camping on level ground. The wormscrew component was subject of a recall for replacement with an upgraded bolt so the problem was fixed under warranty and we have not had any issues since. Someone on the forum also had the same problem and suggested once it was repaired to ensure we had spare bolts for it should it happen again - we carry 2 spares - apparently if you are good with DIY repairs and familiar with the mechanise, you can replace the bolt yourself! As is standard with MHs and vans both with and without slideouts, it is important that you are always on level ground if using the slide out and it should be pulled in during very bad weather - same as you would an awning.You also need to regularly check the top of the slide out for tree debris - again an easy maintenance task.  We were camping at Brooms Head  had our slide out during the recent north coast low weather event and no water ingress, and there were times when the slide out was not in.

You are correct in saying there is reduced space when the slideout is in but again the extra space when out makes up for it and to be honest the difference between available space with and without a slideout is negligible!  During the 12 months prior to our decision to purchase we spoke with many people with motorhomes and in particular those with slideouts and only one  experienced any problems with water entry into the slideout and the MH was an older model, so could also have been seal maintenance there. You can also get a "mini awning" that extends out over the slideout as it is moved in and out. Like all moving parts, there is regular maintenance that is needed, ie. lubrication.

Obviously the decision is yours and I would suggest you speak with as many owners of units with slideouts as you can find before making a decision one way of the other.

Cheers,

FWIW, I don't own a MH with a slide out, however during our last trip through Qld, NSW and SA we encountered two vehicles fitted with slide outs that were in trouble.

The first was a fifth wheeler, the slide mechanism had failed, would not extend, could not get it fixed locally so they were headed for a repairer a few hundred km away.

The second was a MH, the slide out was extended and would not retract, not sure how this was resolved as they were still working on it when we left.

This is an interesting article http://rv-roadtrips.thefuntimesguide.com/2009/05/rv_slide_out.php makes some very good points, personally I would not even consider one, just something else to fail.

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RV Slideout Maintenance Issues

 You should also consider the mechanics of slideout room extensions.  They are not always trouble free. Theres a lot to be said about the more gadgets one has, the more things will fail.  Pounding down rough roads and enduring many highway miles things like that take their toll on RV slideouts.

It doesnt matter if yours is a slideout that extends with electric screw type extenders, or one that is pushed in and out by hydraulic rams even those that have electric gear motors that follow a track can and will fail at one time or another.

Many slideouts will have manual ways to retract the slide, while others can leave yo
u stuck with your walls out.  Thats not a good spot to be in if youre on someone elses property and theyre anxious for you to leave!

Things dont stay new forever.  As your RV ages, the slides may start to bind.  Things get out of adjustment.  Motors lose some of their power.  For whatever reason, there were many times I had to take out the hand crank and bring in the slide that last inch or so by hand.

Did you know that slideouts are the leading source of RV water leaks?  As the rubber seals around the perimeter age and get stiff, they can allow rain water to seep in.  With the slideout either in or out, youre relying on a rubber seal to keep the water out.

My experience with slideouts confirms the fact that as the slideout gets older, things will twist, warp, and otherwise get out of shape.  Cracks may develop, hardware and mechanical devices may fail, and adjustments will have to be made.  Things will get stiff and need lubrication."