slide out room extensions

[paccool]

OK all you people that have a trailer with a slide out, I need some info. I've been looking at these for the past year or so and all I've seen look like they will leak whenever it rains. Is this a valid concern or have they been trouble free?

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Stan
93 2WD extended cab, Banks Power Pack, K&N Air Filter, PW Injectors,Auto w/4. 10 rear with limited slip, US Gear Exhaust Brake, 31/2" Exhaust, 5K air bags, Boost/Pyro/Tach Gauges, Green/Silver, new 40-20-40 bucket seats, 149K

 

[illflem]

I wondered the same thing. I don't own one but a close friend does,he says not a drop open,closed,driving or parked.

 

[Bob Wagner]

No leaks here in the Pacific Northwest. The added space is soooooo nice too. But go for the stand up bedroom with the slideout too. #ad

 

[Tagalong]

Gentlemen, I'm on my second 5er with slide outs. The first one leaked from the splash of the tires when driving in the rain. The manufacturer failed to attach a weatherstrip to the floor area where the base of the slide out is. I also added a long strip of sheet aluminum to the slide out that formed a splash guard for the tires. Check for any "daylight" from inside the trailer. Study the location of the floor joint to the slider and check all of the gaskets or weatherstripping that "wipe" against any surface that moves. Designs vary from trailer to trailer so you really need to watch the anchoring and overlap of the gaskets all around the slider.
We have not been out in our latest 5er (see signature) but I feel confident that from what I learned from my Wilderness, this one is well sealed. Slider manufacturers have come a long way and you're correct they really open an RV up. There are a number of slide out mechanisms, hydraulic, electric, cable and as you might guess, they add a lot of weight to an RV. I would recommend a "Topper" awning for any slider. It keeps tree/bird droppings/rain and dirt, etc. out of the inside of your living quarters. I hope this helps.
Good luck!

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White 2001, 3500, Auto,3:54,QC,2WD,LB,34' DBL slide Cardinal 5er

 

[mbrolin]

I have a 27ft Layton with a slideout. It did leak after I first purchased it,it was fixed under warranty and hasnt leaked since. Im not at all hesitant about getting one with 3 slideouts when I move up to a 5er. I too live in the Northwest,Oregon to be exact,and the winters here consist of a lot of rain. As with anything else,buy a quality TT or 5er,even if it may cost a few bucks more.

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2001 HO 6spd,Quad cab,LWB,4x4,Flame Red,all options except for leather,Westin Brushguard/Push bar,Painless wiring,Radio Shack CB( so what it works},my own designed CB mount,Smittybuilt nerf bars,NW Custom rocker covers,Custom built stainless rocker light bars(more to come)

 

[Bill Stockard]

Our '97 Hitchhiker II 31' with 2 slide outs--no leaks sitting in the rain or going down the highway. I has big wide rubber seals all around to keep out the water when the slides are extended and addtional bulb rubber seals when retracted.

We had a '87 Argosy(made by Airstream) 5th wheel with a living room slide out that would leak sometimes. That trailer had to be perfectly level and the stabilizer jacks had to be down for the slide out to work properly(design flaw & weak electric slide out mechanism). The Hitchhiker hydraulic slide outs work any time, level or unlevel, stabilizer jacks up or down. I usually get close to level and put the stabilizer jacks down before extending the slideouts.

Also, I squeege off the tops of the slide outs if there is a lot of rain water pooled on the tops of the slides after a heavy rain before retracting. I keep the slides waxed with Protectall Wax which makes big puddles of water on the tops since they are level. I treat the rubber slide out seals and the slide out support arms about once every 3 months with spray silicone which seems to help keep the rubber seals pliable were they "wipe" the slide outs when they are retracted.

Bill

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Y2K 3500QC, 6 Speed, 4. 10, SLT+, Camper & Tow Pkg. , Westin Chrome Nerf Bars, Mopar Flaps, Reese 20K Hitch, EGT & Boost Gauges, RPM 45 Gallon Aux. Fuel Tank, Highway Products 5th Wheel Toolbox, ECM Controlled PacBrake, Painless Wiring Kit, Mag-Hytec Diff. Cover, Rancho 9000, Air Lift 5000 Air Bags, TOYS: '97 Hitchhiker II 31' 5th Wheel, 2 slideouts, 19,750 GCW, '94 Lance 990 11' 3" Slide-In Camper, Torque-Lift Camper Tiedowns

 

[BPINE]

No leaks so far with the 34 foot double slide Automate. I wouldn't worry about leaks the benefits far outweigh the trouble if you have any.

 

[Big MAK]

I have a 1995 36' HitchHiker Premier Dbl Slide. One awesome trailer. Never leaks. 18' Slide in the main living area plus large bedroom slide. It's been all over the country in all kinds of weather -- from monsoon rains to 13 inch snow storms. Never a seal or leak problem.

Previously I had a 32' Jayco with a big slide out and it leaked like crazy. It leaked so bad you could lean against the wall during the rain and water would gush out of the seams in the paneling (no kidding!). We would run out of bowls to collect the running water during rain. Traded it when it was 9 months old. Hated it. Dealer and Manufacturer refused to fix it. Never buy a Jayco.

I think it boils down to quality materials and craftsmanship.


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Big MAK
98. 5 ISB 5spd 4x4 Quad Cab 3500, 275s and Original PowerMax
A "WARRANTY FREE" ZONE
https://www.turbodieseltrucks.com

 

[Barry]

I rest my case.

 

[DLBurns]

had to chime in here #ad
:
I have a 27' Dutchman TT with a single slide in the living room. It hasn't leaked YET #ad
I couldn't agree more with the earlier posts, buy the best you can afford. After 17 years of tent camping,We bought the Dutchman new at a great price. It has been in the shop after each time we've used it #ad
#ad
This TT is truly a POS!

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01' 3500 Bright White,QC LWB, Auto, 4:10, Line-X Bedliner, Member San Jose RamRunners
2000 Dutchman Travel Trailer
1996 Harley-Davidson FLHR

 

[Tom F1]

Never buy a Dutchmen

 

[Don D]

Barry's really coming from the right direction. As an RV dealer he could easily tell us how great the new el' cheapo models are, but he hit the nail right on the head by recommending a pre-owned higher end unit.
My Holiday Rambler is just about to turn ten years old and is still a finer piece of equipment than the previous brand new cheapie trailer I had a couple years ago.
I stayed in a RV park on the coast next to some first time RV'ers this fall. They had a 1999 model cheap POS. After careful inspection of our nine year old HR, he said "Man, I don't remember seeing this model at the RV shows last year when I bought mine. Maybe someday I'll be able to move up to a new deluxe one like yours" I just laughed. He Had no idea mine was any older than his and I payed less than he did for his new junker.
Do your homework before you buy.
BTW, No leaks either. #ad


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'93 W250, LE, CC, 4x4, 5spd. , Cummins, K&N, 16cm turbo, Power Wagon injectors, Professionaly rebuilt and calibrated pump, straight exhaust, Lund visor w/lights, 5th wheel, Gooseneck, H. D. rear hitch, Aluminum everything. My Rigs

 

[Barry]

Plus: Many of the units on the market today without Sliders are considered almost sale proof. It is getting increasingly harder to sell units with just one slide. With the advent of the triple slide, folks are almost demanding at least 2 slides. Another piece of advise ( it's probably worth what you are paying for it) that I would give is what I have built my buisness on. "Take a hard look at yesterday's quality before you buy today's junk". That is to say: I would rather have a 3 year old Hitchhiker, Snowbird, Alpenlite, Alfa Gold, etc. than to have a brand new entry level "Rat Box". The price will be about the same but your investment, quality and comfort will be far greater protected.

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2001 2500 QC, ETH/DEE,4:10s, LSD, VA Magic Box, Boost/Pyro Guages, 4" Turbo back, BD Brake,Mag- Hytec Cover, Kleen Wheels, Energy Release, 70 gal. fuel, 20K Reese. 22,000 miles on 12/19/00 (RV Dealer)

 

[Hawk22]

I have a 34' Terry triple slide by fleetwood. I love it, never leaked around any slide out.

It pulls smooth and is very well insulated. Holds the cold in the summer and the heat in the winter.

I agree with getting a high rise, the room is very much worth it. Yes, they are more expensive but if you can afford it I would recommend getting one. If your comfortable campeing you will enjoy it more and camp longer.

Hope this helps, happy camping.

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1999 3500 QC Auto,SLT loaded. 2000 34'Terry 5th Wheel. 1999 350 Big Bear and plenty other toys.

 

[DLBurns]

Originally posted by Tom F1:
Never buy a Dutchmen

I could have used that advice last March!!!

 

[Barry]

Don D: I bought a 1996 HR Aluma Lite "Custom" 31' 5th wheel from one of the dealers in AZ. that I do biz with. The tranport truck dropped it on my yard and I hooked on to it and took it home and my wife and I packed it for a trip to Tulsa for a gospel music sing. What a delightful unit! During the trip my wife and I made the mistake that a dealer should not make. We fell in love with it. We were all set to keep it when our salesman called on the mobile to tell us to hurry home he had the unit sold. My wife and I were sick but the $5,000 profit we made healed us a little bit. We still think about that coach.

 

[Don D]

Barry. Keep thinking about it.
That's exactly what I'm looking for right now.
I bought/stole a 34' Aluma-Lite Custom double slide a couple months ago but only had it for a few days. I had an offer I couldn't refuse and I really want a 31' so I let it go. Still have the 27'
Keep me in mind. I haven't been to Texas in a while.


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'93 W250, LE, CC, 4x4, 5spd. , Cummins, K&N, 16cm turbo, Power Wagon injectors, Professionaly rebuilt and calibrated pump, straight exhaust, Lund visor w/lights, 5th wheel, Gooseneck, H. D. rear hitch, Aluminum everything. My Rigs

 

[Wiredawg]

I have a triple-slide, 36' Travel Supreme and not nerry a leak. Super seal all away around, both on the inner lip (when open) and outer lip (when closed).

Wiredawg

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2000 4X4 SLT QC 8' bed; 6 spd, 3. 54 ; BD exhaust brake and 4" exhaust syst; TST PM2; Airlift Super Duty rear air bags; RS 9000 shocks; pyro/boost gauges in 2 gauge a-pillar mount; back preasure gauge mounted under dash; KN air filter; Brown's Welding brush/grill guard, rear bumper & headache rack; nerf bars and aluminum roll top rear cover, Warn front receiver and Hadley air horns, 20K Reese hitch.

 

[Steve M]

Mark,
Glad I saw your post first. When we bought our 25' Jayco last week, the dealer told us he'd give full purchase price toward a 31' dbl slide Jayco Eagle. The small slide on our 25' seals 100%. Even in the strong crosswinds and rain of our last cold front during 5 hours of I-10 in the Florida panhandle beating it to death. That is one rough stretch of concrete interstate. But the 31' had alittle daylight coming in around the corners of the slide out frame. It looked like an easy fix but not what I'd expect for $30k. For $35k the 32' Cedar Creek unit we looked at was top quality inside and out. It even has 16" tires and shocks. One thing I like about the Jayco is tongue and groove plywood floors instead of particle board floors that most manufacturers use. We know it's a rat box compared to the Ceder Creek and up but for our current camping and traveling schedule, I think the Jayco fits the bill pretty well. But I'll be warry of the big Jayco you speak of. We see alot of Jayco Designer series. I wonder if their high end units are better in quality... They sure look nice.

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98 2500 CC 4X2 12v 5spd 4. 10, -silencer, AFC+20, Edelbrock IAS, VDO gauges
97 Dodge Stratus 150HP
92 Harley Fatboy, Dynojet fuel management, Supertrapp 2-1

 

[paccool]

WOW! I've been away for a few days and was surprised to see the responses on my question about leaks. Thanks everyone for all the great input. Sounds like there are a few of you that have had problems but most seem to be happy with no leaks.

Barry, I talked with you on the phone a few weeks back (about fuel tanks). When I get ready to buy another trailer (or fifth wheel if I can convince my wife), I'll give you a call and see what you can find for me. The comment about "Proven Quality" is well taken. Also your comment about resale of a trailer without a slide was something I had not thought about.



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Stan
93 2WD extended cab, Banks Power Pack, K&N Air Filter, PW Injectors,Auto w/4. 10 rear with limited slip, US Gear Exhaust Brake, 31/2" Exhaust, 5K air bags, Boost/Pyro/Tach Gauges, Green/Silver, new 40-20-40 bucket seats, 149K