Airstream with slide out ?

[GCinSC2]

On a chance that it's rain forecast the night before we leave, I'll bring the slide in. Kinda helps one less concern.

It's got a slide too? Wow.

How many times I've heard that one.

[StreamDog]

Lots of positive's here, so I'll be Negative Ned. Slides increase the potential for mechanical & electrical repairs & leaks. They definitely make the RV harder to heat and cool and they increase the purchase price. Rain, snow, leaves, bird droppings, etc. can be brought into the inside of the RV. They may decrease the resale value because some buyers DO NOT want a slide. You can't always put your slide OUT and some areas in the RV may not be accessible with the slide IN.

That said, they do a priceless job of expanding roominess. This is why we bought a truck camper with one, and some of the negatives above are why we won't buy another one.

[jcanavera]

Well you need to qualify the negative side of owning a slide with the performance of the Airstream slides. Heating and cooling of my 30' slide has been great. Pricing of the Airstream slides are good. Mine is valued higher than the non slide 30' Airstream of the same vintage. Rain, snow, leaves, and bird droppings are not real issues due to Airstream using an awning to cover the slide roofs. The Airstream is accessible with the slide in. All in all it sounds like your impression of the Airstream slides is based on your experience with SOB slides and not Airstreams. Airstream did a good job on design and function of their slides. Negative Ned's view really doesn't support the experience of the owners who are represented here.

Jack

[SeeMore]

Ditto, Jack's observation. We have full use of the trailer with the slide in but do lose some floor space. Note my initial observation about the naysayers in post #6.

Luckily, I have never had an issue with rain water entry at any time and I haven't 'cleared' the top as others have noted above. However, I do 'lube' my gasket twice a year with 303 protectant and have done so since purchase. The gasket appears new and is very flexible; great squeegee action at all contact points at age 14. I do need to note the rest of the trailer and appliances are subject to the same issues all Airstreams suffer. I have replaced the refrigerator, microwave, toilet, brakes, propane regulator, and lots of small stuff like drawer catches, etc.

As for heating/cooling, my observation would be the insulation in the slide walls exceeds the performance of the other standard walls. During cooler months, my feet are comfortable in socks at the dinette and I notice the floor feels cooler elsewhere whenever I walk about.

I'd guess the Texas unit for sale has been around for a few months because it is priced higher than any other Classic 30' SO I have seen for sale rather than a viewer having found an issue not identified in the posting (which might be the case). Even though it may have been bought "new" in 2010, SO production stopped quite bit earlier and the unit sat unsold on the lot before his purchase. It may be a 2008, he never states the model year.

I was told by a dealer last fall he could sell my unit in a week for low $40's if I was interested in a commission sale arrangement. We decided to refresh all the fabrics and cushions rather than trade for another model.

[bobmiller1]

Well said Jack, it appears to me that most of the negative comments come from people that have negative experiences with a SOB / slide. Makes me wish I owned a slide-in truck camper with a slide...on second thought I think we'll keep our 34' Classic S/O.

[LucasS]

Well I can't attest to Airstream's Trailer department but their moho guys had the slideouts ironed down pat. Never had an issue with mine. Then again I don't have a bullet body. If I could find a 95 classic DP with a slide Id sell mine and buy that on the spot even at a premium.

[LucasS]

So my dealer just got one on his lot if your'e still interested. Airstream 2008 30 Classic Limited Slide Out

Ask for Henry. They're the best RV dealership around imho and they always treat people with respect. (mention you know Lucas and maybe he'll throw in some free stuff, lol)

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by LucasS

So my dealer just got one on his lot if your'e still interested. Airstream 2008 30 Classic Limited Slide Out

Ask for Henry. They're the best RV dealership around imho and they always treat people with respect. (mention you know Lucas and maybe he'll throw in some free stuff, lol)

Unit looks like it was hardly used. Biggest negative I can say on that specific trailer is that it only has the 13.5k air conditioner. Would be marginal. Hopefully the new owners will stay in the cool climes.

Jack

[SeeMore]

A closer read of the specs (check the "options" tab) for the unit at Toscano RV states two AC units: 13.5K bedroom & 15K main cabin (both heat strip), plus 10 cf refrigerator. Also wired for 50 amp service and has two 40 lb propane bottles. This unit is equipped with two 53 watt solar panels as well.

[jcanavera]

I don't see the options tab on the link that was provided above. I just went back and looked at it again. Looking closer at the pictures posted by the dealer and only saw one air conditioner on the roof. Those pictures might not be the same trailer. I'll go directly to their web site and look from there. Not that I'm buying but if someone is looking they need to see and understand exactly what this dealer is selling.

[PovIndy]

We bought our 2005 Safari 28' with Slideout 2 years ago and have really enjoyed it. We did have a failure to retract issue that we were able to overcome manually. The problem was a fried controller we were able to replace from the original manufacturer: PowerGear Products, Mishawaka, IN The slideout unit and mechanical equipment are heavy duty and are holding up well at 10 years old. All in all even with the past issue - we would not trade our slideout unit for anything - the extra space it provides makes a huge difference in comfort and convenience. We look forward to many more years and camping miles with our wonderful AS.

[pappy19]

Originally Posted by jcanavera

Unit looks like it was hardly used. Biggest negative I can say on that specific trailer is that it only has the 13.5k air conditioner. Would be marginal. Hopefully the new owners will stay in the cool climes.

Jack

Our 2002 30' slider also has the 13.5 AC and it has done a good job even in very hot conditions. I did have a mother board go bad on me in Florida during 90+ heat and that's not fun. Had to motel it until it got fixed. I now leave the cabinet door open above the bed to keep the braker cool or it will trip. Not fun to come home and find the AC has been off due to a breaker trip. Not saying that a 15 AC would be better, but we have been fine with the 13.5 in 98% of our situations.

[TinShack]

Originally Posted by PovIndy

We bought our 2005 Safari 28' with Slideout 2 years ago and have really enjoyed it. We did have a failure to retract issue that we were able to overcome manually. The problem was a fried controller we were able to replace from the original manufacturer: PowerGear Products, Mishawaka, IN The slideout unit and mechanical equipment are heavy duty and are holding up well at 10 years old. All in all even with the past issue - we would not trade our slideout unit for anything - the extra space it provides makes a huge difference in comfort and convenience. We look forward to many more years and camping miles with our wonderful AS.

I think the PowerGear controller just went out on my 2005 28' too as I have a failure to retract. I was able to retract the slide manually, and I can also extend it manually, but it's a pain. I have power to the controller, but none going out. I ordered a replacement controller but have yet to receive it.

In my quest for a replacement I found PowerGear was bought out by Lippert Components recently. The original controller P/N 510116 is no longer made, but there is a replacement version which is the one I purchased P/N 140-1163. Hopefully this will work. The new one uses a harness instead of each wire connecting directly to the controller so I will have to adapt the wires to the harness (P/N 140-1138) which is no big deal. It is also fused directly at the controller and uses a 20A slo-blo fuse.

This has been the first problem I've had with the slideout and hopefully will be fixed with the new controller.

[Rockwell]

Originally Posted by woodfox45

We are looking for a newer Trailer and it has a slide out does anybody have any pros or cons to say about Airstreams with slides I know they don't make them any more .
Hope to hear from someone .

WE have a 2003 Safari 28 with SO and love it. Customized it inside for our needs and wants…took out the dinette and moved the couch into it's place and replace the couch with two Lazyboy recliners. Had a friend build me small table that I mounted on a removable pedestal for when we need a table … never had any issues to date with the slide, pulled approximately 40K miles mountains, plains, hill & dale…no leaks…my recommendation if you can find one.."go for it!"

[streaminwild]

There is a 2003 34 limited slide out for sale on Washington D.C. Craigslist....... Asking 27,000. like new condition. Trying to help you Woodfox.

[woodfox45]

Thanks Streaminwild , Thats a good price but I can't handle a 34 .
Merry Christmas ; Woodfox

[m.hony]

I wish I had $27,000 or even the ability to borrow $27,000.


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[m.hony]

A 34' slide-out is the absolute top of the food chain in Airstream trailers.


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[streaminwild]

I found a 28' 2005 s/o for 29,900 in las vegas. craigslist. Just stay out of the casinos. Contact number is 951-415-8023. They are so rare I doubt you'll find one close to home. One day I'll find a 6yr. old to show me how to copy and paste on computers. Merry Christmas Woodfox.

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by streaminwild

There is a 2003 34 limited slide out for sale on Washington D.C. Craigslist....... Asking 27,000. like new condition. Trying to help you Woodfox.

This trailer looks to be a good buy .....