How's Your Slideout?

CA Streamer · 10-28-2006, 08:26 PM

I have a 28' foot Safari slideout model and absoutely love it. The slideout provides an extra 10 sq ft of floor space which doesn't sound like much, but makes all the difference for interior floorspace. It also makes it bearable to be self-contained with two 95# Yellow Labs!

I was wondering how other SO owners like their slideouts?

Steve

**jcanavera** · 10-28-2006, 09:45 PM

We are very happy with the slide out on our Classic. I thought long and hard and held my breath. At this point I have no regrets. The hitch weight on my Classic is nearly 1,200 lbs. due to the slide, which initiated the need to upgrade my hitch and receiver to Class V hardware.

The most important thing that will keep the slide functioning is to only extend and retract it with the stabilizer jacks down.

Jack

CA Streamer · 10-28-2006, 10:13 PM

1200 pound hitch weight? Holy Moly! I thought mine was bad at 1010. Thankfully I don't have to use class V hitch equipment. Do you know how they beef up the frame for the slideouts? I'm curious as I have a phenomenal amount of cargo carrying capacity. My dry weight is 6515 and my GVWR is 9100, which equates to a 2585 carrying capacity... higher than any other Safari.

**jcanavera** · 10-28-2006, 10:30 PM

I think there is some extra bracing in the slide area. I ran into that when initially looking at a Classic slide out. I noticed a high area in the floor near the fridge in a 30' Classic slide as I walked down the aisle. According to the factory rep from Airstream who was there at the time, there is some additional bracing done, and in this case the trailer I was in may have had a slight defect in the placement, causing a high spot in the floor.

Since my unit was built before Airstream increased the load capacities, I don't have a ton of weight capacity. I think with full holding tanks my cargo capacity is about 660 lbs. or so. Normally the only potential holding tank load I carry is fresh water. My normal cargo load is about 500 lbs. Since I do not carry grey or black water in the tanks when traveling, I still have another 625 lbs. or so to play with on top of the 660 lbs that Airstream states.

Jack

Towdaddy · 10-28-2006, 11:07 PM

We recently upgraded to a unit with a slide-out. The SO really opens up the front and adds a spacious feel to the area. It also allows enougn room for our daughter's wheelchair and her some mobility without being entirely dependent on us.

It was very much worth the trade up. I do agree that tongue weight is high but this is supposed to reduce sway.

**jcanavera** · 10-29-2006, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Towdaddy

It was very much worth the trade up. I do agree that tongue weight is high but this is supposed to reduce sway.

I really don't believe this was done as a design saftey factor, in essance it's because of the slide unit itself which if I remember right during the JC tour, was stated to be 1,200 lbs., not including bracing, motor and any of the related hardware necessary to move the unit in and out.

I can attest though that with my Equal-i-zer hitch, this Classic is rock solid when towed behind my van. This unit very much acts as if it were part of the van itself. It's very impressive. More so than my '01 27' Safari Reese Dual-Cam lash up which in it's own right was very good.

Jack

ZoominC6 · 10-29-2006, 06:22 AM

We've certainly enjoyed the extra room our S/O provides and especially when the Grandchildren camp with us. We travel with two retrievers and a cat and really appreciate the space when they sleep inside due to weather concerns or whatever. Our only problem was a minor one that involved getting the S/O aligned properly and once we found a great Airstream servicing dealer he solved it easily for us. Every so often the S/O requires a slight push to avoid a catch when extending but nothing drastic. We've noticed two very large rivet heads have sheared off of the exterior banding frame but will have those replaced when doing some interior modifications this winter in Texas. The rivets don't appear that they are likely to cause any particular structural problems at this time. We believe that purchasing the first production year of any particular new design is a risk for the buyer. After thousands of miles on this trailer, we expect it to last us for a lifetime of fun both for us and whomever purchases it at a later date.

nilesrob · 10-29-2006, 08:48 AM

Love our slide-out. Tow's great. Less filling.

**jcanavera** · 10-30-2006, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZoominC6

We believe that purchasing the first production year of any particular new design is a risk for the buyer.

I think the slide first appeared in either 2000 or 2001. I'm betting 2000. There was one retrofit on the first year's production that had to deal with the seals. I was up at JC the summer of 2001 and ran into an owner who was having the work done at the warranty. Apparently they pulled a couple of guys from the plant over to the service center to perform the work.

I silicone the seals inside and out at least once a year to keep them flexible.

Jack

CA Streamer · 10-30-2006, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcanavera

I silicone the seals inside and out at least once a year to keep them flexible.

What type of silicone do you use Jack? I used silicone spray on mine but I'm wondering if rubbing some silicone grease into the seal would be better.

**jcanavera** · 10-30-2006, 09:08 AM

Oh I'm just using plain old silicone spray. The same stuff I use on all the other rubber gaskets on the door and windows. The biggest problem is gaining access to the inner seal on my 30' unit. First you have the storage cabinet that is next to the slide unit itself. It's almost impossible to get a hand into that. The outer seal has its own issues in trying to get to top center due to the awning that covers the slide. I just use a long spray tube to hit the spots that I can't get closer to.

I've never used or seen the grease so I can't comment upon whether that would be a superior product.

Jack

ladyPenelope · 11-04-2006, 09:55 AM

Hi,
I was wondering about leak with slide out,
is anyone around who had to deal with that ?
dufferin (diane doesn't want me to use my name because she can't remember her password)

nilesrob · 11-04-2006, 10:39 AM

We have had no leaks, and we've been (guess) 5 - 10,000 miles.

If the slide is out and it rains, sometimes rain collects on top and can drip when you retract. No big issue - nothing a paper towel won't solve.

CA Streamer · 11-04-2006, 02:04 PM

No leaks with mine. They have a good quality rubber seal which is nice and tight on my rig. Some rain can collect on top but most is shed off along with leaf debris and such, by the built in awning.