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02-07-2016, 08:23 AM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
2016 27' Flying Cloud
Sunriver
, Oregon
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 128
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Pros and Cons on slider model 2005
Looking at a 28ft safari with slider. Is there any thing I should look for as for structural or possible leak issues?
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02-07-2016, 08:47 AM
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#2
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Moderator
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
2005 25' Safari
Santa Rosa Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,159
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Greetings from the Florida Panhandle
First off, welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us.
As to your question, one thing to keep in mind is that the Airstream slide-out models have a significantly heavier tongue weight than the same non slide-out model.
Brian
__________________
SuEllyn & Brian McCabe
WBCCI #3628 -- AIR #14872 -- TAC #FL-7
2015 FC 25' FB (Lucy) with ProPride
2020 Silverado 2500 (Vivian)
2023 Rivian R1T (Opal)
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02-07-2016, 09:09 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1991 34' Excella
Princeton
, New Jersey
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,070
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ALL slides leak in time if not from day one. Airstream slides add less than half that of other slides. When they fail in the open position and it is time to go home they are a real problem.
If you want more room buy a longer trailer and save on the total weight.
__________________
WBCCI 12156 AIR 3144 WACHUNG TAC NJ6
2004 Excursion 4x4
1991 34 ft. Excella +220,000 miles, new laminated flooring, new upholstery, new 3200 lbs axles
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02-07-2016, 09:30 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2005 28' Safari S/O
Paradise
, California
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,446
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Welcome to the forums! Overall, mine has been mostly leak free and structurally sound after 10 years. It did develop some leaks along outside trim line at the floor level that was rectified by sealing the trim. A few other minor leaks here and there as the trailer ages. I would suggest taking a moisture meter when you go to look at the trailer and checking at least the floor with it.
The frames on the slide out models are beefed up to carry the extra weight and as Moosetags said the tongue weight is heavy and so is the trailer. The good thing is the carrying capacity is greater than most. The dry weight on mine is 6750# and the GVWR is 9100#, so over a ton of carrying capacity.
As far as slide leakage goes, not much to speak of although some water can collect on the slide top after heavy rains so that when it is retracted, the water can enter. You can squeegee the water off before retracting the slide.
Also there are Airstream folks that know nothing about the slideout models that will tell you they all leak or have problems. This is not true and the fact is most people that have them love them.
There are a few other threads about slideout models if want more information. Here are links to three but you can also use the search tool to find more. http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...te-118408.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f302...out-27330.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f142...ut-137094.html
__________________
Steve
"THE OLDER I GET, THE BETTER I WAS"
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02-07-2016, 11:02 AM
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#5
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S/OS #005
2004 28' Safari S/O
Georgetown
, Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 58
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Slideout
We love our slide out; one friends mentioned they would never buy a slide but their opinion only. It makes a huge difference on the inside room. We did have a major leak which Andy from Canam hopefully has cured for us. We bought used but believe the leak happened from the beginning when the trailer was new.
If we are travelling the next day, we bring the slide in at night before the dew accumulates on the slide therefore eliminating any chance of water coming inside which will happen as the rubbers do not wipe the water or condensation off the slide. Much easier than dealing with it in the morning. Yes when we have to do that, the room inside is less but we manage. We put in new flooring last fall & do not want it getting wet.
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02-07-2016, 11:10 AM
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#6
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SipStreamer
2010 20' Flying Cloud
Lakeside
, Montana
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 124
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Besides leaks, you add more possibilities for electrical and mechanical problems and you increase area to heat and cool. BUT, increased space could be priceless.
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02-07-2016, 11:14 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2002 30' Classic S/O
Garden Valley
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,631
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HowieE
ALL slides leak in time if not from day one. Airstream slides add less than half that of other slides. When they fail in the open position and it is time to go home they are a real problem.
If you want more room buy a longer trailer and save on the total weight.
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I would say that the number of slider failures per cent wise is way way less than a regular unit that leaks in various places and is particularly common in the years from 2002-2008, at the rear of the units.
I doubt that this fellow has ever owned a slider. For us, ours is a 2002 and we are the second owner. We have had no issues at all, but we did change out the carpet in the living/kitchen to oak and replaced the couch with 2 recliners. The additional room with the slide out, is significant IMHO and worth the little extra weight and effort.
__________________
2008 F-250 4X4 Lariat V-10
2002 Airstream Classic 30' w/SO #2074
2007 Kubota 900 RTV
1996 Ford Bronco
2007 Lincoln LT
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02-07-2016, 11:59 AM
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#8
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4 Rivet Member
2000 30' Excella
Toledo
, Ohio
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 493
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I asked the same question last summer after not buying a 30 ' all the answers were positive I have been told to always have the stabilizers down when opening the slide .
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02-07-2016, 12:04 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1991 34' Excella
Princeton
, New Jersey
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,070
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pappy19
I would say that the number of slider failures per cent wise is way way less than a regular unit that leaks in various places and is particularly common in the years from 2002-2008, at the rear of the units.
I doubt that this fellow has ever owned a slider. For us, ours is a 2002 and we are the second owner. We have had no issues at all, but we did change out the carpet in the living/kitchen to oak and replaced the couch with 2 recliners. The additional room with the slide out, is significant IMHO and worth the little extra weight and effort.
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You are correct "This Fellow" has never owned nor will he ever own one. I am the Fellow that slide owners come to when they have a problem and they do have problems. Be it mechanical or leak issues.
__________________
WBCCI 12156 AIR 3144 WACHUNG TAC NJ6
2004 Excursion 4x4
1991 34 ft. Excella +220,000 miles, new laminated flooring, new upholstery, new 3200 lbs axles
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02-07-2016, 12:47 PM
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#10
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3 Rivet Member
2005 28' Safari S/O
Lakeland
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 106
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I own a 2005 Safari with a slide and have only had one minor leak which has been fixed. I have been told by other non slide owners that the added tongue weight makes it a better towing trailer. I am the original owner and am happy with the slide. I think you would be hard pressed to find any Airstream that never had leak somewhere! With only about 84 ever being built, they are in high demand according to folks in the know.
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02-07-2016, 12:58 PM
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#11
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Site Team
2007 30' Classic S/O
Somewhere
, South Carolina
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,436
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I'll reply like this,
I own one.
And IF something happened to it and I needed to replace it, I'd search out another one.
You will enjoy that extra space and if weather might interfere, just push the button and bring it in.
__________________
S/OS #001 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L 6 Speed
16" Michelins, Hi Spec Wheels, Max Brake, Dexter 4 Piston Disc Brakes, Carslile Actuator, Equal-I-Zer, Dill TPMS. Campfire cook. BMV-712. DEMCO 21K Lb Cast Iron coupler
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02-07-2016, 03:29 PM
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#12
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3 Rivet Member
2016 27' Flying Cloud
Sunriver
, Oregon
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 128
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Thank You for all the responses and I find this web site very valuable and alot of great info from many great people. Hope to meet some in my travels.
Regards
Mike Comeaux
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02-07-2016, 03:57 PM
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#13
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Richard
2006 30' Classic S/O
Merced
, California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 79
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Got mine in 2006 brand new. I have had problems with the trailer but not the slide. There is a group called sliders on this forum somewhere. Check it out, then purchase your slider. Unless its been hit or someone screwed with it you won't be sorry. You didn't say what year it was. Somewhere before 2005 they changed the floor rollers location so they do not ride on the carpet. If that is true on the one your looking at you can change the floor to anything you want. I did.
Watch out for those who complain about sliders but never had one.
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02-07-2016, 11:07 PM
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#14
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Rivet Puller
2003 28' Safari S/O
Atlanta Burbs
, Georgia
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,006
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As another slide owner I'll chime in with nothing but accolades to say. I've found the other elements of the trailer are no different than the non-slides when it comes to issues. However, the slide has never been a problem, nor associated leakage, and mine is now 13. My unit was built in October 2002, titled a 2003, but the forum has no choice listed for that year hence the 2004 28' S/O below my avatar.
I've yet to find a naysayer who poo-poo slides who was an Airstream slide owner so you may safely assume their opinions were formed by other brands (which really do seem to have quality/integrity issues).
If the slide motor fails for any reason (it does have a reset switch), be aware you can open the lower panel and manually crank it closed. You aren't stuck as some imply.
__________________
"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."
Sir Tristan
Air #48582, S/SO #003, WBCCI #4584
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02-07-2016, 11:52 PM
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#15
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:SPACE A" S/O 11 Air19745
2006 34' Classic S/O
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,766
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My slide out trailer was built in 2005. No problems yet. I always park it with the side the slide is on leaning slightly in that direction to help water go away down hill. I have manually cranked it in with a 3/4" ratchet and that is a piece of cake. The only other note. If you should need a controller get a dealer to call Power Gear. The will not ship until 5 days after it is ordered by a dealer. And they will not drop ship. Airstream does not stock them. Camping World can give you the best price (10% off). I had one fried by lightening.
guskmg
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02-08-2016, 06:51 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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Pros:
more walk around room
more acceptance from wife
Cons:
mechanical issues
weight
We had an SOB slide-out- maintenance nightmare- part of the reason for getting an Airstream- and I wanted an Airstream anyway.
So far the Airstream with no slide has been so much less maintenance and break down compared to the SOB slide-out.
Not all issues were related to the slide, but many were- wouldn't go in all the way- wouldn't go out all the way- went in or out crooked- parts fell out of the mechanism-
Enough that I never want another slide.
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
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02-08-2016, 07:49 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2015 25' Flying Cloud
Bend
, Oregon
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 762
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1. All trailers leak
2. All slide outs need a little more maintenance
3. Slide outs give you more space
4. Airstream slide outs are rare and beautiful!
5. Go check it out
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02-08-2016, 09:08 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2008 25' Classic
Full Time
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,309
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Why did Airstream discontinue slide outs when the rest of the industry is embracing them.
What is the typical tongue weight on an AS slide out model?
kelvin
__________________
2008 Classic 25fb "Silver Mistress"
2015 Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins. Crew Cab, 4x4, Silver
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02-08-2016, 12:53 PM
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#19
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Rivet Puller
2003 28' Safari S/O
Atlanta Burbs
, Georgia
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,006
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I have never seen an Airstream announcement articulating exactly why they discontinuing slides, but my guess is insufficient sales volume and market conditions. Slides were discontinued when the economy tanked and RV sales dropped though the floor causing many companies to either shutter or narrow their offerings to high volume models in their lineup.
When Airstream slides were offered, the price point compared to SOB slides was quite a hefty premium for those in that niche market and, as seen in comments above and elsewhere, there are a fair number of misanthropes with strongly held beliefs against slides as either a maintenance/operational problem or a variant that detracts the iconic image of the brand. The sales cycle was more difficult to close.
As long as Airstream has a production backlog, expect more minor variations/designer models as their primary direction in the near-term as they cope with staff acquisition/training and sheer volume related to the new production capacity being brought on line. Airstream has all the tooling to restart slide production when or if they choose to, but, at recent public meetings, few to no hands were raised when the attendees were asked about interest in reviving a slide-out model.
__________________
"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."
Sir Tristan
Air #48582, S/SO #003, WBCCI #4584
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02-08-2016, 02:00 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
1994 30' Excella
alexandria
, Kentucky
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,320
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I have toured a few of the sliders - I definitely have "slide envy". I would gladly trade the extra weight and maintenance for the room it provides.
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Steve, Christy, Anna and Phoebe (Border Collie)
1994 Classic 30'11" Excella - rear twin
2009 Dodge 2500, 6 Speed Auto, CTD, Quad Cab, Short Bed
Hensley Arrow hitch with adjustable stinger
WBCCI # 3072
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