Experience with Slide Out

[Tin Hut]

I'm considering a Safari with the Slide Out. What is the experience so far with them? Have they generally been reliable? Also, what are the negatives of having a slide out other than more $. Thank you much.

[Big Dee]

There are some good threads on this subject, search them out.

Quick recap of arguments against Slides:

1. Huge hitch weight.
2. Unbalanced load.
3. Future mechanical breakdown.
4. Cost- upfront and down the road.
5. Less cabinets.

Argument for:

1. Lots of space
2. Open feeling in livingroom.

[Tin Hut]

Thanks Big Dee.

[jcanavera]

According to my dealer's service folks the latest slides have been pretty reliable. Probably better engineered than most SOB's. Cabinet space is a toss up since the cabinet space you lose, you gain back in a cabinet to the rear of the slide which gains your space back, plus holds the microwave, which in turn adds extra cabinet space on the stove/sink side of the trailer not present on the non slide units.

You are specifically speaking of the Safari slide out, which for all intents has not been purchased by anyone on the forum. Our comments so far have all been from folks with Classic units.

Regards,

Jack

[Big Dee]

Jack,

I am confused on the cabinets that are "in the rear of the slide'. As I remember, the 30' Claasic SO does not have the overhead cabinets over the dinnette as the 30' Classic does. Do you have cabinets over your dinnette? I really wanted these cabinets as they hold all my dishes, cups, ect.

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by Big Dee

Jack,

I am confused on the cabinets that are "in the rear of the slide'. As I remember, the 30' Claasic SO does not have the overhead cabinets over the dinnette as the 30' Classic does. Do you have cabinets over your dinnette? I really wanted these cabinets as they hold all my dishes, cups, ect.

No I do not have cabinets over the dinette. I'm sure its a weight issue.

Just behind the slide next to the fridge is a tall cabinet. It has two doors which contain two wide slide out shelves. And a pull out drawer below. On top of that cabinet sits the microwave oven. That creates more storage drawers on the stove side since the microwave vacates that space. The sink area is also "kicked out" into the coach area due to the extra space the slide provides. That gave us a little more space under the sink area for storage. We did the comparison to a non slide 30' Classic prior to ordering the slide and we found that it really was no loss in space.

Probably the only negative is the TV sits above the microwave which makes it further from the sofa. On the plus side that positioning allows folks sitting on one side of the dinette and on the sofa to both see the TV. Nice if one is stretching out on the sofa.

We place cups and dishes in the cabinets over the counter area.

Jack

[Big Dee]

Ahhh, now I get it. Those sliding drawers under the micro must be nice. I agree about the tv being a little far as I remember. My tv credenza is perfect and it includes a bar! And I can see my tv in the mirror of my front cabinet while I eat at the dinette!

I also have a overhead cabinet above my credenza, which I didn't see included in your comparision. I think that the credenza, OH cabinet above credenza and dinnette OH cabinets tips the cabinet space balance in favor of the non-slide.