slide vs non slide

Over the years we've owned a handful of small TT's. The last two (RP175 and Kodiak) have had slides. The older we get, the more time we spend inside the trailer, so we really do now appreciate the extra room, while not wanting to tow a larger rig. Many of the National Park and Forest Service sites in our area are very small--small trailer w/slide and we still fit in most of them.

In 4 years with the Pod slide, it caused us little trouble. We did keep up with the gear drive and seal maintenence. We did have two problems with the Pod slide. The outside seal, a loose fitting flap, around the gear drive was not designed well--allowing wind and maybe insects or rodents access to the interior when the slide was extended. Forest River should have checked with Marwayne, he would have taken care of it for them! Also each time you retract any slide, you better first check the slide roof area for debris. We got a short term leak because we didn't check and got a small twig lodged under the seal. I now carry a 6' step ladder in the truck bed. When I get a few more bucks, maybe a slide awning is in order.

The RP 175 slide central gear drive always worked perfectly. The Kodiak, and I think the RP 179, have a Schwintec unit. The Schwintecs have a reputation for some jamming problems. No probs yet with the Kodiak, and most of the problems that I've read about with the Schwintecs were with big units--not my Kodiak or the 179 size. Here's hopin', and I'm definitely gonna keep up with the maintenence with the new slide.

Thanks TNT and the rest of you for making this Podless person still feel comfortable here! This is a very friendly and informative board.

   This would be a good question for a poll. So far everyone that has a slide is happy with it and recommends having one. We have never had a camper with a slide though we have been content not having one. Perhaps if we had the experience of a camper with a slide we would prefer a slide. With other campers there has been some problems but the slides on the r-pods seem to be for the most part trouble free. When I last checked a camper with a slide the insurance is a little more it adds a little weight and requires a little maintenance that is the only negative things I can think of. The positive thing would be extra floor space and not having the feeling of being cramped.

We have the 177 slide model. We leave the table up all the time, just the boss and I. At home we leave the slide out all the time, pack the day ahead then leave next day. As was stated before even with the slide in you still have room to pack/load everything. The slide gives you a lot more room to move around on those rainy days....   Good luck on your choices.   

go with slide!!!   hogone