Newbie questions -- slideouts

Since we are in the buying process (tow vehicle first, then r-pod) we originally were looking at the 171.   When we finally walked inside of several r-pods, I found the 171 set off a claustrophobic panic.   Stepped into the 178 and the panic was gone.  Needless to say, we will not be getting the 171, but a slightly larger r-pod (most likely the 178).  

Part of my initial resistance with the slide-outs was the potential for mechanical problems, leaks, etc.   Now that that I know that is what we will be purchasing, I'm trying to wrap my brain around how slide outs actually work.  In this model it is the kitchen area that slide outs.  I've only seen them open, not closed (slide in?).   Can someone try an explain this to me?  Or, if you have a photo take a picture maybe of the interior before the slide out has been slid out?

Thanks

Denise

The operation of the slide out is fairly simple. It is a gear that can drive both forward in reverse that fits into a track like mechanism. As the gear drives out the track and slide out move out and when it drives in the track collapses to the interior. There is a real good write up on the FR site and explains both mechanical and hydraulic slides- with pictures for people like me. I do not have a picture with me of the slide in from the interior. Just imagine your hallway between the latrine and the kitchen counter gets a lot narrower. I have a 178, no issues with slide.

We have enjoyed our 2011  177 for nearly 6 years and have had zero issues with the slide or leakage.  Just a few weeks ago we were camping at the Lake Superior State Forest Campground in the U.P. of Michigan and after that were in Munising along Lake Superior and experienced some rugged weather.  Sustained 35 mph winds with gusts at 45 mph.  Rain during the whole day with at one time 1/4 to 3/8 " hail for about 15 minutes.  Temp only reached 44 degrees so the furnace got a decent workout.  The slide was facing the wind and Lake Superior, the lake being only 200 feet away.  Even after that, no leakage, which we are thankful for, kinda neat feeling cozy in the pod though in that kind of weather, a great day for some serious Cribbage.

A week ago tommorrow we had a malfunction of our slide while at our last campsite in Idaho. When we ran it out for the night the power cord (which runs underneath the dinette in our 179) became bound up and pulled one of the wires off the drive motor. After we figured out how to manually push in the slide (with a video from this forum!) I discovered the disconnected wire. I will visit the dealer soon and it will be repaired under warranty but just to say that minor things can go wrong but I believe they are rare with a simple slide. We love or GrimPod as it's a huge upgrade over the teardrop we upgraded from. Good luck!