slide vs non slide
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Topic: slide vs non slide
Posted By: georgiadave
Subject: slide vs non slide
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2014 at 7:28pm
| Hi All not sure if this is the place to post but here goes, I'm looking to buy an R-pod in the near future. we have a pup now other than canvas set up and take down time ect. one thing we want is to be able to pack before we go camping, were wanting a slide due to being cramped for so many years but it looks as if I get one with a slide it will limit the packing before we leave, a slid is not wrote in stone and I sure would like some opinions on the pros and cons of a slide v/s a non slide from the people that own them Thanks, btw 90% of the time it will be just the wife and me plus two small dogs |
Replies:
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2014 at 7:36pm
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We have a 177 with slide and do our packing before we leave. I don't know how slides hurt that. Our slide has been trouble free. and gives us more room when we are in our pod. It is us and two small dogs also.
------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2014 at 8:32pm
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go with slide!!! hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2014 at 8:33pm
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Well, technically, you do lose a little cupboard space in the slide models, but IMHO its fairly negligible. I really wouldn't worry about it. And the slide is so shallow that there's little problem moving around inside the trailer if you do have to keep it closed while loading. Apart from that, there's always a potential for mechanical problems with a slide, or with water/air infiltration. But, the vast majority of slide-model owners have had no issues and are very happy. Again, I wouldn't worry about it. Basically, I suggest you pick the floorplan that appeals to you. ------------- Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150 |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2014 at 9:26pm
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------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2014 at 9:39pm
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sorry about the earlier post-darn fingers! I have a 173-a non-slide. My wife and I have talked a lot about whether we would buy a slide or non-slide if we did it again, Our concern is all about the floor plan-which one works the best for your situation. there are just 2 of us, we cook all of our meals inside with a small gas grill outside. Kitchen counter space is critical for us. We also use the table/dinette alot for studying maps, computer, etc. we didn't want to break the table area down each night. In our 173, I removed the rear futon (useless) and made a folding double bed. I made it with a solid plywood top that serves as an additional countertop. we are now able to leave the dinette set up all the time and have aplenty of kitchen countertop. my point-look at the way the bedroom , sitting, eating, kitchen areas work for your lifestyle. the slide does add space-but don't sacrifice function. the non-slide Pod can be fine for 2 people. Add 2 small dogs and ?????? That's not to say that I wouldn't pick a slider next time-it would just depend. I would suggest that you don't make your choice based on slide or non-slide-study the floorplans.. Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9">
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Posted By: ron_whitt
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2014 at 10:33pm
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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. ------------- Ron & Shirley 2020 Tacoma 2012 177 rpod |
Posted By: RescapePod
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2014 at 8:26am
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Go with the slide. it adds some much "Space" to your interior. We have the 179 and with the slide in we can walk by the table, access all but 1 cabinet in kitchen area and still get to pantry, closet and bed area. At rest stops we do not have to put the slide out to rest , eat lunch or take a nap. Get the RPod that fits you and enjoy ! ------------- 2015 R-Pod 179 2013 Chevy K1500 |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2014 at 9:27am
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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. ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2014 at 11:26am
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I was against slides, but when I got my Salem I quickly changed my mind. I don't think I could go back, now. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Kickstart
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2014 at 2:24pm
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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. ------------- '10 RP 175-Replaced by 2014 Kodiak 173 QBSL '12 Toyota Tundra '05 Sportster (half a Harley) Retired-We're on Beach Time! |
Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2014 at 5:01am
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I used to hate slides- mainly because I spent a good deal of time repairing them on my dad's different RV's over the years. That said I like the one in my 179! So far problem free- fingers crossed. I would not like one that kept me from using certain key features when it was in though....on our 179 it is not a problem except, as said, one cabinet is inaccessible when it is in...no biggy. On the road my SOP is to hit the bathroom while filling the tow vehicle with gas....A slide that kept me from getting in the bathroom without extending it etc would be a no go for me. ------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2014 at 10:57am
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Budward, that is my SOP too, and the one big problem with the layout of my Salem. What I may have to do is pull up to the gas pump leaving 1 1/2 feet of room on the left, just enough room to open it up half-way so the bathroom door can be opened. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2014 at 11:53am
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That'd work...just don't forget to put it in before leaving..... As I get older CRS is becoming an issue  ------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: Luv2Q
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2014 at 12:38pm
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The slide-out is actually what first drew us to the Pod. "Look, Honey, a small trailer .. and it even has a slide out." So the hunt began and we were drawn ultimately to the 179 and getting close to doing a deal. By this point, we'd been following this forum pretty closely and paying attention to issues that were "serious" .. or not. The axle weight limitation Budward found on the 179 spooked me. While I'm pretty sure I could swap out the 3500# axle for a beefier one, the thought of doing that + adding 15" wheels & tires - to a brand-new trailer - got to be more of a mental hurdle than I wanted to fool with. So we opted to step back & go with the simple & uncomplicated 171. We're happy with it but if it proves to be tighter than we'd like, we can always revisit the larger slide-out sizes later. Heck, who doesn't want more space?
 ------------- John & Teri Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180 E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2014 at 1:57pm
Definitely becoming an issue for me!  ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2014 at 5:51pm
What were we talking about? ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2014 at 8:31pm
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slides and CRS. hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: pepmac
Date Posted: 19 Dec 2014 at 10:06am
| this reply may come a little late.. We had a 2010 R Pod no slide we upgraded to a 2014 with slide.. does seem less cramped but we feel our 2010 was built better if I had it to do over I would look for a used 2010 without slide and I would have kept our old one just on the basis of the quality of the R Pod |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 19 Dec 2014 at 12:05pm
 and try to forget about the bad.  ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: dsmiths
Date Posted: 19 Dec 2014 at 9:44pm
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David/Danette We have a 2011 RP-172 which has no slide and we like it as there are just the two of us, But, Donna really would like to have a Queen/short Queen that does not have to be put up and taken down each day. After seeing your posts I looked at some of the Vibe floor plans and I really like them. It will be a couple of years before we will be able to retire and maybe get something we can spend a few weeks in. I really like the light smaller units. ------------- Dane and Donna Smith 2011 RP-172 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4X4 lift kit prodigy wireless brake controller |
Posted By: Grayotter
Date Posted: 22 Dec 2014 at 10:57am
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My wife and I had similar beliefs as you. We were against slides until we walked through our 179 on the sales lot. When we camp we're grateful we bought the slide. If you get a 179, be sure to check the slide area near the frig from the couch side to be sure nothing has fallen off the counter that might obstruct the slide. Gar ------------- Love2 1der |