No matter what type of travel you prefer, you can probably find a camper that fits the bill. Some people want something that’s small and easy to pull. Other people want something that feels more like a home, with all of the features and luxuries you can imagine. Especially for those with large families or for people who will be spending several months (or more) living out of their RVs, enormous slide-out campers with a variety of roomy floor plans can provide the comfort you’re looking for.
Benefits of a Slide-Out Camper
Slide outs (aka slides, slide rooms, tip outs, or bump-outs) are used to increase the room available within a travel trailer or RV. They can be found in just about every size of camper from small pop-ups and teardrops to luxurious RVs.
In general, slide-outs are found in the sides or the rear of the rig with mechanisms that allow you to extend out and retract them back in to make the unit compact for traveling. The mechanisms can be manual and operate via a system of cables and pullies. However, more commonly in today’s RVs, you’ll find electric systems or hydraulics that operate with the simple push of a button. Hydraulic side-outs are more complex, but they’re also more powerful, so they can handle larger, heavier slides than electric versions, which operate with a small motor.
Rack and pinon slides (aka electric through-frame slides) tend to be the most popular as they have fewer movable parts that can break, require minimal force to operate, and are flush with the main floor. This is important as there’s a minimal bump in the floor when the slide is open or closed. They do, however, take up more room than some other options.
One of the biggest benefits of a slide-out camper is more living space. You may also be able to save money and have more flexibility with towing as slide-outs offer additional room even if you choose a shorter or smaller trailer. Slide-outs can also add more light and ventilation for units if they have windows in the sidewalls.
There are, however, also drawbacks of a slide-out camper. For one, there’s an added layer of complexity. Slides can fail or break, especially if they aren’t properly maintained. They need regular maintenance to ensure they stay aligned, lubricated, and sealed to prevent leaks or mechanical failures.
Another drawback is reduced insulation within the slides, which could make it more difficult to maintain comfortable temperatures when they’re extended.
Finally, sliders add additional weight, so you may need a larger vehicle to pull the slide-out camper, or you may need to cut back on your gear. This can also affect how well the trailer performs on the road.
Because of the complexity of the moving parts, electrical components, and perhaps hydraulics, regular maintenance is required to ensure the slide-out remains trouble-free. Maintenance includes:
Your system may need further maintenance if it has hydraulics, electric motors, or cable drivers.
Slide-out campers come in all shapes and sizes. But if you’re traveling with a large family or friend group or you’ll be living in your slide-out camper for an extended vacation, a bit more room can be a lot more comfortable. Here are some of the most popular options:
Other enormous slide-out campers with 3 to 4 slides to consider include:
All of these options offer similar comfort and features with a variety of floor plans to suit your preferences and budget.
