Hi, we're considering upgrading our gas class A for a DP and we're debating whether or not we want a curbside front slide (kitchen/living room). Obviously they do create more living space but we're concerned that it'll take away 'under awning' space outside (we enjoy eating our meals outside under the awning as much as we can).

Any opinions pro/con ?

Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by michelb:
Hi, we're considering upgrading our gas class A for a DP and we're debating whether or not we want a curbside front slide (kitchen/living room). Obviously they do create more living space but we're concerned that it'll take away 'under awning' space outside (we enjoy eating our meals outside under the awning as much as we can).

Any opinions pro/con ?

Thanks

Had our group sit in front of one with the slide and awning out and it was not for us.

You also can get quite a tunnel effect passing between the extended slide and the entry door going in and out of the coach which can become a knee knocker especially when exiting the coach.

You're hard-pressed to find an upscale gasser or DP that doesn't have at least 3 slides, which means one of them will usually be on the curb side in the front.

Personally, I do like the extra living space. The curb-side slide usually isn't too deep, but that extra 18-24" sure does make a big difference inside.

Outside, I don't like it. The curb-side slide can frequently create a problem with the patio awning. Not only does it steal space from under the awning, the awning running over top of the slide sometimes doesn't permit enough slope on the awning to allow it to shed rain water.

Then there is the question of a kitchen slide with all the utilities having to flex in and out. That could create leak problems.

It is getting harder to find a DP without a curbside slide out. But they ARE out there - I believe each coach mfr has at least 1 in their model floorplans without a curbside slide.

If you like sitting out under your awning with plenty of room, then curbside slides aren't for you. If you prefer having more room & a more spacious feel inside & don't mind losing out on your under-the-awning recreation, then go with the curbside slide.

Personally, I prefer having the room under the awning. It's just the 2 of us 99% of the time, so interior space isn't that critical.

With any rv purchase, sometimes it's a compromise. Figure out what you want vs what you can give up since it seems ya can't find everything ya want in 1 package.

L-

My awning is mounted on the slide so no space is lost under the awning.

quote:

Originally posted by paz:
Then there is the question of a kitchen slide with all the utilities having to flex in and out. That could create leak problems.

I've had one RV with a kitchen slide and that's one thing on my list of what not to have in any future RVs - we didn't have any issues with leaking utilities but we had a major issue with the sink drain. Since it's on a slide they need to use a flex line for the gray water from the sinks to the gray tank. That flex line in our rig was installed in such a way that it caused the sinks to back up every time we washed the dishes. We'd put water in the sink to wash the dishes and when we'd pull the plug to drain the sink it would drain into the other sink, then slowly head to the tank. It turned out that the flex line was installed in such a way that it had a large loop in it - to accommodate the movement of the slide - and that loop created a large "p-trap" that made draining very slow. I had to use a lot of tie-wraps and bracing to make sure that the loop in the flex line stayed absolutely horizontal at all times to eliminate that p-trap. And it wasn't easy keeping it horizontal when it had to be able to move in and out with the slide!

The only negative i have is the power awning cant be lowered and it is ten foot in the air I dont know if a manual awning would be better.
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thanks Sal Avitabile

We have a curb side kitchen slide and we love it. It will be a requirement on our next coach also.

We do lose about 18 inches from under the awning, but thats fine, we still have plenty of room under it.

No leaks from the kitchen because of the slide.

Have your cake and eat it to - when you want to sit out under the awning, put the slide in. That's what we do when entertaining friends or at our club rallies. If the bugs get bad or we just decide to move inside, put the slide back out.

We have an Adventurer 38T with only 2 slides. The slides are extra long and it does have a front kitchen, but the front slide is on the driver's side. The bedroom slide is curbside and makes it nice for sitting under the awning.