Slides and Awnings

The Ins and Outs of Awnings

Although awnings are usually standard on most models, there are many different options for awnings, and I feel they merit their own mention. Awnings enable you to increase the energy efficiency and beauty of your RV, and they add to the value and usability of your rig.

There are two styles of RV awnings: those that can be rolled up when open and those that stay open with the awning fabric and roller tube exposed. The most popular RV awnings are the ones you can roll out when the RV is parked, mainly because they are much less expensive than other types.

The problem is that these types of awnings do not fit snugly against the RV’s outer wall, which causes a potential danger in high wind situations. Window awnings, however, do fit tightly against the outer wall of the RV and have much better resistance against wind.

RV awnings can provide many of the same benefits as home awnings. They add an element of charm and elegance, as well as providing functional qualities and energy efficiency. It is estimated that solar heat gain can be reduced by up to 70%, benefiting both your comfort and your utility bill.

The Pros and Cons of Slides

The majority of RVs these days have at least one slide and many have up to four. (Our Excursion has four.) A slide is basically an automated room extender. With the push of a button, you can retract it while traveling and open it up to add more square footage to your bedroom, kitchen, or living area when you are parked.

If you are considering slides, it’s important to do your research. What area or areas do you most want to extend? How much storage space is lost when the slide is retracted? We looked at one model that had a huge slide. It was wonderful…until we closed the slide. You could barely walk down the aisle.

Remember this one thing: when you go to a dealer, they will ALWAYS have the slides out. (Surprisingly, many people buy RVs without ever taking a test drive; I’ve spoken to several people who’ve done this.) So make sure you close the slides on the lot to get the real picture. Sit in the driver seat, and imagine how difficult it will be for Mom to make you a sandwich when you’re pulling an eight-hour driving marathon. Will she be bumping her elbows, or will she have plenty of room?

Something else to look for is if the extended room impedes access to the outside storage bays. On some models, it is virtually impossible to access outside storage with the slides extended.

How much weight does the slideout space add? Does it affect the balance or towing weight limits of the coach? And should the worst case happen, what do you do if the slideout mechanism fails to retract the extended room? Is there a way to close it manually?

While there is no specific answer to how many, if any, slides to consider, they definitely go a long way toward maximizing your RV space. To learn more, go to the RV manufacturers or dealers and ask for a demonstration, talk to RV owners, or go to the online chat rooms to learn the pros and cons of slides.

Jeff Radich is a professional research writer and active RV enthusiast.