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Seeking Advice

Yahoo Message Number: 14325
Good Day all from a Newbie member of your Group. We had a 1992 Affinity which we sold in 1994 after buying some property to develop a Ranch. Now retired, I would like to buy another coach, (preowned this time) even though the boss (my wife) is not completely onboard with the idea yet. My major question has to do with slide outs.
Regardless of the obvious benefits, I see a number of problems discussed with slide outs here and elsewhere. I am wondering if they are a good choice for us. We will likely spend less than a week in any one location and there will only be two of us traveling. Second, I am leaning toward a Chevy Tahoe 4WD as a tow vehicle. Any comments would be appreciated.

Re: Seeking Advice

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14328
I have had 2 yukons. Same as Tahoe. Tow great. I have the US Gear Brake system on the Yukon. It works great and is a no brainer to use once installed. I think 2 slides on the driver side is the best. It makes it easy to get into the compartments on the passenger side.

john drebick 06 Affinity 6550 soon

Re: Seeking Advice

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14330
Newbie, I can't comment on the Yukon/Tahoe towability, but I will comment on a choice of coaches. My present coach is my sixth--three gas bangers and three DP's ( all three CC's).
I know you've seen postings re slide problems, but I have yet to see one who has decided to go to a slideless coach. I have owned noslide, one slide and now two slide coaches, and I am a big fan of the two slide arrangement. I have not owned a three or four slide unit, so I'm not really qualified to judge them, but I do have a problem with storage access in the multiple slide coaches.
If you decide to go the no-slide route I strongly recommend you look at used ones as they are hard to sell and the price should be very favorable.

Walt Rothermel
03Allure30811

Re: Seeking Advice

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14333
We went from a two slide used Journey, to a new three slide Dutch Star, and now have a four slide Affinity. Not sure who makes five slides, so I think I am safe for awhile.

We travel, both for pleasure and business, we don't camp. Sounds silly to differentiate I guess, but want want room when we stop and to be comfortable.

We have only had one slide issure, details were posted here. Bad valve. You could fix in 10 minutes if you had a spare vavle (I am getting two). More potential problems than no slides, but then not going anywhere would also be safe. Worth the risk.
As far as getting to the basement, we have two sliding storage units in the front two compartemts. Also, the doors on the passenger side open almost as high with the slide out. Not sure what you will end up with, but sliding storage trays underneath are way cool.

This is a personal decision only you and your wife can answer, but not getting any slides would effect resale later. If you can cash in now on this resale issue by getting a used, no slide, unit, then that makes sense I guess.
John

Re: Seeking Advice

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14334
Get more slides... that is all we can say..
If your experience is like ours.....
We are on our 3rd RV in 3 years.
Went from a 2 slide Class C to...

a 36' 2 slide Class A PD... and then discovered we wanted even more room.

Thus today we are proud owners of a 40' 05 Intrigue LE Quad slide.

This move was "just" right.

Russ and Jean

Re: Seeking Advice

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14335
We have had 3 coaches in 2 1/2 years, all with no slides. Like you said we travel more than we stay and decided that the slides would be more trouble than we wanted. I'm sure for the most part they are not a problem but when they are.... We have plenty of room for the two of us. Our first CC was a '96 Intrigue 40' with 2 couches. Our current coach is a '99 Magna 38' with only 1 couch and a desk and chair. I like the Magna arrangement better, there is more room. We did miss the 2' difference but not inside only in the storage area. We have driven the '99 over 14k since June. We even took our two grown children and the grandbaby with us on the last trip, of course we stayed at my grandmothers house and one kid slept inside. It is much more comfortable with only the two of us.

Just my 2 cents.

Tammy

99 Magna 5605

Quote from: rancher500us

Re: Seeking Advice

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14337
Rancher,

We ordered our '99 Allure with no slides and love it. We do not stay for extended periods in one place and it is also just the two of us.
Hey, when the weather is nice, out come the lawn chairs under the awning and presto we have a big room with a fantastic view ;-)))).
Major reason for no slide---did not want to sit in the shop getting rid of water leaks and yes there posts that show a sufficient amount of water problems. Bought the coach to drive and see the country and not sit on a dealer lot. Also, no wind noise for us. My theory, the more holes you pu in a coach the more problems you will have. I know that I will problably get some flak for talking about a no-slide coach, but you what, I am the one driving it and loving it. Will, probably be our last coach , so resale value really does not matter that much.

We are towing a Tahoe Z71 with no problems. Push a couple of buttons for 10 seconds and your ready to go.

Good hunting and hop you find what you are looking for,

Egon

'99 Allure #30321
'02 Tahoe Z71

Re: Seeking Advice

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14339
Our experience with CC multiple slides has been: alot of hydraulic leaks--they won't stop and always water leaks into the interior of the coach that go into the sidewalls. Water is the worst problem you can have in a coach, and CC has had it.

Chuck

Quote from: dosgoldens

Re: Seeking Advice

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14340
Egon,

We, too, ordered our '99 Allure with no slikes. We loved it.
However, when we are at the factory for a recall, my wife saw a new '03 Intrigue on the fence at the factory. We ended up buying in. Big mistake. The slides leaked. CC worked on them, but they still leaked. Stick with your no slide coach. They are much safer and do not leak--which will ruin your coach.

Chuck

'99 Allure: 30387-(just after yours) '03 Intrigue: 11 (won't say)

Quote from: Egon
Rancher,
> We ordered our '99 Allure with no slides and love it. We do not stay > for extended periods in one place and it is also just the two of

us.

Quote
Hey, when the weather is nice, out come the lawn chairs under the > awning and presto we have a big room with a fantastic view ;-)))).
Major reason for no slide---did not want to sit in the shop getting > rid of water leaks and yes there posts that show a sufficient amount > of water problems. Bought the coach to drive and see the country

and

Quote
not sit on a dealer lot. Also, no wind noise for us. My theory,

the

Quote
more holes you pu in a coach the more problems you will have. I

know

Quote
that I will problably get some flak for talking about a no-slide > coach, but you what, I am the one driving it and loving it. Will, > probably be our last coach , so resale value really does not matter > that much.

We are towing a Tahoe Z71 with no problems. Push a couple of

buttons

Quote
for 10 seconds and your ready to go.

Good hunting and hop you find what you are looking for, >

Egon

'99 Allure #30321
'02 Tahoe Z71

>

Re: Seeking Advice

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14342
I sure hope that our enthusiasm for the slides is not too premature.
(per our previous posting) It is sad to hear of all the leak problems detailed on this forum.

I guess we will have to see. Has anyone NOT had leaks? Just curious.

Russ and Jean
05 Intrigue

Quote from: vimaxco1
Egon,

We, too, ordered our '99 Allure with no slikes. We loved it.
However, when we are at the factory for a recall, my wife saw a > new '03 Intrigue on the fence at the factory. We ended up buying > in. Big mistake. The slides leaked. CC worked on them, but they > still leaked. Stick with your no slide coach. They are much safer > and do not leak--which will ruin your coach.

Chuck

'99 Allure: 30387-(just after yours) > '03 Intrigue: 11 (won't say)

[quote author=Egon"

>
>

> Rancher,
>

> We ordered our '99 Allure with no slides and love it. We do not

stay

Quote
for extended periods in one place and it is also just the two of > us.

> Hey, when the weather is nice, out come the lawn chairs under the > > awning and presto we have a big room with a fantastic view ;-)))).
> Major reason for no slide---did not want to sit in the shop

getting

Quote
rid of water leaks and yes there posts that show a sufficient

amount

Quote
of water problems. Bought the coach to drive and see the country > and

> not sit on a dealer lot. Also, no wind noise for us. My theory, > the

> more holes you pu in a coach the more problems you will have. I > know

> that I will problably get some flak for talking about a no-slide > > coach, but you what, I am the one driving it and loving it. Will, > > probably be our last coach , so resale value really does not

matter

Re: Seeking Advice

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14344
Russ & Jean,

Nope, no leaks in our 02 or the 04, but..... The 02 had a leaking hydraulic line in the driver bay, leaking syncronizing cylinder requring replacement and the interior tore all apart. The 04 has electric no hydraulic, but the motor for the living room slide is getting really weak and I'm sure it will quit at some point (12 months old) and the rear slide motor is making wierd noises. In addition, the slide awnings (Carefree)have a tendency to roll up leaves, twigs, acorns or whatever due to a small gap at the roller.
The old Zip Dee's would just shed all this stuff when you rolled them in, but not the Colorado. Carrying a ladder required!

Soooo, I would have a non-slide if it wasn't for the better half. I doubt there is anyone here that hasn't had some issues with the slides, motors, hydraulics, seals or awnings. I bet everyone who pushes those slide buttons kind of cross their fingers each time! Getting ready to leave that campground and the slide craps out, you are about to have a REALLY bad day....

Sometimes I wish I had the ole non-slide Foretravel back.

Tom

04 Allure 30979 (slides presently working)

Re: Seeking Advice

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14345
Quote
I sure hope that our enthusiasm for the slides is not too premature.
(per our previous posting) It is sad to hear of all the leak problems > detailed on this forum.

I guess we will have to see. Has anyone NOT had leaks? > Just curious.
Ask that question on the Newmar forum: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/newmarowners/ I think you will find the responses very honest and favorable.
Tom Fisher
Dallas, TX

Re: Seeking Advice

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14347
We have three slides and no problems - with the roll out trays storage is no problem - with slides you can stretch out - we traded a no slide once since for slides since we felt we were living in a hallway. Jacks down - push button for slides - you are done - don't even need to get out of the coach unless you are in one of those cramped parks where you think you need to hook up.

CHEERS - Clint
Inspire 51038

Re: Seeking Advice

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14354
From: "rancher500us" rancher500us@...>
Quote
Good Day all from a Newbie member of your Group. We had a 1992 > Affinity which we sold in 1994 after buying some property to develop > a Ranch. Now retired, I would like to buy another coach, (preowned > this time) even though the boss (my wife) is not completely onboard > with the idea yet. My major question has to do with slide outs. (snip)
A MUCH more important issue than the slideout issue is the fact that your wife "is not completely onboard with the idea yet" (of buying another coach).

Until that issue is resolved, I strongly advise that the purchase of another coach be delayed.

A friend decided to fulltime, although his wife really didn't want to. It was always "I" want to do this; "I" want to buy that; "I" want to go there; "I" "I" "I" "I" AND "I."

I told him not to do anything 'til "I" was replaced with "WE," but he did it anyway. Their fulltiming life style didn't last long and now they're back in a stick house. I want to say, "I told you so," but won't. And this is only ONE of many similar stories.
In OUR case, by the way, my wife encouraged me to buy our pusher. Gotta love that girl!

Dick (& Geri) Campagna
'98 36' Intrigue #10571
Mfd: 11/97

Re: Seeking Advice

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14381
I have had no leaks on the slides of this coach, my previous coach, or 5th wheel before that.

Ree

Current location---Arlington, TX

2003 Allure 30852

Re: Seeking Advice

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14403
I have a new Chevy TrailBlazer. I hooked it up for the first time last week. Towed it about 350 miles and everything was fine. This added about 1500# more weight than my previous toad. I was surprised at the difference it made. I could not even tell the car was back there, but I certainly feel the TrailBlazer.

I am using the M&G brake system and love it.

Ree

Current location---Arlington, TX

2003 Allure 30852

Home is www.eldoradoranch.com near www.sanfelipe.com.mx

Slide leaks...

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14408
After the recent rain in CA we looked high and low (for slide leaks) on

our '05 Intrigue ...and we found non....dry as a bone. Maybe CCI solved the problems on the more recent production models. But time will tell.

I heard on another blog site that many leaks are not leaks at all, but water run off from retracting.

Russ and Jean
'05 Intrigue

Re: Seeking Advice

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14413
No leaks here either - even with all the rain we have had lately - actual downpours but no leaks - only water that comes inside is when we pull the slides in after the rain and I forget to wipe down the slides before I pull them in.

CHEERS - Clint
Inspire 51038

Re: Seeking Advice

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14415
We continue to pass the no leak test too, other than the one I get when I retract the bedroom slide after it rains. We have been at the Blue Ox RVPark in Albany Oregon since September, so have had a number of opurtunities to check for leaks.
Last night was something new, we are presently dry camping in Junction City and last night presented a tremendous freezing rain storm. Tonight they say we will be testing again. Ain't this fun?

Chuck Penque

03 Intrigue 11673

Re: Seeking Advice

Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14422
Egon,

We, too, ordered our '99 Allure with NO slides. We loved it. We happed to be in Junction City for service and saw the new ones ('03's with slides) sitting on the fence. My wife jumped and bought a new Intrigue. Big mistake. A very big mistake. The first night we owned the coach it rained. We had a stream of water running from the bedroom through the entire coach.

Later we found that both slides leaked profusely, despite CC's efforts to fix. And we had multipel hydraulic leaks as well.

In our opinion, you people with CC slides are making a very big mistake.

Chuck--former Allure and Intrigue owner

Quote from: Egon
Rancher,
> We ordered our '99 Allure with no slides and love it. We do not stay > for extended periods in one place and it is also just the two of

us.

Quote
Hey, when the weather is nice, out come the lawn chairs under the > awning and presto we have a big room with a fantastic view ;-)))).
Major reason for no slide---did not want to sit in the shop getting > rid of water leaks and yes there posts that show a sufficient amount > of water problems. Bought the coach to drive and see the country

and

Quote
not sit on a dealer lot. Also, no wind noise for us. My theory,

the

Quote
more holes you pu in a coach the more problems you will have. I

know

Quote
that I will problably get some flak for talking about a no-slide > coach, but you what, I am the one driving it and loving it. Will, > probably be our last coach , so resale value really does not matter > that much.

We are towing a Tahoe Z71 with no problems. Push a couple of

buttons

Quote
for 10 seconds and your ready to go.

Good hunting and hop you find what you are looking for, >

Egon

'99 Allure #30321
'02 Tahoe Z71

>

Re: Seeking Advice

Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14429
I guess we'll put in our two cents for whatever reason....We have owned 4 Country Coaches...1997 Magna with a great room slide, NO LEAKS, 2000 Affinity, 2 slides, NO LEAKS (on this coach we had a leak under the sink in the bathroom. A brass fitting cracked and the water leaked one drip at a time for a long time until the bedroom carpet was soaked...but this could happen to any coach.) Then we had a 2002, 2 slides, NO LEAKS, now we own a quad slide Affinity and we still have NO LEAKS. So maybe it is luck of the draw or something, but we would never have a coach with less than 4 slides. It is like an apartment inside. We also can put out any number of slides in the living area or the bedroom, or leave all slides in and still live just fine if need be. We traveled across country and when we stopped for only one night, we only put out the small slide in the galley and the small slide in the bedroom. So I guess we each have our own needs, wants, likes and dislikes. We feel the resale is much better with slides as we have had no problem with selling our previous coaches.

Dale & Candace Hollick

2005 Affinity #6370 Quad Slide
See You Down the Road!

Re: Seeking Advice

Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14460
I would look for a 2001 or 2002 Bed and breakfast Affinity, or Resort Magna.
Large tires under stressed Cat C-12, but watch out for the plasma TV in the ceiling(lot's of problems). The old dependable Zip Dees, but they are manual. Stay away from the electronic dash. But thats just my opinion. TWI

Re: Seeking Advice

Reply #22 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14472
The only advice I would recommend on a coach with any kind of slide arrangement, is to look at the functionality of the floor plan with the slides in. There will be times when all you want to do is stop somewhere for the night and not bother with putting the slide(s) out. When looking and considering a coach, have the owner or salesman put the slide(s) in to get a feel for it.
We also looked at non-slides, but quickly liked the additional elbow room. We did not care for bedroom slides for the functionality when slide was in. Galley slide arrangements worked out great for us.
It all depends on how you are planning to use it and how well you and your other half get along in small spaces.

Jim Hughes

2000 Allure #30511

Re: Seeking Advice

Reply #23 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14533
I have been fulltiming in a 2000 Magna with one slide for almost 3 years now and I would not trade for a no slide model. I did have a leak last winter and had to have the gasket replaced- but rubber wears and ages, so it is to be expected after almost 5 years in all sorts of weather. If you are buying used- do a good inspection and make sure the coach does not had slide problems or water leaks. If there is no warranty- it pays to test out all the systems and parts as much as you can. Pay a good mechanic to do a PDI as well.
Otherwise I would highly recommend at least one slide and a tag axle- that is the one drawback of my coach- I do not have a tag. It makes a difference in the weight you can carry. It really should have had a tag axle. I think all the newer coaches since 2002 come with a tag for the most part if it has slides.

I travel solo with my dog and I hate it when I cannot put the slide out- it makes a HUGE difference in comfort and liveability, in my opinion. ALl motorhomes are more comfortable with only 2 people sleeping in them regardless of the number of slides. The slides are for liveability no matter how many people you have in them. But if you get more than one slide be prepared to give up some space or accessability to the bay or engine compartment. Look at those spaces and accessability to determine what your needs are before deciding.

Look- motorhomes all have a lot of things that can go wrong- you have to just be prepared for the maintenence and repair of any coach or don't own one!It is a hand made vehicle( by MANY hands....) with many different vendors and is used under different conditions. It is bombarded by vibration, weather, dust, sun and water. Things go wrong. Get what you feel makes sense and feels comfortable and can afford. Don't worry about the possible problems you may or may not have. Remember that this website is used for getting help with problems people are having and may not represent the majority of owners and coaches that are not having problems. I have never had any other problem with my slide and since CC changed the gasket it has been perfect.

And I add- I LOVE my Magna!( I just wish it had a tag...)

Good luck!
Magnamama

Quote from: rancher500us
>

Good Day all from a Newbie member of your Group. We had a 1992 > Affinity which we sold in 1994 after buying some property to

develop

Quote
a Ranch. Now retired, I would like to buy another coach, (preowned > this time) even though the boss (my wife) is not completely

onboard

Quote
with the idea yet. My major question has to do with slide outs.
Regardless of the obvious benefits, I see a number of problems > discussed with slide outs here and elsewhere. I am wondering if

they

Quote
are a good choice for us. We will likely spend less than a week in > any one location and there will only be two of us traveling.

Second,

Quote
I am leaning toward a Chevy Tahoe 4WD as a tow vehicle. Any

comments

Re: Seeking Advice

Reply #24 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14568
It was great meeting you both and the kits. Let you know about the bed when we get a moment to think about something other than seeing Doug. TOM/CAROL