22 FE pros and cons

[NB2A]

I found a 2019 22 FE that has struck my interest. I am on the fence though about needing any slide outs at all since it is only myself and my lab puppy. I see quite a few posts relating to issues with a lean and the slide out itself. Never thought about how the weight all one side could be such an overlooked factor in design. So what does this forum think please about this issue? Maybe a Thor without a slide out is the easiest solution? Sorry for the newbie questions.

[Bob Denman]

It looks like a really nice floorplan: don't let the side slide-out get in your way of a decision.

[Chance]

I don’t like slideouts; so much so that I offered Thor to pay extra for them to delete it from an Axis 24.1, but they declined. Multiple times.

I don’t like the way they look on the outside, particularly when extended, don’t like the way they look on the inside when retracted, and really don’t like the way they crowd floorplans when pulled in.

Essentially, they all leak, it’s just a matter of how much and under what conditions. For me that’s a serious problem because after a few years, many motorhomes with slides start to smell damp, and that affects me far worse than most people.

When listing RV problems, slides usually rank #1. It’s data you can look up, not my opinion. That in itself doesn’t discourage me because I could fix most problems, except that doesn’t address that I simply don’t like them anyway. A motorhome with slides pulled in looks like chaos to me — highly disorganized. To each their own; they are not for me.

Having said all that, in that size motorhome the other option without a slide has a corner bed which I also don’t like. That would be a tough choice for me, but if traveling alone I think the corner bed wouldn’t be as bad as when traveling with a partner. My wife and I have camped with corner beds and didn’t like the inconvenience at all.

Note the listed MSRP is almost $7,000 higher for same bed and bath at rear, except one has slide and other a corner bed. Otherwise very similar floorplans. On second thought, if traveling alone I’d take the 22HE, save about $5~6k, and get the bathroom on the driver side where it makes more sense to me.


P.S. — I admit being biased against slides in many ways; more than I care to list.

[Bob Denman]

Each to their own notions...

[Pete'sMH]

I really like the floor plan of that model. A key decision is whether it will be large enough for you in the long run but it sounds like you’ve got that covered. I resisted slides for years thinking of the many failure and leak points. But I’ve had three RVs now with slides and haven’t personally had a single problem with any of them. There is a certain amount of maintenance involved though. As much as some people dislike slides, I dislike corner beds. They are claustrophobic and remarkably difficult to “make”. On the particular model you asked about there is a folding mattress required when retracting the slide. It works okay but does mean you can’t use the bed without putting the slide out and sometimes you might not want to have it out - e.g. during a big storm when wind could damage the slide topper or for a quick nap at a highway rest stop. The slide also adds cost of course. I think there is a 24 foot model with no slides that actually costs less. It’s not too hard to find these models used but with very few miles that people trade in for bigger units. But mostly I agree with Denman - get what you like. Good luck.

[Chance]

Yep, in fairness I read there are two advantages to slideouts. They provide more room, and also increase resale price. And the second is only true if the slide hasn’t caused damage. In the case of my sister’s 5er, they had to practically give it away due to water damage that would have cost to much to repair.

Comparing the two plans that are similar, the one with slide has a little larger black tank, but the one without slide that has corner bed has larger gray tank and much larger outside storage. Not quite double the outside storage, but enough to consider as a significant difference.

Each person has to decide what’s important to them after considering all differences.

[Pete'sMH]

One last comment and then I’ll butt out and leave you to your deciding....slides are not the only or even the most likely place for leaks. Remember to check your roof (on your hands and knees), windows, front and rear caps and other side penetrations about 3 or 4 times a year. I rarely go more than 6 months without touching up my sealant somewhere but never have had a slide leak.