Does anyone have any experience of slide out toilets/showers?

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70321

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Following CazPaul's suggestion to look at RP Motorhomes Harrogate, the smallest Mercedes looks very interesting and the slide out part makes the internal space much better. I'm sure - as a complete newbie - there are lots of things that I need to be aware of . Please tell me if you have any experience of the slidey bit. Thanks
 
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Agree, the arrangement looks innovative.

I hope I'm proved wrong, but because it is so 'niche' I'd be surprised if anybody else on here has a panel van conversion with a slide out. A pretty rare beast I think...

At least this will bump your post up to the top of the list again. ;)
 
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Looks very interesting. Using the 360° tour, I have been trying to determine whether the sink and cooker are usable when the washroom is not slid out. Judging by the ceiling rails, I am unsure.
We always put the kettle on and use the washroom even when stopped en-route for a break. I’m not sure that would want to be using the slide out every time.

Would love to see inside one as that gap between our washroom and the sink/cooker is a real pinch point.
 
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Riverbankannie said:
Looks very interesting. Using the 360° tour, I have been trying to determine whether the sink and cooker are usable when the washroom is not slid out. Judging by the ceiling rails, I am unsure.
We always put the kettle on and use the washroom even when stopped en-route for a break. I’m not sure that would want to be using the slide out every time.

Would love to see inside one as that gap between our washroom and the sink/cooker is a real pinch point.
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That's another thing...I just assumed that pulling out was the extra nice bit at night and the toilet could be used anyway. I'm going to phone on Monday, when they are open and see what they say.
 
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I don't think it was RP but there was a company who did a slide out seating area on a PVC a good few years ago (possibly called the Tardis?) but I seem to recall they had lots of issues with sealing the slide out and also weight.
 
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Would imagine a slide out system in a PVC eating a huge chunk of payload circa 100 kg plus?
 
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Minxy Girl said:
I don't think it was RP but there was a company who did a slide out seating area on a PVC a good few years ago (possibly called the Tardis?) but I seem to recall they had lots of issues with sealing the slide out and also weight.
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INOS used to make caravans with slide-outs that suffered badly from leaks as well. Think they went bust after a few years?
 
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All the more reason to checkout the construction as I said, just because one has had issues doesn't necessarily mean others will.

Some manufacturers have big issues with damp, as we know, due to the construction, others do not.
 
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Interesting layout and an innovative way to get a bit more space in a PVC with fixed beds. As already suggested the payload figure might need examining. 3,500Kg GVW, 6.9m vehicle length and 600Kg of payload don't look like figures which add up. If you are going to call them you could ask if the payload is 600Kg in addition to full fuel and water tanks and the driver and passenger. My suspicion is the vehicle weighs 2,900Kg empty but happy to be proved wrong. :)

A slide out might be awkward on a few cosy aires but otherwise it shouldn't be a problem, assuming it's waterproof and you can use the loo without sliding it out. :)

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DBK said:
Interesting layout and an innovative way to get a bit more space in a PVC with fixed beds. As already suggested the payload figure might need examining. 3,500Kg GVW, 6.9m vehicle length and 600Kg of payload don't look like figures which add up. If you are going to call them you could ask if the payload is 600Kg in addition to full fuel and water tanks and the driver and passenger. My suspicion is the vehicle weighs 2,900Kg empty but happy to be proved wrong. :)

A slide out might be awkward on a few cosy aires but otherwise it shouldn't be a problem, assuming it's waterproof and you can use the loo without sliding it out. :)
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OP was looking at the MWB 5.93 metre model with slide.
 
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CazPaul said:
OP was looking at the MWB 5.93 metre model with slide.
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Still worth finding out how they define payload. The brochure claims the payload of that model is 650Kg. I suspect this does not include occupants and liquids. Only way to find out is to ask them. :)
 
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A few times when parked on pot-holed aires, I've noticed that Mercedes (particularly 4x4) have a tendency to wobble side to side, perhaps due to the narrow wheel track and increased height.
Would hydraulic jacks and/or air suspension be essential if opting for a slide out?
 
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kaasbroodje said:
A few times when parked on pot-holed aires, I've noticed that Mercedes (particularly 4x4) have a tendency to wobble side to side, perhaps due to the narrow wheel track and increased height.
Would hydraulic jacks and/or air suspension be essential if opting for a slide out?
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That's my thought too ... once the pod was extended it would make the camper lop sided so could be rather uncomfortable to 'live in' without some form of rigid suspension etc being applied to stop it.
 
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Ih have also made a couple of Ducato based models with slide outs. One had a front lounge slide, SL, which really opened up the space and converted into double bed (bit of a faff we thought), the other had a full sliding rear panel for a rear bed with “boot” under. They sold quite a few, I’ve seen them 2nd hand and haven’t heard any issues with leaking.
Quite fancy a 6.36m, rear transverse raised bed with large boot, front slide out lounge, with new 9 speed auto myself!
Bill

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dicksob said:
Ih have also made a couple of Ducato based models with slide outs. One had a front lounge slide, SL, which really opened up the space and converted into double bed (bit of a faff we thought), the other had a full sliding rear panel for a rear bed with “boot” under. They sold quite a few, I’ve seen them 2nd hand and haven’t heard any issues with leaking.
Quite fancy a 6.36m, rear transverse raised bed with large boot, front slide out lounge, with new 9 speed auto myself!
Bill
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Bill I thought you were going for the Wildax Elara?
 
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Yes, I am hopefully Paul, if everything works out ok post Covid. Think a one off design like above would be cost prohibitive, the slide out at the front would I think necessitate moving the toilet compartment, so really a full redesign. Not sure Ian H could/would do that for a one off.
Bill
 
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kaasbroodje said:
A few times when parked on pot-holed aires, I've noticed that Mercedes (particularly 4x4) have a tendency to wobble side to side, perhaps due to the narrow wheel track and increased height.
Would hydraulic jacks and/or air suspension be essential if opting for a slide out?
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Almost definitely. Van will be lopsided and definitely wobble from the weight. Is this a manual slide, electric or hydraulic?
 
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ceejayt said:
Almost definitely. Van will be lopsided and definitely wobble from the weight. Is this a manual slide, electric or hydraulic?
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And unfortunately you can’t put VB air on the front of the Mercedes, only the back. Agree levellers would be essential.

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Slide out option is 10 grand and hydraulic self levelling system is £4800, you could easily get carried away and spend 100k, 4 Wheel drive and auto box comes to 7 grand, etc etc
 
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thebriars said:
It might if anyone was bothered.
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Bothered about what? All vans are subjective and what suits one doesn't suit another.

If I was looking for a small van under 6 metres, go anywhere vehicle, and had plenty of money it would be a consideration for sure.
 
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