[AL]

Michael, I read about coaches for quite sometime before we ordered our first coach in 2007 (2008 Monaco Dynasty) and we ordered it with four slides. We like the room on the inside so when it was time to order our second coach, we wanted four slides again.

I wanted ‘Prevost’ installed slides that moved in and out with no pivoting. To me, the less movement of the slide (just in and out), seemed to be a more simple operation with less of a chance of a malfunction. This thought may be unwarranted but it made sense to me.

Keep in mind that if you want bus-air, you cannot have four slides, two slides max. Having bus-air was not a desire for us, I wanted four slides.

Liberty Coach only installs Prevost slides in their coaches.

On edit: Keep in mind that the slides do take up interior space, about 8-10 inches on each side of a slide. A non-slide unit will have cleaner interior side-walls because there is no slide wall to break up the space. Once, while at the Las Vegas Motorhcoach Resort, I met a guy and his wife who had just bought a non-slide Royale XLll. They gave me a tour on the inside and it is amazing how much room there is with no slides with all the furniture built closely to the walls. They didn’t want slides and it took them a while to find the perfect coach.

Good luck,

Mark

[Archived]

We went from a 2005 Marathon XL double slide to a 2000 non slide H. Looked at 6 non-slides before landing on what we now own.

With choosing a bus I’ll follow the comment shared by many on PC. When you first see it you need to like the paint, then when you enter it has to WOW you. Color,, build out, does it feel comfortable inside.

After looking at 5 other non slides I knew when I saw our current bus this could be the one. Another major thing is very important to me is how well did the current owner take care of the bus. 2 buses were passed on due to major mechanical problems. I felt they were major, but others sometimes don’t and down play things.

Prior to making the move a PDI (pre del insp) done by a knowledgeable shop.and tech. Of course you pay for the insp. but well worth money spent.

Last thing…..Show me the service records.

[Archived]

Michael, It basically comes down to how you think you will use the coach. If it’s mainly point A to point B you most likely woudn’t miss slides. If you find yourself staying in the coach for a couple days at a location frequently you might want to consider at least one slide. Our first Prevo was a non-slide XL with a true side aisle lay out and as we traveled extensively, we did not miss a slide. We still travel alot, but find ourselves staying in a location more frequently and for a little longer time. Consequently we looked and found a slide coach. Whatever you decide, remember that the most important thing is to find a coach that has been properly maintained and cared for with the records to verify it. Geo.

[Bryan]

Consider size limitations in many national parks.

[Glenn]

what are owner experiences in reference to access of parks and resorts pertaining to the difference in length between 40′ and 45′.

[Glenn]

We cover this from time to time so maybe a quick summary is in order.

The market has spoken. Coaches sold today are slide coaches. Four slide coaches are now common.

For buyers, the decision has to be made based on the anticipated use of the coach. If the coach will be used as a second home, such as being found in an RV resort a lot of the time then slides become much more desirable. If on the other hand the coach is going to spend a lot of time being driven slides may not be practical, with a roomy, non slide interior being the better choice.

The advantages to slides are obvious. They provide a much more open feeling to the coach and will provide more walking around space. It may seem impossible, but when the slides are “in” and the coach is being driven there is no noise associated with the slides and the chassis appears to not twist or flex when equipped with Prevost slides.

To get that advantage of more open space, slides have a downside. They are complex, especially the operating system so maintenance could be a factor. The inflatable seals are definately a service item and replacement of the slide seals is expensive. They add weight to the coach, and when the slides are not extended movement within the coach is somewhat restrictive. The greatest downside to slides is that while they provide more room to move about inside the coach the slides actually take away valuable space. Each slide can use up about a foot and a half along the side of the coach for the slide mechanism and on a two slide coach that lost space is lost storage, space for a washer and dryer, or space for a pantry. The bays also suffer because the structure for the slides intrudes into the limited bay space, further limiting storage or machine space.

[Dean]

Paul, we’ve had both 40′ and 45′ buses. We find that most places that can accomodate 40′ can also fit 45. The big difference is in rigs over or under 35′. Many state and national parks can’t handle a rig over 35′. However, we have generally been able to find a private park where we will fit quite near the public parks.

Michael, slides are a totally personal choice. For us the slide issue has nothing to do with potential problems or maintenance. We like non-slide because we rarely stay in one place more than a week or so and we do a fair number of day trips like tailgaiting. A non-slide bus is more open inside and allows better driver/passenger interaction while in motion. I don’t want to feel like the hired hand up there, isolated from the passengers who are partying behind me. When on the road heading to a destination we often overnight at rest stops where putting out the slides is not convenient. Also when you stop for the night you can just fall into bed and when you are ready to pull out you just start the engine and go. Works for us, but certainly not for everyone.