Craving more room to move? Discover how Bruce and Marg Gow gain extra living space without towing a longer van. Learn if slide-out caravans are the right choice for your travels, considering the benefits, parking logistics, essential maintenance tips and more.

Overview – Why This Matters

When you are “waltzing around each other” to get from one end of the van to the other, a little extra space makes a big difference. A slide-out widens your van, offering a way to acquire that extra living area without extending the overall length of the caravan.

This guide is for buyers debating between standard and slide-out models. It solves the dilemma of whether the extra complexity and weight are worth the comfort. You will learn how slide-outs impact floor plans (like east-west beds), how they affect your campsite setup and the essential maintenance required to keep them gliding smoothly.

Words and photos Bruce and Marg Gow, Baby Boomers on the Road

Maximising Interior Space

When you’re waltzing around each other to get to the other end of the caravan, you often think you could use a little extra space. One way of acquiring that extra space, without extending the length of the van, is to include a slide-out in the build.

Basically, a slide-out widens your van, and can be built into the design in different areas.

Strategic Layout Benefits

For example, an east-west bed can be difficult to get around, but if you slide it out, it’s easy to walk around the end of the bed. Or maybe you would rather have the seating slide out. Some vans have more than one slide-out.

In our case, it’s our kitchen. The section containing the stove, sink, bench and vertical pantry slides out. We sit opposite that section, which gives much more leg room and work space when cooking and cleaning up. As we have individual recliners, we are able to swing our seats and stretch our legs.

The overall length of the section is 2.1 metres.

Parking and Setup Reality

Some people worry about the siting of a slide-out van. We have found it makes so little difference, we don’t need to consider the site.

Ours slides out about 340mm, not a lot of space outside, but quite a lot inside!. When we pull up to make some lunch, we manage easily without sliding out the kitchen. We still have the normal space you have in a standard caravan.

The slide-out itself is easily handled. A switch at the door for in or out, that’s it. It glides smoothly and doesn’t need to be plugged in. It does need to be level, so we make sure the van is set up before activating the slide-out.

“Some people worry about the siting of a slide-out van. We have found it makes so little difference, we don’t need to consider the site”

Essential Slide-out Maintenance

Like the rest of the van, you need to maintain the slide-out by keeping it clean, so the mechanism continues to glide smoothly.

Occasionally, after normal cleaning, Bruce sprays some non-stick silicone on the mechanical spots. In the photos you can see the difference in and out by checking the side of the stove and fridge.

The Weight Factor

One consideration if you are deciding on your model of van, or having one built, is the weight factor. A slide-out adds to the overall weight of your van and must be included in your calculations for towing.

As in all matters concerning caravans, it comes down to personal choice and circumstances. Ask around, do your homework.

Highlights

✅ Must-check before buying: Confirm the extra weight of the slide-out does not exceed your tow vehicle’s limits.
✅ Legal or maintenance essentials: The van must be level before operating the slide-out to avoid mechanical strain.
✅ Budget planning reminders: Factor in the cost of specific maintenance products like non-stick silicone spray.

Pre-Purchase Research:

Ownership & Maintenance:

FAQ

Q. Do slide-out caravans need powered sites?
A. No. Many slide-out mechanisms run on 12V battery power and do not need to be plugged into mains power to operate.

Q. Does a slide-out limit where I can park?
A. Rarely. A typical slide-out extends only about 340mm. This is usually not enough to impact your choice of caravan park sites.

Q. How do I maintain a caravan slide-out?
A. Keep the mechanism clean and occasionally spray the mechanical spots with a non-stick silicone lubricant to ensure it glides smoothly.