travel vans with slide outs

6 Great Camper Vans With Slide-Outs (With Pictures)

Slide-outs are a prevalent option when it comes to creating an additional room in a motorhome.

When the time comes to set up camp, valuable extra living space is created at the push of a button.

Large Class A RVs often come with multiple slide-outs that house bedrooms and lounges, but smaller camper vans have a slide-out.

We’ve found 6 great camper vans with slide-outs that you should check out:

Table of Contents

Class B Camper Vans with Slide-Outs:

Class B camper vans are compact, self-contained units that are designed with ease of maneuverability in mind.

Some of these campers have pop-tops, which can create extra sleeping space and headroom.

There are a few awesome Class B campers that have slide-outs, though.

1. Airstream Atlas

The Atlas is built on a Mercedes Benz Sprinter chassis and features all of the exquisite interior design that has made Airstream such a popular and respected company.

The Atlas has been designed for couples who want to tour in luxury, with all the comforts of home.

This has been achieved by adding a huge residential-style bathroom with an enclosed shower, toilet, and sink. There are continuous hot water and plenty of storage, too.

The Atlas features a slide-out powered at the push of a button from the van’s Multiplex control panel.

Once the slide-out is extended, there’s lots more room to stretch out on the couch, plus there’s a cool Murphy bed that pulls down easily.

The Atlas also has a 40″ Samsung LED Smart TV that folds away when not in use. Add in the solar panels and Onan diesel generator, which is a truly luxurious way to travel.

2. Regency Ultra Brougham

This camper van is another that sleeps 2 comfortably and brings the comforts of home on the road.

The Regency has been thoughtfully designed, and features such as quilted leather-touch upholstery and hand-crafted American beechwood cabinetry make it stand out from the competition.

The powered slide-out creates extra space in the lounge area and has a Murphy bed that pulls down over the 2 comfortable dinette seats and table.

This area is perfect for watching a movie on the 40″ LED TV that is positioned just across from the seating.

The Regency Ultra Brougham has a large bathroom that has an enclosed shower and toilet and a kitchen that has everything you’d expect from a luxury camper van.

There’s a huge 2 door fridge, a convection microwave, stainless steel sink, and Corian countertops.

3. Winnebago Era 70M

The Era 70M is Winnebago’s largest and most feature-packed Class B camper van.

The powered slide-out not only provides a load more living space when it’s extended but also houses a powered Murphy bed that converts in seconds.

Winnebago’s attention to detail and knack for superior and efficient interior design is evident throughout the Era 70M.

The permanent dry bath has a shower, toilet, and sink, and thanks to the 97% efficient Truma Combi heating system, there’s always hot water.

Like the fridge and TV, powering all the appliances is taken care of by the 1,000-watt pure sine wave inverter, which draws power directly off the dual deep cycle group 31 AGM absorbed maintenance-free glass batteries.

The Winnebago Era 70M is built on a Mercedes Benz Sprinter. It is powered by a 3.0L turbo-diesel engine that can achieve up to 22 mpg on the highway, making this camper van a luxurious and fuel-efficient option.

Class C Camper Vans with Slide-Outs

Class C camper vans are larger than their Class B cousins, and it’s quite common for them to feature at least one slide-out.

Although Class C motorhomes aren’t as maneuverable as the Class B vans on our list, these camper vans are ideal for large families that need extra space for lounging and sleeping.

4. Thor Delano

This Class C camper van is built on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis and has a powerful 3.0L V6 engine, which will take the Delano just about anywhere.

There are 3 floorplans to choose from, all of which measure around 25 feet in length. One option is to have a full wall slide-out with a dinette at one end and a convertible queen size bed at the other.

Another layout has 2 slide-outs, one housing a dinette area across from theater seating, and the other at the rear, with a full-size, convertible bed.

The Delano has an extra sleeping bunk above the cab, and the dinette converts to a bed, so this is a camper van that’s ideal for families.

The centrally located kitchen is where the Thor Delano really shines. There’s a 2 burner cooktop, a convection oven microwave, and a huge double door stainless steel fridge.

In one floorplan, there’s even a flip-up counter that provides more room for culinary creations.

Other features of the Delano include LED lighting, an LED TV, and child safety tethers in the dinette.

5. Leisure Vans Unity

This is perhaps the most luxurious Class C camper van on our list.

The Leisure Vans Unity has been thoughtfully designed to provide the ultimate in comfort and convenience.

Hand-crafted wood cabinetry and French-seamed upholstery come as standard, but there are numerous options to personalize the Unity.

The Unity’s fully motorized slide-out houses the ‘Leisure Lounge’ that is elegantly designed and conceived.

There are numerous options for configuring the seating, from chairs with a central table to a cozy daybed for napping.

The slide-out also has a powered king-size Murphy bed that has a completely customizable head-rest.

The Unity has all of the entertainment options you’d expect, including a TV, USB outlets, a smart Blu-Ray player, and the Winegard ConnecT 2.0 system.

Built on a Mercedes Benz Sprinter 3500, the Unity has a clean, stylish exterior design that is sleek and aerodynamic.

Exterior LED lighting is yet another touch that sets this camper van apart from the competition.

6. Coachmen Leprechaun

Coachmen really know what they are doing when it comes to RVs.

This is a company that has been in business since 1964 and continues to produce some of the most popular motorhomes on the market.

Coachmen Leprechaun is a great choice for large families. There are 18 floorplans to choose from, and all floorplan options feature at least one slide-out.

The 319 MB floorplan offers a well-designed living area with a sleeping capacity of 9. Built on a Ford 450 chassis and boasting an exterior length of almost 33 feet, this option features 2 slide-outs, which create an enormous amount of extra living space.

All Leprechauns are constructed using sturdy aluminum framing and reinforced fiberglass sidewalls. Standard features include a motorized exterior awning, solar panel connectivity, nightshades, and lighted exterior storage.

Entertainment options include a 24″ TV, stereo, DVD player in the over-cab bunk, and a huge TV in the main living area.

Potential Problems with Slide-Outs

Slide-outs in a camper van can be a real bonus when traveling with families.

Being able to create extra living and sleeping space at the push of a button can be a game-changer.

However, there are several potential problems with slide-outs that everyone should be aware of.

– Leaks:

A common problem that many motorhome owners encounter is leaky slide-outs.

If the seals have been improperly installed or aren’t aligned correctly, water can enter the camper van.

More than just an annoyance, this leakage can lead to mold and rot in the interior.

– Failing Motors:

The slide-outs in many camper vans are powered by motors, making them quick and convenient to extend.

Unfortunately, these motors can be prone to failure, which can be really frustrating.

– Hydraulic Slides Can Break:

Hydraulic systems are most often used in big, heavy full-wall slide-outs.

These hydraulic systems are complex, and it’s quite common for one or more parts to fail.

This can lead to a frustrating and expensive problem.

– Slide-outs Are Not Closed Fully:

Traveling in a camper van can be quite stressful.

Before hitting the road, there are many things to check, and it can be easy to forget things.

It’s essential to remember to close slide-outs properly, as driving with them even partially extended could result in expensive damage.

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10 Must-See Travel Trailer Floor Plans (With Slide-Outs)

Travel trailers come in what seems like an endless variety of sizes and configurations.

From small lightweight micro campers to large luxury trailers.

Regardless of size or configuration though, one of the most popular travel trailers features is the RV slide-out.

As RV slide-outs provide numerous benefits, including increased living space, improved comfort, and enhanced layouts, plus many more .

With so many travel trailer floor plans on the market though, it’s easy to become overwhelmed.

So to help narrow down your search, we created this list of must-see travel trailer floor plans with slide-outs , ordering them from smallest to largest.

That way, no matter what size travel trailer floor plan you’re looking for, you’re sure to find one with a slide-out to meet your needs.

Travel Trailer Floor Plans With Slide-Outs (Smallest to Largest)

1. forest river flagstaff e-pro e19fbs.

Quick Specs

• Average Cost : $29,000
• Length : 20 Feet 2 Inches
• Dry Weight : 3,375 Pounds
• Sleeping Capacity : 4
• Bathroom : 3-Piece Dry Bath
• Slide-Outs : 1

The Forest River Flagstaff E-Pro E19FBS, sister RV to the Rockwood Geo Pro G19FBS , is one of the most popular small couple’s trailers on the market.

Thanks to a variety of reasons, one of the biggest though is its slide-out.

This 20-foot travel trailer floor plan is one of the few campers of this size that offers a slide-out .

Which greatly improves the interior space and functionality of the camper.

There’s more to this travel trailer than just its slide-out though, as the camper also offers a full suite of features that makes it great for weekend getaways as well as extended camping.

As the E-Pro E19FBS features a well-equipped kitchen, a three-piece dry bath, an east-to-west queen bed, and a comfy sofa.

Plus, if you need to sleep more than two people, the sofa jack knifes down into a sleeper sofa, bringing the total sleeping capacity to four.

Best of all, Forest River was able to incorporate all these features into the travel trailer, while still keeping the overall weight down.

As the E19FBS has a dry weight of under 3,500 pounds, making it a very lightweight travel trailer .

For more information on the Forest River E-Pro E19FBS and to take a 3D tour of the floorplan, check out Forest River’s website here .

2. Grand Design Imagine XLS 17MKE

• Average Cost : $33,500
• Length : 21 Feet 11 Inches
• Dry Weight : 4,674 Pounds

The Grand Design Imagine XLS 17MKE is another popular floor plan with a slide-out designed for couples.

As this floorplan utilizes every square inch of space to maximize comfort and convenience for two.

Making it a great choice for all types of couples camping including full-time RV living .

Starting with its front bedroom, which utilizes a queen Murphy bed to maximize sleeping comfort at night, while still providing plenty of room to hang out during the day.

The real stand-out feature of this Grand Design travel trailer though is its large rear L-shaped kitchen, which offers more counter and cabinet space than just about any other 22-foot travel trailer.

Finally, rounding out the floorplan is a spacious well-laid-out rear corner bath.

Which offers a separate shower, toilet, and bathroom vanity, plus, a medicine cabinet and even a small linen closet.

Of course, none of these amenities would be possible without the trailer’s mid-slid-out, which not only provides enough space for the theatre dinette or optional dinette booth but also all the rest of the amenities inside the camper.

To see other compact campers perfect for full-time RV living, check out our blog post “ The 10 Best Small Travel Trailers for Full-Time Living “.

3. Winnebago Micro Minnie 2108TB

• Average Cost : $32,000
• Length : 22 Feet 5 Inches
• Dry Weight : 4,040 Pounds

Twin-bed floor plans are becoming more popular every day.

Thanks to their improved accessibility, increased walkability, and flexible sleeping accommodations.

One of the most popular twin bed travel trailer floor plans is the Winnebago Micro Minnie 2108TB.

As this twin-bed floorplan offers best-in-class comfort and functionality, while still keeping the trailer compact and lightweight .

The Micro Minnie 2108TB has a length of only 22 feet 5 inches and an unloaded weight of just over 4,000 pounds.

Making this Micro Minnie one of the smallest travel trailers available to offer both twin beds and a slide-out.

Which provides unparalleled flexibility and utility to this small travel trailer.

For more information on the Winnebago Micro Minnie 2108TB, check out Winnebago’s website by clicking here .

4. Lance 2185

• Average Cost : $60,000
• Length : 26 Feet 1 Inch
• Dry Weight : 5,345 Pounds
• Sleeping Capacity : 6
• Bathroom : Split 3-Piece Dry Bath

Another floorplan type that pairs nicely with an RV slide-out is the wildly popular bunkhouse floorplan, designed to maximize sleeping capacity.

Because if you’re going to maximize sleeping capacity you need to maximize space, and one of the best ways to do this is with a slide-out.

Bunkhouse floor plans are offered in two main configurations, depending on the size of the trailer.

The first type is a floor plan that offers bunk beds, like the Lance 2185 featured here.

This type of bunkhouse floor plan is typically found on smaller to mid-size campers.

The second type offers a large dedicated rear bunkhouse with multiple bunks, which is typically found on larger travel trailers ( like #10 on this list ).

Regardless of type though, an RV slide-out is almost a must on a bunkhouse camper , as you need to maximize living space to maximize sleeping capacity.

Which this Lance 26-foot travel trailer floor plan does a great job of, as this small camper with bunks offers rear bunk beds, a convertible u-shaped dinette booth, and a large north-to-south fixed bed.

Only made possible by the trailer’s mid-slide-out.

For more information on the Lance 2185 premium camper, check out Lance’s website by clicking here .

5. Coachmen Northern Spirit 2252MD

• Average Cost : $35,000
• Length : 26 Feet 11 Inches
• Dry Weight : 5,200 Pounds

The Coachmen Northern Spirit 2252MD is unique for many reasons, but one of the main ones is its large slide-out.

As the Northern Spirit 2252MD offers one of the largest slide-outs available on a 26-foot camper .

Because of this, it also offers more interior space than just about any other 26-foot travel trailer .

But just how much bigger is the slide-out on the Northern Spirit 2252MD?

The answer is about twice the size of a standard slide-out, as the curbside slide on the 2252MD spans more than half the RV.

Allowing the trailer to offer features and amenities not typically found on a camper of its size, including a rear L-shaped kitchen, both a sofa and a dinette booth, and a north-to-south queen bed.

To take a video or virtual tour of the Coachmen Northern Spirit 2252MD’s floorplan, visit Coachmen’s website by clicking here .

6. Jayco Jay Flight 267BHS

• Average Cost : $31,500
• Length : 30 Feet 4 Inches
• Dry Weight : 5,880 Pounds
• Sleeping Capacity : 8

The Jayco Jay Flight 267BHS floor plan is a great example of a hybrid bunkhouse layout .

Because while the trailer doesn’t offer a completely separate rear bunkhouse, it also offers more than just two single bunk beds.

As the Jay Flight 267BHS offers rear corner double bunks with their own separate windows and privacy curtains .

Acting like little mini bedrooms inside the trailer, which is why they’re so popular with kids.

Plus, when you add these double bunks to the trailer’s additional sleeping berths, including a convertible dinette booth, a jack-knife sofa, and a queen bed, it brings the sleeping capacity up to eight.

Making it one of the highest sleeping capacities offered on a 30-foot camper .

This 30-foot travel trailer floor plan offers more than just a high-sleeping capacity and double bunks though, as the trailer is loaded with upgrades as well.

Including a large curb-side slide-out , a fully equipped kitchen with a pantry, a private front bedroom, and a dedicated entertainment center.

To learn more about the Jayco Jay Flight 267BHS and to take a 3D tour of the floorplan, check out Jayco’s website here .

7. KZ RV Sportsmen SE 271BHKSE

• Average Cost : $27,000
• Length : 30 Feet 11 Inches
• Dry Weight : 5,710 Pounds
• Slide Outs : 1

At just under $30,000, the KZ RV Sportsmen SE 271BHKSE represents one of the best values you’ll find on a 30-foot travel trailer.

Because despite its more affordable price, this camper is loaded with upgrades and amenities.

Starting with perhaps the most important upgrade for this list, a large curb-side slide-out , which incorporates the trailer’s dinette booth and jack-knife sofa.

Similar in many ways to the Jayco Jay Flight 267BHS’s floorplan, the KZ RV Sportsmen SE 271BHKSE offers a very similar layout.

In fact, when comparing the two floorplans side-by-side it’s hard to tell them apart.

Because both floor plans offer a private front bedroom with a queen bed, a well-equipped campside kitchen, double rear corner bunks, and a spacious rear bathroom.

Which makes the Sportsmen SE 271BHKSE all the more impressive.

As this Sportsmen SE is able to offer all these features while still being thousands of dollars cheaper compared to the Jay Flight.

To see other affordable travel trailers under $30,000, check out our blog post “ Top 10 Travel Trailers Under $30,000 (With Pricing & Video) “.

8. Grand Design Imagine 2970RL

• Length : 34 Feet 2 Inches
• Dry Weight : 7,397 Pounds
• Slide-Outs : 2

The Grand Design Imagine 2970RL offers the coveted rear living room layout with opposing slide-outs.

This means that this RV floorplan has not one, but two slide-outs.

Giving the camper much more living space compared to a travel trailer offering only one or no slide-outs.

Plus, because the slide-outs are arranged in an opposing configuration, it gives the camper a very open and spacious feel, typically only found on larger 5th wheels .

The extended slide-out living space also helps the trailer feel more like a home than an RV.

Prioritizing relaxation and entertainment, this larger travel trailer floor plan provides the perfect setting for hanging out and unwinding after a day of adventure.

In addition, the large windows found on the campside slide-out ensure the trailer is flooded with tons of natural light.

Further enhancing the feeling of space inside the camper, which when combined with all its premium features makes this travel trailer hard to beat.

To learn more about the Grand Design Imagine 2970RL and to take a virtual tour of the floor plan, visit Grand Design’s website here .

9. Keystone Cougar Half-Ton 30RKD

• Average Cost : $49,500
• Length : 34 Feet 9 Inches
• Dry Weight : 7,772 Pounds

One of the most well-known RV models is the Keystone Cougar Half-Ton, which is available in both travel trailer and 5th-wheel configurations.

Designed to be pulled by half-ton trucks, like the Ford F-150 or RAM 1500 , the Cougar Half-Ton maximizes size and features while still keeping the trailer on the lighter side.

One of the most popular Cougar Half-Ton floor plans is the 30RKD, which offers a rear kitchen layout and two slide-outs.

This travel trailer floor plan has a thoughtfully designed interior with many amenities.

At the front, there’s a private bedroom with a king-size bed on a slide-out and a massive full-wall wardrobe.

The main living area, which has the trailer’s other slide-out, features a booth dinette and a tri-fold sleeper sofa or optional theater seating and a free-standing table.

The floor plan also offers a fully-equipped rear L-shaped kitchen, which boasts tons of counter and cabinet space as well as a full suite of upgraded appliances.

Rounding out the floorplan is a mid-bath, which offers a radius shower and dual entrances.

For more info on the Keystone Cougar Half-Ton 30RKD, check out Keystone’s website by clicking here .

10. Forest River Salem 33TS

• Average Cost : $43,000
• Length : 38 Feet 9 Inches
• Dry Weight : 9,276 Pounds
• Sleeping Capacity : 10
• Slide-Outs : 3

Forest River offers many popular travel trailer floor plans , but some of the most popular are in their Salem lineup.

In fact, the Forest River Salem and its floor plans are so popular that they made it on our list of the most popular travel trailers available today .

If you had to choose one Salem floor plan that’s the most popular though, it would have to be the Salem 33TS.

Thanks in large part to the 33TS’s spacious layout, which utilizes every square inch of space.

Offering three slide-outs, it has a larger living area than many of its competitors, making it perfect for large families or groups.

The interior design of the 33TS is both functional and stylish.

Its well-appointed kitchen, complete with modern appliances and ample counter space, allows for easy meal prep.

The owner’s front bedroom, offers a retreat-like experience, with a custom king bed on a slide-out and ample storage space with washer and dryer prep.

The rear of the trailer features a dedicated bunkhouse with a slide-out and multiple bunks , which is always a hit with kids.

The floor plan also features a large central living room equipped with comfortable seating and a sizable entertainment center.

Making it the perfect space for relaxing in the evening.

To take a video or virtual tour of the Forest River Salem 33TS’s floorplan, check out Forest River’s website by clicking here .

Advantages of Travel Trailer Floor Plans With Slide-Outs

RV slide-outs, or “slides,” are one of the most popular features available on travel trailers.

As a matter of fact, many RVers won’t even consider a travel trailer unless it offers at least one slide-out.

So to understand why they’re so popular let’s take a look at some of their main benefits.

• Increased Living Space : The main benefit of an RV slide-out is the additional living space it provides.
• Improved Comfort : During longer trips, the added space from a slide-out can greatly improve comfort, especially in bad weather when stuck inside.
• Better Versatility : Slide-outs provide more layout flexibility and allow for more creative and efficient use of space.
• Accommodate More People : Slide-outs allow RVs to accommodate more people.
• More Space for Features : With the added space from slide-outs, RV manufacturers can incorporate additional features into the trailer.
• Better Separation and Privacy : Slide-outs can create a clearer distinction between different living areas, providing more privacy and separation.
• More Residential Feel : Slide-outs give a trailer a more residential feel, due to the added space and wider interior they provide.
• Better Views and More Natural Light : Windows are often incorporated into slide-outs, which offer better views and more natural light.
• Higher Resale Value : Travel trailers with slide-outs often have a higher resale value, as many RV buyers are looking for the added space and functionality they provide.

Disadvantages of Travel Trailer Floor Plans With Slide-Outs

It’s not all good news for slide-outs though, as they do have some disadvantages.

So to help you understand their drawbacks, we’ve listed the main issues below.

• Added Weight : Slide-outs add considerable weight to a travel trailer, often around 800 pounds, which decreases fuel efficiency and can require a larger tow vehicle.
• Increased Maintenance : Slide-outs have moving parts and seals, which require regular maintenance to ensure they function properly and remain watertight.
• Increased Potential for Leaks : The seals and mechanisms that keep slide-outs watertight can degrade over time, leading to potential leaks.
• Mechanical Failures : Slide-outs rely on mechanisms to extend and retract. These mechanisms can malfunction leading to a stuck slide-out and potentially costly repairs.
• Increased Setup Time : While it usually only takes a few minutes to extend or retract a slide-out, it does add to the overall setup and teardown time.
• Can Limit Campsite Options : Some campsites are too narrow or have obstacles like trees that could prevent the extension of a slide-out.
• Higher Purchase Price : Travel trailers with slide-outs tend to be more expensive than those without.
• Potential for Debris Accumulation : Unless the trailer is outfitted with slide toppers, debris can collect on top of the slide-out, which must be cleared before retracting.

Slide-Out Travel Trailer Floor Plans Wrap-Up

In the ever-evolving world of travel trailers, slide-outs have reshaped our expectations of on-the-road comfort and luxury.

From compact designs like the Forest River Flagstaff E-Pro E19FBS to spacious giants such as the Forest River Salem 33TS, there’s a slide-out floor plan to fit every RVer’s needs.

However, it’s important to remember that while slide-outs do offer many advantages, they also have their drawbacks as well.

Whatever travel trailer floorplan you end up choosing though, whether with or without a slide-out, we hope this blog post has helped to narrow down your search.

Or at least helped you figure out what you want and don’t want in a travel trailer.

Happy camping and safe travels!

Jason is an avid lover of RVs and the RV lifestyle. He is both a writer and editor for RV Owner HQ and has been RVing and camping for over 20 years.

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Travel Consultants and Travel Tips

7 Travel Trailers with Slide-Outs on Both Sides

December 5, 2022 by August Croft

Last updated on November 1st, 2023 at 03:32 pm

All of our reviews are based on exhaustive research, industry experience, and whenever possible, hands-on testing. When you make a purchase using one of our chosen links we’ll get a small percentage of the proceeds. This supports the site and keeps Jeffsetter running. You can read more here .

Finding travel trailers with slide-outs on both sides is easier than you think. One of the main ways that RV manufacturers create more space inside of an RV is by using slide-outs. But what exactly is a slide-out and what can you expect out of owning a travel trailer with slide-outs on both sides?

In this article, we will go over everything you need to know about travel trailers that have slide-outs on both sides. We will address some of the pros and cons of owning an RV of this style as well as what you should consider before purchasing an RV or travel trailer of any type. 

Whether you are purchasing a travel trailer for the first time or simply want to upgrade your rig to something with slide-outs on both sides, you’re in the right place. Let’s get started and talk all about travel trailers with multiple slide-outs now!

Only interested in seeing our list of some of the most unique and interesting travel trailers with slide-outs on both sides? Use our table of contents to navigate to this list of choices now! 

Pros and Cons of Travel Trailers with Slide-Outs on Both Sides

The majority of travel trailers and RVs these days are built with slide-outs, but not all RVs are built with slide-outs on both sides. What might some of the pros and cons be? Would you be interested in purchasing an RV with slide-outs on both sides? Here are some potential reasons, both for and against: 

• More interior living space . The main reason to opt for a travel trailer with multiple slide-outs is the fact that it will give you much more interior living space than the average rig. The reason that slide-outs were invented in the first place was so that RVs could have more living room without causing more difficulties when driving on the road, and having travel trailers with slide-outs on both sides means that you have even more living space than the average rig! 
• More maintenance . It’s not a secret that slide-outs require more maintenance than the average RV feature. You will need to lubricate and clean your slide-outs regularly, or else you risk long-term damage and issues with your RV. Plus, slide-outs need to be carefully maintained in terms of their levelness, and debris or water needs to be cleared off the top of every slide-out before you pull it in. Otherwise, these substances can fall into your RV, something you definitely don’t want! Leaking slide-outs are also a common issue for most RVers, so be sure to keep your slide-outs well-maintained at all times. 
• Easy to operate . For the most part, slide-outs are easy to operate and set up, often activating with the touch of a button. Even manual slide-outs are fairly easy to set up, though you should keep in mind whether or not you want to use slide-out jack stands or leveling systems before you get to camp. 
• Takes extra work when packing up . Not only do you need to make sure that the interior of your RV is ready for your slide-outs to slide back in, but you also need to make sure that each and every slide-out you use is clean from the outside as well. If you want a travel trailer with slide-outs on both sides, your primary living space needs to be clear before you retract them, as this could cause you issues if you have items or debris in the way of your slide-out track. Plus, slide-out stabilizers and awnings need to be properly packed away as well, which may take more time than you expect if you are new to camping! 
• More windows . For the most part, slide-outs have windows built into them, often more than the average RV would have without slide-outs. This means that your RV will be light, bright, and more welcoming. the point of camping is to enjoy the great outdoors, so having more windows onboard your RV is often a preference of many RVers and campers! 
• Less insulation . On the flip side, slide-outs typically have less insulation built in compared with the rest of your RV. This is especially true if you have more windows, as RV manufacturers typically don’t utilize well-insulated windows. If you purchase a travel trailer with slide-outs on both sides, be prepared for the possibility that your rig is both colder in the winter and hotter in the summer, depending on the season. You may feel like you are wasting more electricity and utilities than you planned! 
• You potentially won’t need as long of a rig . There are only two ways that you can create more interior living space inside of a travel trailer. You can either purchase a travel trailer that is incredibly long or purchase a travel trailer with multiple slide-outs. Many people opt for a rig with multiple slide-outs so that they feel more in control while driving their travel trailer down the road. You can find 20 to 25 feet long travel trailers with slide-outs, creating much more interior living space than a regular 20-foot-long travel trailer has on its own! 
• You may not be able to use your slides all the time . The ultimate downside to purchasing a travel trailer with multiple slide-outs is the fact that you may or may not be able to use all of your slide-outs all of the time. There are multiple campgrounds or RV parks that don’t allow for enough space, width-wise. This means that you likely won’t be able to deploy both sides of your slide-outs, and some campgrounds may be too small and compact that you won’t even be able to use any slide-outs! 

What to Consider in a Travel Trailer with Slide-Outs on Both Sides

Now that you’ve heard some of the pros and cons of owning a travel trailer with slide-outs on both sides, here are even more considerations for you to take a look at. 

Length and Weight

No matter what style of travel trailer you are looking for, knowing how much you can safely tow is important and the first place to begin. The length and weight of your travel trailer will be necessary to consider before you fall in love with any particular make or model of a travel trailer! 

You can find travel trailers with slide-outs on both sides in just about every length and weight. This means that your tow vehicle will determine the overall size and weight of the RV that you ultimately end up purchasing. 

There are travel trailers under 25 feet long with slide-outs on both sides, but you’re more likely to find something that’s between 30 to 40 feet long. The longer the travel trailer, the more difficult it will be to drive , so make sure you are comfortable with whatever option you end up choosing. 

If you don’t have a vehicle that you plan on towing your RV with yet, you should opt for something that can tow at least 5,000 pounds, to be on the safe side. Many travel trailers with slide-outs on both sides weigh closer to 8,000 pounds when fully loaded, so keep this in mind while shopping! Slide-outs can add a decent amount of weight to your RV. 

Layout and Floor Plan

The next thing to consider before purchasing an RV with slide-outs on both sides is the type of layout or floor plan you want. Knowing how many people you plan on camping with is a good place to start, as this will give you a rough estimate of how many sleeping arrangements you need and the seating areas you need. 

Otherwise, the sky’s the limit in terms of layouts found on the average travel trailer, especially travel trailers with slide-outs on both sides. You may find spacious living rooms and kitchens as a prevalent feature, especially if you find a travel trailer with a full wall of slide-outs. 

There are also travel trailers with master suites and bunkhouses, or you may be looking for a travel trailer with a toy hauler option . No matter the choices you are looking for, I highly recommend touring RVs at RV lots or dealerships so that you get a good feel for certain layouts and floor plans before making a final purchase! 

Number of Slide-Outs

Ultimately, you may or may not need to decide how many slide-outs you want in total. For the most part, RV manufacturers don’t give you the option to add or subtract slideouts given the fact that they are inherent to the structural components of any RV. However, you may not want to maintain too many slide-outs, and this is something to keep in mind. 

Do you want to avoid having a slide-out in the master suite for insulation purposes, or are you seeking more than two slide-outs so that you can maximize your interior living space? Again, regardless of your ultimate decision, knowing that you will need to maintain each and every single slide-out on board your RV is important to keep in mind as you shop! 

Luxurious Amenities

Some travel trailers are more luxurious than others, so having a good idea as to the number of luxurious amenities you want is a good place to start. You may be seeking multiple air conditioners, upgraded upholstery, and furnishings, or perhaps you want a travel trailer with a more residential feel to live in full-time . 

No matter what you want, having a list of must-haves and dreams in mind before you start shopping is a good idea. Note that there is a difference between your dream RV and your RV that has all the essentials, and you may find that one is far more affordable than the other! 

Thankfully, there are travel trailers with slide-outs on both sides available for just about any price range or budget. While a more luxurious RV will have efficient and easy-to-care-for slide-outs, the average-priced RV will too! 

Boondocking Amenities

Do you want to take your brand-new RV off-grid or camp in locations without traditional RV utilities? Choosing a travel trailer with boondocking amenities is a good idea if this is a priority for you, as not every RV prioritizes this. 

While all RVs are technically made to boondock for a short period of time, you may want an option with more off-grid capabilities. Some of these amenities may include solar panels, additional batteries, raised chassis options, 4-season weather capabilities, and off-road tires. 

Regardless of what you are looking for, there’s a travel trailer with plenty of boondocking features available for you. In fact, most RVs these days are equipped with some amount of boondocking capabilities, though more amenities will come at a higher price! 

Maintenance and Repairs

As we’ve already discussed, travel trailers with slide-outs on both sides may need more maintenance and repairs than you first expected. Travel trailers need plenty of maintenance on their own, from the roof to the propane lines, but more slide-outs than the average rig means even more repairs need to be made over time. 

As a full-timer living in a travel trailer, I have a list of scheduled maintenance and repairs that I stick to throughout the year. Depending on how often you use your RV, you may want to do the same, though all RVs need maintenance, no matter how much you use them! 

Choosing something that feels manageable for your skill level is a good idea, though there are always RV repair shops found throughout the country. In addition, if you purchase a brand new RV, it should come with warranty plans and opportunities that you can take advantage of, depending on what maintenance your RV needs. 

A final consideration for you to think about before you purchase an RV is how much you plan on spending. Travel trailers are among the least expensive RVs on the market today, but this doesn’t mean that they aren’t pricey. This is especially true if you are looking for something large or more mechanical, such as a travel trailer with slide-outs on both sides. 

Depending on the make, model, and amenities included, you may spend anywhere from $20k to $80k on a travel trailer. The price only increases if you add more amenities or features to your RV, and the purchase price quoted initially is often not the price you end up paying at the end of the day. 

However, all RV dealerships and manufacturers offer loans and other payment plans in case you can’t pay for the entire rig up front. Keep in mind that RVs do indeed depreciate quickly, so you likely won’t get back what you paid for it if you choose to sell!

This is why it’s important to consider how often you plan on camping and using your RV so that you don’t purchase something that feels wasteful. 

Now that you have checked out our pros and cons list as well as our list of considerations, here’s our list of seven unique travel trailers with slide-outs on both sides. Hopefully one of these options speaks to you! 

Best Overall: Jayco Eagle HT

• A few double slide-out floor plans to choose from 
• Beautiful and elegant interior design 
• Plenty of features that you can add on as you choose 
• A bit heavy for the average tow vehicle 

Starting at $57k, the Eagle HT from Jayco is a great choice for a number of RVers, both experienced and brand-new. With 5 available floor plans, only two of which offer double slides on both sides, you may not have as many options as other RVs on this list. However, there’s a lot to love about this option from Jayco . Let’s check it out now! 

The Eagle ranges in length from 33 to 39 feet long, making it ideal for families as well as groups that enjoy spreading out. In terms of its options for floor plans with slide-outs on both sides, it has two options, one of which has multiple bunk beds so that you can sleep the whole family or a large group of people.

One of the best things about this particular travel trailer is the fact that it has multiple options for you to choose from, even though it will result in an increase in the initial purchase price. However, you can add a built-in generator, multiple solar panels, an additional air conditioning unit, and much more, if you so choose. 

In terms of its interior design, you have modern and contemporary finishes. The materials that Jayco uses are more upscale and luxurious compared to the average RV manufacturer, something that you will likely notice upon walking into the RV. This makes the Eagle a great choice for both full-time living as well as the average weekend warrior looking to camp in style. 

Something to consider about this particular travel trailer is the fact that it weighs roughly 8,000 to 10,000 pounds, depending on the floor plan. Slide-outs are heavier than the average RV material, so it’s likely that the slide-out floor plans that you are looking for weigh more than average. 

However, so long as you have the vehicle to tow it, you won’t have any trouble bringing this RV with you! It is easy to tow and maintain, so long as you stay on top of its maintenance requirements and warranty options. 

Best Built: Dutchmen Kodiak Ultimate

• Fair price point for its size 
• Plenty of double slide-out floor plans to choose from 
• Room for the whole family with bunkhouse floor plans 
• Interior design feels a bit uninspired 

If the Jayco Eagle was a bit too heavy for your tow vehicle, you might want to check out the Kodiak Ultimate from Dutchmen. This travel trailer starts at $59k, but it has many double slide-out floor plan options to choose from as well as many different designs as well. Let’s take a closer look at everything this travel trailer has to offer! 

The largest floor plan for the Kodiak is 37 feet long, which may make you wonder if it is big enough for you and the whole family. Given the double slide-out floor plan options available, you can easily sleep 8 to 10 people in bunk beds and other sleeping areas. Plus, the Kodiak has a king-size bed for all floor plans so that you will never feel too cramped while you camp. 

Speaking of floor plans, four out of the six available floor plans for the Kodiak have double slide-outs on either side. Most of these slide-outs involve moving the kitchen area further out, giving you more room to accommodate a kitchen island or a proper living area and dining room. Otherwise, the slide-outs are located in the bunkhouses and other portions of the RV. 

If you don’t recognize the Dutchmen brand name, it might be time to look into it. With fantastic insulation options, including a heated and insulated underbelly for 4-season camping, this RV is well-made and easy to take with you without having to worry about its overall construction. Plus, you can add additional features that make it easy to set up and take down camp. 

The interior design of the Kodiak Ultimate isn’t exactly inspired, but it does the trick. This RV is great for those of you that camp during the summertime, but it may feel a bit uninspired if you plan on living in this RV full-time. You can always make it feel at home, but the interior of this RV appears to be more practical than comfortable. 

Lightest Weight: Coachmen Northern Spirit Ultra-Lite

• Lightweight and easy to maneuver 
• Convenient floor plans sleep multiple people 
• Plenty of storage and special touches help you feel at home 
• Only two floor plans with slide-outs on both sides 

With nearly every floor plan weighing less than 8000 pounds, the Northern Spirit Ultra-Lite from Coachmen is a great choice for those of you seeking a travel trailer that is easy to tow for the average tow vehicle. Plus, this option is fairly budget-friendly as well, with 2-floor plans offering slide-outs on both sides. Let’s take a closer look. 

Coachmen tries to make things convenient for the average camper, and the Northern Spirit might demonstrate this best. There are special touches found throughout this rig that help you adapt to camping life easier than ever before. For example, any floor plan for this particular travel trailer will include pet leash areas, bottle openers, safe and discreet storage areas, and much more. 

You got everything you needed to hit the road in style and function, given the fact that the Northern Spirit is lightweight and easy to tow . Plus, you have stabilizers as well as backup camera prep ready to go, giving you another tool to help you safely reach your destination and park there! 

While there are only two floor plans with slide-outs on both sides, both are ideal for families or full-timing couples. One of them has multiple bunk beds and the other offers an attractive electric fireplace and spacious living area. There’s even a kitchen island for one of these two floor plans, helping you feel even more at home despite being on the road. 

There’s plenty of storage, both inside and out, particularly in overhead storage compartments and exterior pass-through storage bins. You also have easy-to-clean interior design options, making this RV even better for the busy family, especially if you have pets. 

However, there may not be enough floor plans for you to choose from, and you may not enjoy the interior design of this RV. It all depends on what you’re looking for, especially when you consider that the price of this RV is right. Just make sure it has all of your needs in a floor plan that works well for your family! 

Most Square Footage: Heartland Mallard

• Open floor plans make this RV easy to live in 
• Multiple double slide-out options to choose from 
• Fantastic interior design touches, including spacious kitchens 
• Fairly long lengths may make this one difficult to drive 

Depending on the floor plan you choose, the Heartland Mallard has options that range between 300 to 350 square feet of interior living space. When you consider the average travel trailer without slide-outs, this is a huge leap in square footage! But what else might this travel trailer have to offer you? Let’s take a closer look. 

It’s easy to see why someone might live full-time in a Mallard, particularly one that is over 300 square feet. The interior design of this RV is unique and modern, with special touches throughout the rig. For example, the countertops in the kitchen have an infinity line that is attractive and en-vogue right now. There’s also unique flooring throughout. 

The exterior is also a marvel, with a rounded front piece of fully laminated fiberglass. This maintains an aerodynamic nature to this particular RV, with a lightweight frame to go hand-in-hand. You can easily drive this travel trailer wherever your journeys take you, though it may be a bit large for the average National Park ! 

Out of the 14 available floor plans, only three offer slide-outs on both sides. However, these floor plans are convenient and well-thought-out, ideal for both couples and adventurous families out there searching for an RV that fits their lifestyle! There’s definitely enough storage for everyone to bring everything that they want along with them, especially exterior storage. 

The open design of the Mallard gives you room for everyone to relax comfortably. There are even some floor plans that have some of the most spacious kitchens that I’ve ever seen on board a travel trailer, something that may matter to my fellow chefs out there! 

You also have multiple interior design choices so that you can make this RV exactly how you like. There are many convenient features that you can add as need be, but just keep in mind that this will increase the overall purchase price for this rig. It’s a great choice for those of you seeking something large, but just keep in mind that the double slide-out floor plans are close to 40 feet in length! 

Plenty of Storage: Winnebago Voyage

• Plenty of storage, inside and out 
• Half the floor plans have slide-outs on both sides 
• Residential touches make this RV feel like home 
• A heavy rig, so make sure you can handle it 

Starting at $64k, the Winnebago Voyage isn’t the most budget-friendly travel trailer option out there. However, it makes up for this with luxury touches, unique floor plans, and plenty of storage, inside and out. Let’s take a closer look now!

Out of the six available floor plans for the Winnebago Voyage, three of the options have slide-outs on both sides. The smallest double slide-out floor plan starts at 27 feet, making it a reasonable size compared to many other options on this list. The larger floor plans get close to 40 feet long, with the largest option housing a huge bunkhouse suite in the rear. 

The interior design of the Voyage is more residential than anything else, which might be appealing to those of you that have owned RVs in the past. Many RVs end up looking the same inside, suited for camping but not much else. The Voyage feels practical as well as comfortable, with electric fireplaces and spacious bathrooms and kitchens, making it better suited for the average family. 

One of the main reasons why this RV is popular is because of all of its storage features. You have huge volumes of pass-through storage on the outside of the rig as well as integrated pantry storage solutions inside. Plus, this RV has many other features that make it great for full-time living as well as boondocking.

Some of the additional amenities for the Voyage include washer and dryer prep on select floorplans , an optional king bed upgrade, a 15 cubic foot refrigerator, a residential microwave, and a larger water heater. Plus, most of these floor plans adapt to sleep close to 10 people, depending on the option you choose! 

So, what’s the catch on this one? It’s fairly heavy, with a dry weight of 6000 to 10,000 pounds depending on the floor plan. Keep in mind that this weight is without water, Propane, and all of your belongings, so make sure your tow vehicle can handle this one before falling in love! 

Best for Families: Cruiser RV Radiance

• Multiple double slide-out floor plan options to choose from 
• Spacious layout and design for the whole family 
• Budget-friendly so that you can add on more features 
• Interior design is basic but easy to clean 

There are only two floor plans with slide-outs on both sides available for the Radiance by Cruiser RV, but these two floor plans are perfect for families. Budget-friendly and fully loaded, the Radiance has a lot to offer both families and groups of friends alike! Let’s take a closer look.

Even the largest double slide-out floor plan is less than $60k to start with, making this option more affordable than many others on this list, particularly the Winnebago Voyage. Plus, this option even has an outdoor kitchen , bunkhouse suite, and a king-size master bedroom with a spacious bathroom and kitchen in between both of these sleeping areas. 

The entire underbelly of most of the Radiance floor plans is storage, giving you plenty of space to bring everything you and your family want. You can fit kayaks, bicycles, and much more underneath your RV, or you may even be able to add a rear or rooftop rack to accommodate your recreational items. 

This is a great RV for those of you who don’t plan on living in it full-time, as the interior design is a bit bland and easy to overlook. However, for the active family, this RV is easy to clean and maintain, and lightweight enough to tow by the average vehicle. Plus, you likely won’t blow your budget up front, giving you room to choose from a few optional amenities offered by Cruiser RV! 

Best for Full-Time Living: Keystone Cougar HT

• Gorgeous interior and exterior design 
• Fairly lightweight, especially when you consider the length
• Packed with features that suit full-time living
• Fairly expensive for a travel trailer 

Weighing 8000 pounds or less and fully loaded for full-time living, the Keystone Cougar HT or half-ton is a great choice for those of you hoping to live in your travel trailer full-time. While this luxury travel trailer isn’t the most affordable option on this list, it is truly ready for full-time living and easy to take care of. 

There are a whopping six available floor plans that offer you slide-outs on both sides of this particular travel trailer, but that isn’t very many given the fact that the Cougar half-ton has 24 possible floor plans. However, choosing from 6 gives you more options than the other travel trailers on this list! 

The interior and exterior of this RV are fully thought out and packed with storage. Plus, the design is easy to recognize and fall in love with, feeling more residential than anything else. You have everything you could need to live in this RV full-time, including washer and dryer prep and convenient living areas. 

Keystone is widely regarded as one of the best makers of travel trailers and fifth wheels, offering comprehensive warranty programs and plenty of guidance. No matter what step you’re at in your travel trailer journey, Keystone is there to help! But what is the drawback to the Keystone Cougar? 

Depending on the floor plan you choose, you may spend over $70k on this travel trailer, without optional equipment included. However, if you plan on living in your travel trailer full time and you want plenty of interior living space with double slide-outs, this may be your best bet! 

Final Thoughts

Whether you want a travel trailer with slide-outs on both sides for the whole family or perhaps you simply want a spacious RV to live in full-time , there are plenty of options to choose from.

Keep our considerations in mind, and enjoy your travel trailer, no matter how many slide-outs it ends up having! 

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6 Smallest Camper Trailers With Slide-Outs That Offer Extra Living Space

• Last Updated: March 16, 2024
• 12 minutes read

A power-retractable slide-out section is a great way to maximize the interior living space of any size RV. to create more interior living space

A slide out, slide or pop out is a cut-out portion of your RV that extends and retracts its side wall to create more interior living space.

They are especially prized in smaller campers that are compact and streamlined on the road when you want them to be, yet give you enough elbow room to stretch out when you set up camp.

With all their popularity, it’s no wonder why so many people put a slide-out section as a top priority when shopping for a new travel trailer.

If this sounds like you, then you might be wondering what are some of the best small travel trailers with a slide-out section?

Two of the top contenders in this crowded class are the Forest River – Rockwood Mini Lite 2109S and the Coachmen – Viking Ultra-Lite 17BHS.

Though there are some really nice models out there that can fit specific travel styles.

If you need more room for your family, but you don’t want to make a major investment in a giant travel trailer, we’ve got you covered.

We waded through the broad field of options to find some of the best smallest trailers with a slide-out on the market today. 

Along the way, we also took into account things like how the weight might pair with a certain type of tow vehicle, as well as the size of the family it can accommodate, and what the slide-out section had to offer.

6 Great Small Travel Trailers With A Slide-Out

The following models have a lot to offer when it comes to being streamlined going down the road, but still offering plenty of elbow room and sleeping space when you expand the slide-out section.

We also tried to keep our eyes out for models that appealed to niche interests like boondocking off the grid, or a small travel trailer that’s designed to handle cooler weather like you might find when camping in the mountains. 

Here are the 8 awesome small camper trailers with slide outs that give you extra living, storage and relaxing space in your RV.

• K-Z Sportsmen Classic 181BH Ultra Lightweight Travel Trailer
• Forest River Rockwood Mini Lite 2109S Travel Trailer
• Coachmen Viking Ultra-Lite 17BHS
• Dutchmen Coleman Rubicon 1608RB Travel Trailer
• Jayco Jay Flight SLX 183RB Travel Trailer
• Lance 1475 Travel Trailer

1. K-Z Sportsmen Classic 181BH Ultra Lightweight Travel Trailer

• Length of 20 ft.
• Dry Weight of 3,020 lbs.
• Payload Capacity of 480 lbs.
• GVWR of 3,500 lbs.
• Hitch Weight of 370 lbs.
• Sleeps up to 6 people
• 13,500 BTU air conditioner
• 20,000 BTU heater

For a small travel trailer with a slide-out section that measures in at just under 21-feet long the K-Z – Sportsmen Classic 181BH offers a lot of sleeping space.

The power slide-out section houses a relatively spacious dinette area. If you need some extra sleeping room for a third child, or you have an overnight guest, it also converts into a bed. 

If you have multiple children and everyone needs to feel like they have their own space, then you need to move this new model up your list.

Especially when you consider that it’s light enough to be towed by a light-duty pickup truck or even a robust mid-size SUV with a towing package. 

The floor space saved by the slide-out section allows for a pair of rear bunks. This lets each child have their own bed as well as a little storage space for their own things.

It’s a great concept for teenagers and school-age children. The master bed in the front also gives you a dedicated sleeping and storage space without having your kid’s things intermingle with your own. 

2. Forest River Rockwood Mini Lite 2109S Travel Trailer

• Length of 22 ft.
• Dry Weight of 4,171 lbs.
• Payload Capacity of 1,521 lbs.
• GVWR of 5,692 lbs.
• Hitch Weight of 412 lbs.
• Total Fresh Water Tank Capacity of 52.0 gallons
• Total Gray Water Tank Capacity of 30.0 gallons
• Total Black Water Tank Capacity of 30.0 gallons
• Sleeps up to 4 people
• 35,000 BTU heater

If you train your eye to look for them driving down the road, you will see that the Forest River – Rockwood Mini Lite 2109S is one of the most popular small camper trailers with a slide-out section.

It’s light enough to be towed by a full-size SUV or a light-duty pickup truck. The power slide-out section houses a large, comfortable sofa with a dinette table in front of it. 

The floorplan and open living space also translates into impressive amount of storage space both inside and out.

The decked-out kitchen has a lot of thoughtful cupboards and a wardrobe panty area.

There’s also an impressive pass-through storage area in the front that’s accessible via a pair of hatches. 

3. Coachmen Viking Ultra-Lite 17BHS

• Dry Weight of 3,437 lbs.
• Payload Capacity of 988 lbs.
• GVWR of 4,425 lbs.
• Hitch Weight of 425 lbs.
• Total Fresh Water Tank Capacity of 27.0 gallons
• Total Gray Water Tank Capacity of 25.0 gallons
• Total Black Water Tank Capacity of 25.0 gallons

The Coachmen – Viking Ultra-Lite 17BHS is another great small travel trailer that is designed to accommodate a family with multiple children.

The power slide-out section houses a rather spacious dinette. It can also be converted into a functional sleeping space.

If you have a toddler who needs a confined sleeping area, it can easily be turned into an improvised crib or day bed. 

If your kids love bunk beds and clamor to see who gets the top bunk, then they are going to love spacious rear bunks.

They are also conveniently positioned next to the bathroom that has a shower with a basin that is deep enough to bathe a small child. 

You get all this in a small travel trailer that can be towed by a light-duty pickup truck or full-size SUV.

When fully loaded Coachmen – Viking Ultra-Lite 17BHS has a gross vehicle weight rating of just under 4,500-pounds.

This means there are even a few robust mid-size SUVs that can safely tow it when totally loaded. 

4. Dutchmen Coleman Rubicon 1608RB Travel Trailer

• Dry Weight of 3,882 lbs.
• Payload Capacity of 952 lbs.
• GVWR of 4,834 lbs.
• Hitch Weight of 525 lbs.
• Total Fresh Water Tank Capacity of 46.0 gallons
• Total Gray Water Tank Capacity of 28.0 gallons
• Total Black Water Tank Capacity of 28.0 gallons
• Sleeps up to 3 to 4 people

With a power-retractable slide out section with a love-seat style couch, and a total length of just over 20-feet the Dutchmen – Coleman Rubicon 1608RB can sleep up to 4 people.

Though I think you will find in real life that it is meant to be a small travel trailer that meets the needs of a traveling couple or two parents and an only child. 

The slide-out section’s couch is positioned in front of it is a long dining or coffee table.

It’s great for times when you and your significant other want to cuddle up and watch a movie, or you just like to eat while watching TV. 

With a gross vehicle weight rating of nearly 5,000-pounds and a total length of just over 20-feet, the Dutchmen – Coleman Rubicon 1608RB pushes the limit of what all but the most robust of mid-size SUVs can handle.

Though if you already have a full-size SUV a light-duty pickup truck or larger, you will have no problem towing this lightweight and spacious camper anywhere you want to take it. 

5. Jayco Jay Flight SLX 183RB Travel Trailer

• Length of 21 ft.
• Dry Weight of 3,270 lbs.
• Payload Capacity of 880 lbs.
• GVWR of 4,150 lbs.
• Hitch Weight of 290 lbs.
• Total Fresh Water Tank Capacity of 20.0 gallons
• Total Gray Water Tank Capacity of 19.9 gallons
• Total Black Water Tank Capacity of 19.9 gallons
• 8,000 BTU air conditioner
• 18,000 BTU furnace

The Jayco – Jay Flight SLX 183RB is a small travel trailer with a slide-out section that is geared more toward a traveling couple or a small family with a single child.

The slide-out section holds a relatively spacious dinette, which can be easily repurposed into a day bed or a crib space if needed. 

One of the great things about the Jayco – Jay Flight SLX 183RB is the weight and towing statistics.

With a gross vehicle weight rating of under 4,200-pounds, it is within the range of robust mid-size SUVs with a towing package.

This makes it a great option for a family that needs a compact travel trailer, but doesn’t want to invest in a larger tow vehicle just to safely pull it. 

6. Lance 1475 Travel Trailer

• Length of 19’ 8” ft.
• Dry Weight of 2,600 lbs.
• Payload Capacity of 1,100 lbs.
• GVWR of 3,700 lbs.
• Hitch Weight of 250 lbs.
• Total Fresh Water Tank Capacity of 26.0 gallons
• Total Gray Water Tank Capacity of 26.0 gallons
• Total Black Water Tank Capacity of 26.0 gallons
• Sleeps 2 to 3 people

The Lance 1475 is a compact travel trailer with a small slide-out section that houses a small seating area.

This departs from many of the competitors who install a large, static dinette section.

This serves to give you more floor space to move around in what might otherwise be a tightly spaced travel trailer. 

The slide-out section also opens up enough floor space to accommodate a true dry bath, where as a lot of similar small travel trailers this size only have a wet bath.

It’s supported by 26 gallon fresh water and a pair of 26 gallon wastewater tanks.

This gives you just enough water capacity to camp off the grid for a day or two, without driving the weight up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a slide-out section add a lot of weight to a travel trailer.

The additional material and the power-retractable components of a slide-out section do technically increase the dry weight of a travel trailer.

Though this was more of an issue in the past, where a slide-out section usually made a travel trailer so heavy that you needed a full-size pickup truck to tow it confidently.

Recent improvements in RV materials and manufacturing technology have helped reduce the overall weight of a slide-out section to help keep many models within range of what a robust mid-size or full-size SUV can tow. 

Are Slide-Out Sections Difficult To Maintain On A Travel Trailer?

By their nature, power-retractable slide-out sections on a small travel trailer do need more maintenance than a camper that doesn’t have them.

All the moving parts need periodic lubrication, and the seals or gaskets can start to develop leaks over the years if the travel trailer isn’t properly stored during the winter. 

There are a lot of great small travel trailers with slide-out sections on the market today.

Modern materials and engineering have even helped keep some light enough to be towed by a robust mid-size SUV with a towing package installed.

The one that’s best for you might depend on the size of your family and how you like to camp. 

If it’s just you and your significant other or you have an only child, then the Dutchmen – Coleman Rubicon 1608RB might be the best small travel trailer with a slide-out to meet your needs.

The dinette section can be used as a daybed for a toddler and will still be large enough to grow with your child over the years. 

If you have a larger family and you need to sleep multiple children or teenagers at the same time then the Forest River – Rockwood Mini Lite 2109S might be the best small travel trailer with a slide-out for your family.

The kids will love the bunk beds, not to mention the fact that everyone gets to have their own sleeping and storage space.

About Author / Aaron Richardson

Aaron Richardson is an expert RVer and the co-founder of RVing Know How. Aaron, along with his wife Evelyn, has been living and traveling in their Keystone Fuzion RV since 2017. Their adventures span across the country and beyond, including memorable RVing experiences in Mexico. Aaron's passion for the outdoors and RVing shines through in his writings, where he shares a blend of travel stories, practical tips, and insights to enhance the RV lifestyle.

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Put-in tours

Original tour agency in moscow and st petersburg..

Onboard a Soviet van!

Welcome to Russia!

We are Sergey and Simon, a Russian and a Frenchman, both  passionate about Moscow, Saint-Petersburg and classic cars. Together, we have created Put-in tours. Our goal is to help you experience Russian culture off the beaten path. Join us onboard our classic Soviet van and let’s get rolling!

In Moscow we offer you a city tour to discover most of the city in an original way as well as a night tour to admire the lights. Our pubcrawl is ideal to explore Moscow’s night-life and have fun. If you are craving to discover Russian culture, come impress your senses during our monastery diner or join our 100% Russian Banya Excursion . The latest will also bring you to Sergiyev Posad and it’s famous monastery!

For the most extreme travellers, our shooting tour will deliver your daily dose of adrenaline whereas our tank excursion will let you ride a real tank and shoot a bazooka.

We also offer help to receive your visa , safe and multilingual airport transfers , as well as organisation services for team-building events or bachelor parties .

All our excursions (but the monastery diner) happen onboard our Soviet military vans and can be covered by our  professionnal photographer or videographer.

In Saint Petersburg

We welcome you in Saint Petersburg onboard our Soviet van to discover the imperial city with our city tour and night tour .

Continue your discovery in style! The adrenaline lovers will like our shooting tour  which brings 3 Russian weapons to the tip of your trigger finger.

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At Put-in tours, we put you in our classic Soviet vans to go explore Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Russian culture off the beaten path. Discover our Moscow city guided tour, visit Moscow by night, join our banya & Sergiyev Posad excursion, visit and dine in one of Moscow's oldest monastery or even Luzhniki stadium, before you party on our famous pubcrawl! Original and atypical tours : Shoot AK47 and a bazooka after riding on a tank with our tank & bazooka excursion ! Extreme tours: Fly a fighter jet in Moscow onboard a L-29 or L-39 aircraft!

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Moscow Travel Guide: Best Things to Do + More [2023]

· everything to know about visiting moscow, including the best things to do and how to get around. ·.

Moscow is Russia’s vibrant capital city, and it also happens to be the largest city in all of Europe. The city’s long and infamous history makes it one of the most unique places we have ever visited.

The architecture ranges from centuries-old palaces to uniform, gray concrete buildings. The people range from cold and private to warm and welcoming. Moscow is a city is strong juxtapositions, and we learned a lot during our time there.

This post will break down all you need to know about visiting Moscow, including the best things to do, how to get there, how to get around, and more.

The Best Things to Do in Moscow

1. explore the red square.

The Red Square is the heart of Moscow. Most of the city’s top attractions can be found here, including just about everything on this list. The Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and Lenin’s Mausoleum are all located here, and the State Historical Museum and GUM are not far from here, either.

The Red Square is a common home for parades, protests, and seasonal celebrations. There are massive Christmas celebrations here, with food vendors and carnival rides set up in numbers.

2. Check Out the Ziferblat

The Ziferblat is a café in Moscow that is unlike any café we have ever been to. While most cafes charge you for your drinks and food, the Ziferblat charges you for your time.

Upon arrival, you are given a clock. When you leave, the barista calculates how much time you spent in the café and charges you accordingly. This concept was created to help visitors to be more intentional with their time, and the cafe itself is incredibly charming.

For a detailed look at everything you need to know before you visit, make sure you read my post about visiting the Ziferblat Cafe in Moscow .

3. Marvel at St. Basil’s Cathedral

St. Basil’s Cathedral is one of the most iconic churches in the world, and it was the single thing we were most excited to see while in Moscow. Built almost 500 years ago, St. Basil’s Cathedral is recognized by its colorful domes and whimsical style. The church is of the Russian Orthodox faith, and the inside is just as wondrous as the outside.

St. Basil’s Cathedral is located on the edge of the Red Square, making it incredibly convenient to visit. Entrance for non-worshippers costs 800 rubles, and tickets can be bought at the church

4. Explore the Kremlin

The Kremlin is the largest active fortress in Europe, and it is the site of most of Russia’s government affairs. In addition to government buildings, the Kremlin Complex is filled with courtyards, towers, and museums that are open to the public. If you have the time, you could spend a couple of days fully exploring all that there is to see in the Kremlin.

5. Walk Through Lenin’s Mausoleum

Vladimir Lenin is one of the most important figures in Russian history, and his body is located perfectly embalmed in a mausoleum in the Red Square. The Mausoleum is open to the public to visit, and as long as you are willing to go through a few security checks, it is easily one of the best things to do in Moscow. Its convenient location in the Red Square makes it a can’t miss attraction.

There is absolutely no photography allowed inside the Mausoleum. Do not test this rule.

6. Wander Along Arbat Street

The Arbat is a very popular street in Moscow that is lined with stores, cafes, and other touristy attractions. It is one of the oldest streets in the city, dating back to the 1400s. This street is both quaint and trendy, and there are many walking tours that introduce tourists to the neighborhood’s wonders and highlights.

7. Catch a Show at the Bolshoi Theatre

As a lover of the arts, it is hard to think of Moscow and not think of ballet. Russia has always been a top dog in the world of fine arts, and Bolshoi Theater is one of the best places to catch a performance. We were lucky enough to attend an Opera here, and it is a venue that you don’t want to miss out on if you enjoy opera, ballet, or orchestral performances.

8. Visit the State Historical Museum

The State Historical Museum is one of the most respected museums in Moscow. Despite its name, it is not really focused on the history of Russia as a nation. Rather, it contains a collection of artifacts from all throughout Russia’s history.

The museum’s collection is very broad in nature. It houses some items from indigenous tribes that used to occupy the region, pieces collected by the Romanov family, and more.

9. Wander Around GUM

GUM is an absolutely massive mall within walking distance of the Red Square. It isn’t just the size that draws visitors here; it’s the sense of luxury. The mall is so beautiful inside, much like the metro stations.

While visiting a mall might not sound like it belongs on a bucket list, this mall does. You will not want to miss out on visiting GUM while in Moscow.

10. Admire the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

While St. Basil’s Cathedral is the most iconic church in Moscow, it isn’t the only one. The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is absolutely stunning, with massive golden domes. It is the tallest Orthodox church in the world, and it is the seat of the Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow.

It is located just about a mile from the Red Square, just south of the Kremlin Complex. You can walk to it from the Red Square in about 20 minutes.

How to Get to Moscow

Flying to moscow.

Moscow has three major international airports: Sheremetyevo (SVO) , Domodedovo (DMO) , and Vnukovo (VKO) . All three of them are directly connected to downtown Moscow by the Aeroexpress trains, which leave every 30 minutes throughout the day. By Aeroexpress train, you can expect to get to the city center in 25-45 minutes depending on the airport that you fly into.

Sheremetyevo is the biggest and busiest of the three airports, and it is the one you are most likely to fly into – especially if you are coming from outside of Europe or the Caucus region. We flew into Sheremetyevo on a direct flight from New York City.

I usually provide backup airport options, because flying right into the city isn’t always the cheapest way to get where you’re going. Unfortunately, when it comes to Moscow, don’t really have a choice other than to fly right into Moscow. It is a very remote city, and it is usually the cheapest place to fly into in Russia as a whole.

Since Sheremetyevo is so busy, you will probably find a great flight option anyway. I wrote in  my post about finding cheap flights  that using hub airports will lead to more affordable airfare, and the same logic applies here. Even though Russia’s national airline, Aeroflot, is no longer a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, Moscow is still a major hub connecting passengers from all over the world.

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Train or Bus to Moscow

Trains and buses are one of the most popular ways to get around Europe. However, they’re of very little use when you’re trying to get to Moscow.

Moscow is hundreds of miles from the nearest major cities. The only major European city that can even be reached within 8 hours on the ground is St. Petersburg, and even the Baltic capitals of Riga, Vilnius, and Tallinn are over 12 hours away.

If you want to get to Moscow, the best option is almost always to fly. While the train routes to Moscow are scenic, they simply take forever.

How to Get Around Moscow

METRO | TROLLEYS | TRAMS | BUSES

Moscow has one of the most memorable metro systems in the world. Its metro lines are very deep underground, and the stations are absolutely stunning. Each station has its own unique style, but all of them contain escalators that seem to go on forever.

The system was built in an effort to showcase the power of the Soviet Union and its bright future. The plans were a form of propaganda, but they resulted in what is still one of the most visually appealing subway systems on earth.

Moscow’s metro system isn’t just pretty. It is also very useful and accessible. The system has 17 lines that connect the city and its surrounding area.

But wait; there’s more!

The Moscow metro system is also incredibly affordable, with each ride costing less than a dollar. The metro is by far the best way to get around Moscow, as it is almost impossible to beat the connection times and the low cost to ride.

Tickets can be bought at electronic, English-speaking kiosks in stations, or directly from ticket counters at certain larger stations. There are also day passes available, which are a very solid option if you plan on riding the metro several times per day.

The metro is by far the best way to get around Moscow.

In addition to the metro system, Moscow also has a network of buses, trams, and trolleys. This system is nowhere near as convenient or well-connected as the metro, though, and is likely of little use to you during your trip. There is no Uber in Moscow, but a similar app named Yandex is available if you need a ride in a pinch.

How Many Days Do You Need in Moscow?

Moscow is the biggest city in all of Europe, and it is absolutely loaded with things to do. You could spend weeks in Moscow and still find new things to do. Of course, most travelers don’t have that kind of time to spend in one place!

I recommend spending no less than three full days in Moscow, and ideally closer to five or seven.

Moscow is very spread out, and it can take some time to get from one major point to another. There are also so many places that are nice to just sit back and relax, which is hard to do when you’re in a hurry trying to cram activities into just a few days.

If you only have a week to visit Russia, I’d advise spending all of the time in one city. If you decide to split your time between Moscow and St. Petersburg, I recommend not trying to squeeze in any day trips beyond those two cities.

When Is the Best Time of the Year to Visit Moscow?

There are two different ways to approach this question. Personally, I think the best time to visit Moscow is around Christmas and New Year’s Day. While the weather will be absolutely freezing, Moscow is a surreal winter wonderland in December and January.

We were in Moscow right before Christmas. While it was very cold, you can always bundle up. Exploring the Christmas markets and pop-up ice skating rinks throughout Moscow is one of my favorite memories from anywhere I’ve traveled, and I dream of going back to do it again.

If you aren’t fond of the cold, Moscow is beautiful in the summer. It tends to get pretty cold in the shoulder seasons, so if you want warm weather, you should plan to visit in the summer. Moscow actually gets pretty warm in July and August, and there are a bunch of fantastic places to soak up the sun within the city.

The best time to visit Moscow is either around Christmas or from late May to August.

Is Moscow Safe to Visit?

While Moscow is a truly wonderful city, there’s no denying that visiting Russia comes with risks. As the country is run by an infamous communist dictator, concerns about visiting are valid. While we didn’t experience any sort of threat or negative treatment during our time in Moscow, we visited in a peaceful time.

In our experience, Russia doesn’t seem to detain normal Americans or Westerners to use as pawns. As a regular person, as long as you don’t commit any crimes, there is a slim chance you will run into any issues. However, Russia will not hesitate to enforce its laws against foreigners, and illegal behaviors will likely land you in a very compromising position.

Russia will not hesitate to enforce its laws against foreigners, and illegal behaviors will likely land you in a very compromising position.

To make matters worse, Russia has a bad reputation for gang violence. While the Russian mafia has very little interest in normal Western tourists, they won’t hesitate to pick a fight with anyone who ventures into their sphere of influence. If you seek out illegal substances or activities, you could be a target of the mafia.

If you seek out illegal substances or activities, you could be a target of the mafia.

Finally, since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, things are all very different. Russia is currently at war, and there are battles raging within 8 hours of Moscow. While it is still relatively safe to visit, that could change at any time as the war with Ukraine continues.

Is Moscow Worth Visiting?

Without a doubt, Moscow is worth visiting. It is one of the most unique major cities we have ever visited, and we hope to make it back one day. The Russian Orthodox churches are stunning, the city’s history is unlike any other, and the food is to die for.

While many visitors prefer St. Petersburg to Moscow, I think Moscow deserves a lot of hype of its own. Moscow is the beating heart of Russian culture and history, and it’s a place I highly recommend checking out if you have the chance.

That’s all we have for you about Moscow! I hope this post was helpful as you plan your trip to Russia’s capital.

Have you been to Moscow? Or is this your first time visiting? Comment below if you have anything to add to our travel guide!

Hi, I'm Greg. I'm an avid traveler who has traveled to over 50 countries all around the world with my wife and kids. I've lived in Italy, Mexico, China, and the United States, and I dream of moving abroad again in the future. With this blog, I provide my audience with detailed destination guides to my favorite places and pro-tips to make travel as stress-free as possible.

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In Transit: Notes from the Underground

Jun 06 2018.

Spend some time in one of Moscow’s finest museums.

Subterranean commuting might not be anyone’s idea of a good time, but even in a city packing the war-games treasures and priceless bejeweled eggs of the Kremlin Armoury and the colossal Soviet pavilions of the VDNKh , the Metro holds up as one of Moscow’s finest museums. Just avoid rush hour.

The Metro is stunning and provides an unrivaled insight into the city’s psyche, past and present, but it also happens to be the best way to get around. Moscow has Uber, and the Russian version called Yandex Taxi , but also some nasty traffic. Metro trains come around every 90 seconds or so, at a more than 99 percent on-time rate. It’s also reasonably priced, with a single ride at 55 cents (and cheaper in bulk). From history to tickets to rules — official and not — here’s what you need to know to get started.

A Brief Introduction Buying Tickets Know Before You Go (Down) Rules An Easy Tour

A Brief Introduction

Moscow’s Metro was a long time coming. Plans for rapid transit to relieve the city’s beleaguered tram system date back to the Imperial era, but a couple of wars and a revolution held up its development. Stalin revived it as part of his grand plan to modernize the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 30s. The first lines and tunnels were constructed with help from engineers from the London Underground, although Stalin’s secret police decided that they had learned too much about Moscow’s layout and had them arrested on espionage charges and deported.

The beauty of its stations (if not its trains) is well-documented, and certainly no accident. In its illustrious first phases and particularly after the Second World War, the greatest architects of Soviet era were recruited to create gleaming temples celebrating the Revolution, the USSR, and the war triumph. No two stations are exactly alike, and each of the classic showpieces has a theme. There are world-famous shrines to Futurist architecture, a celebration of electricity, tributes to individuals and regions of the former Soviet Union. Each marble slab, mosaic tile, or light fixture was placed with intent, all in service to a station’s aesthetic; each element, f rom the smallest brass ear of corn to a large blood-spattered sword on a World War II mural, is an essential part of the whole.

The Metro is a monument to the Soviet propaganda project it was intended to be when it opened in 1935 with the slogan “Building a Palace for the People”. It brought the grand interiors of Imperial Russia to ordinary Muscovites, celebrated the Soviet Union’s past achievements while promising its citizens a bright Soviet future, and of course, it was a show-piece for the world to witness the might and sophistication of life in the Soviet Union.

It may be a museum, but it’s no relic. U p to nine million people use it daily, more than the London Underground and New York Subway combined. (Along with, at one time, about 20 stray dogs that learned to commute on the Metro.)

In its 80+ year history, the Metro has expanded in phases and fits and starts, in step with the fortunes of Moscow and Russia. Now, partly in preparation for the World Cup 2018, it’s also modernizing. New trains allow passengers to walk the entire length of the train without having to change carriages. The system is becoming more visitor-friendly. (There are helpful stickers on the floor marking out the best selfie spots .) But there’s a price to modernity: it’s phasing out one of its beloved institutions, the escalator attendants. Often they are middle-aged or elderly women—“ escalator grandmas ” in news accounts—who have held the post for decades, sitting in their tiny kiosks, scolding commuters for bad escalator etiquette or even bad posture, or telling jokes . They are slated to be replaced, when at all, by members of the escalator maintenance staff.

For all its achievements, the Metro lags behind Moscow’s above-ground growth, as Russia’s capital sprawls ever outwards, generating some of the world’s worst traffic jams . But since 2011, the Metro has been in the middle of an ambitious and long-overdue enlargement; 60 new stations are opening by 2020. If all goes to plan, the 2011-2020 period will have brought 125 miles of new tracks and over 100 new stations — a 40 percent increase — the fastest and largest expansion phase in any period in the Metro’s history.

Facts: 14 lines Opening hours: 5 a.m-1 a.m. Rush hour(s): 8-10 a.m, 4-8 p.m. Single ride: 55₽ (about 85 cents) Wi-Fi network-wide

Buying Tickets

• Ticket machines have a button to switch to English.
• You can buy specific numbers of rides: 1, 2, 5, 11, 20, or 60. Hold up fingers to show how many rides you want to buy.
• There is also a 90-minute ticket , which gets you 1 trip on the metro plus an unlimited number of transfers on other transport (bus, tram, etc) within 90 minutes.
• Or, you can buy day tickets with unlimited rides: one day (218₽/ US$4), three days (415₽/US$7) or seven days (830₽/US$15). Check the rates here to stay up-to-date.
• If you’re going to be using the Metro regularly over a few days, it’s worth getting a Troika card , a contactless, refillable card you can use on all public transport. Using the Metro is cheaper with one of these: a single ride is 36₽, not 55₽. Buy them and refill them in the Metro stations, and they’re valid for 5 years, so you can keep it for next time. Or, if you have a lot of cash left on it when you leave, you can get it refunded at the Metro Service Centers at Ulitsa 1905 Goda, 25 or at Staraya Basmannaya 20, Building 1.
• You can also buy silicone bracelets and keychains with built-in transport chips that you can use as a Troika card. (A Moscow Metro Fitbit!) So far, you can only get these at the Pushkinskaya metro station Live Helpdesk and souvenir shops in the Mayakovskaya and Trubnaya metro stations. The fare is the same as for the Troika card.
• You can also use Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

Rules, spoken and unspoken

No smoking, no drinking, no filming, no littering. Photography is allowed, although it used to be banned.

Stand to the right on the escalator. Break this rule and you risk the wrath of the legendary escalator attendants. (No shenanigans on the escalators in general.)

Get out of the way. Find an empty corner to hide in when you get off a train and need to stare at your phone. Watch out getting out of the train in general; when your train doors open, people tend to appear from nowhere or from behind ornate marble columns, walking full-speed.

Always offer your seat to elderly ladies (what are you, a monster?).

An Easy Tour

This is no Metro Marathon ( 199 stations in 20 hours ). It’s an easy tour, taking in most—though not all—of the notable stations, the bulk of it going clockwise along the Circle line, with a couple of short detours. These stations are within minutes of one another, and the whole tour should take about 1-2 hours.

Start at Mayakovskaya Metro station , at the corner of Tverskaya and Garden Ring,  Triumfalnaya Square, Moskva, Russia, 125047.

1. Mayakovskaya.  Named for Russian Futurist Movement poet Vladimir Mayakovsky and an attempt to bring to life the future he imagined in his poems. (The Futurist Movement, natch, was all about a rejecting the past and celebrating all things speed, industry, modern machines, youth, modernity.) The result: an Art Deco masterpiece that won the National Grand Prix for architecture at the New York World’s Fair in 1939. It’s all smooth, rounded shine and light, and gentle arches supported by columns of dark pink marble and stainless aircraft steel. Each of its 34 ceiling niches has a mosaic. During World War II, the station was used as an air-raid shelter and, at one point, a bunker for Stalin. He gave a subdued but rousing speech here in Nov. 6, 1941 as the Nazis bombed the city above.

Take the 3/Green line one station to:

2. Belorusskaya. Opened in 1952, named after the connected Belarussky Rail Terminal, which runs trains between Moscow and Belarus. This is a light marble affair with a white, cake-like ceiling, lined with Belorussian patterns and 12 Florentine ceiling mosaics depicting life in Belarussia when it was built.

Transfer onto the 1/Brown line. Then, one stop (clockwise) t o:

3. Novoslobodskaya.  This station was designed around the stained-glass panels, which were made in Latvia, because Alexey Dushkin, the Soviet starchitect who dreamed it up (and also designed Mayakovskaya station) couldn’t find the glass and craft locally. The stained glass is the same used for Riga’s Cathedral, and the panels feature plants, flowers, members of the Soviet intelligentsia (musician, artist, architect) and geometric shapes.

Go two stops east on the 1/Circle line to:

4. Komsomolskaya. Named after the Komsomol, or the Young Communist League, this might just be peak Stalin Metro style. Underneath the hub for three regional railways, it was intended to be a grand gateway to Moscow and is today its busiest station. It has chandeliers; a yellow ceiling with Baroque embellishments; and in the main hall, a colossal red star overlaid on golden, shimmering tiles. Designer Alexey Shchusev designed it as an homage to the speech Stalin gave at Red Square on Nov. 7, 1941, in which he invoked Russia’s illustrious military leaders as a pep talk to Soviet soldiers through the first catastrophic year of the war.   The station’s eight large mosaics are of the leaders referenced in the speech, such as Alexander Nevsky, a 13th-century prince and military commander who bested German and Swedish invading armies.

One more stop clockwise to Kurskaya station,  and change onto the 3/Blue  line, and go one stop to:

5. Baumanskaya.   Opened in 1944. Named for the Bolshevik Revolutionary Nikolai Bauman , whose monument and namesake district are aboveground here. Though he seemed like a nasty piece of work (he apparently once publicly mocked a woman he had impregnated, who later hung herself), he became a Revolutionary martyr when he was killed in 1905 in a skirmish with a monarchist, who hit him on the head with part of a steel pipe. The station is in Art Deco style with atmospherically dim lighting, and a series of bronze sculptures of soldiers and homefront heroes during the War. At one end, there is a large mosaic portrait of Lenin.

Stay on that train direction one more east to:

6. Elektrozavodskaya. As you may have guessed from the name, this station is the Metro’s tribute to all thing electrical, built in 1944 and named after a nearby lightbulb factory. It has marble bas-relief sculptures of important figures in electrical engineering, and others illustrating the Soviet Union’s war-time struggles at home. The ceiling’s recurring rows of circular lamps give the station’s main tunnel a comforting glow, and a pleasing visual effect.

Double back two stops to Kurskaya station , and change back to the 1/Circle line. Sit tight for six stations to:

7. Kiyevskaya. This was the last station on the Circle line to be built, in 1954, completed under Nikita Khrushchev’ s guidance, as a tribute to his homeland, Ukraine. Its three large station halls feature images celebrating Ukraine’s contributions to the Soviet Union and Russo-Ukrainian unity, depicting musicians, textile-working, soldiers, farmers. (One hall has frescoes, one mosaics, and the third murals.) Shortly after it was completed, Khrushchev condemned the architectural excesses and unnecessary luxury of the Stalin era, which ushered in an epoch of more austere Metro stations. According to the legend at least, he timed the policy in part to ensure no Metro station built after could outshine Kiyevskaya.

Change to the 3/Blue line and go one stop west.

8. Park Pobedy. This is the deepest station on the Metro, with one of the world’s longest escalators, at 413 feet. If you stand still, the escalator ride to the surface takes about three minutes .) Opened in 2003 at Victory Park, the station celebrates two of Russia’s great military victories. Each end has a mural by Georgian artist Zurab Tsereteli, who also designed the “ Good Defeats Evil ” statue at the UN headquarters in New York. One mural depicts the Russian generals’ victory over the French in 1812 and the other, the German surrender of 1945. The latter is particularly striking; equal parts dramatic, triumphant, and gruesome. To the side, Red Army soldiers trample Nazi flags, and if you look closely there’s some blood spatter among the detail. Still, the biggest impressions here are the marble shine of the chessboard floor pattern and the pleasingly geometric effect if you view from one end to the other.

Keep going one more stop west to:

9. Slavyansky Bulvar.  One of the Metro’s youngest stations, it opened in 2008. With far higher ceilings than many other stations—which tend to have covered central tunnels on the platforms—it has an “open-air” feel (or as close to it as you can get, one hundred feet under). It’s an homage to French architect Hector Guimard, he of the Art Nouveau entrances for the Paris M é tro, and that’s precisely what this looks like: A Moscow homage to the Paris M é tro, with an additional forest theme. A Cyrillic twist on Guimard’s Metro-style lettering over the benches, furnished with t rees and branch motifs, including creeping vines as towering lamp-posts.

Stay on the 3/Blue line and double back four stations to:

10. Arbatskaya. Its first iteration, Arbatskaya-Smolenskaya station, was damaged by German bombs in 1941. It was rebuilt in 1953, and designed to double as a bomb shelter in the event of nuclear war, although unusually for stations built in the post-war phase, this one doesn’t have a war theme. It may also be one of the system’s most elegant: Baroque, but toned down a little, with red marble floors and white ceilings with gilded bronze c handeliers.

Jump back on the 3/Blue line  in the same direction and take it one more stop:

11. Ploshchad Revolyutsii (Revolution Square). Opened in 1938, and serving Red Square and the Kremlin . Its renowned central hall has marble columns flanked by 76 bronze statues of Soviet heroes: soldiers, students, farmers, athletes, writers, parents. Some of these statues’ appendages have a yellow sheen from decades of Moscow’s commuters rubbing them for good luck. Among the most popular for a superstitious walk-by rub: the snout of a frontier guard’s dog, a soldier’s gun (where the touch of millions of human hands have tapered the gun barrel into a fine, pointy blade), a baby’s foot, and a woman’s knee. (A brass rooster also sports the telltale gold sheen, though I am told that rubbing the rooster is thought to bring bad luck. )

Now take the escalator up, and get some fresh air.

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