Patent Publication Number: US-2005121944-A1

Title: Expandable travel trailer

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/435,868, filed May 12, 2003, which was a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/033,256, filed Dec. 27, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,570, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/258,972 filed Dec. 29, 2000, all of which are entitled “Expandable Travel Trailer”. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to an expandable travel trailer and, more particularly, a travel trailer having slide-out areas extendable from the body of the travel trailer.  
      2. Description of the Prior Art  
      In the recreational vehicle industry, folding camping trailers are generally characterized by a solid lower body structure, a vertically extendable solid roof structure, longitudinally and/or laterally extendable sleeping areas or dining areas, and tented sections extending between the lower body and roof. Folding camping trailers form an enclosed temporary living area commonly used for camping.  
      In the recreational vehicle industry, travel trailers are generally characterized by four solid full-height walls, a solid floor, and a solid roof that together define a temporary living area. Travel trailers are also commonly used for camping. Travel trailers are known to include expandable areas commonly referred to as “slide-outs” to expand the usable living area once the travel trailer is parked and ready for occupancy. When the travel trailer is in storage or in transit, the slide-outs are retracted into the body of the travel trailer. Slide-outs are known to extend longitudinally and/or laterally from the body of the travel trailer.  
      A recent evolution in the recreational vehicle industry combines the solid walled features of a travel trailer and the lighter weight expandability of folding camping trailers in a single unit. These units are commonly referred to as hybrid travel trailers. These units have the appearance of a generic travel trailer but when set up for occupancy they feature sleeping areas that fold down from the front and rear end walls of the trailer to create a tent enclosed sleeping area. This creates additional sleeping areas that fold into the body of the trailer when not in use. U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,920 to Bailey et al. discloses one embodiment of such a hybrid travel trailer.  
      A common structure for these fold-down sleeping areas includes a solid platform mattress deck that hinges downward from the front and/or rear end wall of the trailer. The front and rear end walls of the trailer feature a large opening that is revealed as the mattress deck is pivoted downward. A folded tent enclosure is typically located in this opening. The mattress deck hinges downward to a horizontal plane and is often supported by several “prop rods” that attach to the chassis or end wall of the trailer. The folded tent enclosure is typically concealed behind the mattress deck and is unfolded and erected over the mattress deck to create the sleeping area. The extended sleeping areas are accessed from the main living space of the trailer.  
      A known disadvantage with trailers having tent enclosed sleeping areas is that there is often water leakage in the area where the tent enclosure meets the solid end walls of the trailer body and, further, where the hinged mattress deck meets the solid end wall of the trailer body. In addition, the beds of these trailers cannot be occupied or used until the trailer is fully set up with all beds extended.  
      In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is to provide a travel trailer having extendable slide-out areas for increasing the usable living space of the travel trailer. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a travel trailer with extendable slide-out areas having improved water leakage characteristics through the use of improved latching and gasketing in the travel trailer. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to reduce or prevent the collection of dirt and debris on the roof of the extendable slide-out area. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a travel trailer having a slide-out area with an improved sliding mechanism for ease of use.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The above objects are accomplished with a travel trailer made in accordance with the present invention. The travel trailer includes a chassis having wheels. The travel trailer further includes a trailer body attached to the chassis and having rigid sidewalls, a rigid front end wall, a rigid rear end wall, a rigid roof, and a floor. The sidewalls, end walls, roof, and floor define an internal space of the trailer body. At least one slide-out area is slidably extendable outward from the trailer body. The slide-out area is extendable from a retracted position received substantially within the trailer body to an extended position extended outward from the trailer body. The slide-out area may be extendable from one or both of the end walls of the trailer body or one or both of the sidewalls of the trailer body.  
      The slide-out area may have a rigid peaked roof. The slide-out area includes a rigid roof, rigid sidewalls connected to the roof, and a rigid bottom wall connected to the sidewalls. A rigid front end wall is connected to the roof, sidewalls, and bottom wall of the slide-out area. The front end wall may have a flange extending around the perimeter of the front end wall. A sealing gasket is preferably attached to the flange to face the trailer body for sealing against the trailer body in the retracted position of the slide-out area. The sealing gasket may include a wiper seal configured to engage the trailer body in the retracted portion of the trailer body. Thus, the slide-out area is adapted to seal against the trailer body in the retracted position.  
      The front and or rear end wall of the trailer body may define an opening for receiving the slide-out area into the trailer body in the retracted position. The travel trailer may further include a pair of substantially horizontal guide rails attached to internal sides of the sidewalls of the trailer body, respectively. The guide rails may be located on the internal sides of the end walls of the trailer body if the slide-out area is adapted to extend from one or both of the sidewalls of the trailer body. A pair of rollers may be attached, respectively, to lateral sides of the bottom wall of the slide-out area and may be received in the guide rails for providing slidable movement of the slide-out area relative to the trailer body.  
      The travel trailer may further include a removable external support for supporting the slide-out area in the extended position. The support may include a support member configured for removable connection to the trailer body and, preferably, a bracket attached to the end walls or sidewalls of the trailer body. The support may further include a leg member connected to the support member. The leg member may be configured for removable connection to the chassis for supporting the slide-out area in the extended position. The leg member may be pivotally connected to the support member.  
      An external roller may be attached to the front end wall of the slide-out area. The external roller is preferably positioned to coact with the support member such that when the slide-out area is moved between the extended and retracted positions the external roller is guided along the top surface of the support member.  
      At least one and, preferably, a pair of clamping devices may be attached to, for example, the bottom wall of the slide-out area. The clamping devices may include a first member fixedly attached to the slide-out area and a second member pivotally connected to the first member. The second member may have a threaded tube and the clamping devices may have a threaded member coacting with the threaded tube. The threaded member may coact with the threaded tube such that rotation in a first direction extends the threaded member to contact the trailer body and applies tension force between the slide-out area and the trailer body for reducing vibration therebetween. The clamping devices may be further used to compress sealing gaskets attached to the slide-out area, the trailer body, or both.  
      The travel trailer may further include internal structures located within the trailer body that are configured to fold down to a position below the bottom wall of the slide-out area such that the slide-out area may be moved to the retracted position received substantially within the trailer body. One or more support legs may be pivotally attached to the bottom wall of the slide-out area and configured to connect removably to the chassis for supporting the slide-out area in the extended position.  
      The present invention is further directed to a sealing arrangement for the travel trailer. The travel trailer as indicated previously includes a trailer body with a slide-out area. The trailer body defines an opening for receiving the slide-out area into the trailer body. The slide-out area is movable between a retracted position received substantially within the trailer body and an extended position extending outward from the trailer body. The sealing arrangement includes a first flange plate connected to the trailer body and extending into the opening in the trailer body accommodating the slide-out area. The first flange plate has a pair of sealing gaskets attached to the opposite side thereof. The sealing arrangement further includes a second flange plate attached to the end of the slide-out area received within the trailer body. The second flange plate engages one of the sealing gaskets attached to the first flange plate to provide a substantially weather tight seal between the slide-out area and trailer body when the slide-out area is in the extended position. When the slide-out area is in the retracted position, a front end wall of the slide-out area engages the other of the pair of sealing gaskets to provide a substantially weather tight seal between the slide-out area and trailer body.  
      The sealing gaskets may have wiper seals for wiping rigid surfaces of the slide-out area as the slide-out area is moved between the extended and retracted positions. The sealing arrangement may further include an additional sealing gasket attached to the slide-out area for engaging the trailer body in the retracted position of the slide-out area.  
      The present invention is also a method of using an expandable travel trailer having at least one slide-out area as generally described hereinabove. The method may comprise the steps of: connecting the support member to the front end wall of the trailer body; pivoting the leg member downward and connecting the leg member to the extended portion of the chassis; and moving the slide-out area from a retracted position located within the trailer body to the extended position extended outward from the trailer body, wherein as the slide-out area is moved to the extended position the external roller is guided along the top surface of the support member.  
      Further details and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an expandable travel trailer having a slide-out area in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective front end view of the travel trailer of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is an internal perspective view of the slide-out area in the travel trailer of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 4  is an internal perspective view of the slide-out area in the travel trailer of  FIG. 1  showing the slide-out area in a partially retracted position;  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the front end of the travel trailer of  FIG. 1  showing details of a trailer hitch area of the travel trailer;  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a bracket attached to a front end wall of the travel trailer of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a roller attached to a front end wall of the slide-out area of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the front end wall of the travel trailer showing the roller coacting with a removable support attached to the trailer body;  
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a portion of the underside of the slide-out area showing a clamping device attached to the bottom wall;  
       FIG. 10  is a second perspective view of the clamping device of  FIG. 9 ;  
       FIG. 11  is a side view of the clamping device of  FIGS. 9 and 10  detached from the travel trailer;  
       FIG. 12  is an end view of the clamping device of  FIGS. 9 and 10  detached from the travel trailer;  
       FIG. 13  is an internal left side perspective view of the travel trailer of  FIG. 1  showing a guide rail attached to the internal side of the left sidewall of the travel trailer;  
       FIG. 14  is an internal left side perspective view of the travel trailer of  FIG. 1  showing one embodiment of an internal roller of the slide-out area engaged in the guide rail of  FIG. 13 ;  
       FIG. 15  is an internal right side perspective view of the travel trailer of  FIG. 1  showing an alternative embodiment of an internal roller of the slide-out area engaged in a guide rail attached to the internal side of the right sidewall of the travel trailer;  
       FIG. 16  is a front perspective view of the slide-out area of the travel trailer of  FIG. 1  shown in an extended position;  
       FIG. 17  is a top perspective view of the slide-out area of  FIG. 16 ;  
       FIG. 18  is a rear-directed perspective view of the slide-out area of  FIG. 16 ;  
       FIG. 19  is a schematic plan view of a right front corner of the slide-out area with the slide-out area in a substantially fully retracted position, and showing sealing gaskets connected to the slide-out area and the travel trailer body;  
       FIG. 20  is a schematic plan view of the right front corner of the slide-out area of  FIG. 19  with the slide-out area in a substantially fully extended position; and  
       FIG. 21  is a schematic side view of a top portion of the slide-out area showing the sealing gaskets attached to the slide-out area and the travel trailer body. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       FIGS. 1 and 2  generally show an expandable travel trailer  10  having an extendable slide-out area  12  in accordance with the present invention. In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , only one slide-out area  12  is shown but the present invention envisions that a second slide-out area may be extendable longitudinally from the rear end wall of the travel trailer  10 , or laterally extendable from a sidewall of the travel trailer  10 . The travel trailer  10  generally includes a rectangular-shaped trailer body  14  that is attached to a conventional chassis  16  (only partially shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The chassis  16  includes wheels  18  and an extended portion  20  with a trailer hitch  22  for towing the travel trailer  10 . An extendable support wheel  24  is connected to the extended portion  20  for supporting the travel trailer  10  when it is parked.  
      The trailer body  14  is defined by two longitudinally extending sidewalls  26 , a front end wall  28 , and a rear end wall  30 . The sidewalls  26  and end walls  28 ,  30  are connected to a floor  31  of the travel trailer  10  in a conventional manner. The sidewalls  26 , the front end wall  28 , and the rear end wall  30  are all solid structures. The travel trailer body  14  is enclosed by a hard shell roof  32  which is connected to the sidewalls  26 , the front end wall  28 , and the rear end wall  30 . The sidewalls  26 , end walls  28 ,  30 , floor  31 , and roof  32  are preferably provided as solid structures (i.e., panels) having a foam core, plywood sheets located on both sides of the foam core, and a fiberglass exterior. The roof  32  may include wood trusses that form a “peak”. A rubber membrane (not shown) may be used to seal the roof  32  as is known in the art.  
      As stated previously, the travel trailer  10  of the present invention includes at least one slide-out area  12  or slide-out room (hereinafter referred to as “slide-out  12 ”). The slide-out  12  may extend longitudinally outward from the front end wall  28  and/or rear end wall  30  of the trailer body  14 . Further, the slide-out  12  may be configured to extend laterally from one or both of the sidewalls  26  of the trailer body  14 . The slide-out  12  described hereinafter extends from the front end wall  28  of the trailer body  14 .  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , the slide-out  12  is generally rectangular-shaped and defined by two rigid sidewalls  34 , a rigid bottom wall  36 , a rigid front end wall  38 , and a rigid roof  40 . As discussed further hereinafter, the roof  40  is preferably “peaked”. The peaked roof  40  naturally sheds rain water and debris and is inherently stronger than a flat roof structure. The sidewalls  34 , bottom wall  36 , front end wall  38 , and peaked roof  40  are preferably provided as solid structures (i.e., panels) having a foam core, plywood sheets located on both sides of the foam core, and a fiberglass exterior.  
      The slide-out  12  fits within an opening  44  defined in the front end wall  28  of the trailer body  14 . The slide-out  12  is preferably slidably connected to the sidewalls  26  of the trailer body  14  as discussed further hereinafter. The slide-out  12  may include windows  46  in the sidewalls  34  and front end wall  38  of the slide-out  12 . A window cover  48  may be pivotally attached to the front end wall  38  of the slide-out  12  to protect the window  46  in the front end wall  38 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the front end wall  38  of the slide-out  12  includes an extended flange  49  extending around the perimeter of the front end wall  38 , and configured to cooperate with the front end wall  28  of the trailer body  14 .  
       FIGS. 1 and 3 , respectively, show external and internal perspective views of the slide-out  12  with the slide-out  12  in a fully extended configuration or position.  FIG. 3  further shows the expanded internal living area defined by the slide-out  12 . In the extended position, the slide-out  12  is cantilevered outward from the front end wall  28  of the trailer body  14  and further supported by an external support as described hereinafter.  FIG. 4  shows a second internal perspective view of the slide-out  12  in a partially retracted or closed position. Internal structures  50  of the travel trailer  10 , such as a dining table  52  and a cabinet  54 , are shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The internal structures  50  are configured to fold down to a position below the bottom wall  36  of the slide-out  12  so that the slide-out  12  may be retracted into the trailer body  14 . In a fully retracted position, the slide-out  12  lies above the internal structures  50  located within the trailer body  14  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The sidewalls  34  and peaked roof  40  of the slide-out  12  are also received within the trailer body  14  as shown in  FIG. 4 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 5-8 , in the extended position the slide-out  12  is supported by one or more external supports  56  that are detachably connected between the front end wall  28  of the trailer body  14  and the extended portion  20  of the chassis  16 . The external support  56  includes a horizontal support member  58  that is removably attached to a bracket  60  permanently affixed to the front end wall  28  of the trailer body  14 . A leg member  62  is pivotally connected to the support member  58  at a first end  64  of the leg member  62 . A second end  66  of the leg member  62  is removably connected to the extended portion  20  of the chassis  16 . In particular, the leg member  62  may be removably connected to a bracket  68  connected to the extended portion  20  of the chassis  16 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . Once extended to the extended position, the slide-out  12  may be supported by additional support legs  69  (i.e., pivot legs) that swing downward from the bottom wall  36  of the slide-out  12  and connect to the front end wall  28  of the trailer body  14  or to the extended portion  20  of the chassis  16 . The support legs  69  may be permanently affixed to the bottom wall  36  of the slide-out  12 .  
      An external roller  70  is attached to the bottom of the extended flange  49  of the front end wall  38  of the slide-out area  12 . The external roller  70  is preferably located to coact with the top surface of the support member  58  of the external support  56 , which forms a guide rail for the external roller  70  to slide over when the slide-out  12  is being moved between its retracted and extended positions. A stop block (not shown) may be provided at the end of the support member  58  to prevent over-extension of the slide-out  12 . The support member  58  and the leg member  62  are detachable so that they may be stored during transportation of the travel trailer  10 . The external support  56  may be stored within the trailer body  14 . Multiple external supports  56  may be provided in the travel trailer  10  of the present invention. The external roller  70  may be carried in a protective housing  71 , which is connected to or formed as part of the front end wall  38  of the slide-out  12 . The protective housing  71  is located at the bottom of the extended flange  49  of the front end wall  38  of the slide-out  12 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 9-12 , a pair of clamping devices  72  is preferably attached to the underside of the bottom wall  36  of the slide-out  12  on each lateral side of the bottom wall  36 . Only the right side clamping device  72  is shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  and will be discussed hereinafter. The clamping device  72  is hinged so that it may be folded into a generally flat configuration to allow the slide-out  12  to be retracted in the trailer body  14 . The clamping device  72  is generally defined by a first member  74  that is fixedly attached to the bottom wall  36  of the slide-out  12 , and a second member  75  hinged (i.e., rotatably connected) to the first member  74 . The second member  75  carries a threaded tube  76  having a threaded member such as a screw  77  positioned therein. The screw  77  has a first end  78  configured to cooperate with the front end wall  28  of the trailer body  14 . The second end of the screw  77  includes a handle  79  for rotation of the screw  77  within the threaded tube  76 . The threaded connection between the screw  77  and the threaded tube  76  may be clockwise or counterclockwise. For example, clockwise rotation of the screw  77  could cause the screw  77  to progress through the threaded tube  76 , and counterclockwise rotation of the screw  77  could cause the screw  77  to retract into the threaded tube  76 , and vice versa. Additionally, the clamping devices  72  may be oppositely configured from one another in the travel trailer  10 , with the right side clamping device  72  having a clockwise orientation and the left side clamping device  72  having a counterclockwise orientation, and vice versa.  
      When the slide-out  12  is in the fully extended position, the second members  75  of the clamping devices  72  are rotated downward and the screw  77  is rotated clockwise. The rotation of the screw  77  causes the screw  77  to progress within the threaded tube  76  until the first end  78  of each of the screws  77  engages the front end wall  28  of the trailer body  14 . Further rotation of the screws  77  exerts a longitudinally directed “outward” force on the slide-out  12  relative to the trailer body  14  locking the slide-out  12  in the extended position. The force is generally directed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the travel trailer  10 . Further outward movement of the slide-out  12  may be restrained by the stop block (not shown) at the end of the horizontal member  58  of the external support  56 , or by abutment between a rearward edge of the slide-out  12  and the internal side of the front end wall  28  of the trailer body  14 , as discussed further hereinafter. The clamping devices  72  firmly lock the slide-out  12  in its extended position thereby reducing or eliminating vibration of the slide-out  12  relative to the trailer body  14 . This provides a more solid feel to the slide-out  12  and trailer body  14  as a whole. The clamping devices  72  may also be used to compress sealing gasket(s) located on the rearward edge of the slide-out  12  and/or on the internal side of the front end wall  28  of the trailer body  14  to provide a weather tight seal between the slide-out  12  and the trailer body  14 , with the slide-out  12  in the extended position as discussed further hereinafter.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 13-15 , the slidable connection between the slide-out  12  and the trailer body  14  will now be discussed. A pair of guide rails  80  is preferably attached, respectively, to the internal side of the sidewalls  26  of the trailer body  14 . The internal sides of the sidewalls  26  in  FIGS. 13-15  are designated with reference numerals  26 L and  26 R for left and right internal sidewalls, respectively, of the trailer body  14 . “Left” and “right” designations are provided herein because the slide-out  12  extends from the front end wall  28  of the trailer body  14 , and the internal views in  FIGS. 13-15  are directed toward the front end wall  28  of the trailer body  14 . The guide rails  80  are C-shaped in cross section and may be attached to the sidewalls  26 L,  26 R by any means customary in the art.  
      The slide-out  12  further includes internal rollers  82  that are attached to the bottom wall  36  of the slide-out  12 . In particular, the internal rollers  82  are rotatably connected to lateral sides of the bottom wall  36  of the slide-out  12  and received, respectively, in the guide rails  80 . The external roller  70  and internal rollers  82  are preferably nylon rollers. The rectangular structure of the slide-out  12  may, for example, be reinforced by frame members  84  extending around the perimeter of the bottom wall  36 , and extending between the bottom wall  36  and peaked roof  40 . Similar frame members may reinforce the peaked roof  40 . The frame members  84  described hereinabove are well known and standard in the art.  FIGS. 14 and 15  show one of the frame members  84  extending laterally along a rear edge of the bottom wall  36 . The internal rollers  82  are preferably rotatably connected to this frame member.  
      The internal rollers  82  received within the guide rails  80  and the external roller  70  attached to the extended flange  49  at the front end wall  38  of the slide-out  12  provide three points of support for the slide-out  12 . The external roller  70  supports substantially all the slide-out&#39;s  12  forward weight while the internal rollers  82  support substantially all the slide-out&#39;s  12  rearward weight in both the extended and retracted positions of the slide-out  12 . The guide rails  80  may extend substantially all the way to the front end wall  28  of the trailer body  14  and may be closed at the end to provide a stop for the internal rollers  82  when the slide-out  12  is moved to the extended position.  FIG. 14  shows one arrangement for connecting the internal rollers  82  to the frame member  84  and  FIG. 15  shows an alternative arrangement for connecting the internal rollers  82  to the frame member  84 . The arrangement shown in  FIG. 14  is presently the preferred version, and the right side connection between the bottom wall  36  of the slide-out area  12  and the right internal sidewall  26 R of the trailer body  14  will be configured in a similar manner to the left side shown in  FIG. 14 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 16-18 , the slide-out  12  preferably includes a sealing gasket (or multiple sealing gaskets)  86  extending around the perimeter of the extended flange  49  of the front end wall  38  of the slide-out  12 . The sealing gasket  86  is intended to coact with the rigid front end wall  28  of the trailer body  14  to provide a weather tight seal between the slide-out  12  and the trailer body  14  in the closed or retracted position of the slide-out  12 .  
      Referring again to  FIG. 3 , the rear area of the slide-out  12 , which defines a sleeping area in the travel trailer  10 , preferably further includes a flange or lip portion  88  attached to the sidewalls  34 , bottom wall  36 , and roof  40  of the slide-out  12 . This lip portion  88 , in the extended position of the slide-out  12 , cooperates with an internal surface or side of the front end wall  28  of the trailer body  14  thereby providing a fully enclosed and substantially weather tight living space within the travel trailer  10 . A second sealing gasket (not shown) may be attached to the lip portion  88  to face the internal side of the front end wall  28  of the trailer body  14 . The sealing gasket, when present, preferably extends around the perimeter of the lip portion  88  to provide a weather tight seal between the slide-out  12  and trailer body  14  in the extended or “set-up” position of the slide-out  12 . The clamping devices  72 , discussed previously, are used to compress the sealing gasket attached to the lip portion  88  to compress the sealing gasket against the internal side of the front end wall  28  of the trailer body  14  thereby providing a weather tight seal. A further discussion of a preferred sealing connection between the slide-out  12  and trailer body  14  is provided hereinafter in connection with  FIGS. 19-21 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 16 - 18 , in order to provide proper sealing characteristics, the sealing gasket  86  is preferably compressed over substantially its entire length so that water leakage into the trailer body  14  of the travel trailer  10  is substantially prevented. To provide adequate compression of the sealing gasket  86 , pressure must be distributed over strategic areas of the sealing gasket  86  and, preferably, over the entire length of the sealing gasket  86 . The present invention further provides a pair of latching devices  90  attached to lateral sides of the front end wall  38  of the slide-out  12 . The latching devices  90  each include a vertical steel rod  92  and a lever arm  94 . The steel rod  92  transmits the rotation action of the lever arm  94  to four cam action engagements  96  attached to the front end wall  28  of the trailer body  14 , which in turn exerts a fixed amount of pressure to the sealing gasket  86 . The respective latching devices  90  each include one vertical rod  92 , one lever arm  94 , and two cam action engagements  96 . Thus, the use of two latching mechanisms  90  results in four strategic points of compression along the length of the sealing gasket  86 . The compressive force provided by the four cam action engagements  96  compresses the sealing gasket  86  at two points along the top edge of the extended flange  49 , and at two points along the bottom edge of the extended flange  49 . The lever arms  94  are preferably positioned such that an operator standing on the ground can easily operate the lever arms  94 .  
      With reference to all the figures, operation of the slide-out  12  will now be discussed. With the slide-out  12  in the retracted position as shown, for example, in  FIG. 2 , the operator of the travel trailer  10  preferably first connects the support member  58  to the bracket  60  attached to the front end wall  28  of the trailer body  14 . The leg member  62  is then rotated downward from the support member  58  and connected to the extended portion  20  of the chassis  16 . The latching devices  90  located on lateral sides of the front end wall  38  of the slide-out  12  are unlatched releasing the compressive pressure on the sealing gasket  86 . Upon unlatching the latching devices  90 , the slide-out  12  may be extended from the retracted position to the extended or set-up position as shown, for example, in  FIG. 1 . The slide-out  12  smoothly moves from the retracted position to the extended position through the rotation of the two internal rollers  82  and the external roller  70 . The external roller  70  is guided along the top surface of the support member  58 . The two internal rollers  82  are guided by the guide rails  80  attached to the internal surfaces of the sidewalls  26  of the trailer body  14 . Once extended to the extended position, the slide-out  12  may be supported by the additional support legs  69  (i.e., pivot legs) that swing downward from the bottom wall  36  of the slide-out  12  and connect to the front end wall  28  of the trailer body  14  or to the extended portion  20  of the chassis  16 . The support legs  69  may be permanently affixed to the bottom wall  36  of the slide-out  12 .  
      The second member  75  of each of the clamping devices  72  attached to the bottom wall  36  of the slide-out  12  is rotated to a vertical “set-up” position and the screw  77  is rotated until the first end  78  of the screw  77  contacts the front end wall  28  of the trailer body  14 . Further rotation of the screw  77  causes “outward” longitudinal forces to act on the slide-out  12  locking the slide-out  12  in the extended position. The clamping devices  72  lock the slide-out  12  in place to eliminate vibration of the slide-out  12  relative to the trailer body  14 . The clamping devices  72  also provide the outward pressure necessary to compress the sealing gasket, which may be extended around the perimeter of the internal lip portion  88  of the slide-out  12  or, alternatively, on the internal side of the front end wall  28  of the trailer body  14 . Preferably, this sealing gasket extends around the opening  44  in the front end wall  28 , and is sufficiently compressed by the clamping devices  72  to provide a water tight seal between the slide-out  12  and trailer body  14  in the extended position of the slide-out  12 . The travel trailer  10  with a now enhanced living area is ready for use. The above-described process is generally followed in reverse to place the slide-out  12  in the retracted or closed position.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 19-21 , a preferred sealing connection between the slide-out  12  and the trailer body  14  in accordance with the present invention is shown schematically. The trailer body  14  preferably includes a first flange plate  100  connected to the front end wall  28  of the trailer body  14 . The first flange plate  100  preferably extends into the opening  44  in the front end wall  28  of the trailer body  14 , and extends around the perimeter of the opening  44 . A first sealing gasket  102  is affixed to the flange plate  100  to face an internal facing side  104  of the front end wall  38  of the slide-out  12  and, more particularly, the extended flange  49  around the front end wall  38  of the slide-out  12 . A second sealing gasket  106  is affixed to the first flange plate  100  to face the opposite direction from the first sealing gasket  102 . The first sealing gasket  102  preferably includes a wiper seal  108 . The first sealing gasket  102  and wiper seal  108  preferably extend around the perimeter of the flange plate  100  and, hence, the opening  44 .  
      The first sealing gasket  102  seals against the internal side  104  of the flange  49  of the front end wall  38  of the slide-out  12  in the retracted position of the slide-out  12 . The sealing gasket  86  seals against the front end wall  28  of the trailer body  14  in the retracted position of the slide-out  12 , as discussed previously. The latching devices  90  attached to the slide-out  12  are preferably used to compress the sealing gasket  86  and the first sealing gasket  102  to ensure a weather tight and substantially moisture proof seal between the slide-out  12  and the trailer body  14  in the retracted position of the slide-out  12 . Thus, two sealing barriers are provided in the retracted and “locked” position of the slide-out  12  in accordance with the present invention.  
      The wiper seal  108  connected to the first sealing gasket is used to wipe the surfaces of the sidewalls  34 , bottom wall  36 , and roof  40  of the slide-out  12  as it is moved between the retracted and extended positions. The wiper seal  108  also provides a second barrier against the weather and water leakage into the trailer body  14  in both the extended and retracted positions of the slide-out  12 . The wiper seal  108  may also be partially compressed by the latching devices  90  in the retracted and “locked” position of the slide-out  12 . The sealing gasket  86  may also be provided with a wiper seal  107  as an added barrier against water intrusion into the trailer body  14 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 21 , the second sealing gasket  106  substantially faces the lip portion  88  (i.e., a second flange plate) at the rear end of the slide-out  12 . The second sealing gasket  106  includes a wiper seal  110  similar to the first sealing gasket  102  and wiper seal  108 . The second sealing gasket  106  seals against the lip portion  88 , or second flange plate, in the extended position of the slide-out  12 . The wiper seal  110  serves the same purposes discussed previously in connection with the wiper seal  108  connected to the first sealing gasket  102 . The second sealing gasket  106  is preferably compressed by the longitudinally directed forces generated by the clamping devices  72  discussed previously. As discussed previously, in the extended position of the slide-out  12 , the clamping devices  72  are used to “lock” the slide-out  12  in its fully extended position. The clamping devices  72 , in operation, generate longitudinally directed forces, which are further used to compress the second sealing gasket  106 . The compression of the second sealing gasket  106  thus provides a weather tight and substantially water tight seal between the slide-out  12  and the trailer body  14  in the extended position of the slide-out  12 . The wiper seal  110  further provides a second barrier against moisture intrusion into the trailer body  14  in both the retracted and extended position of the slide-out  12  in a similar manner to the wiper seal  108 .  
      The above-described sealing connection between the slide-out  12  and trailer body  14  is further used to limit the outward and inward movement of the slide-out  12  relative to the trailer body  14 . The lip portion  88 , or second flange plate, prevents over extension of the slide-out  12 , while the flange  49  prevents over retraction of the slide-out  12 . Accordingly, the stop block (not shown) attached to the external support  56  may be dispensed with entirely with the foregoing sealing connection between the slide-out  12  and trailer body  14 . The surfaces adjacent the first and second sealing gaskets  102 ,  106  and the sealing gasket  86  are preferably “troughed” or “channeled” to drain water away from the respective sealing gaskets and transport the water outside the trailer body  14 .  
      The present invention provides an expandable travel trailer that significantly enhances the usable living space within the travel trailer. In addition, the travel trailer of the present invention has improved water leakage characteristics over the prior art by providing improved latching devices, which provide four points of strategic compression against one or more sealing gaskets. Further, the travel trailer of the present invention provides a slide-out area with a peaked roof that reduces or eliminates the collection of dirt and debris on the roof of the slide-out. Furthermore, the present invention provides a travel trailer having a slide-out area with an improved sliding mechanism for ease of use. Finally, the travel trailer of the present invention provides a three-point slidable connection between the slide-out and the trailer body, which enhances the stability of the slide-out and reduces vibration of the slide-out relative to the trailer body.  
      Unlike prior art arrangements, the slide-out area/bed of the present invention can be utilized when the bed is retracted inside the trailer, and not just when the trailer is fully extended. This permits the trailer to be used before it is fully set up, such as during transit and with the trailer still attached to the towing vehicle and with the bed already made up with sheets and blankets.  
      Although the present invention was described with reference to a preferred embodiment, modifications and alterations of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the present invention is intended to be defined by the appended claims and all equivalents thereof.