renotse,
I agree with being a cautious regarding a first-time buyer of the new-and-improved model (aka guinea pig) for the most part. I prefer not to be beta tester with unfamiliar equipment or technology, and I am unfamiliar with an RV.
My wife does not want an RV without a slide and prefers a full-wall slide. But, for our first RV a small one without full-slide is acceptable.
Yes, changing the slide mechanism is also a concern.
Thanks,
SandK