Slide toppers

[camper_Lucy]

Our new 5th has a number of slides (4), so i have a few questions for those with knowledge on this.

1. what are the benefits (besides keeping leaves off in the fall) of putting on slide toppers and are they really worth the cost?

2. are all the brands equal or is one brand a standout for some reason?

3. if you have them would you put them on your trailer?

4. anything i should know in making this decission that i havn't asked?

thanks

[Herk7769]

This question has been asked previously on the forum. Please search for "toppers" and you will see the pros and cons from nearly everyone on the site. There are many good reasons to have them and almost as many not to.

Let us know how you decide!

[rockwood06]

As Lou has suggested, checkout the pro's and con's. There is a lot of info to repeat.

I will say two things, #1. In order for the slide out toppers to be effective, they need to be kept snug when the slide out is open, and #2. for appearance and mildew free they should be cleaned regularly just like your awning, it's the same material.

[shabby]

Originally Posted by camper_Lucy

Our new 5th has a number of slides (4), so i have a few questions for those with knowledge on this.

1. what are the benefits (besides keeping leaves off in the fall) of putting on slide toppers and are they really worth the cost?

2. are all the brands equal or is one brand a standout for some reason?

3. if you have them would you put them on your trailer?

4. anything i should know in making this decission that i havn't asked?

thanks

If you feel you want to spend the money on them then that is your choice, just remember that rain doen't always come straight down nor do leafs and debris always fall straight to the ground. The odds are varry high that rain will still get on the roof of your slide aswell as other blown around debris. Also comes the cleaning aspect of slide toppers, just like your awning they must be kept clean or you will have mold and mildew on them. To me it is just another thing that I would need to worry about and I don't need other things to do on my TT as I already have enough to do. Spend some more time camping and enjoying instead of cleaning your TT all the time.

[Herk7769]

We have 3 toppers on our 3 slides and love ours. Best money we spent.

Breaking camp after a snow storm the snow just slid off as we retracted the slides. Same for rain and leaves. Carpet dry; wife happy.

[cecilt]

Another huge advantage is to keep the slide and TT cooler. The least insulated part of the trailer is the slide outs. With the sun beating down on a slide out vs beating down on a slide topper you will notice a difference in temp. The slide topper helps to keep the unit cooler and it does.

[dezolen]

Your money to spend. Never had em never missed them.
Second trailer with slides. Easier for me to sweep debris or mop water off than worry about 3 or 4 more awning that get rolled up wet. I have seen how much work it is to clean an awning after mildew sets in.

[shabby]

Originally Posted by dezolen

Your money to spend. Never had em never missed them.
Second trailer with slides. Easier for me to sweep debris or mop water off than worry about 3 or 4 more awning that get rolled up wet. I have seen how much work it is to clean an awning after mildew sets in.

I here you loud and clear!!!!!!

[shabby]

Originally Posted by herk7769

We have 3 toppers on our 3 slides and love ours. Best money we spent.

Breaking camp after a snow storm the snow just slid off as we retracted the slides. Same for rain and leaves. Carpet dry; wife happy.

You have carpet on top of your slides???????

[SaskCampers]

Originally Posted by dezolen

Your money to spend. Never had em never missed them.
Second trailer with slides. Easier for me to sweep debris or mop water off than worry about 3 or 4 more awning that get rolled up wet. I have seen how much work it is to clean an awning after mildew sets in.

Ditto. Second unit without and not sitting here wishing I did. Takes 5 min to sweep off the slides prior to departure. IMO you would still have to do a debris check anyway and it is easier to climb on the roof than find a ladder to get on to look under the toppers. But everyone has their own view on this as always.

[VTX Al]

I agree with Herk.... have had a trailer without them and now one with. Right up there with the power tongue jack as the best option decision that we made .

...VTX-AL

[bikendan]

we have one slideout that didn't have a topper when we first got it. we thought we didn't need one but were we wrong!
since we camp in wooded state parks the most, we would get all kinds of stuff on top of the slide.
the worst was dirt/residue from the trees and campground that made the seals stick together and prevented the slide from opening.

since we added the topper, we haven't had this issue anymore and no more climbing the ladder with a broom.