Slide Topper ??

[pwrplay]

Has anybody with a Freedom Express installed or had the dealer install a Slide Topper?
My question is , is it worth it?

I know it helps keep stuff off the slide roof, and helps with water intrusion during rain , however my understanding is that the Freedom Express has double slide seals which should eliminate leaks. I also have no problem using a small step ladder to check for debris before heading out.

Any other benefits that I might be overlooking?

1 negative for me is that the dealer said its $900.00 installed and I figured if the mfg doesn't install it from the factory, then its not really necessary.

[trudinator]

If you survey 100 people, 50 will say you need slide toppers and the other 50 will say you don't need them. I'm on the side of the "don't need them." We camp in the woods 95% of the time and usually have to deal with wind. In this instance, debris (small twigs, leaves, etc.) will get under the slide topper. So before bringing in the slide, you have to go up on a ladder anway and clean off the slide underneath the slide topper. Not any different than having to go up and clean off the slide without a slide topper. Other than shedding the acorns being pelted at us from rambunctious squirrels, I don't see an advantage to having them in our neck of the woods. And $900 is waaaay too much to pay to have one installed, IMHO.

[donn]

I guess I am of the 50% that say they are a great investment. In 7 years there has been two instances where i had to retract the slides. Both in a very high wind and both at the exact same place on the coast. Having them the slide out areas are cooler in the summer, no direct sun on the slide roof. When I retract the slides there is no water inside from the roof during a rain storm. It is really a personal preference. Some don't like them, usually ones who have not had them, and some love them, usually ones who do have them.

[steeleshark2]

I have a skylight on my slide so I will not install one. Just goto Lowes and get a long handled squiggie to get the excess water off before bringing it in. Actually, I have a ladder, regular water hose and sprayer to clean the top off before I bring it in. No need for a topper in my book.

[capucine]

It is one of the best investment on your trailer. It is a very good insurance against water leaks and the top of your slide stay clean. No need to climb on a step ladder to clean the leaves etc before you bring it back inside. Go for it and you wont regret.I have seen many slides that leaks in heavy rain and I made sure when I ordered the trailer to have this usefull option.

[pwrplay]

So it looks like it is about 50-50. I think I'll do without one and see if I have any issues or the 1st year at least. If I need to add one, it doesn't look to hard to install.

[Bill m]

My last three rv's first a TT without a topper after a year of heat and water coming in I added one and eliminated the problem. Yes when camping in the wind I did take the extra step to check under it and made sure that I had no hitchhikers under there (pine needles, pine cones etc). On my last two I would not purchase without the topper.

Although it all comes down to preference.

Enjoy the camping.

[trudinator]

We've never had a problem with water coming in when bringing in our slide.

[Len & Cheri]

Originally Posted by trudinator

We've never had a problem with water coming in when bringing in our slide.

Me either! This is my 2nd TT in 8 years with a slide and neither had/has a topper with no issues. I guess it's possible if the conditions are right, I just have a lot of other things I could spend $900 on. If you could have got one installed from the factory it's a lot less expensive and might be worth the extra cost.

[pwrplay]

I noticed on the slide out on the 292BHDS that it looks to be very well sealed. There looks to be a seal on the inside top ( in behind the trim)of the actual slide out itself that meets the body when its open, as well as 2 (1 inner & 1 outer) seals it looks like on the frame around the opening , but I am just going from memory when I looked at it on the weekend.

So I don't aniticipate any leaking/draft problems, however if after the one year warranty expires, it does start leaking, I'll look at installing one then.

[duchie]

impssible to keep underside clean if you have a large slide. they also become a large mud puddle with very little rain i had them on my last rv this one no no

[bikendan]

we made the mistake of not having a slide topper installed from the beginning.
we thought we see if it was a necessary thing. wish we hadn't done it that way.
ended up costing us way more than if we had included one in the purchase price.
it took us two years of use and frustration from sap, dirt and debris to get us to change our mind. our slide actually stuck to the side of the trailer and i had to use a butter knife to break the adhesion.
since we added the slide topper, no more issues and no more mess to clean.

[capucine]

lasr year we were camping and we were near the seaway. A terrible rain storm with wind developped and my slide was opened. We did not get a bit of rain inside the slide and the topper did not flap at all. My topper awning is quite tight on the spring and even in windy days it stay perfect without moving. The best investment. Mine was ordered from he manufacture when the trailer was built.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by capucine

lasr year we were camping and we were near the seaway. A terrible rain storm with wind developped and my slide was opened. We did not get a bit of rain inside the slide and the topper did not flap at all. My topper awning is quite tight on the spring and even in windy days it stay perfect without moving. The best investment. Mine was ordered from he manufacture when the trailer was built.

We love our Toppers. Will never own a camper without them.