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03-12-2017, 11:29 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Ray Twp, Michigan
Posts: 166
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Slide out topper - Install questions
Been reading threads on the forum about installing them. Seem fairly straight-forward.
Camping World has one on sale (no free shipping on freight) but it is about 50% off. Looks like everything is included except the awning rail. I don;t know why they don't include that - I assume that is what attaches the awning to the trailer. They have 4' sections and a 20' piece. I would again assume the 20' and cut it down to the 16' length I need rather than try to line up all four 4' sections. Looks like you feed it through the rail from an end so one piece would hang up less.
I never did this before, but looks like from what I read, if you follow the instructions you should hit the framing members. I am fairly handy, so I would certainly have no doubt about tackling it.
My quote from my dealer last year was $700-800 for parts and labor.
If I DIY it would be about $450 for the awning, rail, butyl tape and caulk.
Is it worth it or should I just have the dealer do it? From some threads I have read, they mess things up sometimes. I guess I'm just trying to talk myself into it.
Anyone have any experiences with doing it themselves? 
__________________
'16 Cherokee Grey Wolf 26DBH
'13 Silverado 2500 HD - 6.0 Vortec / 3.73
Equilizer WDH
Goodyear Endurance Tires
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03-12-2017, 11:47 AM
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#2
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,146
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Anytime you can do something yourself I would go for it.
Then you know exactly how it was installed.
I would use the longer rail and cut to length.
it will make a much nicer job than cobbling 2-3 pieces together.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2024 Ford F-Series SCREW•7.3L•4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=90
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03-12-2017, 11:55 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Southern IN
Posts: 1,013
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What size awning are you looking at, if you don't mind me asking. Reason was I called CW about a slide topper and it was going to run me about $1300 bucks. Granted mine would have been 14 feet.
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Gerard
2017 Coachmen Apex 269RBKS with Summit Pkg.
2014 Ford Expedition with factory installed HD tow pkg.
Blue Ox SwayPro WDH
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03-12-2017, 12:11 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Ray Twp, Michigan
Posts: 166
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glsimms
What size awning are you looking at, if you don't mind me asking. Reason was I called CW about a slide topper and it was going to run me about $1300 bucks. Granted mine would have been 14 feet.
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I need to measure mine but I think it is about 16' and this is what I found.
Black Solera Slider, 16' - Lippert Components Inc V000194925 - Awning Accessories & Hardware - Camping World
EDIT: Looks like I need a 14' only. I measured from flange to flange and was 13' 9". (price is the same for 14' or 16' - $282.)
__________________
'16 Cherokee Grey Wolf 26DBH
'13 Silverado 2500 HD - 6.0 Vortec / 3.73
Equilizer WDH
Goodyear Endurance Tires
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03-12-2017, 01:42 PM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Collierville, TN
Posts: 586
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I would double check there is not a channel underneath the drip rail that the slide cover slides into. It may be standard on the unit.
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Rudy - 10 year old long haired dachshund, RIP
2011 Georgetown 350TS
2013 Chevrolet Equinox toad
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03-12-2017, 01:51 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Maurice, LA
Posts: 4,095
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RudysWorld
I would double check there is not a channel underneath the drip rail that the slide cover slides into. It may be standard on the unit.
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X2 Also Id do it myself. Id also try and find the rail in my own town so I didn't have to pay freight ont he long 20' piece, that may be a killer.
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2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL, Gladiator Qr35 ST235/85R16 Load rating G, TST 507 TPMS w/ Flow-thru Sensors & Repeater, Reese Sidewinder 16K Pin Box, PI EMS HW50C
2009 Chevy Silverado 2500HD CCSB LTZ Diesel, Fumoto Oil Drain Valve, Turbo Brake activated, 39 gal Aux Tank W/ Fuel Pump transfer, Air Lift Loadlifter 5000 air bags.
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03-12-2017, 02:40 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 361
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How many did it themselves and what are the pit falls. Measure 3 times, install right the first time, once slide toppers belly in the center you'll have a pool(s) forever, tried beach balls - blew away. Read the comments! Traded the pool(s) - 3 slide toppers professionally installed and no pools.
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DJsFolly
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03-12-2017, 03:10 PM
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#8
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Retired Army MSG!
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Sharon, SC
Posts: 596
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Check your unit and see if you already have a topper rail over your slide. My Coachmen already had the rail instead and the Dometic topper I purchased included a rail as well. My son in law and I installed mine. I was very nervous about drilling the holes for the brackets that attach to the slide but it all worked out great.
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03-12-2017, 03:14 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 241
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I installed a 168" Dometic from Makarios RV all by myself. The awning rail wasshipped with the rolled up fabric and was not very hard to install, just make sure your drill battery is well charged before you start. Extend the slide 6" and center the rail and lay the rail on top the slide out roof. Predrill screw holes and use plenty of silicon in the pilot hole and under the rail. Start in the center and work toward the ends Measure and determine how to mount the end to give the proper clearance over the slide out flange. pre deill and again apply silicon with the screws over the brackets into the slideout wall. unwrap a couple turns of the awning and spray the rail track and edge of awning with silicon lube and assemble. Attach the end caps and install the anit unfurling bracket and test that the slide goes in qand outy as it is supposed to. Go camping!
Swampy
BTW, There are some good prices and a measuring video on the makarios RV website. Plus free shipping.
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03-12-2017, 04:01 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: crete,il /texas
Posts: 498
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Most don't have enough pitch for rain to run off, so wait for the wind to blow , in so Texas that is not a problem, or run the slide in to dump the water, yes if handy do it yourself
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03-12-2017, 04:09 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Ray Twp, Michigan
Posts: 166
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Thinking out loud here:
As far as pooling water goes could you not just mount the awning rail up a bit higher so there is more of a slope for the water to drain?
I'll have to double-check on the channel. That would save me some time, effort and $$. I don't recall there being one there.
Just remembered I have a picture.
I don't see one.
__________________
'16 Cherokee Grey Wolf 26DBH
'13 Silverado 2500 HD - 6.0 Vortec / 3.73
Equilizer WDH
Goodyear Endurance Tires
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03-12-2017, 04:43 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Ray Twp, Michigan
Posts: 166
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I guess one of my reservations is that if I ever go out West I hear the wind can be really bad. Parents live in WY and they are always saying it's breezy like 30-40 mph?!?!
How do they hold up to flapping in the wind? I see they make things to keep them from flapping. On my trailer, I need to have the slide out so you can move about inside easily. Does not look like you can easily detach it?
__________________
'16 Cherokee Grey Wolf 26DBH
'13 Silverado 2500 HD - 6.0 Vortec / 3.73
Equilizer WDH
Goodyear Endurance Tires
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03-12-2017, 04:49 PM
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#14
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(Dry Huunday)
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eastern North Carolina
Posts: 2,298
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Get at least one helper, take your time and you can do this install in a few hours, no problem!
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Beau & Sue
FurKid Express
2015 Coachmen Catalina 303RLS
2016 Chevy Silverado LT 2500HD Duramax
The more people I meet, the more I like my dogs!
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03-12-2017, 05:43 PM
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#15
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,835
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr-G
I guess one of my reservations is that if I ever go out West I hear the wind can be really bad. Parents live in WY and they are always saying it's breezy like 30-40 mph?!?!
How do they hold up to flapping in the wind? I see they make things to keep them from flapping. On my trailer, I need to have the slide out so you can move about inside easily. Does not look like you can easily detach it?
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Our topper has never had any issues and we only camp in the West.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.) 
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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03-13-2017, 07:50 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 269
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Just go to ":installing RV slide toppers" or "Installing RV awnings" on googl and the RV geeks will show you how to install each of them.
The videos are great . Also go to RV 101 by Mark Polk . He is very knowlegeable on any thing to do with RVs.`
you can subscribe to his monthly e magazine for free.
Brandon2
2014 2500TS
Sun Seeker
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03-14-2017, 11:12 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Ray Twp, Michigan
Posts: 166
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Ordered it! 
Black Solera Topper 14' (with freight for $384)
Just need to get the awning rail and butyl tape. I have a friend by a Camping world so he can pick that up for me!
The topper comes straight from Lippert Corp. Shipped direct so I have to pay freight no matter what. But I got 2.5% back from Ebates!
__________________
'16 Cherokee Grey Wolf 26DBH
'13 Silverado 2500 HD - 6.0 Vortec / 3.73
Equilizer WDH
Goodyear Endurance Tires
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03-14-2017, 01:16 PM
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#18
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(Dry Huunday)
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eastern North Carolina
Posts: 2,298
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr-G
Ordered it!
Black Solera Topper 14' (with freight for $384)
Just need to get the awning rail and butyl tape. I have a friend by a Camping world so he can pick that up for me!
The topper comes straight from Lippert Corp. Shipped direct so I have to pay freight no matter what. But I got 2.5% back from Ebates! |
Nice deal!!! 
__________________
Beau & Sue
FurKid Express
2015 Coachmen Catalina 303RLS
2016 Chevy Silverado LT 2500HD Duramax
The more people I meet, the more I like my dogs!
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03-15-2017, 10:59 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 241
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Makarios RV
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr-G
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I priced a 168" Black Dometic Elite Delux kit for you at Makarios RV and it is $500.00 with free shipping. Dometic EZ Black Elite Slide Topper with Brackets 98401FJ.168U
Before you chunk down your money for the $282 model, make sure it has all the brackets and hardware for a new install. That price may be just for the fabric.
Swampy
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03-16-2017, 08:41 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Ray Twp, Michigan
Posts: 166
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Swampy
I priced a 168" Black Dometic Elite Delux kit for you at Makarios RV and it is $500.00 with free shipping.
Before you chunk down your money for the $282 model, make sure it has all the brackets and hardware for a new install. That price may be just for the fabric.
Swampy
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Yes, the normal price is $548.99. Have to pay freight $85 also. On sale now (I guess because of the off-season) comes complete with mounting hardware except Awning Rail.
__________________
'16 Cherokee Grey Wolf 26DBH
'13 Silverado 2500 HD - 6.0 Vortec / 3.73
Equilizer WDH
Goodyear Endurance Tires
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