Carefree slide toppers

[Stevemc]

Does anybody have experience good or bad with Carefree brand of slide topper awnings? I want to put toppers on our 5th wheel slides and like the looks of Carefree brand. Thanks

[bikendan]

From the reviews I've read, they are better than the Dometic brand, which is the only other topper manufacturer.
But our Dometic topper has been flawless for nearly 10 years.

[Stevemc]

Yes we haven't had any problems with our Dometic awnings either but our current 5th wheel has a clearence issue on the end of one slide where it looks like Carefree would fit better. If I use Dometic the fabric won't cover the edge of the slide.

[Platokidd]

Here is a 3rd mfg that i just ran across
Window/Door/Slideout Awnings

[heavynlori]

Originally Posted by Stevemc

Yes we haven't had any problems with our Dometic awnings either but our current 5th wheel has a clearence issue on the end of one slide where it looks like Carefree would fit better. If I use Dometic the fabric won't cover the edge of the slide.

We have Dometic toppers on our Crusader

The door side slide has to be extended BEFORE we can open the awning....there is not enough clearance to ever open the awning before putting that slide out....but who really puts their awning out and NOT the slide?

There is enough overhang on both ends of that slide also - a friend had a similar unit by Sabre and dealer shorted the length on theirs and told them it was due to awning arm clearance issue - topper was about 4 inches shorter than actual slide which would seem to defeat purpose but dealer told them it was okay....


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[KenHwy61]

I have a Carefree slideout topper on my trailer. Been used many times without issue.

[deartruc]

I paid $72 for mine, wait, that was the shipping charge back to Carefree since no one was home to sign for it. Ended up making my own slide out cover. Thanks Camping World!!

[Justice12t]

Looking at the same for our Crusader, question is what color? Unit is champagne or tan with brown/black awning hardware. White no way so black?? Seems crazy but limited it looks.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by KenHwy61

I have a Carefree slideout topper on my trailer. Been used many times without issue.

Same here. I didn't pick them- that's just what my dealer installed.

The Sabre warranty manager did comment that mine are nicer than what they install at the factory, though.

[Stevemc]

Originally Posted by heavynlori

We have Dometic toppers on our Crusader

The door side slide has to be extended BEFORE we can open the awning....there is not enough clearance to ever open the awning before putting that slide out....but who really puts their awning out and NOT the slide?

There is enough overhang on both ends of that slide also - a friend had a similar unit by Sabre and dealer shorted the length on theirs and told them it was due to awning arm clearance issue - topper was about 4 inches shorter than actual slide which would seem to defeat purpose but dealer told them it was okay.....


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I wish that would work on ours. If I use a Dometic topper long enough to cover the slide the awning arm won't clear the bracket regardless of whether the slide is out first or not.

[mcnabbwr]

We have never had an issue with our Carefree toppers or awnings.

[DadOfTwo]

Zip Dee, linked above, has an option I'd really like to try:




A slide topper that automatically extends with the slide, but can also be extended further to shade the windows.

Apparently CareFree used to make one like this, but discontinued it.

It seems to me this would be the cat's meow.

Am I the only one who thinks that's way cool? Why aren't they all like this?

What am I missing?

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by DadOfTwo

Zip Dee, linked above, has an option I'd really like to try:




A slide topper that automatically extends with the slide, but can also be extended further to shade the windows.

Apparently CareFree used to make one like this, but discontinued it.

It seems to me this would be the cat's meow.

Am I the only one who thinks that's way cool? Why aren't they all like this?

What am I missing?

$$$$$ Zip Dee is great stuff, used them for years on my Airstreams. But they are more expensive than the Carefree/Dometic.

In answer to the OP, choose the one that works best for you. I have not had issues with either brand once properly installed.

Aaron

[Platokidd]

Originally Posted by DadOfTwo

Zip Dee, linked above, has an option I'd really like to try:




A slide topper that automatically extends with the slide, but can also be extended further to shade the windows.

Apparently CareFree used to make one like this, but discontinued it.

It seems to me this would be the cat's meow.

Am I the only one who thinks that's way cool? Why aren't they all like this?

What am I missing?

I did shoot them a email and here is the reply....

Our Slide Out awnings are custom made

Call our customer service at 1-800-338-2378 for pricing and ordering information

Thank you

-The Zip Dee Team

96 Crossen Ave
Elk Grove Village, Il 60007

800-338-2378
Awnings By Zip Dee

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by dadoftwo

zip dee, linked above, has an option i'd really like to try:




a slide topper that automatically extends with the slide, but can also be extended further to shade the windows.

Apparently carefree used to make one like this, but discontinued it.

It seems to me this would be the cat's meow.

Am i the only one who thinks that's way cool? Why aren't they all like this?

What am i missing?

price! Price!

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by Platokidd

I did shoot them a email and here is the reply....

Our Slide Out awnings are custom made

Call our customer service at 1-800-338-2378 for pricing and ordering information

Thank you

-The Zip Dee Team

96 Crossen Ave
Elk Grove Village, Il 60007

800-338-2378
Awnings By Zip Dee

Going to get a quote? I was looking at my Concord and there isn't room for conventional window awnings, the Zip Dee would fill the bill very nicely. Somewhere I still have Zip Dee order/quote forms. I will have to get the measurements and give them a call. I will make sure to be sitting down when I get the quote though... They are expensive but they are one of the few manufacturers that I have dealt with that still have parts to fix 30 year old equipment.

Aaron

[Platokidd]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

Going to get a quote? I was looking at my Concord and there isn't room for conventional window awnings, the Zip Dee would fill the bill very nicely. Somewhere I still have Zip Dee order/quote forms. I will have to get the measurements and give them a call. I will make sure to be sitting down when I get the quote though... They are expensive but they are one of the few manufacturers that I have dealt with that still have parts to fix 30 year old equipment.

Aaron

Not sure if I will get a quote or not. One thing I do like is the company is only 30 to 40 minutes away from me. Would be curious of the $$$$$ they want.

[jeffdawgfan]

I had a Sunbrella Bimini top on my 23ft sailboat and after seven years it was still like new. If their awnings are as good they make a good product.