Some lessons learned with our slide out today!

[MyFRGW26DBH]

Well...we have been camper owners for 10 years. In July we bought a 2017 Grey Wolf 26DBH. This camper is our first with a slide out. We didn't love the fact that the slide out did not come with an awning already installed on it. We had no clue when we bought it. Figured "hay it's a newer model and maybe they don't need them(for whatever reason)." After our first camping trip with it in July I told my husband that without a awning on it we will need to look on top of the slide prior to bringing it in each time (looking for any debris). After this trip today....let's just say we are buying that awning!! We did not have an issue with debris. Instead we had a issue with water. When we went to close up the camper it was POURING BUCKET'S outside. Didn't think to realize that the slide has water now sitting on top of it. Pulled it in and......water water everywhere!!! Luckily I noticed the water dripping off of it prior to us leaving and was able to clean up 90% of the water before we traveled. Pulled up at home and was able to put the slide back out and wipe any excess off the floor. Sad that some water came in...but lesson learned today!!!

[klrobert]

Slide toppers should be standard equipment with a slide. This is the first mod I am going to make to my trailer, because sooner or later we will all close up in the rain.

[RND]

I've been contemplating the same thing. I need to take mine in for some warranty issues and I think in going to have them install an awning as well while they have it. This just gives me more reason to do so. Thanks for sharing.

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[raspivey]

In the meantime, you can drop the nose so it will run off mostly before bringing it in.

[Major Oz]

Originally Posted by MyFRGW26DBH

Well...we have been camper owners for 10 years. In July we bought a 2017 Grey Wolf 26DBH. This camper is our first with a slide out. We didn't love the fact that the slide out did not come with an awning already installed on it. We had no clue when we bought it. Figured "hay it's a newer model and maybe they don't need them(for whatever reason)." After our first camping trip with it in July I told my husband that without a awning on it we will need to look on top of the slide prior to bringing it in each time (looking for any debris). After this trip today....let's just say we are buying that awning!! We did not have an issue with debris. Instead we had a issue with water. When we went to close up the camper it was POURING BUCKET'S outside. Didn't think to realize that the slide has water now sitting on top of it. Pulled it in and......water water everywhere!!! Luckily I noticed the water dripping off of it prior to us leaving and was able to clean up 90% of the water before we traveled. Pulled up at home and was able to put the slide back out and wipe any excess off the floor. Sad that some water came in...but lesson learned today!!!

We had our new 26FKWS at #1 son's place NW of Houston for five days during the Monsoon in March (April ?). Rain gauge read 17.1 in in ONE 24 hr period.

Our two slides did not have awnings.

Bringing in the slides....not a drop of water.

Musta been the "squeegee" effect of the upper gaskets ???

Don't like those awnings anyway.....they flap,flap,flap when I am trying to sleep. And, though they keep pinecones, leaves, etc off the slide, they really don't do much for rain.

[Epat]

Slide topper was negotiated as part of our purchase of our Roo 25RS

[RND]

Originally Posted by Epat

Slide topper was negotiated as part of our purchase of our Roo 25RS

Good call. They are too expensive but your deal I like better.

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[jkoenig24]

Even WITH slide toppers installed, water can accumulate on the top of the slide out. If you slightly un-level the RV front to back BEFORE you retract the slide, most of any accumulated water will run off. Once you have slide toppers, getting access to clean & lubricate the top slide seal becomes a real chore.

[NMWildcat]

Slide toppers are another one of those items that some folks love and others hate. We had them on our previous rig and opted NOT to get them on our current rig and are much happier without them. We found the toppers to be noisy unless you use some sort of deflapper, you still get water on your slides during a storm, and it's one more thing to replace and maintain.

[Moellerdan]

Originally Posted by MyFRGW26DBH

Well...we have been camper owners for 10 years. In July we bought a 2017 Grey Wolf 26DBH. This camper is our first with a slide out. We didn't love the fact that the slide out did not come with an awning already installed on it. We had no clue when we bought it. Figured "hay it's a newer model and maybe they don't need them(for whatever reason)." After our first camping trip with it in July I told my husband that without a awning on it we will need to look on top of the slide prior to bringing it in each time (looking for any debris). After this trip today....let's just say we are buying that awning!! We did not have an issue with debris. Instead we had a issue with water. When we went to close up the camper it was POURING BUCKET'S outside. Didn't think to realize that the slide has water now sitting on top of it. Pulled it in and......water water everywhere!!! Luckily I noticed the water dripping off of it prior to us leaving and was able to clean up 90% of the water before we traveled. Pulled up at home and was able to put the slide back out and wipe any excess off the floor. Sad that some water came in...but lesson learned today!!!

Had the exact same issue on our 26dbh this past weekend! I used a push broom to get most of the water off the slide. Luckily the campground we stayed at was only 40 minutes from home so we, too, we're able to run the slide out right away to clean up any excess water.

[jtownstumpjumper]

One of the best features of our 2014 Cedar Creek Silverback 33RL is the cathedral slide design.....never have to worry about water collecting and usually very little leaf collection to deal with......inside they provide a very nice design for the interior.

[heavynlori]

Originally Posted by jtownstumpjumper

One of the best features of our 2014 Cedar Creek Silverback 33RL is the cathedral slide design.....never have to worry about water collecting and usually very little leaf collection to deal with......inside they provide a very nice design for the interior.

The cathedral slides are one of the major selling points in the Silverback line by Cedar Creek. However, they still put a flat roof slide on the stove/fridge slides...and I would definitely invest in that one slide topper.

The Silverback 37RL is on our super short list right now along with the Cedar Creek 38ck.....just have not made the plunge yet 😊


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[Major Oz]

Originally Posted by jtownstumpjumper

One of the best features of our 2014 Cedar Creek Silverback 33RL is the cathedral slide design.....never have to worry about water collecting and usually very little leaf collection to deal with......inside they provide a very nice design for the interior.

Lovely.....

But, were it raining, wouldn't one get a (runoff) shower going in or out the main door ?

[jtownstumpjumper]

Originally Posted by heavynlori

The cathedral slides are one of the major selling points in the Silverback line by Cedar Creek. However, they still put a flat roof slide on the stove/fridge slides...and I would definitely invest in that one slide topper.

The Silverback 37RL is on our super short list right now along with the Cedar Creek 38ck.....just have not made the plunge yet ��


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Ours is a 2014 and all three slides have the cathedral design.....why, I don't know, but 2015-17 they've started putting a flat slide on the refridge/stove/entertainment slide again and you're right, a topper would be in order for it.

[jtownstumpjumper]

Originally Posted by Major Oz

Lovely.....

But, were it raining, wouldn't one get a (runoff) shower going in or out the main door ?

We have never had an issue with that....the slide sits back 12 inches, between the edge of the door and the end of the slide, to allow for the awning support and with that 12 inches there's plenty of room for run off from that small section of roof.

[Oaklevel]

Never had slide toppers and as we see it better off without them...... just our 2 cents......... No issues no water not having them..........

[RND]

So after reading all of these comments and/or experiences it really seems to be a matter of preference. For someone who is new to this, well sort of, I don't know the difference of having one with or without, so far this thread has given me Insight on both sides. I think for me personally, I am still leaning towards getting one since we've camped most of the time in places that have many trees and it would help to keep the debris off of the slider. Plus, I wouldn't have to make a trip up there to clean it off or at least not as often. I'm obviously still going to stay tuned to this thread since I like hearing what others have to say about their experiences with or without them. Appreciate all of those who have joined in and stated their opinions.

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[richp]

Hi,

My 2014 Silverback has all three cathedral slides.

We love them!!! The feel of increased interior space is great.

A few comments, based on our experience after about 175 nights out in various parts of the country.

First, all debris does not slide off -- for instance, wet leaves and pine needles. But the angled roof makes it pretty easy to see if you need to break out the broom and/or ladder.

Second, rain running off the slide by the door has never been a problem when entering and exiting -- even in very heavy downpours. Yes, the door could be a bit farther away from the edge of the awning...

Third, I am a light sleeper, and any flapping from slide covers -- not to mention the chore of shoving balls in and out every time I parked for the night -- would kill the deal for me.

Fourth, driving rain and wind seem likely to put stuff under a slide. cover anyway -- a low probability perhaps, but something I'd be thinking about a fair amount.

Having said all that, I see enough of them to realize that many people must think them useful.

FWIW.

Rich Phillips

[BandJCarm]

SVB cathedral slides do appear quite functional......

I have slide topper on all 3 slides. One of best options I ordered. Unsure of the negatives above, I don't see any negatives. Do not know what "shoving balls" means at all.

[Iwritecode]

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

Do not know what "shoving balls" means at all.

This:



It apparently stops the topper from flapping around in the wind.