Are slide awnings a good idea?

[Michigan-traveler]

I will be picking up our new Rockwood 8265WS fifth wheel on January 7th. Our dealer says he will install slide awnings on the three slide outs for $900.00. What are the pros and cons of having them? Also they offer an extended warranty thru Portfolio for 7 years for $1800.00, with full refund if not used or the extra 1 year from Forest River for $150.00. Any advise on them would be appreciated as well. Thank-you.

[youroo]

Yes on the covers,yes on the 150$ one year,your call on the 7 year! Youroo!!

[crocus]

The slideout awnings are worth every penny, keeping trash and water off of your slides. Also keeps the camper cooler. The $150 2nd year is a bargain. The 7 year warranty is really only for 5, as the first two are covered, and few things will go wrong after the first two years of factory warranty. The only big thing I would worry about is sidewall delamination, but what are the odds of that happening?
But, if you bought the 7 year, you wouldn't have to spend the $150, so the decision would be if $1650 is worth the peace of mind? Maybe.

[Herk7769]

This argument has been made several times on the forum. This would be a good "Search" if you want a ton of opinions on the subject.

[shineysideup]

Originally Posted by crocus

The slideout awnings are worth every penny, keeping trash and water off of your slides. Also keeps the camper cooler. The $150 2nd year is a bargain. The 7 year warranty is really only for 5, as the first two are covered, and few things will go wrong after the first two years of factory warranty. The only big thing I would worry about is sidewall delamination, but what are the odds of that happening?
But, if you bought the 7 year, you wouldn't have to spend the $150, so the decision would be if $1650 is worth the peace of mind? Maybe.

FYI,

The seven year warranty DOESN'T cover sidewall delam (at least from my dealer). I paid that much for my warranty 2.5 years ago but I am in Canada also (read; we pay more).

I have a slide without a cover... what I pain to clean every time I retract.

[VTX Al]

Originally Posted by Michigan-traveler

I will be picking up our new Rockwood 8265WS fifth wheel on January 7th. Our dealer says he will install slide awnings on the three slide outs for $900.00. What are the pros and cons of having them? Also they offer an extended warranty thru Portfolio for 7 years for $1800.00, with full refund if not used or the extra 1 year from Forest River for $150.00. Any advise on them would be appreciated as well. Thank-you.

...FYI - $900.00 for dealer installed slide toppers doesn't seem out of line, at least compared to factory-installed cost. We paid $625.00 for two (one large and one small $350 and $275 respectively), on our factory-order 2010 8315BSS. They keep most of the tree crud and rain of the slide-out roofs and are worth-while from our perspective.

...VTX-AL

[Herk7769]

When I ordered my Flagstaff I ordered it from the factory with the toppers pre-installed. They were 150.00 per small topper and I have 3 small slides (450.00 total cost).

What sold it to me was rain on the roof. Water will puddle on the slide roof and it comes right on inside when you close the slide packing up in the rain. The toppers keep rain off the slide roof and light snow will roll right off when you button up departing a snowy campground.

[bikendan]

slide toppers-yes, 2nd year FR warranty-yes.

7 year aftermarket warranty-NO!

[2Vizslas]

We purchased the 6 year extended for piece of mind with our Rockwood 8317SS in June. Once A/C unit pretty much covers the cost IF it should go bad. As for the slide toppers, I wish our dealer offered us an option for one. Now it will be $600 for one to be installed, I say your getting a good deal.

[yvesm]

Slide toppers are nice, keeps the junk off the slide out room(s), if its real windy they may flap some and keep you awake at night.

[Herk7769]

We keep ear plugs in the bedroom in any case. The 5th wheel has the master bedroom bed right under the plastic aerocap. In heavy rain it is like trying to sleep in a drum.

During our first long trip, we were forced to move to the livingroom sofa bed (before we got the ear plugs) because the rain noise was broken up by the topper on that slide and was actually quieter.

[rockwood06]

Yes, slide out toppes are a good thing but it must be snug meaning no sags when open. They do need to be clean just so they look good and before you pull in the slide out you should get on the roof and make sure there is nothing on there that might stick to the material and create a hole. The same go's for your over head awning.

[crocus]

I have to agree with rockwood06, in that having toppers doesn't eliminate the need for cleaning the pine cones and such off.
The one HUGE reason I bought them was to eliminate the potential of water getting past the slide seals and into the camper walls. The one thing I cannot fix is delamination, and I will do everything in my power to prevent it.

[DAISY BOYKIN]

I have a Rockwood 8285 WS coming off the line the 14Th JAN with a 2ND year warranty that is free from ROCKWOOD!

[Herk7769]

The toppers they put on my slides are spring loaded, taut, and have anti-blowout arms attached.

The arms engage a stop on the wall so that a strong wind can not get under the wall attchment and "unroll" the awning material.

[Traveler II]

In the past we've purchased a 5 year extended warranty. Most of the problems we've had have been in the first year. So this go around we paid for another year from Forest River only.

We've had slide cover in the past and found they made noise in the wind. Didn't order them and wanted to wait to see if we needed them. Have not ordered them yet.

[Adony]

Are slide out awnings (mine is 2' slide out) somthing that can be installed by a do it your selfer?? The awning track is already factory installed above the slide out. Have looked at web sites for possible installation instructions but have found none...

[Michigan-traveler]

Thanks everyone for your imput. The people on this forum are a big help. Herk it appears that your Flagstaff would be the same as our Rockwood only a year apart. I wish I had ordered the toppers from the factory as you did. Have you been happy with your unit so far? Any problems that I should look for when I inspect when we pick up next week? Thanks again everyone. Larry.

[VTX Al]

Originally Posted by Adony

Are slide out awnings (mine is 2' slide out) somthing that can be installed by a do it your selfer?? The awning track is already factory installed above the slide out. Have looked at web sites for possible installation instructions but have found none...

Here ya go !! http://www.dometic.com/38f21536-3782...80b54963.fodoc

...VTX-AL

[capucine]

It is worth every penny and you can install it yourself to save money. It is not a hard job and the instructions are well explained if you are a good d.i.y. guy. Just need a help from a friend to finish the installation.