Are Slideout Awnings Worth It?

[charbaugh]

Sorry for the newbie question. I searched a bit but didn't come across this topic too much. We are about to purchase our first trailer (looking at the Sandpiper 372LOK), and one options I'm not sure about is the slideout awnings. Are these worth the extra $2K? Can they be done after the purchase for less? I've rented a few RVs over the years, and none of them had them, so was just curious the consensus.

[Mr. Dan]

I have ‘em; I like ‘em. Mine were installed after the fact by FR Wildcat because of a leak.
Search for Toppers and get hits including this one
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...-it-36980.html.

[AFDON]

Originally Posted by charbaugh

Sorry for the newbie question. I searched a bit but didn't come across this topic too much. We are about to purchase our first trailer (looking at the Sandpiper 372LOK), and one options I'm not sure about is the slideout awnings. Are these worth the extra $2K? Can they be done after the purchase for less? I've rented a few RVs over the years, and none of them had them, so was just curious the consensus.

I put an 11 footer on for $200.00 +- a bit 3 years ago. Took two of us and about 2 hrs. Yes, I like them.

[jeff64]

I had them factory install and like em. My friend who has the same tt, had them dealer installed and it cost him 1500 more than what I paid

[Kimber45]

never owned one and until I buy a unit that has them on it from the start I prob will not. Could never justify spending that kind of cash.

[SEASIDELOUNGERS]

Wouldn't have a slide without them!! If you negotiate well, you can get dealer to put them in the deal, free or at least a very discounted price..
I've been lucky, have gotten them for free, but it took threatening to walk or even head to the truck before they agreed!!

[ImTravis]

If you camp near trees, they’re worth it.

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by ImTravis

If you camp near trees, they’re worth it.

Yes they are well worth installing. Save a lot of grief down the road. Mine came with all of the campers I've owned. Later RJD

[charbaugh]

Thanks, guys, for the info and link to previous thread. That is exactly the info I was trying to find.

[B and B]

I had them on two Rockwood, did not have them on my Bighorn but now have them on my Landmark. Will not be without them now.

[Oregon]

Agree with those that wouldn't be without them.

They will keep you from hauling in all the rain, tree stuff, bugs, bird stuff, etc etc that would fall on the top of the slide without them.

The 2K number seems high but I don't know how many you need or how big they are. Might ask around to some independent repair places and see what they would charge to add them after you get the rig.

[-lenny-]

We finally got slide toppers installed, courtesy of ShadePro in southern California. For us, the main driver was rain. We have 3 slides, 2 of which are quite long and in heavy rain the water can't drain off the slide roof fast enough and has at times entered the coach.

Shortly after the install, We received 2" of rain in about 16 hours. It was a soggy day outside, but the toppers kept the moisture out. We would never be without them again. The only drawback it the wind noise you can get. The more expensive units control this better, while the cheaper ones will be billowing in the wind.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by charbaugh

Sorry for the newbie question. I searched a bit but didn't come across this topic too much. We are about to purchase our first trailer (looking at the Sandpiper 372LOK), and one options I'm not sure about is the slideout awnings. Are these worth the extra $2K? Can they be done after the purchase for less? I've rented a few RVs over the years, and none of them had them, so was just curious the consensus.

They’re worth it to me. And cheaper to have the factory do it and/or to negotiate into the camper purchase.

Pros and cons here:
Slide Toppers (aka Awnings) – definitely! | Learn To RV

[Iwritecode]

Originally Posted by Kimber45

never owned one and until I buy a unit that has them on it from the start I prob will not. Could never justify spending that kind of cash.

Same here but I think I'm in a different situation than most. My trailer stays in the same spot all year and my slides go out in April and don't come in until October. So I've never seen much of a need for them.

[JohnD10]

Wind and southern sun are a slide toppers worst friend...

[TheWolfPaq82]

Never had them since 2007. Don't know what to tell ya.

[DaGrinch]

Originally Posted by TheWolfPaq82

Never had them since 2007. Don't know what to tell ya.

All my rv's with slides came with toppers... wouldn't be without them.

[cavie]

Have on on my 5er. Will have one on my next Rv. Slide stays cooler. Tree trash doesn't get inside when I pull the slide. Water doesn't get inside when I pull the slide in. The best thing is the cooler roof of the slide. 3 years now and no problem. Stays out for 4 months each summer. OH quiet when it rains.

[itat]

IMHO, there are only 2 scenarios where they wouldn't be worth the expense:

1. You mainly camp in wide-open spaces with a lot of wind, or
2. You never camp under trees.

My new 5er has 3 slides and I'm having toppers put on all 3 because we camp in wooded Provincial Parks a lot of the time.

[Jeffjeeptj]

Have not had them before. Got used to sweeping off the slides before closing, snow, water, leaves, wet “stuff”, spanish moss, spider webs, etc.
Got a new trailer August last year with factory installed slide topper. No more sweeping. Just left a campground with a lot of falling live oak leaves. None between the topper and slide. Viewed by climbing up ladder and looking through.
I did have to wash a line of green dried drips from the bottom of the roller at the outside of the slide. Green drips came from pollen washing off the topper during rain events.

Will never (a very long time) be without a slide topper in the future. Above posters are correct, negotiation is your friend.