Slide Topper Advisable?

[5picker]

Originally Posted by JohnD10

Why is it that you think you are the only one on this earth who has any real life experiences?

OK...there may have been one or two toppers I missed...

Lots of folks have real life experiences but perception is different for everyone.

If you TWICE witnessed EVERY slide topper in the park being ripped off and destroyed, I'd say you were within some kind of freak wrath of Mother Nature and your perception of those damaged toppers should fall somewhere other than on inadequate equipment.

[JohnD10]

Ironically...the only camper in the RV park I am in right now in southwestern New Mexico that has a slide topper is right next door to me who just rolled in last night.

He has Florida plates...

Everyone else here knows better!

[TsnTexas]

My opinion for what it's worth is they're worth the money, keeps leaves and debris from coming into the camper. And it will eventually work it's way inside. I have a telescoping ladder ready if I need to knock something off the cover off prior to bringing in the slide, but have yet had to do it.

[spock123]

One of my slide toppers is out of the track a little at the rear, I’m in Goshen IN right now and was wondering if anyone knew of a place here that could fix it.

[JohnD10]

My opinion for what it's worth is they're worth the money, keeps leaves and debris from coming into the camper. And it will eventually work it's way inside. I have a telescoping ladder ready if I need to knock something off the cover off prior to bringing in the slide, but have yet had to do it.

All this talk about stuff getting inside the RV because there is no topper on the slide...

I've had slides without toppers for almost six years and NOT ONCE have I ever had outside stuff come in my RV's.

The rubber seals work like a squeegee and push everything off!

Including water and snow.

When I pulled out of this park (photo below) all three of my slides were covered with wet leaves.

Yet I didn't have to go up and sweep them off, but just putting in the slides pushed every leaf off of all three slides.

Hhhmmmmm.........

[Brewhedd]

Toppers are great. I guess once they age they may tear. I wouldnt have a slide without one.

[andymil]

I’m having trouble visualizing wet leaves being pushed up and over the 3 1/2” flanges on my slides.

Hhhmmmmm.........

[JohnD10]

Go ahead and buy them if you want?????????

Why bother asking about them!

[LegacyFB38]

Originally Posted by Brewhedd

Toppers are great. I guess once they age they may tear. I wouldnt have a slide without one.

I had a (not great quality) RV with 2 toppers and an awning. The material was likely junk, and at the 10 year point they all basically disintegrated. But they survived those 10 years with the RV permanently located maybe 150' from the St. Lawrence River. Winters included.

So...we just bought a new RV and Had a second awning and 3 toppers installed.

[lewisra]

Originally Posted by andymil

I’m having trouble visualizing wet leaves being pushed up and over the 3 1/2” flanges on my slides.

Hhhmmmmm.........

X2

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by Kimber45

Your sales person is right. ive had 5 campers and my currant has 5 slides and ive never had a topper. Some will say you cant live without and some say a waste of money. Gotta weigh the pros and cons for your style of camping and decide.

Same here 5 campers never a Topper, but they were invented after the 2nd camper as were slides . We now have 4 slides and see toppers as a waste of money that we do not have. But I never say never.

Everyone has their own opinion. We go mostly to Myrtle Beach and see no need for a topper.

[klickitatjim]

Slide toppers should be mandatory. Unless you don't like them.

[JohnD10]

Originally Posted by klickitatjim

Slide toppers should be mandatory. Unless you don't like them.

[ben31]

We're on a third RV with the toppers. It took one trip with our first TT, without the toppers to convince ourselves we needed them. A wet fall in a state park. Wet leaves all over the top of the sides. Because they were wet, it was difficult removing them. We had our dealer install the toppers and we've never gone back. The toppers save a lot of work. To us it was worth it.

Other things to consider:
- If you don't get them, you will need to blow/sweep off the top of the slides just about every time you pack up. If you don't you'll get dried bird poop, leaves, pollen, etc. in your living area.

- If it is raining while packing up without them, you WILL get water inside your RV. No matter how good the seals are, it won't squeegee all of the water off the top.

- They do provide some insulation from the sun. The top of the slides won't get as hot, since they are shaded by the toppers.

Good luck in deciding.