slide toppers

[CliffP]

Can I get some opinions of slide toppers. A dealer told me it would be a good place to save some $. He said if leaves do get blown up under the slide topper that can be worse than trying to keep them out. Any thoughts?

[donn]

There are hundreds of pages on this subject with just about as many opinions. The only trailer I have owned with slide outs has had slide toppers since new. I personally would not have a slide out without them. Only one time they bothered me. At the coast and the winds were sustained 50MPH, gusting to the 70's one night. Simply closed the trailer up and went back to bed. Next morning all was well again and we opened things back up and enjoyed the rest of the weekend.

[crocus]

Sounds like the dealer that told you that is another one to avoid.
Slide toppers are probably one of the best options you could buy, especially if ordered on a new unit, as they are super cheap from the factory.
Water is a slide's worst enemy, and the toppers keep the vast majority of it away from the seals.
As far as leaves blowing under the topper, I haven't had that happen yet.

[Hoo Dad]

As Donn posted the only concern I've had with the toppers is with flapping in high winds. If I'm in a potential windy area I will close the slide when I leave for the day. This also helps to keep the camper cooler or warmer depending on whether you are trying to cool or heat. I also carry a cheap, lightweight electric blower with me in case leaves do blow under the topper but I haven't had to use it yet.

[yvesm]

I have slide toppers and would not buy a camper without them. This year I purchased a small cordless blower to blow off the roof and under the slide toppers.

[capucine]

slide toppers should come standard with trailers equipped with slides. No water infiltrations and dirt on top of your slide. Cannot go without it!!

[JoeR]

My first camper didn't have a slide topper, never again. I had the ones put on the Windjammer at the dealership before I picked it up.

Our first was an Outback, and the bed was the slideout, and it got hot in there pretty quickly during the day. And all the dirt, pine needles, etc were a pain to clean off before retracting it. Even down south, I didn't notice a temperature rise in the slides with the toppers in place on the new camper. Live and learn for me.

[Rugged Brown]

I like mine. Keeps the slide roof clean. I have never had to remove any debris from the slide roof yet. The topper does flap in the wind a bit, but it's has not been an issue to date.

[tentcamper1]

all of the above

[CliffP]

Thanks to everyone! We WILL be getting them! I thought it made good sense to go with them, now I know.