Slide topper

[jav28739]

Is it ok to keep a slide with a topper out in strong winds. I have a 2016 Forrester with a super slide.

[njfishing]

Originally Posted by jav28739

Is it ok to keep a slide with a topper out in strong winds. I have a 2016 Forrester with a super slide.

Watched a full timer RV You Tube channel and they were camping in 30 - 40 MPH winds in a high end Grand Design 5th wheel and the wind almost pulled the top metal track of the topper off the camper. He brought the slide in and had to fix it the next day with bigger screws and sealant. The conditions were pretty extreme so if caught in those conditions, I would bring the side in.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by jav28739

Is it ok to keep a slide with a topper out in strong winds. I have a 2016 Forrester with a super slide.

Define "strong winds"?

Ours has never been an issue in higher winds but I doubt I'd test it in hurricane/tornado associated winds.

I've seen folks tie them down at times.

[Duckogram]

Your 2016 Forester 3051S does have a full wall slide (super?). Although it is rather lengthy it does not extend out too far. How much wind it can withstand is dependent on many variables, some of which are;
Total area of the exposed cover.
Type material.
Age and condition of the cover.
Manufacturer (A&E, Dometic, LCI Solera)
Age and condition and tension of springs.
Wind velocity and angle.

So factoring all that in and doing the math, the answer is: Maybe

[ChrisParise]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Define "strong winds"?

Ours has never been an issue in higher winds but I doubt I'd test it in hurricane/tornado associated winds.

I've seen folks tie them down at times.Attachment 265756

What is this picture, exactly? I've never seen a slideout topper with a rope through it.

[5picker]

Just a photo of a slide out (with a topper) that has a rope thrown over the topper and tied around the slide to keep the topper from billowing in the wind.

Here's another version... this one is utilizing a piece of PVC pipe across the topper.

[Duckogram]

I have seen many variation of tie downs especially in the desert southwest. Pool noodles and some seriously innovative creations.

Then there are the regions that get torrential rains. That is where you find lots of inflatables stuffed under the topper to raise it up for drainage.

Most of time you see these devices on long term units. For short stays in harsh wx conditions I just pull the slides in that are not alee or take my chances.

[aeguy010]

Great question, I do not have slide toppers, but it is something I'm looking to add down the road. I know the owners manual states when heavy rain/weather is imminent they advise you to retract your slides. I would think the old mantra of Better safe than sorry would apply here; use your best judgement. I would be little cramped inside for while then spending $800 or more a slide topper to replace.

John

[aceinspp]

For rail I just raise the front of the camper to give the water a chance to run off the topper. Later RJD

[Duckogram]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

For rail I just raise the front of the camper to give the water a chance to run off the topper. Later RJD

Why only the front? Why not raise the rear? Besides, if you get a nice pool of water on the topper the FROGS will enjoy it.

[ChrisParise]

Originally Posted by ChrisParise

What is this picture, exactly? I've never seen a slideout topper with a rope through it.

Thanks, the original photo looked like a decorative pull down window shade [emoji41]

[ChrisParise]

Originally Posted by aeguy010

Great question, I do not have slide toppers, but it is something I'm looking to add down the road. I know the owners manual states when heavy rain/weather is imminent they advise you to retract your slides. I would think the old mantra of Better safe than sorry would apply here; use your best judgement. I would be little cramped inside for while then spending $800 or more a slide topper to replace.



John

Toppers on both slides. Once or twice in 16 years I've retracted them due to wind or rain.
Once, a derecho tore through the KOA in Rapid City where I was staying and we survived it intact. Probably an element of luck, being in the right place, but there was so little warning and no time to pull in the slides.