Slide Toppers???

[jeepman71]

Hello campers.

I am a newbie to this forum but have been rving for a few days. We previously owned a 1996 class a with no slides.

My lovely bride and I recently bought a 8289WS with the diamond package. We love the space and low weight when towing. Very happy with the choice so far.

We opted at the point of purchase to not have the slides included as a bargaining point on this trailer. Now we are getting ready to put the trailer away for the year and debating on having color coordinated Slide Out Kover III with full fabric covers. Before dropping the coin to cover this expense maybe some of you would be willing to chime in on your thoughts of the pros and cons of slide toppers. I could really enjoy buying 1700.00 worth of diesel if the toppers are not really worth the expense.

I know I am opening a can or worms but this could be enlightening.

Thanks for your input

Jim

[Crusader]

Toppers.....One more thing to clean, one more thing repair, one more thing to roll in on a windy day……..but thats just my thoughts………..

[Rugged Brown]

Originally Posted by Crusader

Toppers.....One more thing to clean, one more thing repair, one more thing to roll in on a windy day……..but thats just my thoughts………..

Using that rationale, why buy a camper with slides, or for that matter why buy a camper. I have factory installed toppers and the one advantage is that it keeps debris from collecting on the slides. This alone would be a deal maker for me, and that's the way I feel.

[grayfox]

I like the toppers on my Crusader. For the reasons Rugged Brown said. Never had any trouble with them in the wind or rain unlike the awning... always retract the awning when it's very windy. Just me

[Crusader]

Originally Posted by Rugged Brown

Using that rationale, why buy a camper with slides, or for that matter why buy a camper. I have factory installed toppers and the one advantage is that it keeps debris from collecting on the slides. This alone would be a deal maker for me, and that's the way I feel.

You have your rationale , I have mine...I just don't like toppers...
especially with ocean winds….. And I respect your opinion……..

[Herk7769]

A brief search on slide toppers here in the forum:

https://www.google.com/search?q=slid...iverforums.com

Must be 2,000 threads on that topic alone. Happy reading.

[youroo]

I like our toppers,that said your bargining might have cost you more in the long run. The toppers are cheaper installed at the Factory when built. Toppers for the D package now will be S/Order for the color. Youroo!!

[TexasBBQ]

I too prefer toppers. For the price they are well worth it. Unless of course you pay too much at the stealer. They aren't difficult to install if you're handy type.

[Nigels]

Our Stealership convinced us we needed them stating that if our slide seals got damaged from a branch or pine cone getting squashed in there the seal replacement would be $thousands, so being newbies we believed them and decided to have them.

However when we collected our rig they were not fitted and they didn't have the correct size in stock so we had to leave topper less.

After more than 200 days of camping we have managed very well without them. If we camp under trees I just climb the ladder to make sure we don't have any branches or cones.

Just my 3 pence worth

[VinceU]

After the last go round, I started to pay attention to slide toppers if fitted. My own unspported findings is: campers in seasonal sites tend to skip them. Units for travel and short stays usually have them fitted. My conclusion is seasonals leave slides open all the time. No concern with collection from trees every few days, slides with toppers however are nearly self sweeping as they come in, and last longer when rolled up!

[bikendan]

we made the mistake of not having one installed on our slideout, when we bought our HTT.
after only a couple of years of camping, we went to CW and had one installed.

we camp in wooded CG's and had lots of sap, residue, debris and junk that caused lots of slide issues. actually had to pry the seals loose with a butter knife so i could open the slideout. sticky tree residue got on the seals and it actually glued the slideout seals to the side of the trailer.

since we have had the slidetopper, no more issues.

[OldCoot]

Bought a Kodiak trailer without a topper and after a couple of months of fighting the debris getting inside when retracting the slide, we had the dealer install the topper. The dealer was very accomodating and only charged for the topper itself as a good will gesture. Wouldn't have a trailer with slides without the toppers.

[jeepman71]

Good Morning and thanks for the replys.

Youroo, your comments about the bargaining is well taken. We did buy this unit off the lot and saved a little change. We opted for a pair of generators in place of them installing the toppers. I spoke with the service manager and he responded they usually go as low as possible when installing toppers at the company's expence.

I priced out all three toppers in black hardware with full metal wrap and light brown fabric to match the roof installed at just under $1,700.00. If I install them they will be about $1,350.00.

What do you think about this price?

Jim

[youroo]

Originally Posted by jeepman71

Good Morning and thanks for the replys.

Youroo, your comments about the bargaining is well taken. We did buy this unit off the lot and saved a little change. We opted for a pair of generators in place of them installing the toppers. I spoke with the service manager and he responded they usually go as low as possible when installing toppers at the company's expence.

I priced out all three toppers in black hardware with full metal wrap and light brown fabric to match the roof installed at just under $1,700.00. If I install them they will be about $1,350.00.

What do you think about this price?

Jim

That is a good price for upgraded metal covered toppers,make sure they include the anti-billowing devices. Youroo!!

[JoeR]

We didn't have the slide toppers on our first camper and definitely wanted them on our second.

The first thing we noticed is when camping down south, the slide outs get hot. The toppers keep the sun directly off the top of the slides, which makes for a much cooler area.

Then there was the debris issue. No more pine needles to clean off each time we retracted the slides. Stop run em out, and just run em in when ready to go. With the other camper, I had to clean off the area before retracting, even if it was an overnight.

And lastly, one less chance of a leak during a rain storm. Yeah, it does occasionally rain when camping, even if I order up sunny skies for the whole trip.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by JoeR

The first thing we noticed is when camping down south, the slide outs get hot. The toppers keep the sun directly off the top of the slides, which makes for a much cooler area.

Then there was the debris issue. No more pine needles to clean off each time we retracted the slides. Stop run em out, and just run em in when ready to go. With the other camper, I had to clean off the area before retracting, even if it was an overnight.

And lastly, one less chance of a leak during a rain storm. Yeah, it does occasionally rain when camping, even if I order up sunny skies for the whole trip.

Yep, being in the South, the slide toppers work great for the reasons Joe pointed out. They also help quieten the sound of rain hitting the top of your slide out, which is directly over the head of my slide-out bed on my trailer. I had the misfortune of a long rainstorm hitting one night while camping, and it was extremely loud with the raindrops hitting the top of the slide-out, which doesn't have the insulation that your trailer roof has.

I added a pair to my camper nearly a year after I got it, and it made my life a lot easier, not having to clean/worry about the debris accumulating on the top of the slides.