Slidetoppers - Yes or No?

awellis3 · 02-10-2013, 10:08 AM

Were looking at a Rockwood and considering factory-installed options, slidetoppers being one.
What are the pros and cons? What is your experience if you have them?
If you don't, are you glad, or do you wish you did?
All experiences, especially as it applies to mechnical reliability and weather-related issues will be appreciated.

Wright

**ependydad** · 02-10-2013, 10:16 AM

Slide toppers seem to be one of those RVing religious debates...

Pros: keeps crap off your slides. With them, you don't have to climb up and sweep off the slide roof before bringing in the slides. In theory, it should keep the slides cooler since the they block the sun from hitting the top of the slide.

Cons: extra thing to maintain and/or break. Can be noisy in high-wind scenarios

I have them. I'd buy them again, happily.

I don't know that I've ever read of anyone who has them and either removed them or wouldn't get them again. I have read plenty of people who will never have them.

TURBS · 02-10-2013, 11:03 AM

I personally have not seen a need or use .
Found spending my money elsewhere is of more benefit.

Jmo

Turbs

puff · 02-10-2013, 11:03 AM

Have them on our CC36RE. Little loud for rattling on the windy days but solved that problem. Would I get them again - YES.

It is one more thing to maintain but the value is great and realistically the maintenance on them is minimal.

Hope that helps..!

youroo · 02-10-2013, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ependydad

Slide toppers seem to be one of those RVing religious debates...

Pros: keeps crap off your slides. With them, you don't have to climb up and sweep off the slide roof before bringing in the slides. In theory, it should keep the slides cooler since the they block the sun from hitting the top of the slide.

Cons: extra thing to maintain and/or break. Can be noisy in high-wind scenarios

I have them. I'd buy them again, happily.

I don't know that I've ever read of anyone who has them and either removed them or wouldn't get them again. I have read plenty of people who will never have them.

100% agree,also Fac.install & Price better than most Dealers!

Youroo!!

caper · 02-10-2013, 11:20 AM

We have the toppers on our unit. I would have them installed on the next unit we purchase. The can be noisy in the wind. We have found that by putting air mattresses under the topper it stops the flapping and the rain will not pool on the topper. One advantage is that they keep the top to the slide out dry and clean.

camper1999 · 02-10-2013, 11:29 AM

I had them on my last trailer and had them installed where I could on my new trailer. I would recommend getting them. I never found them to be noisy and as someone said the maintenance is minimal. It helps keep the rain off and out on flat slides and of course debris. Toppers is something I look for on every new trailer.

**ependydad** · 02-10-2013, 11:49 AM

And there you have both sides.

Now, I want up hear someone who had them and then later opted against them for future campers. Then you'd have the trifecta!

awellis3 · 02-10-2013, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ependydad

Slide toppers seem to be one of those RVing religious debates...

I was afraid of that.
So ... they can be noisy. That's a big deal as Penny is a light sleeper. Solve by carrying cheap air matress for those windy occasions, eh?
How about mechanical issues?

Thanks for the prompt responses,
Wright

GASPEDDLER · 02-10-2013, 11:56 AM

Never used or found a need for them. Others will disagree.

bgarbo · 02-10-2013, 12:35 PM

Dont have them on my 8315bss. I do the climb and sweep b/4 bringing the slides in. If you ever park under an oak tree in the fall you will probably wish you had them. Thinking about adding them.

Capt. Mike · 02-10-2013, 12:55 PM

When we bought our Rockwood 2604, it was a dealer's stock unit. We had the dealer install one before we picked the tt up. I'm glad we did it, but it was expensive to have it done "aftermarket". When we ordered the new Windjammer last month, we spec'd them as a factory-installed option on boh slides, and it was less than having the dealer install one topper. I'm a believer so that you DON'T have to climb up and sweep acorns, sticks and leaves off the top of the slide before bringing it back in.

camper1999 · 02-10-2013, 12:55 PM

Well your are getting both sides. Another consideration is where you camp. If you camp around a lot of trees, like state parks, and do not mind crawling up on the roof of your trailer to clear any debris that have fallen on your slides then your probably do not need them. I know a lot people keep saying they are noisy but I had them on all of me trailers and can say i never heard anything from my toppers. When ordering options it is all about convenience. Could you do without electric jacks, could you do without a bike hitch, could you do without thermopane windows, or a bigger mattress, sure but why. It may sound crazy to say but another $1,000 or so to have all the coveniencesis is worth it to me. Especially after you put it into perspective you spent $$,$$$ on a truck and $$,$$$ on a trailer another $,$$$ of options I do not even think about. Just me!

bob213 · 02-10-2013, 01:11 PM

We have them an would buy them again. Deeper the slide the more chance of wind noise, but there are ways to quiet them. NOW (from the factory) is the cheapest time to get them.

ENCS · 02-10-2013, 01:58 PM

Last RV didn't have them. This 1 does and I would have them on the next 1 if there ever is a next 1.

jodyand · 02-10-2013, 03:49 PM

I have one on mine it came with it. But if i buy another it will have one. Never had any nosie from ours and we have been in alot of wind at times. Maybe the springs on ours is too tight

But it been on since new. In about another year will have to change it out as its starting to show its age.

Crusader · 02-10-2013, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

I personally have not seen a need or use .
Found spending my money elsewhere is of more benefit.

Jmo

Turbs

2X that !!

**Herk7769** · 02-10-2013, 05:21 PM

Another "often asked" question.

A search on slide toppers here (green search box on PC browsers) will reveal hundreds of threads.

jeffh · 02-10-2013, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

I personally have not seen a need or use .
Found spending my money elsewhere is of more benefit.

Jmo

Turbs

So true

WEMig · 02-10-2013, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camper1999

If you camp around a lot of trees, like state parks, and do not mind crawling up on the roof of your trailer to clear any debris that have fallen on your slides then your probably do not need them.

X2

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