slide toppers

CliffP · 10-27-2011, 09:51 PM

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 · 10-27-2011, 10:08 PM

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 · 10-27-2011, 10:10 PM

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 · 10-28-2011, 05:10 AM

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 · 10-28-2011, 06:42 AM

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 · 10-28-2011, 06:55 AM

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 · 10-28-2011, 09:32 AM

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 · 10-28-2011, 09:40 AM

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 · 10-28-2011, 09:50 AM

all of the above

CliffP · 10-28-2011, 10:14 AM

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

**bikendan** · 10-28-2011, 10:45 AM

we made the mistake of not getting one before we picked up our HTT. a year later, we were paying a lot more to have one installed.
we camp in wooded campgrounds a lot and we got all lot of debris and dirt and sap on the slideout.
in fact, a residue developed on the slide's seals and caused the slideout to stick to the side of the trailer. i had to put a butter knife in between the seals to break it loose.

since we've had our slide topper, this has never happened again.

definitely get one.

Freds342 · 10-29-2011, 04:09 PM

They are a necessity as far as I'm concerned. My current MoHo didn't have them when I bought it, so I bought a set of Carefrees from PPL. $717.00 for a 13 footer and a ten footer, including shipping (to a commercial address).

My SIL and I installed them in about two hours. Not at all technical. Just follow the pictures!

dezolen · 10-29-2011, 06:25 PM

Never had em never needed or missed them on 3 trailers. IMHO
Have better things to spend money on. No big deal to brush slides off before pulling them in. Roof and seals are designed to be used without slide toppers

rrdrtravelers · 10-30-2011, 07:54 AM

We are in our first FW and it came with them. Our previous TTs didn't have them. I love the slide awnings except for in really windy situations. I wonder about how they're engineered to withstand the wind. The noise they make sounds horrible. And to be honest, its not at all practical to close up the slides in wind. Our unit has 3 slides and when the 2 opposing ones in the kitchen/living area are closed, they touch so you can not get in that area. We would have to stand by the door or sit on the bed. Not practical at all. But we do notice the reduction in heat inside the slides when it's warm outside.

Freds342 · 10-30-2011, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrdrtravelers

We are in our first FW and it came with them. Our previous TTs didn't have them. I love the slide awnings except for in really windy situations. I wonder about how they're engineered to withstand the wind. The noise they make sounds horrible. And to be honest, its not at all practical to close up the slides in wind. Our unit has 3 slides and when the 2 opposing ones in the kitchen/living area are closed, they touch so you can not get in that area. We would have to stand by the door or sit on the bed. Not practical at all. But we do notice the reduction in heat inside the slides when it's warm outside.

Living in the desert, the biggie to me is the added shade and heat insulation offered by the covers. The roof on a slide is about 2 inches thick!

I've never closed mine in the wind. They aren't anywhere near as deep as the shade awning, so I see no reason (other than noise, maybe) to close the slides for fear of wind damage.

kwjeepxj · 10-30-2011, 05:12 PM

I just got back from Hagerstown MD. After spending a lot of time with the DW cleaning off Ice and leaves off of the top of the slide outs we will be getting toppers.

Lifetimer · 11-04-2011, 09:15 AM

My dealer told me that if a stick accidently gets between the slide and the seals when you are pulling the slide in, you are looking at a major repair because it will mess it up. Not covered under warrenty. The awning is a helpful deterent. Well worth the money.

Wildwood1 · 12-17-2011, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dezolen

Never had em never needed or missed them on 3 trailers. IMHO
Have better things to spend money on. No big deal to brush slides off before pulling them in. Roof and seals are designed to be used without slide toppers

Amen brother!

crocus · 12-17-2011, 09:01 PM

"Roof and seals are designed to be used without slide toppers"
-----------------------------------------
Funny so many people have problems with leaks then!
Slide toppers are one of the best investments, there is no doubt. The only people who don't think so are the ones who don't have them!

Stevea1956 · 12-17-2011, 10:27 PM

Our Windjammer didn't have them when we bought it and, like you, I researched the pros and cons of getting them.
When we had our TT in for factory repairs we had them install the slide toppers. Great investment! Not only do they keep debris from collecting on the slide out roofs but they really cut down on the noise when it rains. They also keep the ceiling much cooler in the summer.

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