Forum Discussion

Virginia_RVers's avatar
Mar 21, 2015

Slide Out Awning

I have a Crossroads PP 5er and thinking about adding a manual awning on my slide out. What concerns should I have on installing or extra weight on the slide out. Main awning is manual and to high to put out each time.

6 Replies

  • Gad I wish I could do that but my curb side slide is only 6'. Can't seem to find awnings that small.
  • When we were ordering our trailer back in 08 , we were specing it out with the factory rep at an open house.
    We were trying to decide the cut off point for factory installed options.. She told us that if we wanted that awning we need to have it done during the build.. They in fact pack out the slide walls with wood so the awning rail hardware has something to bite into..

    Now , that was KZ , and can assume that most others do the same?

    BTW- we ordered it and will probably never go without again,,,, almost the entire side of the camper is awning .. We put the table under one...and the chairs and stuff under the other..
    Here is ours with both awnings out... Before setting any chairs out...

  • We see a lot of 5th wheels with awnings on slide outs and It looks like a plan especially when the picnic table is on the end of the patio.....I may try it.....
  • The slide should be constructed the same as the side of the coach, so attaching shouldn't be a problem - however you will end up with a short arm awning because of the length of the arms and height available. There is nothing to attached to below the floor of the slide - it's all tin.

    If your main awning is electric, you might try an electric on the slide. they don't require near as log of arms. Ours has a Carefree electric on the slide.
  • You may find that there is very little material to attach the awning to. I ended up using long screws that go all the way through the wall and securing them with fender washers and locking nuts. They ended up in a overhead cabinet so they're not visible.
    It's odd to me that a manufacturer will install an awning rail to install a slide awning but no real good places on the slide itself to secure it. Makes you wonder what they were thinking.
  • Make sure you find the aluminum studs to secure the drip rail to, and use stainless steel sheet metal screws. Same issue with the side hardware attachment points. Look for an awning intended for truck campers or small trailers like pop ups, they will probably only extend out 6 ft, since that will be plenty on an already extended slide out.