Slide Topper Question

Both of my FW's have not had toppers. I considered them but they are expensive to add. We follow the warm temperatures but have 2 air conditioners. I just can't see spending that kind of money on something without greater benefit.

I don't think they help prevent any issues with a slide leaking. Water still blows in under them.

abc40kids wrote:
My Cardinal has them (3 slides) they do there job but after 9 years look bad and have for a few years. I've had to use awning tape in spots on all 3. So I just bought a new 5er with 5 slides and no toppers. I told my wife awhile back I wouldn't do toppers again and I don't mind sweeping them off, no big deal.

I've read all the pros and cons, many love them many hate them.... I guess my question is if the dealers thought you would leak w/o they would all have them?? If I'm good w/o I don't want them. Seems to me they might block some heat and keep debris off the slide but if that's it I'll pass. What do ya'll think??

Pass yes they may block heat and debris. But they also flap in the wind and pool water when it rains. They create any many issues as they resolve.

abc40kids wrote:
My Cardinal has them (3 slides) they do there job but after 9 years look bad and have for a few years. I've had to use awning tape in spots on all 3. So I just bought a new 5er with 5 slides and no toppers. I told my wife awhile back I wouldn't do toppers again and I don't mind sweeping them off, no big deal.

I've read all the pros and cons, many love them many hate them.... I guess my question is if the dealers thought you would leak w/o they would all have them?? If I'm good w/o I don't want them. Seems to me they might block some heat and keep debris off the slide but if that's it I'll pass. What do ya'll think??

don't like them. just another hole put in the skin on ur trailer!

I've always had them and don't leave home with out them....;). Where we camp is the west side of Oregon so have trees above most times. Even in high winds don't have a problem. I wouldn't be without them.

Trailer Life has an article on replacing the topper fabric this month.

We've been using toppers for 19 years and for us being fulltimers, we wouldn't be without them.
There is no insulation in the top of the slides so having the topper will help keep you cooler in the summer as the heat will hit the topper 1st shading the top of the slides a bit. Reverse in cold weather as it acts like a shield keeping the cold from directly going into the top of the slide.
We too replaced the toppers and all of our awnings when we had our 5th wheel updated in 2010. This is what works for us. Hugs, Di

Keep in mind there are different grades of awning fabrics and if you get a topper that's entry level it's only got about 4-5 years in frequent exposure before the UV and ozone begin to deteriorate it. Personally, I will absolutely never got without toppers on my slides because of all the pros of shedding water, protecting the roofing and top seal on the slide, and providing the thermal break. If you get a quality topper that is properly hung (that's key) you won't have to fuss with bellying, flapping, or it holding water. With regard to properly hanging it, if it doesn't come direct from the factory installed, I install it myself. I have yet to find a single dealer service department install one properly so that it has proper tension across the whole face because they nearly all make the same exact installation mistake - following a body line versus making absolutely certain to parallel the slide-out.

We had and have them on our trailers. It is not too expensive to replace the fabric. That is what we have done.

I am too old to sweep the trash off the slides and I never was fast enough to sweep the heat off.

So yes we like the slide toppers.

I have 3 slides with them but like you age has taken its toll on them, 2 of mine that were always in the sun have failed and I do notice a heat difference when camping with them not there as far as leaks I dont think not having them will make a difference. I see a lot of them without slide toppers. I wish they would sell them with the weather shield like awnings have because that is where mine failed is the last 5-6 inches not protected by the outer shield. When I can afford to replace mine I think Iwill use the eternabond tape like others have use to protect the exposed area when they are closed. Love when there working hate them when it comes time to replace them.