Slide Out Awning Replacement Fabric

Pass42.....If you plan to change them yourself, here are a couple of tips. Many toppers use a lot of extra fabric to fit different size slides. I removed my material and cut off about 8" that was exposed and had a local shop stitch the edge back up. They did all four of my toppers for $100.00. They lasted about another three years. If yours are beyond repair, either order on line or fine a local boat shop as suggested. When I eventually replaced mine, I went to a boat shop and used Sunbrella material with nylon stitching.

Lastly.....my toppers were made by Carefree. If yours are like mine, I was able to remove the material by my self with very little effort. I removed the slide topper decorative aluminum cover (your may or may not have this). I fully extended my slides and then turned the slide tube by hand until the slot with the end of the material was exposed. I put a screwdriver into the end of the tube and locked the roller tube. I then brought the slide back in until it was only sticking out about six inches, leaving the material loose.

On the driver's side front slide, I took a dremel to the cap at the front of the slide and cut a small groove in the cap that matched the slot where the fabric was inserted. I removed the screw in the rain drip rail on the coach that keeps the material from moving and then just slid the material out of the rain gutter and slide toward the front of the coach. On the driver's rear slide, I cut the slot on the rear of the topper so I could slide the material out toward the rear. Passenger side front would go forward and passenger rear would go backwards.

This makes it a fast one person job.

Sunbrella, 100% acrylic manufactured by Glen Raven Mills in N.C.

Get your measurements, go to a Marine Canvas Shop and have an RV tech install or your self and a partner.

Secret is acrylic fabric and acrylic thread (not cotton).

Sunbrella is widely known in the marine world and hidden as the fabric used in the RV world (Carefree of Colorado for example does not reveal the manufacturer).

Thanks to all for their replies.......I appreciate the input.... I sent my measurement s to Tough Tops, will probably order soon.......

Ivylog wrote:
The sewing on mine started breaking so removed to restitch as the fabric was still in OK shape. All but one had enough unused fabric that by cutting off the old I had almost new fabric showing. Should be good for another 10 years.

I cut about 4" off of mine as well and had the bead stitched back in by my boat upholstery lady. That's been quite a while ago and it still had plenty enough wraps on the roller.

Stone Vos makes top quality toppers -- They made toppers & window awnings for us -- Check out their web site -- Bill Willard

Ordered 2 from Tough Tops last Spring. Both were better quality fabric then original, but looked to be sewn with same thread type that originals were? - which is what caused the originals to "give up". Anyway they fit perfectly. One I installed myself and the 2nd larger one I needed 5 min help with. We used 2 - 8' stepladders. Cost was ~1/2 of what Carefree wanted.

I replaced one of mine last year with one from Tough Tops. The topper was better quality than the one I replaced. When I have to replace any of the others they will be from Tough Tops. Ray will answer any questions you have, and removal and replacement was easy. Me and the DW did ours, it was the first time I had replaced one, and it took about 2 hours from start to finish.

The sewing on mine started breaking so removed to restitch as the fabric was still in OK shape. All but one had enough unused fabric that by cutting off the old I had almost new fabric showing. Should be good for another 10 years.

Thumbs up for Tough Top from me.

I replaced all four of my slide toppers theis spring with Tough Tops. Excellent quality, fit was perfect, installation surprisingly easy. Like Dave said, definately a two person job. The instructions said to use a cotter pin to keep the spring roller from turning, but I found a 1/4-20 X 4" long bolt to be preferable. I opened the slide about one foot, put the bolt in the roller, ran the slide back in 1/2 way, removed the keeper screws and everything came out easily. I used the same silicon lube that we use for "O" rings on the pool filters to lube the grooves.