Forum Discussion

flapbreaker's avatar
flapbreaker
Explorer
Jan 09, 2014

Slide Toppers - waterproof?

I have a 2000 Monaco with a slide topper that does not keep the water off. The fabric appears to be made for shade and not water. I want to replace the topper since water leaks into the rv somehow with the slide out. Is most topper fabric today intended to be water proof and is it realistic to think that the slider roof will stay mostly dry?
  • OK, I know of a topper that is heavier than OEM fabric. it is tough awnings.com. I bought a used TT and the living room slide was torn. I looked up the replacement material in my catalog and it would cost almost $400. I was researching how to install tops on You tube and ran across the RV Geeks and they told how they got their material so I took that step and found toppers for both my slides for $270. and the material is much heavier. I think if you really want to make the topper water proof, open the slide and get a can of scotch guard and spray it. I used scotch guard on a tent and it worked wonders to keep the tent dry during a couple of elk hunting seasons.
  • jorbill2or wrote:
    Slide toppers should be water proof however it would seem your leak is a seal ( the rubber around the opening) problem! slides WITHOUT toppers at all do not and should not leak! I'd fix or have fixed the slides seals before being concerned about the topper who's primary purpose Ive understood is to keep stuff , branches leaves etc off the slide roof not water , however it does do that.


    X2
    Find source of leak and then fix it.........slide out seals keep water out not slide toppers.

    Then after finding/fixing leak spray your toppers with water-proofing available at most any sporting goods store. Unless they are weathered/worn out..then replace them
  • My quotes to replace with the better material have $200 - $260 each slide no matter how long. Much better to r eplace when showing age the n to have rip out in the boonies. :)
  • We have a 2000 Monaco also and have noticed that the water shedding ability of the toppers is not what it used to be. Ours looks like a canvas and I just started researching and found that originally they were probably coated and that repeated washings, chemicals, sun, water, etc does over time destroy that coating. Have to find out for sure what these awnings are before we can recoat, but they are in great shape - do not fade and are not make like the new ones. Double stitching - scalloped edged and heavy duty.
  • Slide toppers should be water proof however it would seem your leak is a seal ( the rubber around the opening) problem! slides WITHOUT toppers at all do not and should not leak! I'd fix or have fixed the slides seals before being concerned about the topper who's primary purpose Ive understood is to keep stuff , branches leaves etc off the slide roof not water , however it does do that.
  • My slide awnings are waterproof and keep most of the water off, suppose to be there purpose from what I understand. Just replacing mine, went with an upgraded fabric to handle winds better.