My family is new to this forum and to this lifestyle.We just purchased our first travel trailer (2018 Forest River Cherokee 294BH) and will take delivery in March (too cold in the Midwest right now). The dealership is asking if we want to install a few options before we take delivery and I am wondering if they are worth it or not. The first offering is for slide toppers for the two slide outs (super slide & bunk house) - the cost seems high for something I could probably do with a ladder and a broom, but I'm a novice (what do I know?). The second option is for a vent cover. This is something I believe is a good investment (low cost, high payoff) to keep moisture out of the RV. The final option was for a hard-wired power surge protector. I'm torn between getting an in-line protector or having it hard-wired. The in-line is less expensive, but there is a potential for theft - or am I wasting my money getting one all together?Thanks!

I don't have slides, can't help there.Vent covers are great, I don't know why they're not standard equipment. I installed mine, bought from Amazon two for $20 total shipped. Took maybe 30 minutes to install using self drilling screws instead of the junk nuts and bolts they came with. Now I can leave the vents open and not worry about rain, even when driving.Surge protector I bought an expensive inline unit due to pressure from this forum, surge protector have a strong fan club on this forum. It's not compatible with the way my inverter tests the shore power. It's buried, unused in storage for three years now.

Answering in part depends on your planned usage. If you are intending to stay in RV parks and will use the electrical hookups frequently AND will spend most days touring etc yes the built in surge protector is a good idea. If you intend to mostly boondock or dry camp in secluded areas, then you dont need it. Its dependent on your usage. Slide toppers along with keeping debris from damaging the seals on a slide out, provide shade along with rain shielding. If you only have the one AC unit in the trailer and intend to use it often, the slide toppers may help keep the trailer cooler as well as protecting the seals. And ,,,, enjoy the new unit.

I'd go yes on the slide toppers,I'd do the roof vent covers myself easy job four holes and nuts and bolts and it's done. The surge protector make sure you get the one that is engery magement system (EMS) not just surge protection and that's your call portable or hard wired. You can always lock the portable to the power post.

If you will be dry camping/boondocking, no surge protection is needed since you’ll not be plugging in. Solar systems and inverter generators don’t need them IMO to recharge. Spend that money on a solar system.

I also have no slides. But, you are correct, you can use a ladder and broom. Definitely get the vent cover. It's cheaper to DIY but either way they are worth installing.I have an inline surge protector. I bought it after a lightning strike very close to our RV. It damaged several items..Are they worth it? I don't know but it makes me feel better.Some on the forum feel they are not worth buying.

What to buy for a first time RV? | Good Sam Community

John_Wayne
Explorer II
Feb 10, 2018
I'd go yes on the slide toppers,I'd do the roof vent covers myself easy job four holes and nuts and bolts and it's done. The surge protector make sure you get the one that is engery magement system (EMS) not just surge protection and that's your call portable or hard wired. You can always lock the portable to the power post.
kerrlakeRoo
Explorer
Feb 10, 2018
Answering in part depends on your planned usage. If you are intending to stay in RV parks and will use the electrical hookups frequently AND will spend most days touring etc yes the built in surge protector is a good idea. If you intend to mostly boondock or dry camp in secluded areas, then you dont need it. Its dependent on your usage.
Slide toppers along with keeping debris from damaging the seals on a slide out, provide shade along with rain shielding. If you only have the one AC unit in the trailer and intend to use it often, the slide toppers may help keep the trailer cooler as well as protecting the seals.
And ,,,, enjoy the new unit.
GordonThree
Explorer
Feb 10, 2018
I don't have slides, can't help there.

Vent covers are great, I don't know why they're not standard equipment. I installed mine, bought from Amazon two for $20 total shipped. Took maybe 30 minutes to install using self drilling screws instead of the junk nuts and bolts they came with. Now I can leave the vents open and not worry about rain, even when driving.

Surge protector I bought an expensive inline unit due to pressure from this forum, surge protector have a strong fan club on this forum. It's not compatible with the way my inverter tests the shore power. It's buried, unused in storage for three years now.

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