Forum Discussion

1L243's avatar
1L243
Explorer II
Nov 23, 2020

Have You Installed Your Own Slide Topper?

I am thinking of ordering and installing a slide topper on my RV. My side measures flange to flange at 7'6" (or 93"). When I go on Solera's site I see the closest topper sizes at 8' (or 96") or
8'6" (or 102"). Would either of these sizes work or would I have to do a special order?

Thanks
  • 1L243 wrote:
    I am thinking of ordering and installing a slide topper on my RV. My side measures flange to flange at 7'6" (or 93"). When I go on Solera's site I see the closest topper sizes at 8' (or 96") or
    8'6" (or 102"). Would either of these sizes work or would I have to do a special order?

    Thanks


    I have installed 2 of the Solera toppers to my Reflection. Lippert has a table that should be used to determine the length of the topper needed. You measure flange to flange length and then pick the correct P/N from the table that you find here and it all works out perfectly.

    https://lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws.com/quickreferences/ccd_0001820.pdf

    Rob
  • dedmiston wrote:
    I would love slide toppers, but what does everyone do in the winds? We get horrible winds where we camp.


    I Don't have slide toppers on current trailer but on previous trailer, they could withstand much more wind when compared to an awning......but some flapping is to be expected.
    My Colorado toppers were 10 yrs old when trailer was sold.
  • kellem wrote:
    dedmiston wrote:
    I would love slide toppers, but what does everyone do in the winds? We get horrible winds where we camp.


    I Don't have slide toppers on current trailer but on previous trailer, they could withstand much more wind when compared to an awning......but some flapping is to be expected.
    My Colorado toppers were 10 yrs old when trailer was sold.



    Same here, was in wind ,at times. Yes the one longest flapped a bit, and was annoying , but it never hurt the topper.
  • When my previous trailer was totaled by the insurance company, I pulled off the slide toppers and put them on my current trailer. I had to shorten the tube and awning a little since this is a smaller slide but it was not a big deal
  • Thanks for all the information but I have to confess I wimped out. Camping World had the Black 96" Solera on Sale for $280. They charged $135 in labor and another $30 in supplies for the install. They did the install in less than two hours.

    They did a great job and I could watch from a distance. The biggest pain was driving the 100 miles to the nearest CW in a major down pour.



  • I have been thinking of doing this myself also. One thing though, on our door side slide when the awning is deployed I only have 1.5 inches of clearance. The main slide is 152 inches. What size should I use? Thanks.
  • shadows4 wrote:
    I have been thinking of doing this myself also. One thing though, on our door side slide when the awning is deployed I only have 1.5 inches of clearance. The main slide is 152 inches. What size should I use? Thanks.


    Are you saying your current awning will cover your slide out?

    If my awning covered my slide out I don't think I would bother with a topper. I would either deploy the awning just enough to cover the Slide out or completely.
  • 1L243 wrote:


    Are you saying your current awning will cover your slide out?

    If my awning covered my slide out I don't think I would bother with a topper. I would either deploy the awning just enough to cover the Slide out or completely.


    No, I don't have a slide out awning currently. When I deploy my electric awning the awning arm clears the upper corner of the slide out by 1.5 inches. Not sure if I can even use a slide out awning with those close dimensions.
  • Ok, I get it. Typically a Slide Topper is measured outside flange to outside flange. My flange to flange measured 93 inches and I ordered 96 inches. My slide topper sticks out past the slide flange on each side about 3 inches on each side.

    You could order your slide topper a little less than the distance between flange to flange. Lets say yours measures 12'6". Instead of ordering larger you could order smaller lets say 12 feet which would be 6 inches less a difference of 3 inches on each side which hypothetically would put you flush with the flange.

    Of course you will have to check all your own measurements. And for something that close I would pay to have it done and tell them what your situation is so they can plan for it.
  • I installed 2 on son in laws 5th wheeler, easy job. You just need two people and 2 step ladder, The brackets on slide out have some adjustment in them.Took about 3 hours total.

About RV Tips & Tricks

Looking for advice before your next adventure? Look no further.25,101 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 14, 2025