I added a slide out cover just before going on our huge trip to the west coast and back.Something we ran into on our trip out west was high winds, sometimes with gusts up to 45 mph.I know awnings can't be out in high winds.My question is this. Will those same high winds damage and extended slide topper? Not knowing, and not wanting to have mine torn off, during times of high winds, I pulled in the slide.Was I right in being cautious, or was I over cautious?

We have a slide topper. I never thought about it but you have a good point. 45mph wind is a big deal. I think I would have been thinking the same thing. But the other thing to remember is that the slide topper is anchored to the slide at slide extension and the extension is not as long as the awning. It also doesn't have the space underneath it to get really gusty like the awning.

We had slide toppers on our last trailer. We were out west in extreme winds last year. The winds were so strong it was difficult to walk and our trailer was rocking side to side. It was difficult to sleep because of the noise from the toppers flapping in the wind. I was worried about the toppers too. Didn't have any problems with ours. The year before we were in an open campground in Utah. You could hardly see because the high winds blowing the soil around. Three years of ownership never had a problem with toppers.

Thanks to gramps I feel more comfortable with the 3 slide toppers I have. Thanks for that feedback. Crawfordville makes a good point also. Toppers are actually well secured.

You did the right thing. Flaping in the wind can destroy them. One method I have used is a length of rope around the whole slide-out. Some I have seen used inflatable beach balls, placed under the topper at each end. Both methods seem to work quite well.

Tie them down. We full timed i the columbia gorge this past winter. I got some 3 inch wide tow strapa and tied them down one fella did not and it cost him one slide topper.

Question for those who have slide covers. | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

Community Alumni
Apr 16, 2014
Took mine off ; after several seasons of fighting the wind and noise especially during winter in South Carolina. Nice to have in treed areas especially in the fall but not worth the agrivation in my opinion.
Itchn2go
Explorer
Apr 16, 2014
Pull the slides in when the wind is high, better safe than sorry. Never leave the campground with your awning out. Again better safe than sorry. Electric awnings are awesome.
wmoses
Explorer
Apr 16, 2014
Atlee wrote:
That is why I was very particular about the floor plan I got that had a slide. I made sure I could get to my bed, my bathroom, refrigerator, sink and stove. All we lose is space in the middle of the floor. It's tight with the slide in, but we can use all facilities.

I too was particular in the choice of floorplan and focused on the massive amount of expansion the two opposing slides in the living area provided. Potential awning topper failure in windy conditions was never a consideration and is still not a consideration. The way I look at it is - if concerned about the infrequent storms then just pull in the slides. :)

If we were to be preoccupied with high winds then we have the wrong pasttime - ever notice what windy weather trashes first? Trailer parks and campgrounds. There will always be some wind velocity too high for some trailer or the other. :)
Drippin
Explorer
Apr 16, 2014
Had to pull my slide in this past weekend at the MotoGP race at COTA due to very high winds on Saturday night. Could not sleep with all of the racket the topper was making.
Pangaea_Ron
Explorer
Apr 16, 2014
We pull our slides in during strong winds. It seems that the wind puts a lot of stress on the upper corners of the fabric, and it's really loud.
JJBIRISH
Explorer
Apr 16, 2014
I have never pulled my slide in after 15 + years of full timing… only once have I heard it flap… if yours flaps I believe the chances are good it hasn’t been installed correctly in the first place…

rain will cause ponding on a topper, but so what, the ponding itself hurts nothing…
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Apr 16, 2014
I have pulled in my slide due to excessive wind noise, flapping, etc.
bumpy
Atlee
Explorer II
Apr 16, 2014
wmoses wrote:

Seems to me either technique could result in localized stretching of the fabric around the edges where the beach balls or straps were. If the winds are that high then I'd retract the slideouts and wait out the storm elsewhere if need be (i.e. in my trailer I would not be able to use any space other than the bathroom and bedroom).

That is why I was very particular about the floor plan I got that had a slide. I made sure I could get to my bed, my bathroom, refrigerator, sink and stove. All we lose is space in the middle of the floor. It's tight with the slide in, but we can use all facilities.
harold1946
Explorer
Apr 16, 2014
wmoses wrote:
harold1946 wrote:
You did the right thing. Flaping in the wind can destroy them.
One method I have used is a length of rope around the whole slide-out. Some I have seen used inflatable beach balls, placed under the topper at each end. Both methods seem to work quite well.

Seems to me either technique could result in localized stretching of the fabric around the edges where the beach balls or straps were. If the winds are that high then I'd retract the slideouts and wait out the storm elsewhere if need be (i.e. in my trailer I would not be able to use any space other than the bathroom and bedroom).

Never had a issue with stretching the fabric but I guess it is possible. The object is to stop the flapping, its not necessary to stretch the fabric. I have been using the rope method, when needed, for over fifteen years, so I am fairly new at it. :B
dadmomh
Explorer
Apr 16, 2014
Our side is about 24" wide and around 18' in length. Have never had problems with it or the one on the HTT (smaller)....at least in wind. If it extends further out, I'd likely pull it in if possible. Rain can be a culprit in weighing down the slide awning. If it's just light to moderate rain, I'll slowly close the slide in the morning and let the water drain off. If it's a real downpour, more often. The weight of a heavy rain bent the aluminum tube on our patio awning in half and trashed the entire thing one night when we didn't realize it was pouring and it wasn't tilted. We're of the mind that if there is any doubt, close it up until things settle down.