First off, This is not a thread for folks to exclaim how they don't like awning toppers, why they wont have them or what ever. I like them (had one on last TT) and it's going to stay. This is a conversation for constructive ideas. Our new TT has a long, wide slide and like so many, the awning over it sags and allows a large puddle to form when it rains. I plan on having the dealer check it out when I bring it back for something else but I know there's litle that can be done.I would like to hear peoples methods of combating the problem. What's your fix?Pics welcome!

Here is what I use and it's about 4' long and current version has a rope tied to it so I can simply pull it out from under the awning from the ground. You may need one on each side depending on width of slide out cover.Larry

Beach balls tend to get a lot of mention.

When we had a long (super slide) with an awning I used two tether balls. They have a rope attached...(Big 5 Sporting Goods store).I like LarryJM's solution better. Just shove the block of foam up under the awning using a long handled window washer tool..no ladder needed.

I am with you Scott..This is the first RV we have had that has the longer slide, and we also had a puddle issue.. I made these to fix the issue... I put 1 in the front of the slide, and 1 in the rear..I used 1-1/4 PVC in 6' sections, a couple of T's, and an eyelet on the end. I use my awning rod to pull out the sections before retracting the slides, no ladder needed to get them out.. I only painted 1 end, since you only see 1 end when it is in place.. They are very light, easy to carry, and user friendly.. ( to me ) Joe

I only have about 6" of clearance so Larry or Joe's idea's would work best.Joe, Do you have a way to keep the middle of your PVC from sagging? (I like the awning rod idea - brilliant!)

Sagging Awning Toppers - fix idea's | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

Griz14
Explorer
Aug 14, 2017
ScottG wrote:
Great idea's but where do you store something 12' long?

I suppose you could cut it in half and put a coupling in the middle.
ScottG
Nomad
Aug 14, 2017
2chiefsRus wrote:
just be careful about adjusting the fabric too tightly. If you get it tight enough to not sag in the middle, you will be back on here in a year or so asking how people fix the small tears on the ends of their toppers.

Yeah, I can see that happening with this thin material.

It's really disappointing how poor the quality has become with these awnings.
2chiefsRus
Explorer
Aug 14, 2017
just be careful about adjusting the fabric too tightly. If you get it tight enough to not sag in the middle, you will be back on here in a year or so asking how people fix the small tears on the ends of their toppers.
Hondavalk
Explorer II
Aug 14, 2017
not trying to be a smart... but I just let mine sag. Either the wind will blow the water off or when I bring in the slide in will clear itself.
parcany
Explorer
Aug 14, 2017
We use balls that were bought from Walmart. works good for us. 2 balls under each topper.
ScottG
Nomad
Aug 14, 2017
ford truck guy wrote:
ScottG wrote:
Great idea's but where do you store something 12' long?

I don't... they are 6' sections... I put them in the front of the slide and the back of the slide.. takes me seconds...

They DO NOT reach the middle of the slide, but the middle of my slide toppers are tight, it was 2 seperate puddles, front and rear

I see.
I get an enormous puddle in the middle and the material looks to be stratched out. It sags down about 3" even now that it's dry.
My TT has to go back to the factory anyhow. I'm going to dump this problem on them.

Our old TT had a fairly deep slide and it never did this. I think it was becasue of three things; I installed the awning myself and made sure it was very tight. It also had a good slope to it and lastly, the awning tube was MUCH more substantial and didn't bow inward in the middle like this cheap little thing does.

I have to wonder that if they had used the awning rail across the top edge of the roof instead of the thing they installed just above the slide, they would have avoided all this because it would have had a lot of slope.
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Aug 14, 2017
ScottG wrote:
Great idea's but where do you store something 12' long?

I don't... they are 6' sections... I put them in the front of the slide and the back of the slide.. takes me seconds...

They DO NOT reach the middle of the slide, but the middle of my slide toppers are tight, it was 2 seperate puddles, front and rear
Halmfamily
Explorer
Aug 14, 2017
I just tilt the nose of the FW down to drain off the water and then relevel. Takes about 60 seconds and done.
ScottG
Nomad
Aug 14, 2017
Great idea's but where do you store something 12' long?
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Aug 13, 2017
Here are 2 pics of them in... the second one was taken from the top entry step ,( thats how I put that one in and take it out) ..that's why you can see white on the bar..