I have a new ORV 23DBS with a single slide.I plan to go skiing and camp overnight. Do I need a slide cover for the snow? Seems logical but... Anyway, is it something I can install or dealer does?

Slide cover would be a good idea not just for snow, but any debris or rain. As to snow, without cover, you'll probably need to clear top of slide to even get the slide to retract. Pushing even a couple of inches of snow on the slide top, will pack into the top seal and jam the slide flange. Ask me how I know!!! Even with a slide cover or topper, most amounts of snow will force the vinyl down on top of the slide, but usually the stuff will fall off as the cover wraps around the tube. If anything, just have a broom handy to help knock the snow off as the slide retracts, esp if wet and heavy. You won't get any inside the trailer.I've installed 5 toppers on 3 different trailers, and very easy to do. Your slide certainly isn't 14 ft like our main slide, and it was the only one needing a second body to help with the heavy stuff. Great model is the Carefree SOKIII. You can find install pdf at Carefree website to get an idea of how to install.

That's a tough one. If you don't have a cover you'll have to clear off the top of the slide before you retract it. If you do have a cover the snow will collapse it and I'm not sure what the effects of doing that repeatedly are.Here is about 3" on mine. I have a long piece of styrofoam under each awning to support it in the rain - it sags bad. With the help of that, it took the snow ok but I didn't retract it that way. I'm not sure what would have happened if I had.BTW, my TT came with a grade of Carefree slide out covers that is so cheaply made, only the OEM can buy it. I can't even get parts for it.They really are a POC. I've installed the consumer grade of Carefree awnings and they are twice the product these are.I have no doubt I will have to replace them someday.Pure junk.

There is no good solution for snow. A lot of it will render a topper useless. Might be easier to deal with snow without one.

We are leaving MI and it is well below freezing. I like to have the topper thawed before trying to extend the slides. If it is frozen I worry about the slide pulling the topper attachment at the roof away from the roof. Might not be a problem if not frozen but it can be if solid.

rvshrinker wrote:I have a new ORV 23DBS with a single slide.I plan to go skiing and camp overnight. Do I need a slide cover for the snow? Seems logical but... Anyway, is it something I can install or dealer does?An alternative view that will no doubt raise the ire of some :R, but ...Given the OP's use this is all the more reason to select either a floor plan that has no slide(s) OR one in which the slide(s) when deployed still allow full access to the interior so when it is snowing one can simply leave the slide in the stored position. This ORV 23DBS doesn't meet that criteria. :( To the OP - be aware that when installing a slide topper one may have to replace the factory installed drip rail with an awning rail which secures the awning to the trailer side wall just above the slide.FWIW, my own trailer has a shallow sofa slide and I did not install a topper ... instead I carry a 3-step ladder so I can reach the slide roof to sweep it clear of any debris, including snow, which I have dealt with.The trick with snow though is to clear the slide top as soon as it begins to snow, then retract the slide so snow / ice will no longer be a concern. I can do that with my Coachmen 192RBS but one couldn't with the OP's trailer without severely limiting interior access so considering his intended use with a trailer he already owns it seems he has no choice now but to install a topper and try to not let it get clogged up with ice.

Slide cover for snowy weather | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

Huntindog
Explorer
Jan 08, 2018
There is no good solution for snow. A lot of it will render a topper useless. Might be easier to deal with snow without one.
ScottG
Nomad
Jan 08, 2018
That's a tough one. If you don't have a cover you'll have to clear off the top of the slide before you retract it. If you do have a cover the snow will collapse it and I'm not sure what the effects of doing that repeatedly are.

Here is about 3" on mine. I have a long piece of styrofoam under each awning to support it in the rain - it sags bad. With the help of that, it took the snow ok but I didn't retract it that way. I'm not sure what would have happened if I had.

BTW, my TT came with a grade of Carefree slide out covers that is so cheaply made, only the OEM can buy it. I can't even get parts for it.
They really are a POC.
I've installed the consumer grade of Carefree awnings and they are twice the product these are.
I have no doubt I will have to replace them someday.
Pure junk.
TUCQUALA
Explorer
Jan 08, 2018
Slide cover would be a good idea not just for snow, but any debris or rain. As to snow, without cover, you'll probably need to clear top of slide to even get the slide to retract. Pushing even a couple of inches of snow on the slide top, will pack into the top seal and jam the slide flange. Ask me how I know!!! Even with a slide cover or topper, most amounts of snow will force the vinyl down on top of the slide, but usually the stuff will fall off as the cover wraps around the tube. If anything, just have a broom handy to help knock the snow off as the slide retracts, esp if wet and heavy. You won't get any inside the trailer.

I've installed 5 toppers on 3 different trailers, and very easy to do. Your slide certainly isn't 14 ft like our main slide, and it was the only one needing a second body to help with the heavy stuff. Great model is the Carefree SOKIII. You can find install pdf at Carefree website to get an idea of how to install.

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Slide cover for snowy weather

13 Replies

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