Slide out awning

$800 sounds crazy steep. I've been kicking around this idea myself, and expect $350-450 installed which seems worth it to me. This is definitely on my to-do list also.

I also agree the toppers are worth every penny. We camp on the west side of Oregon a lot in many State parks with trees above.

I have always been surprised at how many RV's these days don't come with these slide awnings. I love them. Never a concern at all about sticks, rain, dirt, whatever. Just push retract and watch all the******fall off as the awning rolls up. $800 sounds steep although awnings are certainly not cheap. Then again EVERYTHING is WAY overpriced at RV dealers. See if you can find an awning repair man. He will likely install and sell one too you cheaper than the dealer and probably does the work for the dealer anyway.

It was very helpful to hear the pos and cons of the slide out awning. Our decision is to go without it for now and see how much time and effort we put out keeping the slide out clean and dry. That also gives us the opportunity to get another estimate or two. it is only the price stopping us. $800 is a lot of gas money and we're planning on 6000 miles this summer starting June 13.

As stated in previous post there are as many opinions on this subject as what truck to buy. I personally recommend the slide awnings. not only do I know myself well enough to know I'm not going to clean the slides every time I pull them in, when the wife and I were looking at used TTs several years ago and again this past year while looking at TCs we found that the majority of the RVs without slide awnings had water damage around the slide while most with the awnings did not. I attribute it to as much the problem you had, pulling the slide in during the rain or just puddled water on it. I have been told by dealers as well as other RVs that the awnings have nothing to do with stopping water damage but I can only comment with what I saw while looking at many used RVs. the TT we bought new in 2009 and had awnings installed on both slides, don't remember the cost but the wife thinks it was around $1200 for both installed, the TC already had one installed.

There are seals on the slides for when the slide is all the way open or all the way closed. No seal cleans/drys as the slide moves.

It is just a preference. Plenty of people with and without them. They cost money up front. They do keep the top of the slide cleaner (not clean all the time, just cleaner). They can flap in the wind. And they can break costing more money. They do save a couple minutes each time the slide is pulled in compared to getting ladders/hoses out and spraying/sweeping.

All I can say is mine was worth every penny and the OP quote of $800 is too rich.

The slide seals are supposed to prevent water from leaking into the trailer. You may have an issue that the dealer should address.

Some setup their TT with a slight tilt downward on the slide side to make sure rain runs off away from the TT. A slight tilt front to back using the tongue jack can also be helpful in encouraging rain to run off rather than into the trailer.

There are many threads on this forum about slide awnings. Supporters note that the slide roof stays cleaner and dryer, and they do not hear noisy raindrops hitting the slide roof. Others say that debris can blow under and be trapped beneath the awning and that windy conditions can flap the awning creating a lot of noise.

I try to keep things simple and either sweep or hose off the slide roof prior to departure.

donn0128 wrote:
Your going to get a ton of opinions on this subject. IMHO they are worth every penny.

True....and my opinion (having had rigs with and without) is that they are worth every penny.

Some of us clear the debris and water from the slide roof before retracting. I use a small lightweight ladder and a wide squeegee with telescoping pole.

I custom ordered my TT and had the dealer add slide room awning for $400 before picking it up. No regrets. It limits water/leaves/pine needles that get on the slide when out, then get inside when retracted.