Slide out topper Yes or No?

Search this Forum for lots of discussion on this subject. The diehards will state that toppers are more trouble than they are worth. They must enjoy getting up on the roof after each outing to clean off the slide. At 74 I want to minimize the number of times I climb onto the roof and I don't have to carry a squeegee or push broom.
$420 for labor seems high for what is probably a 2 hour job. Any other options in your area. It's a two person job, I think. I had my material replaced for $160 in the Chicago area but the mechanism was already installed.

Does installation require drilling holes through the roof? I have considered getting one as well, but currently use a small electric blower to blow off the top of the slideout. Snow isn't an issue for me.

A slide topper is another barrier for water to have to get through before it hits the slide seals, plus it means you don't need to deal with the debris on the slide top when retracting it.

If I get a rig with slides, I've been thinking of a Solera slide boot coupled with a slide topper. This combination should go a long ways in protecting against water intrusion.

I replaced the material in our previous TT's slide out awning and it was a cake walk. From looking at the rest of the awning, the only thing I would see as being difficult is the ability to poke a hole in a new TT. It didn't look like there was anything to it.

Even new TTs that I looked at, that don't have a slide out awning, have the piece that the material attaches to on the trailer already installed. Just need the awning part.

If you camp where it is any of the following, get a slide topper.

1) it's hot- slidetopper reduces heat buildup on the slide and reduces inside temps.
2) you camp under pine needles or leaves. A few pine needles under the seal and you'll find water can get in. topper really keeps the needles off.
3) you camp in the rain. rain dumps off, it's quiter in the rain, and less water on the top when you retract the slides.
4) you camp in the snow.

If you get them, consider getting the top of the line ones that roll into a aluminum canister. much cleaner looking and seem to last longer.

I had mine installed. Looking at the instructions, it looked to me it was a two person job and while I do almost all my own installation and maintenance, having them installed ended up being well worth the cost IMHO.

I know quite a few folks that have toppers, none have regretted getting them (ourselves included). the biggest comment is "I wish I would have done it sooner."

We have had toppers on the last 4 trailers and love them. The cost of the topper is reasonable but the installation is a little steep. They are easy to install, just look at one installed on another unit and go for it........

Eycom wrote:
I appreciate a topper. It keeps the debris, ie., leaves, moss or sticks off the slide and saves me from having to crawl up and sweep it. Adds a little shade during the summer. Nice too while winter camping. Snow rolls off before freezing to ice. All done with the push of a button from the inside. Bought my camper with the slide topper and don't remember the cost.

Same here, especially on the snow. Dew will get up there and freeze but rolls off with a slide topper. Note that on a previous RV, a TT, we had a slide topper installed after. It rolled up and flapped terribly in the wind, and we had to frequently bring the slide in to dump rainwater from it. Fast forward to our current RV that came with slide toppers/awnings. I noticed immediately that they rolled under, barely flap in winds, and dump rain water themselves. What a difference when they are correctly installed. Just be aware that if you experience any of this, it's not normal, not in our opinion.

I appreciate a topper. It keeps the debris, ie., leaves, moss or sticks off the slide and saves me from having to crawl up and sweep it. Adds a little shade during the summer. Nice too while winter camping. Snow rolls off before freezing to ice. All done with the push of a button from the inside. Bought my camper with the slide topper and don't remember the cost.

We got one because we frequently camp in wooded areas where things like pine needles, sticks, and sap land on the slide out and we like the protection the cover offers. I like the convenience of not having to get up there to wipe it off before sliding it in.

We had ours installed so I have no idea how easy/hard it would be.

I'm interested in knowing more also