Slide Out Toppers

[Galena]

Wondering why 5th wheels do not have slide out toppers? After having them on our class C and A, I think they are a "must have".

[fj12ryder]

Thanks, that answers my question about why the Carriage didn't need toppers.

Man, you've had some bad luck with toppers.

[FiverBob]

Had toppers on three of my motorhomes - - - hated them. Never leave your slides out in a windstorm - - lost two in a storm and wrapped one around the motorhome while driving. Last motorhome did not have them and my fiver does not. Noisy. Stuff (like birds and squirrels) get underneath them and try to build nests if you are stopped for a few days. Try getting that out before bringing in the slide. Guy beside me in a fiver on Fundy Bay in Nova Scotia had to leave his slides in while there because of the constant winds. His layout was lousy for living in without slide deployed. Nope - - no toppers for this kid. Some models like the Carriage (as stated) have a flat roof with no lip on the end therefore do not hold debris when the slide comes in.

Bob

[Dennis_M_M]

Our starter fiver and the current one have slide toppers - would not be without them. One advantage not mentioned so far is insulation from hot sun. Adding topper dropped the interior temp of our first fiver by 10-15 degrees on a hot sunny day.

Once in a blue moon they will flap in a high wind and snow can be a PIA if you don't get it off right away, but that is minor compared to the benefits.

[valhalla360]

fred42 wrote:
fj12ryder,

The roller is on the outer edge of the slideout. It rolls up the canvas as the slideout moves in. Most material that is laying on the canvas will fall over the edge as it rolls up.

Well, that is how it works for most folks, but I had to be a bigshot and get the Carefree SideOut Kover III with the optional cover to protect the fabric. I later found out that that was not for customers where there are trees. The cover creates a "leaf and pine needle motel" they check in, but they don't checkout. So, I still get to travel with a ladder and brush them off before closing.

While it's good to know, I will avoid your style topper, I believe he was refering to a previous comment that said a particular brand doesn't need toppers at all because they somehow automatically clear any debris.

I would be curious also.

[fred42]

fj12ryder,

The roller is on the outer edge of the slideout. It rolls up the canvas as the slideout moves in. Most material that is laying on the canvas will fall over the edge as it rolls up.

Well, that is how it works for most folks, but I had to be a bigshot and get the Carefree SideOut Kover III with the optional cover to protect the fabric. I later found out that that was not for customers where there are trees. The cover creates a "leaf and pine needle motel" they check in, but they don't checkout. So, I still get to travel with a ladder and brush them off before closing the slides.

[fj12ryder]

How does the slide clean itself as it comes in? I can't wrap my mind around how that works.

[kennethwooster]

The original Carriage products had their slide designed in away that you didn't need the toppers. I have had to shovel snow off slides with out toppers and sweep off dirt and leaves. The Carriage will clean by itself as it slides in. I guess If I ever change brands I may want the covers. I've heard people complain that they make a lot of noise in the wind.

[fj12ryder]

You rarely miss what you've never had. Of course that doesn't hold true where money is concerned. 🙂

[the_bear_II]

Never had them and never missed them.

[chevyman2]

We charge approx $550 per slide topper. That includes parts and labor. (To have one installed).

[Luke_Porter]

I got a loaded Elite Suites and skipped the toppers. Dealer told me they get loose and start flapping over time.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

Even my relatively cheap travel trailer came with slide-out toppers. An essential item for the heat of Texas IMHO.

[fj12ryder]

Not all dealers will rip you off. We had toppers installed on three slides and it was less than $1000 for all three. You just found a lousy dealer.

[schlep1967]

Short answer, MONEY. Dealers will order their stock without toppers. Then if you want them, they will charge you twice as much or more for them than you would pay the factory to install them.

Our Open range did not have them. We called the biggest dealer in our area to see what it would cost for the four slides. $3800. A few months later we had a leak issue and wanted to take it to the factory to get it fixed. When we dropped it off we asked about adding slide toppers while they had it. Cost us $1800.