Slide Toppers

[jbrack]

I am struggling with the decision to purchase/install slide toppers. While I see the benefits, I also see issues with sagging, standing water, wind tearing the thing apart, and the cost. I need three toppers and it looks like a decent quality product will set me back around $1000. I read many of the forums on this subject but they seem a bit dated. I am wondering if things have changed in today's world of slide toppers.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

Mont G&J wrote:
I have them and I don't regret it. When those west Texas winds blow, I fill an empty gallon milk jug with water and throw it up on top the topper to help keep the flapping down. When I close the slide the jug just falls to the ground.

Gads!! - I thought I had been hit on the head by a TX size HAIL STONE while walking through the campground.....right after I heard somebody yell, "Duck and Cover"!!..:W

~

[Mont_G_J]

I have them and I don't regret it. When those west Texas winds blow, I fill an empty gallon milk jug with water and throw it up on top the topper to help keep the flapping down. When I close the slide the jug just falls to the ground.

[Sargehut234]

Have them now and will never be without them again.
10 yrs. old and still look and work fine.

[Deraldjr]

I had installed after coming back from race in downpour. When we got to trailer the water was pouring in top of slide. The gasket didn't flip out right and its near impossible to see if the one on top goes out. Have to get on top and lay down and pull it out. No fun returning to a flooded trailer. Also am traveling now in southwest with little rain but lots of wind. They are annoying flapping around. 50 mph winds. Still will get on next one.

[ependydad]

3 pages and it proves my comments in this article:
http://learntorv.com/slide-toppers-aka-awnings-definitely/

[Splashers3]

Our 2009 CC Silverback came with Slide toppers. We just ordered our 2019 Cedar Creek WITH Slide toppers.....would never have a rig without them. Ours have held up real well, we keep them clean....very rarely have they flopped in the wind....and yes, you learn where to stand when they come in.

...and yes, I have stood under them with a long brush brushing WET pine needless off as they wound up.

Good Luck,
Mike

[mekkerl]

What product are those of you going with that installed them on your own?
And where are you purchasing from?

[fj12ryder]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"Well, we were in the Pacific Northwest last year and did get rained on twice: once for three days and once for 5 days."

Must have been in July.

LOL

[Cummins12V98]

"Well, we were in the Pacific Northwest last year and did get rained on twice: once for three days and once for 5 days."

Must have been in July.

[Durb]

I installed mine because my slides don't have a top flange and I use them to prevent water intrusion when the slides are closed. Came to appreciate them more when they rolled off a sheet of ice at Yellowstone. The ice would have certainly slid under the slide wipers and melted inside the trailer. In my mind they are "no brainer" conveniences which are worth the effort and expense. If your headboard is inside a slide the slide topper will make it quieter inside during a hard rain. I'm keeping mine.

[fj12ryder]

That's been my experience also Barney. I open the slides at home to unload, and check the roof a couple times a year, and I've never noticed any kind of detritus that has been rolled up in the slides.

I got the slide toppers to lessen the number of my chores, not add to them.

Yeah, we never camp where it rains either. Well, we were in the Pacific Northwest last year and did get rained on twice: once for three days and once for 5 days. 🙂

[BarneyS]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

They get rolled up inside the topper unless you get up there and remove before bringing in the slide. Of course I never stay where it rains!

Negative! I have had toppers on my rigs since 1997 and have never had anything get rolled up inside the topper when bringing it in. If you are worried about it, then all you need do is stand outside with a broom and brush the roller as it rolls up the topper. Never been necessary in my experience but I can see how it could happen with dried leaves after sitting for some time.

Bottom line - I never worry about what is on the topper when I bring slide rooms in. Whatever is up there always drops off as the slide goes in and the roller rolls up the material. Nothing gets caught in the slide seal as there is nothing there to get caught - thanks to the topper.
Barney

[Cummins12V98]

fj12ryder wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:
Our 2010 didn't come with them so we had them installed, and wouldn't have a trailer without them. No leaf blowers, no ladders, no long handled brooms, no worries. They keep the slides cooler in the sun, and if the rain puddles in them who cares? Any flapping they do in heavy winds is unnoticed. One of the best things you can buy.

What do you do when it's raining and the toppers are covered with pine needles or leaves when retracting the slides?

Nothing.

The rain and pine needles are outside, and stay outside when retracting the slide, unlike what happens when you don't have slide toppers.

They get rolled up inside the topper unless you get up there and remove before bringing in the slide. Of course I never stay where it rains!

[TJames1974]

have them on the three slide on my trailer. one is the bedroom slide right above our head. have never heard them flap. We have camped on the Oregon Coast in some pretty intense wind too. I never worry about bringing in wet slides of anything as the water is dumped off when I retract the slide. the biggest thing I have noticed is the install. if they are installed properly they work great. I wont be without them. I did go without them on the first trip and it sucked packing up in pouring rain and bringing the wet slides in. I dont worry about that anymore.