Things I don't see anymore?

[Red-Rover]

Remember those air foils bolted to trucks to improve aerodynamics when towing? Did they not work or do these plastic nose covers do a better job?
Remember those roll out awning material covers installed over the slides? Don't see those anymore because??? Too expensive? no longer offer a benefit?
Just wondering out loud here, if these things worked 15 years ago should we not have them today?

[Splashers3]

A buddy of mine had an airfoil on his 3500....but took it off when he traded up to a class A.

We just ordered a new 2019 5ver and made sure to get slide toppers....wouldn't own one without them. Noticed in the brochure that it will no longer have scare lights, as our 2009 has....which only got used once in awhile.

We asked that it NOT come with the new MorRyde 1 piece folding stairs, we still asked that it come with the old style 4 step folding stairs. We know folks that have already gone back to the older style.

[Me_Again]

one_strange_texan wrote:
By "plastic nose covers," do you mean bug screens?



They were very popular in the late 80's early 90's time period, now a lot less so. I used to have one. They also helped prevent dings to the front of the hood by thrown pebbles.

As for the toppers, as others have said, they are quite common. I have had them on my 2 fifth wheels. They are especially useful for drenching someone standing in the wrong place when you bring in the slides after a rain and they suddenly dump all the water they have collected. 🙂

On our old 93 RAM the windshield washer water would never land on the windshield until I remove the plastic piece that was added to the front of the hood by the original owner.

[Range_Maggot_Bo]

Super_Dave wrote:
My new Big Country didn’t come with slide toppers and I didn’t know whether to be concerned or not. My 12 year old RV that I got rid of had the toppers. Has there been an advancement in slide designs or should I be thinking about having toppers added?

SuperDave- I have the solution. This is what I did. Bought my wife a cordless SHARK leaf blower and a 6' aluminum ladder, which attaches to my permanent ladder on the RV. :B

[fj12ryder]

I wouldn't be concerned with it not having toppers, it's pretty much a personal preference sort of thing. I wouldn't have a unit without them. They really help keep the heat down inside when you're in direct sunlight, and help lessen the mess when you have to bring the slides after it has rained, or if it's really leafy.

[Super_Dave]

My new Big Country didn’t come with slide toppers and I didn’t know whether to be concerned or not. My 12 year old RV that I got rid of had the toppers. Has there been an advancement in slide designs or should I be thinking about having toppers added?

[SDcampowneroper]

Sales gimmicks. Air foils front or rear , those little cone shaped foils on rear side walls supposed to give better fuel mileage are gone along with magnets on the fuel line. If they worked, the savings never recovered the cost.
Look at what % of semis have those rear opening foils. If they Really helped, all would have them. When it sounds too good to be true, take a step back.

[Range_Maggot_Bo]

Air foils- gone with the 80s. Bug guards and slide toppers? Where you been? Under a rock? :E

[ScottG]

I like slide toppers. Installed it myself on the last TT and it was great. New TT came with cheapest junk engineers could come up with and they're worthless (you can't even buy this model of Carefree..).

Something you don't see much anymore is those "Scare lights". Instead they have some very useful task lights mounted down lower.

[Njmurvin]

My current trailer has slide toppers. Not my choice - it came with them. I have had to bring in the main slide at least once due to high winds (noise was keeping me awake).

[Hondavalk]

https://www.rvupgradestore.com/AeroShield-56-x-22-Wind-Deflector-White-p/25-0072.htm?gclid=EAIaIQobC...

These?

[ScottG]

I see one advertised in this months Trailer Life.

[one_strange_tex]

By "plastic nose covers," do you mean bug screens?



They were very popular in the late 80's early 90's time period, now a lot less so. I used to have one. They also helped prevent dings to the front of the hood by thrown pebbles.

As for the toppers, as others have said, they are quite common. I have had them on my 2 fifth wheels. They are especially useful for drenching someone standing in the wrong place when you bring in the slides after a rain and they suddenly dump all the water they have collected. 🙂

[Second_Chance]

As stated, the "air foils" for pickups never mounted close enough to the front of the fifth wheel to be effective (look how close they are to the front of the trailer on modern tractor-trailers). In addition, the aerodynamic design of the front caps on most new fifth wheels does a far better job than either a bolt-on air foil or the older squared-off front ends of fifth wheel RVs. Finally, the best thing you can do for mileage while towing is to slow down.

Rob

[Michelle_S]

Ditto above.
Air Foils/Wings can work, but you just about need a large Air Chamber to view the air flow and adjust accordingly.
As for Slide toppers, where have you been camping, they are all over the place, probably at least 50% of RVs have them, while they are a personal preference.