Slide topper noise

[joeburnes]

I'm living in my first 5er. I have a 2004 Montana with slide toppers. During windy nights, I can hear the topper on my largest slide out flapping and it sounds like someone is slapping the roof of the slideout. The bed and the kitchen slideout toppers don't make noise so it appears to have something to do with the size of the slide. I checked the tension and it pulls the vinyl topper pretty tight but the wind is still able to "flap it". It also collects water in the middle. It doesn't seem like I can tighten the springs that hold it taut AND if I could it seems like that would be putting too much strain on the vinyl.

Any advice?
I'm considering making a contraption with PVC pipe and those floating foam tube things to sort of "tent up" the topper.

[joeburnes]

Sounds like a thin but long ratchet strap might be the easiest solution....and at the very least, rope tied back to itself would be super cheap. And either would store more easily than a pvc contraption. Gonna try the rope first and if it works, I'll switch to a ratchet strap (that could come in handy for other uses if needed). I'll let you guys know how it works for me.
Thanks again for all your help. I love this community.

[Community Alumni]

fj12ryder wrote:

Lantley wrote:

PackerBacker wrote:
After fighting with topper noise for several years, I no longer have them. Nice to have at times but too much of a nuisance especially when we camp in winter conditions.

My thoughts as well. Toppers create as many issues as they resolve

Not sure I agree with that.

+ They resolve the issue of leaves, pine cones, acorns, pine needles, etc. collecting on the slide and having to be swept off.

+ They keep the sun off the top of the slide and therefore help keep the trailer cooler.

+ They keep the rain from pooling on top of the slide and splashing inside when retracting the slide after rain or snow.

- They seem noisy to some people.

Well to each their own. Over the years I've had rv's with them and without them and through that experience, I prefer not to have them. I don't believe it's a matter of agreeing or disagreeing, it's a matter of personal preference. :C

... Eric

[fj12ryder]

Lantley wrote:

PackerBacker wrote:
After fighting with topper noise for several years, I no longer have them. Nice to have at times but too much of a nuisance especially when we camp in winter conditions.

My thoughts as well. Toppers create as many issues as they resolve

Not sure I agree with that.

+ They resolve the issue of leaves, pine cones, acorns, pine needles, etc. collecting on the slide and having to be swept off.

+ They keep the sun off the top of the slide and therefore help keep the trailer cooler.

+ They keep the rain from pooling on top of the slide and splashing inside when retracting the slide after rain or snow.

- They seem noisy to some people.

[Lantley]

PackerBacker wrote:
After fighting with topper noise for several years, I no longer have them. Nice to have at times but too much of a nuisance especially when we camp in winter conditions.

My thoughts as well. Toppers create as many issues as they resolve

[Community Alumni]

After fighting with topper noise for several years, I no longer have them. Nice to have at times but too much of a nuisance especially when we camp in winter conditions.

[Ramair]

I have the same issue with our motorhome and was thinking about using a rope around the topper to stop it from flapping. Only does it with high winds 20-mph or higher. Thought about adding another De-flapper on the other side and see if this will add additional tension and stop the issue.

[Homer1]

The idea you described in your post joeburns: is the one that worked best for me for many years and still use it. Just remember to pull the PVC out before retracting slide. That is simple just put a tag or something in the cockpit to remind you before you drive off. I tried the beach balls and the swim noodle and they did not work very well. The ball just made new places for water to congregate and the Swim noodle compressed to much under standing water.

[donn0128]

If your staying in one place for a while, go to Harbor Freight and buy yourselfa long 3or 4 inch wide tow strap and a package or ratchet straps. Wrap the tow strap over the topper and secure it with the ratchet strap around the bottom of the slide room. This will hold the material in place all winter. Did this a few years ago when we wintered in a very windy place. While others had damage,ours held perfectly.

[Johno02]

try a rope with a sandbag on each end. throw it over the slide topper from end to end, let sandbag pull it down. It will keep the open ends from flapping, and will allow more water to run off the ends. I don't like things under the toppers, because that is just more space for wind to catch in. But it works for some.

[tvman44]

Had that problem a few years ago, the 1st night I closed the slide for the rest of the night and the following morning I threw a strap over the topper and around the slide out and tied the ends together pulling the topper down a little and that worked fine for the rest of the week we were there in that high north wind.

[Janss]

Though I own a motorhome, I have exactly the same problems you do with my larger slide and no problem with my smaller slide. I just bring the large slide in on very windy days or nights. Put it back out in the morning. And then after a rain, I bring the slide in slowly to let the rain water pour off, then put it right back out.

[Paul_Clancy]

That or an inflatable- beach ball etc.