Slide out topper Yes or No?

[ccarrington99]

I have had my TT for about 5 months now and thinking of getting a slide out topper? Shop said it would cost about $350 for topper and $420 to install. Is it worth it?

Is it easy to install yourself to save the $420?

Thanks

[Drum]

I'll never have slides without toppers again. Those seals aren't exactly watertight when you're open, and toppers are a water barrier.

[ccarrington99]

Thanks all.

I did just call CW to get a second estimate. They will install for $70 plus price of topper, that is a no brainer for me.

[phenrichs]

Do a youtube search. I don't have the link handy but I watched a video on installing them and it is a 2 person job but looks pretty easy.

[dbbls]

Camping World charges $81 installation. The $420 quote in way off unless it includes the price of the topper also.

[Big_Love]

I think it depends on the type of camping you do. Pros have been outlined above. Some cons are flapping in the wind and pooling of water on the cover. More noise in RV if flapping in the wind. Some need a beach ball or similar device underneath the cover to prevent this. Airborne stuff can still get underneath the cover which may still require some attention before closing the slide.

[Doug33]

Having just gone through the process of buying a new TT, I can say that very few models on dealer's lots have the slideout toppers. And at the CGs, it seems that most of the toppers are on high-end MHs, not on travel trailers. I was just thinking about this because when I park on the side of my house, I can look down from my upstairs bedroom and see the roof of the TT. With the slideout extended, I can see that there are a few leaves and pine needles on top of the slide, and I was wondering if that could affect the seal. I'd like to get up on there with a broom or even a leaf blower to clean it off.

[Dick_B]

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.

[2012Coleman]

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.

[mlts22]

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.

[_40Fan]

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.

[ktmrfs]

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."

[ronniedean1234]

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........

[ReneeG]

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.

[Eycom]

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.

[mister_d]

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.