Slide Topper Pro's and Con's

[8.1al]

We have had rv's with slides for 16 yrs. and have only had two times that I wished we had slide toppers. We were in Wyoming and had some snow and couldn't get the slides in and the other time had some acorns on the slides. The rest of the time I have NEVER had to tie a rope around my slides or get up on a ladder to put a beach ball under my topper,run the slides in to get water off,had to get up in the middle of the night and run the slides in because of the wind, or had my sleep interupted because my toppers were flapping in the wind. We kept both units severl years so didn't have to worry about windup mechanisms and fabric failing.

[Biggjb]

I am all for toppers. At home I park under a very large pine tree, which gives me great shade, however, it also dumps mounds of needles as well. We closed up and left for a week to visit my brother-in-law and while there it rained cats and dogs. My living room slide was leaking badly and I went up during the rain storm and found a lot pine needles where stuck under the seal allowing water to enter directly into the trailer. It took me all of 10 minutes to clean all the needles out and about 3 days to clean the mess inside the trailer. All I can say is my next RV will have toppers!

[Hooker]

With my toppers, I have to climb on the roof and sweep them prior to pulling them in.

[fauch]

quote:Originally posted by Hooker

With my toppers, I have to climb on the roof and sweep them prior to pulling them in.

Why?

[Hooker]

On the Carefree awnings, the outboard end of the topper is where the housing is located. Where debris (leaves, twigs, etc) will roll off the Dometic when rolling up, with the Carefree, the debris will go under the housing and mess everything up. It is a horrible design and a real PITA.

[Ronnelly]

quote:Originally posted by gmwright

I just bought a Montana 3150 RL. My Buddy says I need to install slide toppers on it, but I'm not sure. I'd like some comments about this topic.

We replaced our 3 toppers today. Would not want to be without them.

[bncinwv]

Is that a first time replacement? Curious as to whether they lasted eight or so years?
Bingo

[nowinter]

We do not have slide toppers but some good friends have them. They indicated the only problem they ever had was a bird kept trying to build a nest under their slide topper and he had to keep cleaning the debris.

[scott-pati]

We like our toppers. They do flap in the wind, it's not bad. Our first Monty did not have them. So far, we like them.

[pineranch]

Answering Bingo's question:
They don't like hail or high wind. Replaced my big one due to hail dings made worse by Ks and Neb winds.
If you spend time under pines, they are handy.
Mike

[HOOK]

We just spent ten days under an Oak at Briarcliffe. It rained acorns constantly. Can't imagine how loud it would have been without a topper over our bed slide. Not to mention the protection it affords the seals on the slide tops, extra sun protection, blowing rain, etc. To me, the cost and the occasional soft flapping noise are well worth it.

[dsprik]

I love them and would not be without them. Wife doesn't like the noise and ignores all the benefits. Big one is here down in Florida where we spend 6 months in the winter. We have a lot of direct sunlight and run the A/C constantly for long stretches. The cooling effect of the slide toppers blocking the sun and allowing a breeze to move under the cover is a very large plus. Noise isn't that bad of a distraction and aren't we campin' anyway? Is that the only noise we hear in these things?

[DQDick]

Totally agree. Since we spend the winter in Arizona, this year near Yuma, and the summers in Kansas we added the slide toppers and window awnings to cut down on the heat. Other benefits are just gravy.

[Captain Joe]

We like them, have them, and will continue to get them for all the positive comments already posted.

[Wheelhouse]

We have toppers on our 2007 3500RL and are glad they came with the unit. Yes, they do flop in the wind a bit, but think if you were in a tent. Same flopping noises, only louder, lol. I noticed the ends where it attaches to the rig started to tear and found a clear tape repair kit for it. Placed a piece under and folded it over about an 1" and put another on top and folded it under about an 1". So far this is saving the awnings and extending their life. Talking with other 5'ers at CG's having that problem, I gave them the roll to fix theirs. Twenty feet of tape goes a long ways.

[jlb27537]

OK, I do not have them, never had them. However, I am getting older and the thought of climbing up to sweep the slide tops off is LESS appealing.

So, is there a brand and or model that is what you would buy knowing what you know now.

Thanks Jim

[PaDan]

We had them installed on or 3700 they are nice to keep the slides clean. The only con is the wind, with the 16 ft slide in the bedroom it was real bad. We tried the beach balls they would always blow out. Then we got some airwedge bags. It is quiet and the only way we no the wind is blowing is when it rocks the monty

[rapidrobert]

Bought our trailer in 2003 with toppers. Replaced the cloth last year. Wouldn't be without them.

[dsprik]

quote:Originally posted by jlb27537
OK, I do not have them, never had them. However, I am getting older and the thought of climbing up to sweep the slide tops off is LESS appealing.

So, is there a brand and or model that is what you would buy knowing what you know now.

Thanks Jim

I am not sure where you get these from after market, Jim. A & E or Dometic maybe? We ordered ours with our 2007 3400. Hopefully someone will know. Also, ditto on the awning tape on frayed edges of the awning. Does a good job.

[JandC]

We have went back and forth on adding these to our unit. If I thought I would have to be putting beach balls up under them all the time I would rather save my money and just sweep the tops of the slids off. Just seems like as much work either way. This will be the first year spending our winter in Florida so we are waiting to see if we need the added protection to keep our 3400 cooled down. If two air conditioners don't cut it then we would probably add them just for that reason.