Slide Out Covers/Awnings

[mach111]

We are trying to decide which toppers to install on our three slides on our 09 2980RL Monty. Looking at Carefree and Dometic. Dometic is confusing as to various hardware needed for install since I am thinking of installation myself with the help of a buddy.

Would like opinions of what you have experienced and learned with various models. Are the covers practical or cause problems? Are the weathershiels beneficial?

Getting to old to climb on roof to sweep slides off each time we retract them.

[TLightning]

If you talk to most RV dealers and RV techs, they will tell you to avoid Carefree. I had a problem with an awning and they required that a "qualified" dealer or Carefree authorized tech fix it, I could not buy just the part I needed but the entire assembly, the parts be mailed to them not me, and it took six weeks for the parts to arrive. One RV tech refused to work on it when I told him it was Carefree. The people with whom I talked were unanimous in saying if my problem had been with Dometic it would have been easier, faster and cheaper to fix.

Depending on the type of toppers, you may still have to climb up on the roof to sweep them off prior to retracting them...I do.

[bigskyjimmy]

AHHH YES THE Age old debate of topper vs no Toppers,Myself personally I am in the same boat as you as I am to old and banged up to get or want to get up on the roof anymore so I love them and they look nice as well BUT in higher winds they do make noise not so much when they are new and tight but when they get older and loosen up but you can retighten them after a few years,mine are Dometic and are holding up really good as did my 2012 Dometic toppers AND if you and your buddy can install them yourself good for you and save some cash mine cost 1500.00 for 4 of them installed.....There's my 2 bits

[mach111]

Thanks Lightning for info. Good to know how Carefree works. Maybe someone can explain how I should determine which brackets I need to mount the Dometics. Jimmy, you got a good deal 4 for 1500.

[bigskyjimmy]

Yeah they better have after Paying 68K to them for the new Rig, I think if I would have tried harder I could have gotten them for less than that BUT yeah not too shabbyAND also the new Black ones look sharp compared to my old white ones that showed stains

quote:Originally posted by mach111

Thanks Lightning for info. Good to know how Carefree works. Maybe someone can explain how I should determine which brackets I need to mount the Dometics. Jimmy, you got a good deal 4 for 1500.

[DQDick]

We have Dometic and wouldn't be without them. Worked a deal and so I didn't install them myself. One other thing you may not have thought of. We put ours on primarily because we are always camping where it is hot to very hot and they do help keep the slides cooler.

[mach111]

quote:Originally posted by DQDick

We have Dometic and wouldn't be without them. Worked a deal and so I didn't install them myself. One other thing you may not have thought of. We put ours on primarily because we are always camping where it is hot to very hot and they do help keep the slides cooler.

Yes, Dick heat is one of factors and protection from weather is driving us to get the covers.

[1retired06]

Dometic, and would not be without slide toppers.

[Irlpguy]

We have Dometic slide toppers and I would not be without them, had them on our SOB as well by the same manufacturer. Both were installed at the factory.

The few times the wind is sufficient to make them flap significantly is nothing compared to not having to dry and clean the slide before retracting. If there is "stuff" on the topper when I am closing the slides I use the remote and use a long handled wash brush to clean them as I roll them in on a stop and go method, works fine for me.

Well worth the money in my opinion. but am not familiar with the other brand.

[WaltBennett]

Our Monty came with Dometics and I love them. Only downside is I may have to replace the canvas in another year or two, but there's heavier duty, cut to fit canvas available online for a lot less than new covers.

[Tom S.]

I don't know our brand without looking, but we've had a real problem with sparrows building nests in them each spring/summer. Last year I took out 5 nests!

[mach111]

Thanks for the good info folks. Looks like Dometic has a good product. I did notice that better quality fabric was available online if and when replacement is needed.