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Old 11-06-2018, 04:43 AM   #1
Dave W
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Slide Toppers - best

Looking at slide toppers for next season and have come up with just three main manufacturers, A&E/Dometic, Carefee and Solere (LCI). There are probably more (i.e. Girard) that tend to serve the high end MH owners but not really well advertised. Cost wise for the three mentioned above - doesn't seem to be a lot of difference.


I am aware of the pros (mostly) and consof these toppers


Now my questions:
-Is there a best of the three? Why?

- Is the metal guard woth the added bucks when the main awning usually doesn't have one?
- Is there a 'best' dealer. So far etrailer for the Solera and Makarios for the A&E/Dometic seem to lead with their 'net advertising.
 
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Old 11-06-2018, 05:40 AM   #2
WeBeFulltime
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I can't speak for/against the others but have had Dometic on 3 Montanas and have been full-time for over 8 years and never a problem with them.
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Old 11-06-2018, 07:31 AM   #3
darrylwt
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave W View Post
Looking at slide toppers for next season and have come up with just three main manufacturers, A&E/Dometic, Carefee and Solere (LCI). There are probably more (i.e. Girard) that tend to serve the high end MH owners but not really well advertised. Cost wise for the three mentioned above - doesn't seem to be a lot of difference.


I am aware of the pros (mostly) and consof these toppers


Now my questions:
-Is there a best of the three? Why?

- Is the metal guard woth the added bucks when the main awning usually doesn't have one?
- Is there a 'best' dealer. So far etrailer for the Solera and Makarios for the A&E/Dometic seem to lead with their 'net advertising.


Good question I am looking for the same answer, I am ready to get some installed. I had a 305RL Montana HC and I had Dometic deluxe.
Now another question is it worth while to get the next ones up and get the metal covering? My new Montana is a 3120RL 3 slides.
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Old 11-06-2018, 09:15 AM   #4
Renegade1LI
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Originally Posted by darrylwt View Post
Good question I am looking for the same answer, I am ready to get some installed. I had a 305RL Montana HC and I had Dometic deluxe.
Now another question is it worth while to get the next ones up and get the metal covering? My new Montana is a 3120RL 3 slides.
I would not recommend the metal guard, I had it on my last camper & debris was always getting caught in there. The open ones like solera are self cleaning & simple, the quality seems good & I bought 2 from etrailer, 2 from amazon & 1 from ebay. For some reason the price varied by size, the last one I bought was 75$ cheaper on ebay, pays to shop around.
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Old 11-06-2018, 09:21 AM   #5
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I put Dometic on are's had them on are SOB and never had any problems in 5yr's.
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Old 11-07-2018, 08:06 AM   #6
Dave W
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OK - after you folks recommendations and a bunch more looking at various options will be ordering the A&E Dometic Deluxe toppers(no metal guard). I've determined which ones will be needed with Makarios RV confirming the part numbers. It ended up being a 'tossup' between the Dometis and Carefree with the LCI Solera's falling off my list, if for no other reason but their poor DIY installation instructions, with Dometics being the most detailed and the Carefree not bad
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Old 11-07-2018, 11:40 AM   #7
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If you are in Florida or someplace full sun all the time i would recommend the acrylic material over vinyl as the sun destroys vinyl in a couple of years.
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Old 11-07-2018, 02:01 PM   #8
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If you are in Florida or someplace full sun all the time i would recommend the acrylic material over vinyl as the sun destroys vinyl in a couple of years.

Yep, I'm aware that can be a problem. If they disintegrate too soon in northern NY, alongside Lake Champlain or along the coast of Maine, then I can make a call to Stone Vos ( http://stonevoss.com/) for $ome of their vinal replacemet$
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Old 11-23-2018, 11:18 AM   #9
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I would recommend the hard covers. Not because of any protection from dirt, but to keep the sun off of the fabric when awning is rolled up. We very seldom use our awning, but the fabric exposed when rolled up is starting to rot from the sun. We spend a few months in Florida during winter but live in Michigan.
Sun = hard on fabric.
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Old 11-24-2018, 01:22 PM   #10
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The best material for the toppers is Sunbrella. That's the material that lasts decades when used for boat covers.
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Old 11-24-2018, 04:08 PM   #11
Jim Homer
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We have Dometic and are very happy with them. Put them on ourselves. No problems.
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Old 11-24-2018, 06:52 PM   #12
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Somewhat related to slide toppers I am wondering if putting foil backed foam on top of the slides if your going to be parked for an extended period of time will help with heating and cooling?
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