Slide Toppers

[Montana_2428]

Anyone installed these on a 2955RL? I have looked through the installation documentation and it is generic. I am concerned about drilling the slide walls and not finding suitable backing material to hold the weight of the awning rolls.

The toppers are Dometic, anyone know if I should follow Dometic generic instructions or is there something more specific about Montana 2955RL that should override these instructions?

Thanks for any input!

Don and Michele

[Glenn and Lorraine]

I know an easy way to find the studs behind the fiberglass walls. All you need is a morning with heavy dew. Looking at the outside wall at the proper angle the outline of the studs is quite evident. The fiberglass will be wet from the dew EXCEPT where the aluminum studs are located. This area will be dry. Don't know why but that's the way it is.
Since we have had a heavy dew most every morning and if I can remember tomorrow morning I will take a look at my 2955RL above the slides and get back to you.

[sreigle]

Slide toppers are a factory option so I'd think there would be suitable backing. We had the dealer install them on our 2001 2880RL and the factory installed them on our 2003 3295RK. Both held quite well. I have not installed them myself. There has to be some framework, for strength, around the slide opening, just like around windows and doors in stick homes.

[Montana_2428]

Thanks for the responses. One thing, the awning rolls attach to the slides and not the trailer walls. The rails that pull the toppers out are attached to the trailer walls and don't represent the weight involved with the awnings. My local dealer hasn't been a lot of help as they are sales and don't want to bother the installers themselves. I get a lot of "....you shouldn't have any problems..."
Perhaps I can use the procedure from Glenn Lorraine and look for the
"dew" line....good idea.

Thanks again!

Don and Michele

[sreigle]

Don and Michele, that sounds like the same thing that is on ours. If you click on my name to the left of this post, then in the profile window click on the picture on the left you might be able to see enough to tell if yours is the same. If you need it, I can take a closer picture for you.

[rames14]

Another way to find the studs is a stud finder. I just got a nice Ryobi one for my b'day from HD - about $40. There are cheaper models out there. This one happens to go to 1.5" depth and also has a laser measure. There are less expensive ones out there. Even though its fairly sure where the studs are, I like to make sure.