Slide Toppers - experience

[Loneoak]

We have owned fifth wheels for 12 years. We never had slide toppers before, but had them added last year to the Monty shortly after we bought it.



Whether or not to have them installed is often debated. I just want to share experience from both sides of the issue.


Before we had slide toppers, DH sometimes had to remove debris from the top of the slide before we headed out. It did not appear to be that big a problem, but then, I wasn't the one doing it.


We are now on a long trip and are camped in Colorado. The wind is very strong here, which is not normal, we are told. The wind gusts are very strong. The weather service says 22 mph. Dust blows everywhere. I am just glad we are not towing right now!


Yesterday DH decided we needed to put two of the slides in, the ones most affected. Those would be the dining room and bedroom slides (305RL). At least we can get into the fridge. It's kind of like when we stop along the road for lunch.


We put them back out before bed, but at 5 a.m., the wind came up again. Now both slides are in again.



My opinion right now is that slide toppers are more trouble than they are worth.

[AZ Traveler]

Loneoak,

Why did you put the slides in for the wind? Was it something specific for the toppers?

[Loneoak]

Originally Posted by AZ Traveler

Loneoak,

Why did you put the slides in for the wind? Was it something specific for the toppers?

They were flapping violently and DH was concerned for their well being.

[AZ Traveler]

Originally Posted by Loneoak

They were flapping violently and DH was concerned for their well being.

Thanks!

[1retired06]

We prefer to have toppers and always have had on our fivers. Added protection for the slide seals at a likely leakage opportunity along the top of the slide. We have been doing RV travel for many years, across the country. One time in Kansas, we did close up the slides as the entire rig was shaking. Otherwise, we get flapping and bouncing once in a while in a good wind, but no big deal. Only downside for us, they only last a few years before replacement is necessary, and on a long slideout, there is a tendency for water to collect in the center.

[perfect5th]

Originally Posted by 1retired06

We prefer to have toppers and always have had on our fivers. Added protection for the slide seals at a likely leakage opportunity along the top of the slide. We have been doing RV travel for many years, across the country. One time in Kansas, we did close up the slides as the entire rig was shaking. Otherwise, we get flapping and bouncing once in a while in a good wind, but no big deal. Only downside for us, they only last a few years before replacement is necessary, and on a long slideout, there is a tendency for water to collect in the center.

Water and snow will have a tendency to collect in the center of the slide toppers especially when installed with the improper amount of slope from the coach out word over the side of the slide out.
We experienced this several times by incompetent installers and dealerships, finally decided to do it ourselves rather than deal with poor workmanship.

[scottz]

I have not been able to find a topper that will work on my kitchen slide which has an awning. I saw a photo of a unit that had them from the factory, but it looks like the factory mounted the awning lower than mine to leave room for the slide topper bracket.

[perfect5th]

Yep, certainly a concern. There does look to be enough headroom to mount a slide topper with proper slope. I would be specific about how and where you want it once you find a fabricator. Proper slope is crucial for proper return tension and adequate spring load of the awning.

[scottz]

Originally Posted by perfect5th

Yep, certainly a concern. There does look to be enough headroom to mount a slide topper with proper slope. I would be specific about how and where you want it once you find a fabricator. Proper slope is crucial for proper return tension and adequate spring load of the awning.

I compared mine with a photo of a 2018 3120RL (this new version of the 3160RL) with factory installed toppers. On the other unit, the awning is down from the top of the slide (inside edge of flange) about 3"; leaving enough space for the topper brackets.

On mine, the awning is almost flush with the top of the slide; no room for slide topper brackets. The awning could not have been put any lower because of the refrigerator vent.

Mine is a 2017 3160RL, the 2018 version is the 3120RL. One of the changes between the two rigs is they swapped the kitchen and dining slides. That puts the refrigerator on the opposite side and the second awning on the dining room slide where it can be mounted low enough for the topper brackets.

At this point, I don't see any way (the dealer could not either) to mount a slide topper on the kitchen slide without moving the awning (not going to happen) or finding a different style topper bracket. I talked with Carefree of Colorado and they do not have anything that will work.

[richfaa]

Slide topper on both of our Montana's since 2006 would not be without them. We have not had to replace any slide topper.When the wind is strong enough to shake the RV slides come in. Perhaps if you are low end users and the slides are not out all that much you may not need them.

[DQDick]

Had toppers on our last Monty and don't on this one. They have all the advantages mentioned above including helping with the heat. They also have all the disadvantages mentioned above and this time we decided they weren't worth the money for us. Also our rig, 3720, has two real long slides and a friend with the same rig had the floor getting scratches and attributed to the slide toppers pulling the top in while the slides were closing.

[mlh]

Everybody has a different experience. Some think they aren’t worth the trouble let alone the money. Some think they are the best thing since sliced bread. We like ours. We got caught in a blizzard at 9300 feet and had to clean 10 inches of snow off before we had toppers. Not fun.
Lynwood

[waynemoore]

We have had them on every rig and would not be without them. Every year we spend about 3 months on a mountain at 6500 feet. We are in a cut between two higher peeks so the wind can get crazy. It's common to see winds 15 to 35 mph. At 20 mph the awning comes in but I never put in the slides. We have been in thunder storms with winds above 45 mph and found no need to retract the slides.

[jeffba]

have had slide toppers as a have to have ever since a slide leaked during a heavy rain fall on a SOB.

only a couple of times have we brought the slides in due to wind.

Only thing I really need to watch out for is the "second" rain when DW is running slides in and I am in range.

[richfaa]

Slides in because of wind...I am talking wind not a strong breeze.If the wind is blowing hard enough to shake the RV you got a pretty good wind. We have seen many main awnings destroyed in thunderstorms. We do not pull the slides in because the wind might tear the slides off the RV but a strong sustained wind will overcome the slide topper ability to flex and the heavy resulting flapping may destroy the slide topper. I can only remember twice that we had to bring in the slides once in New mexico and once in Arizona.We did once have sheets of ice on the toppers. Two reasons for us is the additional shade/ cooling and the primary reason is "stuff" collecting on the top of the slides. We do not climb around on roofs or toppers.

[Eagleback]

Never had slide toppers never will. The Florida sun gives you about 2 years before there gone and with full timing putting the slides in and out is not an option. I built slide toppers using plastic roof panels for three slides for around 200 dollars and take them down roll them up and put them in the front compartment. if we need to move.

[DQDick]

Originally Posted by Eagleback

Never had slide toppers never will. The Florida sun gives you about 2 years before there gone and with full timing putting the slides in and out is not an option. I built slide toppers using plastic roof panels for three slides for around 200 dollars and take them down roll them up and put them in the front compartment. if we need to move.

How do you secure them?

[Kyle and Lisa]

We have been in some pretty strong winds, straight line winds coming across the lake at 70 mph were the strongest. We have five slides with toppers and did not pull them in with no damage. There were huge trees down all throughout the property.

[packnrat]

Originally Posted by Kyle and Lisa

We have been in some pretty strong winds, straight line winds coming across the lake at 70 mph were the strongest. We have five slides with toppers and did not pull them in with no damage. There were huge trees down all throughout the property.

in a gentle breeze a blade of grass bends.
a tree moves around.
in hurricane force winds a blade of grass bends.
a tree breaks.

[GoodTimes]

Where was this park? It looks very nice. I’m glad you had no damage!