Slide Toppers or Not

[kozzy]

So, what do you all think of slide toppers? Get them or no?
I have never had them, and never had any issues. I always get up on top and sweep them off before closing them up, just a habit.
If I get them, I probably still will. But at 1000+ to outfit my whole rig, is it really worth it? I do all maintenance religiously on my unit each spring and fall, and take good care of everything, so would I be getting a benefit? Obviously there are mixed feelings, since I don't see them on every rig, and if they were necessary, then they would be standard. Please share your thoughts with me.
Also, for those that have them and did the install yourself, is it pretty straight forward???

[chris199]

I'm in favor of them. These slides are high off the ground. Too much debris up there. Have had them on all 3 rigs we've had.

[bullroc3]

I had them installed on both of my Montanas. It keeps the junk (leaves, pine needles, sticks, etc. ) from accumulating on top of the slides and possibly coming inside. Rain water may accumulate on the toppers but they will drain as you put the slides in. You are going to hear both pros and cons from both sides.

[waynemoore]

I have had them on my last two Montana's First getting on the roof or a latter to sweep of the slides is not the best idea. Too many things can go wrong. I have had the occasion to be in a camp ground in a pouring rain and had to leave do to the roads flooding. The toppers keep the water on the slides from coming into the rig. Every time camping in the fall when the leaves are falling I don't have to sweep the slides to get them off. If the leaves are wet that is a whole other story. They may wrap up in the topper but all you need to do is put the slides out on the next dry day and they dry out and fall off. Personally I would not be with out them. JMHO

[kozzy]

did any of you guys install yourself? I'm a pretty good DIY and hat to pay people to do stuff I can do.
doesn't see to complicated.
I'm, still on the fence, all your points are valid of course..I guess I just cant get over the fact I have never gotten them before and been fine. but it would be nice to not have to put the slides right back out when I get home, so they can dry if I put them away wet...

[davidaf]

I don't have them. Almost put them on last year than decided not to spend the $. Primary motivation for me was the leaves and an added shade layer to keep the rig just a bit cooler. The primary knock I have besides the cost is the noise in the wind. I have a topper on my Truck Camper slide and it can become annoying in a strong wind. That and the added potential for upkeep/repair. They shouldn't require much but if they do it's just one more thing to deal with. I may reconsider and/or kick myself if El Nino ever kicks in.

[DQDick]

Wouldn't be without them. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is heat reduction. Slide outs are sticking out there in the sun with less insulation (in theory anyway) than the roof. Providing shade for them in the Kansas summer and Az winters has been worth it for us.

[Art-n-Marge]

Completely a owner preference. I had a set on a prior rig, but only had the rig for about 5 years. It only had one slide therefore only needed one topper. Then I traded in that rig for my Montana and was not looking forward to paying for FOUR slideouts. I haven't missed them. Sure it takes a little time to occasionally set up a ladder and sweep each slideout roof, but I recall on my old rig I would set up a ladder and sweep off the topper since it rolled up so fast some leaves or debris would get caught up by the topper especially if the dew was heavy or it had rained.

If you don't mind hearing about or incurring the new problems associated with them, and you don't mind spending the money, then by all means install them. Then watch out for the flapping if it's gets too windy, debris getting trapped from dew or rain, they'll have to eventually be replaced too, and other problems that may arise, On the other hand, enjoy the extra layer of sun protection, or the lack of fetching debris inside the slideout and other positive factors.

I prefer to let you, the owner decide, and it looks like you're trying to justify getting them, so just have at it and enjoy. There are 1000s of owners with them and made the benefits exceed the disadvantages and I am guessing you'd be better off than most since you already sweep off the slideouts as routine maintenance. Maybe these covers will minimize how often you'll need to do this. As for me, I will prefer to spend my money on other things that are on my wishlist.

[bigskyjimmy]

If you say your will still go up there anyway why would you spend 1500 bucks to get them? ,I have got them on my last 3 Monty's and that is the reason I got them is because I do NOT want to go up there any more than I have to and the new Black toppers are nice looking and do not show dirt like the old white,The new toppers are not quite as noisy as the old one's but yes they will make noise in higher winds but we are use to it by now BUT man I tell ya we have been in 60+MPH winds here at the Ocean and those toppers get BOOMING and our Cats start Freaking out

[mlh]

I don't have them on my HC. I did have them on my Montana and will put them on the HC. I think they are worth having. Be careful when you order them. I had a dealer in Georgia tell me were trickey to order so when I got mine I had another dealer order it and sure enough it was the wrong length.
Lynwood

[Mudchief]

I had Montana's with and without and I prefer to have them.

[1retired06]

We have had them on every rig we have owned with slide outs.

[kozzy]

good points either way I guess. ill have to think more about it. its winter here, so I have some time, wont be installing them, if I get them, until the spring anyways

[WeBeFulltime]

A "must have" for me.

[iowaone]

I have never had them. I have had three units with slides . I camp often in wooded areas and in the fall. I rare sweep them off and have had no problems. Never in a while we will have a occasional leaf in the camper it has not been a problem. No problems with water at all. Less wind noise and I like the patter of rain.

[Former StClairSailor]

Completed our first camping season with our 2015 Mountaineer and getting ready to become snowbirds. We have slide toppers but being new, I'm not familiar with the types of problems the slide toppers can have. Could someone please describe these?

[DQDick]

quote:Originally posted by Former StClairSailor

Completed our first camping season with our 2015 Mountaineer and getting ready to become snowbirds. We have slide toppers but being new, I'm not familiar with the types of problems the slide toppers can have. Could someone please describe these?

The biggest issue for those that have one is the noise they can make in a high wind.

[Dmcgrew]

After only 3 years with and SOB I started to see the leading edge of the toppers start to tear where they attached to the side wall. I believe some of the damage was a result of driving down the road and catching the wind at this location along with the occasonal wind storm when set up. Did not get them on the new Monty and don't see a lot of difference without them as far as temp or dirt inside the 5th. I did find they were not good when it snows as they have to be cleaned before closing slides. It is easier to clean the top of the slide compared to the topper. I might get them in the future but do not see that big of a benifit from them.

[dieselguy]

I've had 2 Montanas with them and the last one without them. I did put them on myself with the help of a friend. I'll pass on toppers on the next unit. Too much noise in the Kansas wind, white ones get really nasty looking by end of season, hard to clean underside, felt the heat loss benefit was more of a placebo listening to others than fact. I carry a leaf blower with a gutter attachment that allows me to blow off the slides while standing on the ground.

[PeteandJoan]

Traveled with friends who had them and she hated the noise when flapping in the wind. Said they kept her awake...however she complained about everything so not for sure how bad it really was! I'm just saying...