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Old 06-11-2018, 06:45 AM   #1
Loneoak
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Slide Toppers - experience

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.
 
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Old 06-11-2018, 07:16 AM   #2
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Loneoak,

Why did you put the slides in for the wind? Was it something specific for the toppers?
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Old 06-11-2018, 07:44 AM   #3
1retired06
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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.
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Old 06-11-2018, 07:50 AM   #4
richfaa
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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.
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Old 06-11-2018, 08:40 AM   #5
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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.
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Old 06-11-2018, 08:45 AM   #6
Loneoak
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AZ Traveler View Post
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.
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Old 06-11-2018, 08:52 AM   #7
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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.
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Old 06-11-2018, 08:55 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Loneoak View Post
They were flapping violently and DH was concerned for their well being.
Thanks!
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Old 06-11-2018, 09:27 AM   #9
waynemoore
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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.
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Old 06-11-2018, 09:47 AM   #10
jeffba
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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.
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Old 06-11-2018, 10:04 AM   #11
richfaa
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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.
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Old 06-11-2018, 11:19 AM   #12
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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.
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Old 06-11-2018, 12:01 PM   #13
Kyle and Lisa
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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.
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Old 06-11-2018, 04:13 PM   #14
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We have had slide toppers on all of are TT & 5re's and have never pulled them in when it got windy they help with shade and keep all the crap off! just don't stand to close when mama pulls them in or you will get a shower! if it's been raining.
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Old 06-11-2018, 05:37 PM   #15
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Had them before and made slide topper supports out of 3/4" pvc pipe and never had the wind noise or flapping and never put the slide in either.
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Old 06-11-2018, 06:44 PM   #16
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Had them on my previous 5th wheel a Laredo. Had to replace every 3 years. I now see both sides cleaning roof is no fun but I now believe they are more trouble than worth. BTW never pulled them in because of wind.
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Old 06-11-2018, 08:08 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eagleback View Post
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?
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Old 06-12-2018, 06:30 AM   #18
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I have toppers on all the slides. Two of them extend out further to make shade for the living room and dining room. Main awning yes pull it in, in a strong wind. My slides have stayed out in winds strong enough to snap flag poles and make your camp chair disappear. Like Builder Bob said, don't stand near them, if it has rained, you will get a nice shower.
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Old 06-12-2018, 07:19 AM   #19
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2 ways to do it. because I'm more permanent, I used a 2x4 and a 2x6. The 2x4 is set on the slide and mounted to the front lip by removing the 2 upper screws in the square plates that dress out the corner seal and replace then with deck screws through the holes into the 2x4. Then the 2x6 is setting just in front of the drip gutter and held down by a parachute cord running from the 2x6 on one side under the slide to the other side, then cut and rivet the panels and then screw them to the 2x4 and 2x6 against the side of the camper. it will not make a water tight seal and that's ok because it keeps the sun, debris off as well as stopping the driving rain against the seals and makes the slide quieter especially over the bedroom slide. when i take the panels off again I'm going to replace the wood with aluminum angle and screw it to the front and lay the back piece in the rain gutter and use the cord method for holding it on. I have pictures but cant figure out how to post them yet. But for less than 200 dollars and the panels will last in the sun i used this method.
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Old 06-12-2018, 09:09 AM   #20
richfaa
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We have never had to replace our slide tippers. Montana 3400 2006 to 2012 not a problem. Montana 3402 June 2012 to present not a problem.We just cleaned all awnings and toppers last week and all the toppers are in good condition. They are out most of the year.
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