3400RL kitchen awning

[Parkranger07]

Hello all, hope everyone is having a great day. I have a 2012 3400RL that came with no slide awnings. Camping world in Tampa put awnings on all the slides except the kitchen for which they refused. Just a note, Lazy Days RV in Tampa refused also. The reason being the refrigerator vents are in the way to place the mounting brackets on as they are on the other slides. They said there was a liability issue. However, when I purchased my unit from Lazy Days last year they had Montana's on the lot with all awnings installed including the kitchen. I just assumed these came from the factory that way, but who knows. I would really like to have a kitchen awning but only if its safe. Anyone out there who has had this problem or situation? Anyone able to solve it? I would really appreciate any feedback. Thanks,
Parkranger07

[McIver]

Hi. I have the same model as you and have had awnings put on recently. The kitchen awning attachment point had to be modified because of the vent you mentioned. It was and is no problem.

[Parkranger07]

Hello McIver,
Thank you for your response. My trouble is that Camping World and Lazy Days in Tampa says it is a problem. I think they are mistaken as I have seen them installed. Would you tell me who installed yours?
Thanks again,
Parkranger07

[Irlpguy]

My 2012 - 3402RL came with them on, I don't know the manufacturer but the only difference is that they mounted the bracket within the 4" slide outer area, where the rest of them are all mounted outside that 4" area.
I see no reason for them to not install them as it does not interfere with the operation of the fridge and has plenty of clearance from the upper fridge vent.

Will try and find out who makes these ones.

Are the folks you spoke to Keystone dealers, if so, I would ask them to contact the factory with respect to their refusal to install it. If they don't want to do that then contact the factory yourself and explain that one of their dealers refuses to install the slide cover.

It may not be the most important room for a cover but I like them on all of my rooms.

Good luck with this adventure.

[Irlpguy]

Just checked and my slide toppers are made by Carefree. I have had no problem with mine. I don't know if they were installed at the factory or at the Dealership.

Good luck

[CamillaMichael]

Our 3400 came from Keystone with all four slides having toppers installed. No problems to date.

[PatnRich]

Our 3400 was ordered with factory installed toppers.

[DQDick]

When we were having them installed on our rig there was a 3400 having them installed. Tiara RV in Elkhart was doing the work.

[bigskyjimmy]

yep we have them on our 2012 3402 and like them with no problems(except for them being noisy in high wind)

[lostshakerofsalt]

We went through the same thing with CW in Fort Worth. They eventually agreed to do the installation if I would sign a release from liability holding them blameless in the event of a fire.

Not happy with that option, I talked to the Montana dealer in Olive Branch, MS (http://www.americanrv.biz/) and the Service Manager contacted both Dometic and Keystone to see if there is special material or a special mount for the awning end by the reefer (not that kind, pot heads). Keystone and Dometic both said there is nothing special on the mounting. Reading over the installation instructions the only caveat is to make sure the bracket gets attached to the frame at the top of the slide out and not the fascia. I have seen where the bracket was cut to go around the top vent and new bolt holes drilled to allow 5 bolts to be installed.

American RV would install them for me but at an exorbitant installation price (~$1500 for all four). I did not like CWs attitude so we wound up not getting the awnings. We are now looking into the Solera toppers Lippert (Mobile Outfitters) is now offering (http://themobileoutfitters.com/index...a-slide-topper). Not sure what we will do.

[DQDick]

On the Lippert toppers, I would be worried about what happens when it's small sticks that are on the slide. I can see it working well with leaves and maybe water, but something small and sharp would worry me.

[exav8tr]

They had to cut the brackets for my '06 3400. CW in Burlington did the install. Never had a problem. Also they were A & E slide toppers......

[1retired06]

We were intially told the same thing at Camping World, Statesville NC when we were picking up our unit. Fortunately there was a keystone rep there who explained how to install, and our kitchen awning was then installed without any mounting fabrication, at the top of the slide rather than below the top brace. No problems to date. We were not asked to sign anything, and the Keystone Rep indicated that is how the installation is done at Goshen when ordered with the unit.

[Irlpguy]

For clarification this is how Keystone installed mine at the factory. One picture is the kitchen slide showing the fridge vent and the other of both the kitchen and entertainment center slides to show the difference in install. Looks pretty basic to me.

And yes that is fresh snow and you can see it coming down in the pic's. Can't wait to get out of here in January.