Slide Toppers: Should have or like to have?
- Thread starter sig31r
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travelin2
Pennsylvania Chapter Leaders-retired
I've been thinking I'd like them on my next HL fifth wheel too but after seeing most of them full of water here in MB right now, makes me wonder??
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We have them now and have in the past. Would not be without them.
They do get a bit noisy when it gets windy but I would rather have that than clean the slide roof off every time we move.
When the water pools in them, after the rain I just raise the front of the trailer and the water runs off. Life is good.
Peace
Dave
They do get a bit noisy when it gets windy but I would rather have that than clean the slide roof off every time we move.
When the water pools in them, after the rain I just raise the front of the trailer and the water runs off. Life is good.
Peace
Dave
dewwood
Well-known member
I think the biggest thing about slide toppers for us is that we often stay where there a lot of trees, without the toppers we would have to get up on top of the unit to sweep all of the debris off before we could bring the slides in. I know not everyone stays in the that type of places so would probably not be such an issue for them. I would try it without them for a while and decide if you need them, they can be added anytime.
travelin2
Pennsylvania Chapter Leaders-retired
Yeah the tree thing is why I'd like them on my next rig. We too prefer and stay many places with some trees.
I used the current conditions as a maybe not situation. The slide toppers my neighbors have on the SOB rigs have certainly not kept up with the heavy heavy rains here the past several couple of days.
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One more thing to add. Our big horn has the mega slide, most likely like your cyclone. We have the toppers. That mega slide is so large, and so is its topper unit. Accordingly that one tends to hold water when it rains, due to its size. That topper again due to its immense size flexes when deployed. We were told to keep that one from holding water to insert a inflatable beach ball under the topper after the slide was out to keep it shaped so the water would run off on its own.
jmgratz
Original Owners Club Member
I don't know if the TT and 5ers are that far behind or if it is a price point thing. Many TT and 5ers are bought by folks who are not willing to spend the kind of money that motor homes cost. Therefore many of the amenities that MHs have TT and 5ers don't have.
JohnD
Moved on to the next thing...
I understand the concept of them, but after witnessing almost every slide topper (and awnings that were left out) ripped off of most of the RV's in our loop at a state campground during a microburst windstorm, I've decided to not get them.
Funny thing was I was planning on getting one installed (on our previous Heartland trailer) after we got back from that camp out (I figure that was a sign from above).
I carry a step ladder and a long handled push broom . . . however where we typically camp we don't get a lot of stuff collecting on the slide outs.
Funny thing was I was planning on getting one installed (on our previous Heartland trailer) after we got back from that camp out (I figure that was a sign from above).
I carry a step ladder and a long handled push broom . . . however where we typically camp we don't get a lot of stuff collecting on the slide outs.
Westwind
Well-known member
PlUS - keeps leafs etc off the top of the slide, directs water during heavy rain storms away for the gaskets on the top of the slides. Will keep the hot sun off the slide roof and help - somewhat keeping the RV cooler.
NEG - flexible surface should be cleaned to keep dirt and mold off them, I find dirt, dust, pollen does collect on the slide roof when open - so unless you want to bring that into the camper you need a long handled mop to clean off the roof of the slide or you will what has collected under the awning inside. Slide topper material hat will deteriorate over time and need to be replaced.
It's a personal and financial decision every owner must make, mine came on my Bighorn so my decision was made for me. I would probably get them again, but maybe not white.
NEG - flexible surface should be cleaned to keep dirt and mold off them, I find dirt, dust, pollen does collect on the slide roof when open - so unless you want to bring that into the camper you need a long handled mop to clean off the roof of the slide or you will what has collected under the awning inside. Slide topper material hat will deteriorate over time and need to be replaced.
It's a personal and financial decision every owner must make, mine came on my Bighorn so my decision was made for me. I would probably get them again, but maybe not white.
Nabo
Southeast Region Director-Retired
We have had slide toppers on all of our 5th wheels (5 in all) without any major problems. The only time we had a problem with wind noise was on the outer banks and because of the way our camper was parked, we had alot of flapping noise. We just brought that slide in for sleeping. I have seen more people have awning problems that topper problems as far as tearing, etc. Yes, they hold water during rain but evaporates quickly and the tension spring makes them tighten up again. We have the super slide and the topper was mounted slightly higher so doesn't retain that much rain. The problem child is the diner room slide and because of it's depth, it has a tendency to hold more water. I just run a broom under it to run water off and then the tension spring takes over.
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