Winnebago Slide Topper Problems and Solutions

[NASAGuy]

About a year ago I noticed a piece of fuzzy Velcro hanging down from the bedroom slide topper on our 2003 Adventurer. At the time I couldn't see any good reason for it to be there so I simply cut it off. Last summer I noticed a black streak on the top of the living room slide. After studying it a while I realized the living room slide topper had a slight bow and was contacting the side of the coach which caused abrasion of the topper vinyl material. There was no Velcro behind the living room slide topper to act as a cushion.
The solution I used was to place a one inch by about 4 foot length of Industrial stength "fuzzy" Velcro on the coach sidewall at the center of the slideout. It is important to use the Industrial grade Velcro because it has much better adhesion than the common grade in my experience. I have seen no further abrasion marks since I did this.
The loss of the bedroom Velcro has not caused a problem since the smaller bedroom topper does not appear to be bowed.
Next problem. About a month ago I noticed a severe general deterioration of the vinyl on both toppers- apparently due to UV degradation in less than three years. The solution I used was to go to Camping World with checkbook in hand and pay about $700 for new topper material. Camping World does offer a three year extended warranty which covers three awnings for $99. Purchasing this warranty seems to be a no-brainer. Camping World says 2 to 3 years is about a typical maximum for slide toppers although the main awnings last much longer.

NASAGuy(Forum Newbie)

[NASAGuy]

About a year ago I noticed a piece of fuzzy Velcro hanging down from the bedroom slide topper on our 2003 Adventurer. At the time I couldn't see any good reason for it to be there so I simply cut it off. Last summer I noticed a black streak on the top of the living room slide. After studying it a while I realized the living room slide topper had a slight bow and was contacting the side of the coach which caused abrasion of the topper vinyl material. There was no Velcro behind the living room slide topper to act as a cushion.
The solution I used was to place a one inch by about 4 foot length of Industrial stength "fuzzy" Velcro on the coach sidewall at the center of the slideout. It is important to use the Industrial grade Velcro because it has much better adhesion than the common grade in my experience. I have seen no further abrasion marks since I did this.
The loss of the bedroom Velcro has not caused a problem since the smaller bedroom topper does not appear to be bowed.
Next problem. About a month ago I noticed a severe general deterioration of the vinyl on both toppers- apparently due to UV degradation in less than three years. The solution I used was to go to Camping World with checkbook in hand and pay about $700 for new topper material. Camping World does offer a three year extended warranty which covers three awnings for $99. Purchasing this warranty seems to be a no-brainer. Camping World says 2 to 3 years is about a typical maximum for slide toppers although the main awnings last much longer.

NASAGuy(Forum Newbie)

[rebelsbeach]

Sounds like a great fix NASAguy....

Welcome to iRV2!!

Are you at TGO in Titusville?

[smlranger]

NASAguy: 3 yrs is probably about right. My 2002 slide toppers are getting thin and I will replace them soon.

[harry t]

The slide toppers on my '02 Suncruiser are shot too, having them replaced next week. Seems to me they should last lots longer than 2-3 years!

[NASAGuy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rebelsbeach:
Sounds like a great fix NASAguy....

Welcome to iRV2!!

Are you at TGO in Titusville? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hi Bob
We do live in Titusville,FL but not at The Great Outdoors. We considered moving there at one time but decided against it.