Community Forums

gilcolog · 07-13-2015, 03:53 PM

Just about ready to buy a 2000 Dutch Star and realize that it has no awning over the slide. Were they not available on earlier models? My understanding is that they are vital in keeping debris from accumulating on top and damaging the seal. How much trouble and expense would it be to install one? Love this site and the wealth of information available.

allynne · 07-13-2015, 04:13 PM

Gilcolog, I believe you are referring to a "slide topper". It is not necessary although it does help leaves needles etc off of the slide. On my Mt. Aire I do not have one on the kitchen slide on the passenger side, the other 3 slides do have "slide toppers". I usually sweep the slide off prior to retracting it. There have been no problem with seals or anything else as a result of not having a "slide topper". That said, adding one should not be a problem. I'm not sure what the cost would, it should be very doable.

Al Sawyer
'05 Mt. Aire

the_vfox · 07-13-2015, 04:17 PM

I would not buy any unit without a slide topper. Just my preference. I am not good with ladders.

GaryKD · 07-13-2015, 04:56 PM

Hi gilcolog,
Looking at the brochure photos, there are no slide toppers for the slide(s) as standard equipment. On the class "A" there was the following option: Main Slideout Cover & 8500 Side Awning.
On the DP the available option was: A&E 9000 Side Awning
I post this information to provide a basis on which you can call Newmar and get the details.

Qwert66 · 07-13-2015, 04:59 PM

Our 1999 has them so they were doable.

"007" · 07-13-2015, 11:29 PM

Here is information on Slide Topper for slide.
Here is a Brochure and Owners Guide.
Below in my signature are links to many more for the Newmar coach.
Enjoy and welcome to the Newmar family and safe travels.

Mr_D · 07-13-2015, 11:44 PM

Both our 2000 and 2002 DSDP's had the slide covers and so does the Magna. They were optional on the DSDP's, not sure about the Magna, would have to look at the spec's.
Wouldn't be without them.

Ramets · 07-14-2015, 06:15 AM

Been full timing for over 5yrs. in our 2000 DSDP, and it doesn't have any slide toppers. I can count on one hand where I had to clean off the slide roofs before we hit the road. Another thing I don't have to worry about is pulling my slides in whenever there's any strong winds or storms. I witnessed a slide topper being ripped off in FL. last winter when the owners were gone for the day. I also never liked the idea of having to get up at 2am to bring them in.

britcon · 07-14-2015, 01:42 PM

None n our 2014 Ventana either. Guess if you are really concerned, you could extend main awning out a couple of feet to cover the slide.

Afubar · 07-14-2015, 01:55 PM

My 96 Mountain Aire has them. Surely they can't be that hard or expensive to do.

tunafish · 07-14-2015, 02:00 PM

We didn't have one on our trailer and somehow a pencil sized piece of branch got in there between the two top wiper blade seals. During a major rainstorm in FL the water came pouring in from the slide out. Luckily we were right there to close the slide but if we'd have been out there would have been a flood. We put one on after that, cost about $350 for an 8' cover and $150 for shipping as it is oversized. Easily put on yourself if you are at all handy.

I would never buy a new trailer again without them.

Newmar 14 · 07-17-2015, 04:04 PM

My 2014 does not have one on the pass slide.when I bought it the they told me could not install one on there because of awning. We pull out awning to cover it . The 2015 models have raised awning and now slide has topper. Think they heard a lot from owners. Wish I had waited a few months and got the 15. They changed which side the Def tank was on too.

nothermark · 07-17-2015, 04:24 PM

Somewhere around is a thread about the towels somebody needs to collect the water dumped into their MH every time they bring their slide after a rain. The water collects on the topper and dumps when retracted. The point is that they can be a mixed blessing. If you really have to have them they are available so I would not turn down a unit I otherwise liked over a slide topper.