awnings over slides

[lawrence]

We just returned from wintering in Arizona. On the way home we were running into a strong cross wind. The wind was getting under the awnings that cover the slides and bringing them out about 4 inches and then spring tension would slam them back into the side of the motorhome. Do they make some kind of locking system to keep the awning from coming out under windy conditions while driving. I saw a number of units going the other direction with there awnings completely un-wound. If anyone has run into this problem and has a solution it would be appreciated. Thank you.

[The General]

Hi Lawrence,

Cross winds on the slide topper side are the killer of many slide toppers.
I use a strap on the front and rear of the topper to sinch it down to the
topper hardware attached to the sidewall. I get on top of the Class A or use a ladder.

Easy as pie and foolproof.

Steve

[Jobert]

If you have Carefree awnings over the slides, they make an add-on manual locking device for some models. We just added them on our 2 slide covers. You can look on their website in the literature section or email them. Our 2001 Ambassador had Carefree slide awnings and had an automatic lock and also a 3" x 3" 90 degree angle located just under the awning roll the full length of the awning to act as an air dam or air deflector. I am tempted to try and make one for our present rig or locate a used one and paint to match from another vehicle. A & E also had some auto devices on some of there's, not sure about add-ons later. Hope this might help. Happy Trails Bert

[EasyDoesIt]

I have a problem with the slide topper on my full wall slide. The air gets under it and pops it out of the center support. I lost the whole topper in a wind storm. I have to use a couple strips of Gorilla tape to keep it down. I see some have a full cover over them but are not available that long. That angle deflector or even an eaves trough can be adapted to prevent the billowing. I ran a rope over the whole cover from end to end and that helps little.

[bob109]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lawrence We just returned from wintering in Arizona. On the way home we were running into a strong cross wind. The wind was getting under the awnings that cover the slides and bringing them out about 4 inches and then spring tension would slam them back into the side of the motorhome. Do they make some kind of locking system to keep the awning from coming out under windy conditions while driving. I saw a number of units going the other direction with there awnings completely un-wound. If anyone has run into this problem and has a solution it would be appreciated. Thank you.

If you hve a Fleetwood Bounder you may have a Dometic A&E Slide Topper. Looking at the left side of the topper you should have a anti-roll out arm attached to the torsion assembly. Here's a pic
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5023/...20cc0ede_m.jpg

This device keeps the awning from opening during your travels. If you don't have one you could order and install one in approximately 1 hour