Girard Awnings and Stone Vos

[Mr_D]

Has anyone bought slide toppers from Stone Vos, followed their written directions, measured at least three times and still had the fabric be made to the wrong size?
Ordered four covers, using their measuring instructions and they varied from ½" to 2" too long.
Sent them back via UPS this morning which cost me $85.

[dons2346]

Had Stone Vos measure my awnings in Gillette, When come time to install, found that the awnings were only made to fit the slide topper with no window awning! They are making new ones and no, I am not paying for the return as it was their fault.


Hopefully I'll have them installed in time for Casey

[Mr_D]

That's my feeling. I gave them all the measurements they asked for and they have never taken responsability for getting it wrong. No mention of paying for returning the ones they sent. Not even an oops, sorry our mistake.
I don't want to make too big a thing out of it as I have the window and main awnings to go and I'd prefer they all be the same fabric.

[smlranger]

It has been 3 years ago but I got four slide toppers from Stone Vos and they fit perfect. I got my measuring instructions from Chris and followed those.



They have gotten bigger and more busy as the RV industry has boomed. Maybe something has changed.

[becks]

I also got three from them and all came perfect size.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by dons2346

Had Stone Vos measure my awnings in Gillette, When come time to install, found that the awnings were only made to fit the slide topper with no window awning! They are making new ones and no, I am not paying for the return as it was their fault.


Hopefully I'll have them installed in time for Casey

I'll probably get them back right before leaving for Casey's. Right now I have removed the old awning on the pass side bedroom slide. Pretty much means I can't bring that slide in without getting a ladder out to keep the articulation from damaging the sidewall. Can't reinstall the old cover as the stitching is too rotten.
Sure learned a lot about installing the covers though. Clean out the channel before installing the new fabric.
Don't use silicone spray to lube the channel, use 303 instead.
Pretty much need their tensioning tool or make your own.
Two people would be advantageous when installing them.
For some reason Stone Vos thinks I live in Canada. They tried to send me a box and they weren't sure that Canada would accept the shipment.
Also they shipped the original shipment to the wrong address so it took a few days longer to get to me.

[96 Wideglide]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

For some reason Stone Vos thinks I live in Canada.

They must be getting Vancouver W.A, confused with the real Vancouver, which IS in Canada !!

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by 96 Wideglide

They must be getting Vancouver W.A, confused with the real Vancouver, which IS in Canada !!

Sorry but Vancouver WA was incorporated before that pretender in Canada.

[Mr_D]

From rereading their emails it seems that they think I have the SG5000 awnings and I have the G-5000. There are major differences in the spring tensioning and end pieces that could account for the length problems.
The SG5000 also doesn't show any "articulations" (articulated metal cover that attaches to the slide itself) which are part of the G-5000 and set the fabric length.
The G-5000 uses magnets to hold the metal cover closed the SG5000 appears to use springs.

[BillJinOR]

A little over a year ago I had 3 installed and measured and ordered, but all done by Elite in Harrisburg OR. One of the smaller slides (bedroom) were just a tad too long. Elite had a local shop cut to fit so no return. They, Elite, said it was their fault not Stone Vos. These were all (3) Gerard toppers They made it look easy but there were Two of them.
When I lived in Vancouver years ago I always had trouble with the Canada problem

[Mr_D]

OK, awnings on the way back from being shortened along with a check for the $85 I spent returning them.
Still no word from them as to why their very explicit, printed directions were wrong though.
By the way, the quality is exceptional and the thread they use is what is specified by NASA for spacesuits.
Now only 3 window awnings and the 2 main awnings to go.

[BJH]

Just starting the process of replacing slide out toppers (and maybe a couple www manual awnings) and wondering about everyone's "experience " with the Florida company re remote install assistance. Chatted w/Company earlier but would really like to hear from those that have "been there/done that"...I'll be
Considering OEM Carefree vinyl but 6 yr life on them seems a bit short.....

Your experience matters, please share! Thanks

[Mr_D]

IqNot sure what "remote assistance" you would need? Download the original installation instructions and follow the fabric installation ones after removing the old fabric. Pretty easy really.

[smlranger]

Originally Posted by BJH

Just starting the process of replacing slide out toppers (and maybe a couple www manual awnings) and wondering about everyone's "experience " with the Florida company re remote install assistance. Chatted w/Company earlier but would really like to hear from those that have "been there/done that"...I'll be
Considering OEM Carefree vinyl but 6 yr life on them seems a bit short.....

Your experience matters, please share! Thanks

Frankly I would not waste my money on the Carefree OEM vinyl or fabric. Either from Stone Vos will be far superior. There is also a company called Tough Tops that has a great reputation for selling better vinyl than the OEM.

Removing the old and installing the new topper fabric is not really hard. There are videos on the interweb that will show you how. You will need to climb a ladder and it does go better with two people. Me and my wife replaced 3 of our four slide toppers and would have done the fourth but we had the folks at CC do it while we were there having other stuff done.