Not so Carefree slide-out toppers

[The Danes Are Coming]

When leaving our last camp ground yesterday we had someone stop us and point out that it looked like one of our slide-out toppers had not retracted properly and seems to be flapping outside the casing.

We absolutely love people who care - thank you to the friendly stranger.

It turned out that all stitches holding the slide-out topper in the grove on the RV was gone. Inside the grove is a "poly-rod" and the fabric is looped around this rod to hold it in place, but since there was no more stitches the fabric could just slide past the "poly-rod and out.

This is what it looks like:





The slide-out topper are now 3 years old and 1 year ago the DW went up and hand stitched the side of all 4 slide-outs because the stitching was failing. Now we have 2 slide where all stitches are gone where the side-out toppers are attached to the length of the RV. The remaining 2 have about 50% left and is therefore lightly to fail in the near future.

Here is what normally happens when I discover failures like this: . I then calm down again before more . Mind you - this is before I have checked out the full extent and the consequence of what I have just discovered.

I then start surfing IRV2 and to my delight one of my repair guru's, Diplomat Don, have written about this. Check this out.

I rush out with my tools and find out that my slide-out toppers are different from Don's and fortunately it means that getting the fabric off is even easier than Don described. Having now taken off 2 out of 4 toppers I will boldly claim that it takes me less than 10 minutes to take the topper apart and remove the fabric.

I am currently camped "in the middle of no-where". It is extremely pretty here and it is so quiet that it's almost frightening. However - it also means that I can't find anyone with a sowing machine anywhere. I have asked all 4 people living in the nearby town and none of them have heard about anyone owning a sowing machine. I just have to wait till I get to a bigger place and then hope that it won't rain to much in between.

I am surprised that "Carefree of Colorado" products falls apart like this. I would tend to classify this as a fabrication error. Had they made a better job of the stitching I would be sitting outside drinking fancy drinks with umbrellas in them instead of working.

If anyone need more photo's please let me know. I will then try and post some.

[letsgo]

THIS IS WHY I WENT TO RV Slide Out Awnings, Replacement Fabric

[Twomed]

Thread and Needles

Since you have ome time, get the proper thread that CareFree should have used in the first place. The V92 will work just fine. Double lock stitched by a good awning guy will last a long time. Just did my buddies last week.

[Rex]

When you get them re-sewn, have them use UV protected thread. If you are lucky enough to come across someone that does work for boats, they will have everything you need to resew them and can do it quickly and inexpensively.

The thread is damaged from two sources, mainly the sun UV rays, and second water stands against the awning when it is rolled up and helps rot the thread.

Before you put them back on after they are re-sewn, go to Wal Mart sporting goods department and get some water-proofing spray that is used on tents. Took 4 cans for my tow slide toppers.

Best of luck,

[The Danes Are Coming]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twomed Thread and Needles Since you have ome time, get the proper thread that CareFree should have used in the first place. The V92 will work just fine. Double lock stitched by a good awning guy will last a long time. Just did my buddies last week.

Twomed - Need a new buddy ?

Rex - I thought about that. Now I will definitely do it.

Thank all for your advice. IRV2 strikes again.

[TXiceman]

Sounds like you are really enjoying the wonderful art of RVing.....patch and repair..then repair and patch.

Ken

[ejagnut]

So where is "the middle of nowhere"?

Rod

[The Danes Are Coming]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejagnut So where is "the middle of nowhere"? Rod

4 miles from Mathis in Texas. No offense intended City of Mathis - honestly. Heading towards San Antonio and finishing our 3 month journey at Lake Medina in about 3 weeks time.

but nevertheless important . Ken - thought I heard that we won't see you this weekend, but the recently received site allocation says Wilsons on it? Hope to see you there. Have bought some probably new to both of us beers I would like to share with you.

[chiefdave]

I replaced all my toppers this past summer. I plan to attend the Quartsize gathering. I carry a portable Consew sewing machine with me. I will be in Yuma this winter starting Jan 2011. If you are close by you could stop for a visit and we could fix as necessary. I doulble stiched the top and sides to make sure they don't tare away. Terrible sewing by Carefree. Send me a message if I can help.

[The Danes Are Coming]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefdave I replaced all my toppers this past summer. I plan to attend the Quartsize gathering. I carry a portable Consew sewing machine with me. I will be in Yuma this winter starting Jan 2011. If you are close by you could stop for a visit and we could fix as necessary. I doulble stiched the top and sides to make sure they don't tare away. Terrible sewing by Carefree. Send me a message if I can help.

Thanks Dave for your very kind offer.

We won't be able to attend Quartzise this year and from the current planning we won't be back in the Great US of A until September next year. I will make an attempt to have my toppers re-stitched somewhere in San Antonio, TX.

We are hoping to attend Quartsize in 2012 (we are making plan to do this). There are so many IRV2ers that we would like to meet and this seems to be the place to meet up.

All the best and remember to say "Hi" from us when you get to Quartsize

[Rex]

In San Antonio you should be able to find a good awning shop. They should be able to do a good job for you.

[WeBeGone2]

On my M/H they all failed also. Ended up trimming off some material and resewing pocket for poly-rod. I used monofiliment fishing line. That stuff never rots

[Twomed]

Will be back at Long Key in a few weeks, but it sounds like you folks won't be headed our way this year. Look for Boat tops, awning, or sailmakers. They should have V92 uV resistant thread and fix you up right.

[Gordon66]

Thanks Great Dane for the heads up. I checked my toppers and found one of them with the same issue. I pulled them off today and they are going to a local awning maker for repairs.