Question re lack of slide toppers.

[aboatguy]

i don't recall ever bringing our slide in


If the topper ever has an issue with the wind I guess I'll go up and tighten the tension springs


I replaced the topper material once but at that point it was 14 years old




I'm certain we've been in our share of wind since we received the coach in December 1996

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by slowmachine

I'm reading this thread with some interest because my slide toppers are completely rotted away. While on the roof last weekend, I cut the remaining shreds of material and they are now flapping in the breeze. If they actually covered the full length of the slide, I would probably install new cloth, but they don't. The width of the topper, in my mind, should be wider than the slide itself, similar to a window awning on the S&B. This extra width would go a long way toward preventing debris and water from accumulating on the slide roof. It seems like an awful waste, to me, to go to all that trouble and expense and not make the darn thing wide enough to provide any more than partial shade. I'll probably remove them and go without.

I don't understand why they did not cover the full width of the slide-out. Any possibility that a previous owner had them replaced and ordered the wrong width? Mine are about 3" wider than the slide-out on each end.

[bruceisla]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

I don't understand why they did not cover the full width of the slide-out. Any possibility that a previous owner had them replaced and ordered the wrong width? Mine are about 3" wider than the slide-out on each end.

The only time I have seen them narrower (my old ones) was when they shrunk. My new topper extends at least 2 inches on both sides. When I ordered the new material I had it cut to fill the roller minus 1 inch for possible uneven winding.

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by bruceisla

The only time I have seen them narrower (my old ones) was when they shrunk. My new topper extends at least 2 inches on both sides. When I ordered the new material I had it cut to fill the roller minus 1 inch for possible uneven winding.

I just replaced two of mine, and I think they had me measure the available space end-to-end on the roller, and they made the fabric maybe 1/2" short on each end.

[PDR John]

Originally Posted by aboatguy

i don't recall ever bringing our slide in


If the topper ever has an issue with the wind I guess I'll go up and tighten the tension springs


I replaced the topper material once but at that point it was 14 years old




I'm certain we've been in our share of wind since we received the coach in December 1996

We have one slide topper that is 27 foot long, it can catch some wind.

Once, in WY, a sudden 45 mph wind gust hit just right and it pick the full wall slide up. Moved the top in about 4 inches, with the wife and I sitting on the loveseat. That slide weighs 5000 lbs empty. It's the fastest the slide has ever come in.

It's the only slide we put in for storms. Just to much surface area on the topper.

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by PDR John

We have one slide topper that is 27 foot long, it can catch some wind.

Once, in WY, a sudden 45 mph wind gust hit just right and it pick the full wall slide up. Moved the top in about 4 inches, with the wife and I sitting on the loveseat. That slide weighs 5000 lbs empty. It's the fastest the slide has ever come in.

It's the only slide we put in for storms. Just to much surface area on the topper.

WOW! I bet that got your attention!

[slowmachine]

Beats me why they couldn't have added six inches to each end. Awnings are the same.

[RodK]

I have a 1999 Commander. They are very solid units built here in Manitoba Canada. They are in a Mennonite community and have a lot of solid woodwork in it. They are still in business but do not build A class any more (too bad). They are very well insulated and they use quality components and fabrics. My 1999 is still in very good overall condition.

[PDR John]

A bit of pucker factor, MShappycampers.

[bruceisla]

Getting back to the original question ... I have a very old style Carefree that has the topper and the awning integrated. I can't imagine not having a topper and awning. They both shed a LOT of water and also provide needed shade.