Slide out covers

[chief1401]

Picking up a new trailer on May 5th. Is a good idea to have slide out covers installed?

[jfran304]

Yes. If you don't you will need to clean the top of the slide outs before you retract them which will require using a ladder or some means to get high enough to clean them off.

Jon

[450Donn]

Have had slide covers since day on on our 2005. I have had to repair one, (bad spring) and had to pull them in once due to weather. Would I do it again? In a heart beat.

[JohnKoz]

I’m considering installing slide awnings on my fifth wheel, for no other reason than sound dampening of the rain.
2 of my 3 slides have sleeping heads under the slide roof and the rain is real loud, mostly if we park under a tree and get the oversized drops falling off the trees.

Now I just have to decide what brand to get…

-John

[RVRoadTrip]

We have a slide on our new camper and we insisted that a topper be installed. We are glad we did.

.

[RustyJC]

We had slideout toppers on our previous 5th wheel. That's why we didn't get them on our present one. I don't miss them at all.

Rusty

[Ray,IN]

We consider the money for toppers well spent. Snow on the roof of a slide can be a problem. Any hard debris on the roof can damage the slide seals-small tree branches, etc. The toppers help keep the slide cooler in the hot sun too.

[Arch Hoagland]

Pro....They provide shade in the summer.

Con....They provide noise when they flap with wind during the night.
Con...Had to have mine replaced after 5 years due to thread sun rot.

I never cleaned the top of my slides that did not have a topper. Never found it necessary.

[pthomann]

I haven't heard about slide covers, but it may be just what we need? We have a 2003 Terry Dakota (Fleetwood) TT with a slide in the LR. The vinyl or rubber on the top looks like it was damaged, probably from something like a branch, twig or who knows what, on top and then being retracted. I have some questions:

1) What material are the original top of the slide made of, is it vinyl or some type of rubber roofing material?

2) What are slide covers?

3) Where do I purchase a slide cover?

[jfran304]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pthomann I haven't heard about slide covers, but it may be just what we need? We have a 2003 Terry Dakota (Fleetwood) TT with a slide in the LR. The vinyl or rubber on the top looks like it was damaged, probably from something like a branch, twig or who knows what, on top and then being retracted. I have some questions: 1) What material are the original top of the slide made of, is it vinyl or some type of rubber roofing material? 2) What are slide covers? 3) Where do I purchase a slide cover?

Slide out covers are made from the same material as most awnings.
Check out this site: Carefree Motor Home Slideout Awnings

Jon

[RustyJC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pthomann I haven't heard about slide covers, but it may be just what we need? We have a 2003 Terry Dakota (Fleetwood) TT with a slide in the LR. The vinyl or rubber on the top looks like it was damaged, probably from something like a branch, twig or who knows what, on top and then being retracted.

A slide cover (aka a slide topper) is not a cure for roof damage. If the membrane on top of your slide is penetrated, it needs to be repaired ASAP. Water intrusion can spell expensive damage and, ultimately, death to an RV.

Rusty

[pthomann]

Thanks for the information, more questions. I know I need to repair the damage, but what type of material is it? Do you recommend repair or replacement?

Also, when I look at the fabric, about 1/2 of it from the middle to the right end is rolled upward to create a channel for water to flow. However, the other 1/2 from the middle to the left end, is tucked under the gasket material, thereby allowing presumably more water to leak in.

The other strange thing, is it stops leaking with the slide out and only leaks when the slide is in?

[Cat320]

Like lots of this stuff, toppers are a personal decision. We had four slides and no toppers on a 5th wheel and now have three slides with toppers on a MH. Overall I think they are pretty expensive for the value gained.

[jfran304]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pthomann Thanks for the information, more questions. I know I need to repair the damage, but what type of material is it? Do you recommend repair or replacement?

You will need to contact the manufacturer to find out what kind of material it is made out of. The decision to repair or replace will depend on the amount of damage.

Good Luck,
Jon