Community Forums

Oregon RVer · 08-05-2012, 07:55 PM

We're upsizing -- soon to take ownership of a new Montana Mountaineer! Our previous 5er came with a slide (roll-up) awning already installed. We're strongly considering it for our new rig -- feeling that it's a worthwhile investment. We'd appreciate hearing feedback from a few folks. Do you think slide awnings are important? Has anyone had a bad experience with them?

VSPA · 08-06-2012, 07:58 AM

Not really sure which ones your inquiring about. If your talking about those that automatically roll out when you expand the slide, I wouldn't want to be without them. Keeps the moisture an trash off the top of the slide and having to do a sweep off when closing. If you are talking about the manual awning that can be added to the windows on the slides or other windows, I've had it with and without and I do prefer to have them. They sure help keep down the heat. The window units is one of several items on my "I want" list.

daveshan · 08-06-2012, 08:04 AM

Some folks complain about them flapping in wind, must be on the deeper slides, ours (~20") we never hear and wouldn't be without it. Leaves/water etc just rolls off as we bring the slide in.

X2 on the window awnings really help on hot days.

RickO · 08-06-2012, 08:14 AM

Welcome to the forum.

I assume you're talking about "slide toppers" and I would consider them important but not critical. They do keep things cleaner and drier inside the coach.

Good luck

Rick

Sky_Boss · 08-06-2012, 02:00 PM

While slide toppers do help keep the slide surface cleaner, they aren't totally fool proof. It is a good idea to peek on top of your slides before you retract if you are in areas where there is a lot of falling leaf activity and such. I would also suspect a very dusty location might be a situation where a quick rinse before retraction of slides could be a good idea.

historyljc · 08-06-2012, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mustang652

Not really sure which ones your inquiring about. If your talking about those that automatically roll out when you expand the slide, I wouldn't want to be without them. Keeps the moisture an trash off the top of the slide and having to do a sweep off when closing. If you are talking about the manual awning that can be added to the windows on the slides or other windows, I've had it with and without and I do prefer to have them. They sure help keep down the heat. The window units is one of several items on my "I want" list.

Welcome to the forum. This is also my opinion.

RustyJC · 08-06-2012, 02:58 PM

I'm sure mine will be a minority opinion, but we've owned 5th wheel with slide toppers as well as without. Our current 5th wheel does NOT have them. The reasons are:

1. They do indeed flap in the wind.

2. If leaves, twigs, acorns, etc. get under them in the middle of the slide, it's a royal pain to try to get them off the slideout roof before pulling the slideout in.

3. After rolling them up wet a few times, they develop a great crop of mold on the bottom side. Good luck with cleaning THAT off.

4. Eventually they will sag and start trapping water. The more water they trap, the more they sag.

They have advantages, but they also have disadvantages. Each owner will make a decision based on those factors he/she deems more important.

Rusty

Cat320 · 08-06-2012, 05:39 PM

We've had it both ways. If the RV you are buying does not have them yet...try it without covers. If you like it, fine, if not you can add the toppers.

Tha_Rooster · 08-06-2012, 05:48 PM

I have a friend who bought a new 40ft 5th wheel that had a bad slide design he had to put toppers on to keep it from leaking. I like them just to keep leaves out of the slide, who wants to climb on top to sweep off the slide before closing.