Community Forums

MSHappyCampers · 09-04-2014, 08:33 AM

I need to replace the awning fabric on my slide toppers. I am looking at the Tough Top 18 oz. coated vinyl fabric. Do you consider this to be as good as anything out there? Thanks!

The Finest RV Slide Topper Replacement Fabric You Can Buy!

MandG-Fun · 09-04-2014, 08:48 AM

Joe, I think I recall Richard -Dr4Film post about a company in Florida that he highly recommended for replacement fabric. You my want to PM him and see.

Happy trails,
Glenn

MSHappyCampers · 09-04-2014, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MandG-Fun

Joe, I think I recall Richard -Dr4Film post about a company in Florida that he highly recommended for replacement fabric. You my want to PM him and see.

Happy trails,
Glenn

Thanks Glenn! If Richard don't pop in soon I'll PM him!

Gary RVRoamer · 09-04-2014, 11:27 AM

I have one of theirs. I wouldn't call it the finest by any means, but it seems a serviceable topper and at least equal to the stuff A&E used on theirs. My original Carefree SOK II had better fabric, though.

Service is good from Toughtops - you get what you paid for and get it promptly.

One minor thing is that Toughtops doesn't bind the edges of the fabric. A minor thing and the synthetic material isn't the sort of thing to unravel, but the edge has a slightly unfinished look compared to my SOK II toppers.

larry koenn · 09-04-2014, 11:35 AM

Joe,

Keep us posted on this one please. I replaced an old slide out topper last fall with one from Carefree. The material rubbed the top of the slide and has a rip right in the middle, causing a leak into the MH. I have silicone on it now and have re-done the slide out seal but still need to replace the awning material. I sure would like something tougher than what Carefree sells. And in six months the Carefree material looks like it's ten years old. Collects and holds dirt and mold.

thanks
Larry

MSHappyCampers · 09-04-2014, 01:42 PM

Gary, are there any others out there that you would consider better quality?

MSHappyCampers · 09-05-2014, 07:57 AM

I placed an order with Tyler at Tough Top Awnings yesterday for the two slide toppers. His price was WAY below other quotes I got! Also, he's a great guy to deal with!

Gary RVRoamer · 09-05-2014, 08:43 AM

Quote:

And in six months the Carefree material looks like it's ten years old. Collects and holds dirt and mold.

Interesting. My Carefree SOK II toppers are 10 years old and the only problem I've had is that the stitching in the seams rotted out. Except for the big one that bellies down and gets muddy where the water sits, the material looks as good as new. Maybe a different material than yours? Mine is a woven synthetic of some sort, very dense. I see that the generic replacement that Carefree sells is vinyl, bit that's not what came on my SOK II topper.

Gary RVRoamer · 09-05-2014, 08:44 AM

Sunpro offers two grades of slide topper material, but I don't have experience with either one. I would try the 18 oz grade if I ever need another.

Slide Out Covers / Awnings - Sunpro Mfg

MSHappyCampers · 09-05-2014, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

Sunpro offers two grades of slide topper material, but I don't have experience with either one. I would try the 18 oz grade if I ever need another.

Slide Out Covers / Awnings - Sunpro Mfg

I was going to get the 18 oz material from Tough Tops but Tyler recommended the 15 oz material for the slide toppers. He said the 18 oz is better suited for the main awning.

larry koenn · 09-05-2014, 11:54 AM

Gary, Yes mine came with a thin white vinyl material. I put it on in the Houston area in Texas last winter. So it was in a lot of humidity for three months. Then California for two months, pretty dry, then Alaska for the summer. We've had a dry summer, meaning it hasn't rained all the time but it is cool and somewhat humid all the time. I don't normally spend much time looking at the awning topper and was surprised when I got up there to repair it and it looks so old and dirty and moldy.

Gary, I sure had my heart set on the 18 oz material. The original topper had a thick canvas type material that lasted fourteen years. It was more like tent canvas but finally started to come apart. I'm quite interested it how it looks when you receive it and put it on. I'm waiting until we get back to California before I order anything. (cost of shipping you know)

Larry

karencollins · 09-06-2014, 05:21 PM

We have 2 toppers that need to be replaced. I'm planning to order Sunbrella fabric & either make them myself or take them to a shoe or luggage repair shop to be stitched. We also bought some liquid seam cover & put that on all the seams to keep them from disintegrating from the sun.

Gary RVRoamer · 09-07-2014, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Gary, I sure had my heart set on the 18 oz material. The original topper had a thick canvas type material that lasted fourteen years. It was more like tent canvas but finally started to come apart. I'm quite interested it how it looks when you receive it and put it on.

Not likely to be any time soon, Larry. We restitched the seams on the other two toppers and the material is wearing like iron.

I notice that Carefree dubs its replacement topper material as "universal", so it's perhaps not the excellent stuff they use on their SOK (Slide Out Kover) III product. Too bad.

bobmac · 09-08-2014, 10:18 AM

I replaced mine with the Tough Top product. Great service and reasonable price. I was extremely satisfied. I had the carefree toppers before and their installation instructions scared me by their complexity. The Tough Top instructions by comparison are much clearer and very simple. Wife and I installed both in two hours. You need an 8 foot stepladder to do it safely and one person on the ground. A spray can of silicone lubricant will be your best friend to get the awning into the channel easily.