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05-10-2014, 04:36 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 39
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Slide Topper out of track in middle
I recently noticed that the center section of my carefree slide topper has come out of it's track on the motorhome. I'm thinking that perhaps I can take a dull putty knife and starting from one side start tucking the material back into the track. I'm not sure why it came out of the track but if I can get it back in I thought I would take a small block of wood and hammer on the track a little to re-pinch it. Curious if anyone has seen this problem before and what they think of my idea to fix it? Appreciate any and all help I can get... 
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05-10-2014, 06:05 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Yuma Arizona USA
Posts: 2,996
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Possibly pulled out in a wind gust. My suggestion would be to pin the roller and remove it from the slide and flip it up on the roof. Next remove the screw from each end of the track and slide the topper back and then carefully bend the track down where it had pulled out. Then assemble in reverse order. This may be more work but it eliminates the possibility of punching a hole in the topper trying to force it back into the track. I removed all four of my toppers last spring and had them re-sewn. It really was not that hard.
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Brian, Loretta & Lucy (Golden Retriever)
2008 HR Endeavor 40 PDQ , ISL 400
2010 Dodge Ram 1500 Toad
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05-10-2014, 06:27 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: St. Augustine, FL
Posts: 3,595
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There is a "pocket" sewn into the edge of the topper and a poly cord is inserted into the pocket to retain the topper in the track. The poly cord where your topper has come out of the track may be broken.
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KIX
'02 Ultimate Advantage 40J Spartan MM - Cummins ISC
2013 Jeep Rubicon JK Unlimited
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05-10-2014, 07:02 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Holiday Rambler Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,746
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Or........ the stitching may have let go in that spot.
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Ben & Sharon
2008 43' Holiday Rambler Scepter PDQ
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05-10-2014, 10:23 PM
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#5
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"Formerly Diplomat Don"
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Moorpark, Ca.
Posts: 24,064
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As stated, your slide topper has a pocket sewn into the end and then a piece fo polycord is slid into the pocket. The combination of the pocket and the cord is what keeps the slide topper locked into your rain gutter. If it has pulled out as you say, the pocket stitching has come loose.
Your choices.....if it's a cloth material, you can remove it, cut off six inches and have a new pocket sewn in and get another couple of years. The other choice is to replace the topper material. There are several places that sell the material online if you are a DIY person.
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Don & Mary
2019 Newmar Dutch Star 4018 (Freightliner)
2019 Ford Raptor
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05-10-2014, 10:31 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Glenpool, Oklahoma
Posts: 326
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I had the same problem. BUT here is what I found out. The topper was sewed with cotton thread and the cotton rotten and came un sewed. It also ends up funneling the water right into the slide gasket and over coming the seal. JOY!
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05-10-2014, 10:32 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Glenpool, Oklahoma
Posts: 326
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Replace side toppers!
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05-11-2014, 08:56 AM
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#8
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,671
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Almost for sure the threads have rotted and allowed the material to pull out form around the polycord in the track. It has to be removed, re-sewn, and re-inserterd in the track. Not a real big deal if you are fairly handy and have a sewing machine. Or remove it and take it to a canvas or upholstery shop.
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Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
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05-11-2014, 04:24 PM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 39
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A big Thank You to all of you who replied. Today I got my step ladder out and climbed up for a closer look at what had happened to my topper and sure enough the thread has let loose and my topper has to be removed and be sewn again. I'm sure if I look hard enough I'll be able to find the info I need to take it off and not screw things up. Thanks again for the help.... 
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05-11-2014, 04:47 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Foley AL
Posts: 7,138
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Super14j
A big Thank You to all of you who replied. Today I got my step ladder out and climbed up for a closer look at what had happened to my topper and sure enough the thread has let loose and my topper has to be removed and be sewn again. I'm sure if I look hard enough I'll be able to find the info I need to take it off and not screw things up. Thanks again for the help.... |
I had the same problem. The slide awning material was fine but the thread deteriorated. I restitched mine with our older household sewing machine and used Outdoor Furniture Thread (available at some fabric stores). That was 18 months ago and it's still fine.
Coats Outdoor 200Yd White at Joann.com
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2005 Newmar Essex 4502, 2013 Caddy SRX
1997 HR Endeavor 37, CAT, 1996 Geo Tracker
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05-11-2014, 05:07 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Missouri City, TX
Posts: 1,309
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Here is a youtube video that may help. Its for an A&E awning but the principals are about the same.
Also here is another thread http://www.irv2.com/forums/f115/slid...al-170566.html with good discussion pictures and videos. Good luck.
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Don
2003 Forest River Cardinal Platinum 37' 5th Wheel
1976 31' Airstream
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05-11-2014, 06:25 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Merritt, BC
Posts: 3,753
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Super14j
A big Thank You to all of you who replied. Today I got my step ladder out and climbed up for a closer look at what had happened to my topper and sure enough the thread has let loose and my topper has to be removed and be sewn again. I'm sure if I look hard enough I'll be able to find the info I need to take it off and not screw things up. Thanks again for the help.... |
I notice you have a 2003 coach. If the toppers have never been replaced, you're long over due. Personally I would bite the bullet and install new ones as your problem will only continue.
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Bob, Sherron & Kinsey (RIP 2013-2022)
2017 Tiffin Phaeton 40QBH
2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited
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05-12-2014, 05:53 AM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 39
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Thanks for the link to the video "replacing a slide topper" Don. I'm sure it will help... I'm not sure of the age of the topper as I just picked this motorhome home up a couple of weeks ago and don't know it's history to well. I should have noticed the topper being screwed up but I didn't.. Doesn't sound like a huge project so I should be OK. Thanks again...
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05-12-2014, 06:12 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Foley AL
Posts: 7,138
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Super14j
Thanks for the link to the video "replacing a slide topper" Don. I'm sure it will help... I'm not sure of the age of the topper as I just picked this motorhome home up a couple of weeks ago and don't know it's history to well. I should have noticed the topper being screwed up but I didn't.. Doesn't sound like a huge project so I should be OK. Thanks again...
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It's not a huge job but does require 2 people and probably 2 ladders. I took my whole assembly off, took it home, unrolled it manually (with the pins in place on roller/spring), and sewed the top and sides. I put the unrolled assembly on 2 workhorses and did the stitching with the sewing machine on a portable work bench. I stitched about 2 feet and then moved the work bench/sewing machine without lifting the needle ... repeated and worked my way across the topper. Did the whole topper in a day including removal/reinstall/sewing/travel.
You will probably need new polycord .... I used similar size vinyl tubing from Home Depot.
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2005 Newmar Essex 4502, 2013 Caddy SRX
1997 HR Endeavor 37, CAT, 1996 Geo Tracker
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