Wind damage

Gerall · 08-23-2011, 04:22 PM

I know enough to put in the awning when there are high winds, but what about the slider awnings. Has anyone had any issues with them being wind damaged where a person should have brought the slides in, or are they useally safe from higher winds.

**Route 66** · 08-23-2011, 04:28 PM

Damage doesn't happen very often and I've brought my slides in when a bad storm approached.

**Gary RVRoamer** · 08-23-2011, 04:38 PM

It takes a really severe wind to bother the slide toppers. You will now when its time - they get noisy and by then the RV is probably rocking in the wind anyway.

Wayne M · 08-23-2011, 04:44 PM

I have been in some 45 mph sustained wind. When we know it is coming we will pull the slides in at those speeds. However, when it is more comfortable to live we leave the slides out, but I take a 4 inch wide strap, put it over the topper awnings and extended a few feet down on each side, then attach a rope to each side, and anchor it in the ground with a spring tension. It keeps the toppers from knocking your ears off as it raps against the coach. Not using a wide strap would be like putting a strong thread inside a folded paper, then holding one end tight and pulling on the other end of the thread. It will cut through it like butter. Think paper envelope opener.

I had a topper awning begin to tear at a seam close to the coach one time in winds. I taped it and then it was replaced under warranty. If it had torn any where other than the seam it would not have been covered.

Happy trails.

Zbugsii · 08-23-2011, 05:58 PM

I have seen several coaches had their slide covers torn off by high winds. Now, one of the coaches was fairly new and the wind just got the right angle to tear it off. The other coaches were a lot older and you could see the material was just not up to snuff to be able to hold out against the high winds.

I have, several times, brought my slides in when the winds really start make the covers flap... I do not want to take the chance... too much trouble to have to deal with it than to just close up the slides.

Ray,IN · 08-23-2011, 06:06 PM

I had a topper fabric replaced last November because of high winds. The poly coating separated from the threads where the topper was snapped about in that wind. I didn't complain though, they have a 2 yr. warranty and our 5er is an 05. Remembering and comparing to automotive battery lifespan, mine usually fail a month after the warranty expires, I figured I was 3 years ahead of the game.

**Kablewizard** · 08-23-2011, 06:06 PM

Most times our slider might make noise on some stronger winds, but if the rig starts to rock from the wind I pull the slide in and wait it out.

GG1 · 08-23-2011, 06:15 PM

Use common sense,,It takes a push of the button to put the slides in,,if it feels too windy don't try to battle the weather its not worth the aggravation,,the same goes for your patio awning and window awning

traveler of california · 08-24-2011, 01:22 PM

Lost our toppers during a hail storm one summer and we have been extra careful with them since as it is a pain to replace them. When winds start to exceed 20 mph I am watching carefully and usually pull in the front slide if they start flapping as our coach is still quite livable that way. When I'm really concerned I will then pull in the back slide.

Nick

RVRon · 08-24-2011, 01:48 PM

I was turned directly into a 60 mph gust front that moved through the park I was in this June. The slide toppers were flapping like crazy, the tie down straps for the window shade awnings (the small ones over the windows) were vibrating like guitar strings and the coach was rocking. Pulled all the slides in and put the window awnings up. I can see that that kind of wind would damage the toppers for sure.