Community Forums

bdaball · 11-02-2009, 07:39 PM

Just completed the second slide topper fabric replacement. The first one I did was last year with replacment fabric material from Colorado. Learned a lot from that project for the smaller bedroom slide topper.

So, how hard could the much longer living area slide topper be? This time I ordered the fabric from www.rv-motorhome-answers.com Their web site claims a heavier 15 oz fabric and custom cut for exact fit. We were a little disappointed at first when we found our CC account was charged shortly after we placed the order yet it took five days for the order to be made and five days to ship.

The new off white colored fabric looked like a million bucks and did look and feel much heavier than the original. The most crucial element to me seemed to be the size of the leader cords sewn in each end. Both cords were an exact fit. If they are too big you'll have a tuff time pushing it on. Too small and it will pop out of the groove. This product fit much better than last years Colorado material.

My tips: TWO PERSON-TWO LADDER JOB. Read the instructions provided the day before you start. Let the new fabric lay flat in a warm area overnight before you start. File the end corners of the grooves before you start for easier installation. A small squeeze bottle of dish soap squirted into the grooves helps a bunch. Go slow and easy when pulling the fabric on. Don't rush.

bldrbob · 11-02-2009, 08:50 PM

I replaced my topper fabric last year. after starting the fabric into the grooves I fastened a cord to the fabric at each spline and tied a weighted bucket to it. That way I could feed the fabric in and the bucket pulled the fabric into the groove.That made it a one man operation.
BOB

Joe-K · 11-03-2009, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bldrbob

I replaced my topper fabric last year. after starting the fabric into the grooves I fastened a cord to the fabric at each spline and tied a weighted bucket to it. That way I could feed the fabric in and the bucket pulled the fabric into the groove.That made it a one man operation.
BOB

That's some great ingenuity

Jackm · 11-08-2009, 01:35 PM

bldrbob,

Very clever. But how exactly did you attach the cord to the spline without interfering with the movement of the spline in the track? In other words, what kept it from binding up? Thanks.

Jack

bldrbob · 11-08-2009, 05:55 PM

I used a small C clamp on the fabric near the edge.I put a staple thru the fabric into the spline to make sure it didn't slide out.
BOB

Jackm · 11-09-2009, 12:40 AM

Thanks.

Jack

J Walker · 11-09-2009, 07:19 AM

I learned a while back that there is much better material for slide toppers than A&E sells. The original and replacement material from A&E is vinyl covered fabric which lasts about 6-7 years. I used the A&E replacement topper and then later learned about Sunbrella fabric, The official website of Sunbrella® brand fabrics. My next toper change will be Sunbrella and it will be my last aslo.

Theberrys · 11-09-2009, 07:36 AM

We used the fabric from www.rv-motorhome-answers.com and were very pleased with both the fabric and the price. The instructions were clear and easy. My wife and I did it together and it took about one hour. The fabric is thicker than our A&E stuff we pulled off and were very pleased.

Dick