Community Forums

The Captain · 04-30-2008, 01:17 AM

My slide toppers are in need of replacement as the vinyl has started to seperate. I am considering replacing just the material instead of the compleate assembly as I have seen the material fairly inexpensive on e-bay and other places. The question is has anyone replaced just the material and how difficult was it.
Derek

The Captain · 04-30-2008, 01:17 AM

My slide toppers are in need of replacement as the vinyl has started to seperate. I am considering replacing just the material instead of the compleate assembly as I have seen the material fairly inexpensive on e-bay and other places. The question is has anyone replaced just the material and how difficult was it.
Derek

Captain Bud · 04-30-2008, 02:21 AM

I did both my main slide and bedroom slide. Don't try to do it alone. Don't forget the stop screws that prevent the fabric from shifting. All and all the project is doable with a couple of tall ladders and, I repeat, a helper. Instead of using a pin to hold the tension I used Vise-Grips and they worked well. Good luck and if you have any other questions you can PM me...

Cruzer · 04-30-2008, 03:22 AM

For a set of instructions on how to do this check out the following link: http://www.rvtechlibrary.com/exterior/topper.htm

AFChap · 04-30-2008, 08:15 AM

I removed both of mine last week to look at getting them repaired. As others have said, it's no big deal for two people & two ladders.

I did notice the installation instructions mention stop screws to keep the fabric from shifting, but I noted neither of mine had stop screws installed ...no problems with shifting in the five years we've had the coach.

My toppers are relatively large. One is 103" wide and the other 166". They are Carefree brand. Replacements from Carefree are very reasonable at $103 for the smaller & $135 for the larger one. I know of some owners who have had new ones made out of different materials, but don't know that they paid for their custom made versions.

rotts4u · 05-07-2008, 09:58 AM

I paid about $40 each for mine at a local awning shop. I just removed my old ones and took them in for use as a pattern and they made some that looked exactly like the old ones. One day turn around and no shipping or no hassles. One of mine was over 100" and one was smaller.

David K · 05-10-2008, 05:40 PM

Paul

To get your replacement toppers, did you contact Carefree directly? I have a 2002 Ultimate Advantage and need to replace the topper on my large slide out.

AFChap · 05-10-2008, 06:23 PM

Dave & Karen

Dealers I talked with told me I would find a "sticker" on the roller or fabric with the part # info I needed for replacement. It wasn't there. Finally I found the sticker on the metal mounting brackets, but it is paper and all the print was totally bleached out.

Then I emailed Carefree. They said all they needed was width of the fabric, and how far the slide extends, and I could go on their website to select what fabric I wanted. Then I called Lichtsinn Motors in Forest City. They did research based on my coach s/n and came back with sizes. I already knew the fabric widths, and the first sizes they came back with were obviously wrong/too small. They went back for more research and came back with the right size and replacement costs. The 103" one was quoted at $103 and the 166" at $135.

However, in the meantime I found a local awning/canvas place where we are south of Dallas that says they can restitch them. The fabric is in good shape (and there is plenty of extra on the length so they can cut a few inches off if necessary to restitch the end that hooks to the coach) and I hate to toss them just because of the stitching coming out. I have a date with the canvas place on Monday morning to show them what I want done, and the guy said they will do it while I wait.

AFChap · 05-11-2008, 03:36 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Under the very last bit of the vinyl material ON THE ROLLER itself you will find a white sticker with numbers printed on it </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
That's what they told me, but nope -- not there on either roller. And with the amount of extra fabric on both rollers, there is no way it was there and fell off. One extends 21" and the other 30" and both have well over 40" of fabric.

David K · 05-15-2008, 05:15 PM

Thanks for the info Paul. I will call them directly for the replacement fabric. Sorry about the delay in acknowledging your response -- I have been traveling and did not have time to look back up on the forum until tonight.

Ray,IN · 05-15-2008, 05:56 PM

Many full-timers are using SunBrella and other brands of sun shade fabric. It's stronger than topper material,doesn't pop in wind,shades the slide room, and it doesn't sag with water in a storm, water will pass through, but not debris.

AFChap · 05-15-2008, 06:00 PM

Well, the conclusion of my story is that rather than having mine restitched, I had the canvas/awning place that was going to do the work just make new ones. They asked me to drop by to be sure they understood which end they were to work on, and in the process I found side stitching rotting out in addition to the end stitching I was previously aware of. Re-stitching would have run me apx $75. For $150+tax for total $162 I got totally new toppers.

I did NOT get a sun shade type fabric as I don't want water passing through and lying on top of the 14' slideroom where it will come inside when we retract the slide. A few weeks ago I got a shot of cold water off the slide top and right down the back of my neck when I braked sharply! That was a bit of a shock for this old guy!!!

Now to get them put on! Hope to get to them next week. We had a death in the family and had to make a quick trip to Oklahoma, so are away from the rig for awhile.