Preventing slide topper damage in high winds

[MikeGriffin]

Anyone have a good idea or two about how to keep the slide toppers from flapping too much (and possibly tearing) in high winds? Our 15DS4369 has a 27-foot full-wall slide and the topper flaps quite a lot. I'm afraid of it tearing, and it's quite a chore to air up, jacks down, etc. to bring it in for a few hours and then reset everything.

My questions then are:

1) Is there a good way to prevent the flapping (I've heard of putting beach balls underneath it)?

2) Is it better if it is tightened? If so, how do you do that?

Thanks in advance!


Mike

[Skip426]

I used a , awning anti billowing strap on my 5er's 15' slide topper , pulled the topper tight against the top of the slide, worked for two snowbirding seasons in a very windy section of the Colorado river basin, often saw 45 MPH+winds , park had several pictures of trailers on there sides as a warning not to leave awnings out.

[Lug_Nut]

High wind, and in particular, gusty high wind can cause damage to toppers. The only full protection is to retract the slide. I've done it and even have awoke and pulled it in during the night.

Peter

[ghaynes754]

I've read about but not tried inflated beach balls under the toppers.

[redcolorado]

I tried air mattresses they blew out. I went to Harbor Freight and bought 3" wide cargo straps without the metal attachments. I put them over the toppers and attach them to anchors that screw into the ground using bungee cords and ropes. I watch the wind forecast and if it forecast to be above 20 I put them on. I have found the easiest was to put them on is to go up on the roof and drape them into place.

[Bushy]

Originally Posted by MikeGriffin

Anyone have a good idea or two about how to keep the slide toppers from flapping too much (and possibly tearing) in high winds? Our 15DS4369 has a 27-foot full-wall slide and the topper flaps quite a lot. I'm afraid of it tearing, and it's quite a chore to air up, jacks down, etc. to bring it in for a few hours and then reset everything.

My questions then are:

1) Is there a good way to prevent the flapping (I've heard of putting beach balls underneath it)?

2) Is it better if it is tightened? If so, how do you do that?

Mike

I may not be able to offer a lot of helpful advice, but I can share a war story. While on a short excursion away from our coach, a violent storm came up and pulled the FW topper from it's roller housing and flopped it onto our roof where it punctured the roof membrane. Upon seeking advice from our insurance carrier and RV dealer on how best to proceed, we were advised to just cut the topper from the coach, pull in the slide, put a piece of duct tape over the roof hole and proceed home for repair. Repair estimate: $2600. We take it in for repair 9/18.

I don't consider myself experienced enough to offer credible advice, but as for me, I intend to endure the inconvenience of bringing in the slides if high winds seem likely.

RB

[deputybubba]

following

[willipaul]

i've never tried putting anything under the slide toppers to create more tension, to abate flapping...

but logical thinking makes me think that doing so would just stretch the material over time, and cause premature replacement of the topper material....and also create a situation that would require always using the space filling devices, even when not windy, due to said stretching...

just a thought....

[Arizona]

I cut ours off about 6 months ago when it started to rip. It's been nice and quiet. Thinking of leaving it off.

[GaryKD]

Hi MikeGriffin,
My kitchen slide does not have a topper. It is left open. The rest of the slides are retracted when high winds are present.

[HavingABlast]

Originally Posted by Lug_Nut

High wind, and in particular, gusty high wind can cause damage to toppers. The only full protection is to retract the slide. I've done it and even have awoke and pulled it in during the night.

Peter

I am in this category. I've have pulled in the slide during daylight and out of a sound sleep at night when the wind really picked up. If you find yourself wondering if there might be damage, then the prudent solution is to retract the slides.

[Dutch Star Don]

Mike, why do you feel it's necessary to start the coach, air up and retract the jacks to bring in the FWS? Yes, Newmar has a procedure for slide operation, but that's just a general procedure so that people who are oblivious to the levelness of a campsite don't tweak a slide. If you're in a reasonably level site, no "out of slope" light, it's not going to do any damage to your slide to bring it in.

Heck, mine sits aired down in my back yard, no jacks and a slight forward slope and I extend and retract the big slide all the time for working and cleaning inside the coach.

Often when the winds get high, I just bring it in for a couple of hours and then extend it.

[RJ51]

I agree with Don, The other day here in Nevada we had sudden strong gusts of wind come through and had no time to do the normal procedure of airing up. Brought all the slides in without any problems. If you are fairly level I see no problem with bringing the slides in or out.

[rlott2k]

Back to the topic, I have used a nylon rope with a rubber bungee to allow some movement. Better option is to inflate some cheap beach balls after extending slides. Helps water runoff also. BTW Bullhead AZ can get very very windy!