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brandss · 05-09-2021, 05:15 PM

Just stopped for the night and was outside, taking a look at the coach and I look up and the slide out topper on passenger side is loose and hanging at an angle where it mounts to the side of the coach. I don't know how this didn't come down after a day of driving but thank God.

It seems to have 3 brackets that sit flush to the side of the coach and screws are supposed to go into the coach. On the front part two of the 3 screws are out and I'm not sure how to proceed. Anyone have an issue like this with a suggested fix, even if temporary. We have 350 miles to go tomorrow and can't imagine leaving without doing something.

Barneyb · 05-09-2021, 05:21 PM

Just to get home can’t you get screws and screw it back in place?

Extarheel · 05-09-2021, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandss

Just stopped for the night and was outside, taking a look at the coach and I look up and the slide out topper on passenger side is loose and hanging at an angle where it mounts to the side of the coach. I don't know how this didn't come down after a day of driving but thank God.

It seems to have 3 brackets that sit flush to the side of the coach and screws are supposed to go into the coach. On the front part two of the 3 screws are out and I'm not sure how to proceed. Anyone have an issue like this with a suggested fix, even if temporary. We have 350 miles to go tomorrow and can't imagine leaving without doing something.

Not a quick fix unless you have the equipment or access to a Lowe’s, Home Depot, or Harbor Freight. I just replaced my CareFree Bedroom slide topper with a wider, newer model. It came with screws but I do not like using screws in the sides of my HR Admiral for exactly the issue you are having. I used rivets and a $15 Harbor Freight rivet tool. My coach has aluminum sides and roof but Monaco also used rivets in the ladder which is attached to the fiberglass rear cap. Further the instructions from CareFree also mentioned rivets as being an alternative. Using bigger screws may solve the problem short term but what happens next time?
Also, I noted that the brackets can moved laterally to give you new holes if you have to and will still support the awning.
Good luck.

brandss · 05-09-2021, 05:44 PM

Wow, that's what I call fast help. I'm getting ready to take off the cover to see what I have. I am expecting to see stripped holes so a larger screw may be the fix. I know the wall is fiberglass but I am not sure what's behind it for the screw to "grab" onto.

Just took a look a the others and I have one on the drivers side that is getting ready to have the same issue. Guess I have a new project on my hands once I get somewhere with time to do a real fix.

Barneyb · 05-09-2021, 05:51 PM

When I have to use screws I put some clear silicone adhesive on the screws before putting them in. Loctite Clear Silicone, waterproof sealant.
Good luck getting it fixed.

brandss · 05-09-2021, 07:50 PM

Thanks again for the quick help on this. I am confident that I have it secured well enough for the trip and will look into all of the slide toppers once we get to Florida.

I will say that this has to be a common issue with at least the way Tiffin attaches this particular topper. I don't see how this could hold up long term, it doesn't look designed properly. What do I know though, maybe it's just mine.