Community Forums

jestal · 11-24-2019, 07:07 PM

For anyone who has changed a slide topper on a classic...….

How did you remove and replace the coach side of the topper? The little channel that the topper anchors in runs the length of the coach on our Anthem with no breaks or openings to feed the topper out/in.

Did you notch the small channel several inches from the topper and touch up paint or am I missing something?

I have a new set of tough tops and it suddenly dawned on me that there is no open access to the slot on the coach side!

**Spdracr39** · 11-25-2019, 04:56 AM

You don't have to go several inches only one or two at most. If there is really no notch that is the way to do it. A drill bit the size if the plastic piping drilled straight into the channel then twisted to the side to widen the channel just enough. You will end up with an elongated slot. You will then have to remove any sharp edges to allow the new piping to pull in smoothly and not damage the new fabric. The new topper will slide in the channel very easily. If there is an opening at the very end you could use that and just slide it on the length of the coach.

DebbieMH · 11-25-2019, 06:34 AM

There is a way to get them in from the side, there is a little tab that you bring down to slide the rope part in/out. I had all my slide toppers replaced a couple of months ago and it looked to be pretty simple (but still above my pay grade, I don't do heights at all) ... so I had it done by an RV tech. The fabric they used was less expensive than the OEM and looks like it may last longer.

DebbieMH · 11-25-2019, 06:38 AM

Here is a pic of the tab.

Click image for larger version

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jestal · 11-25-2019, 09:44 AM

Yep, I understand.

I have extended rain gutters on the ends and did not want to unseal and unscrew them! Wondered if there was another way to do it rather than from just the ends!

Thanks for the feed back.

Johnontheroad · 11-26-2019, 05:45 AM

I replaced mine on my Monaco a few years ago. Not a big deal, just make sure you don’t let the roller spring unwind and have two people with ladders. The new topper material has to slide in to both the channel and the roller at the same time.

My new toppers were made by StoneVos (www.stonevos.com) which I recommend. Better material, 10 year warranty, better construction and 100% USA made. They custom make the toppers to match your coach.

bevandtomH · 11-26-2019, 08:26 AM

A lot of up and down on ladders with two people or three.
As others said, you can widen the slot to feed the awning through. And pull.
RV Geeks has a couple of good videos on replacing our Carefree awning that we followed on You Tube.
We bought our awnings from a local shop based on their recommendations after showing what our oem was.