slide out topper self install

[indian4dirt]

hi All!

i have a new slide out topper in my hands and am prepping to mount it myself. seems simple enuff.
been watching multiple utoob videos and have the concepts down. the only detail i have any apprehension about is drilling the holes in the wall for the top rail.

i don't know how the RV wall is constructed. i am not sure how to find some solid point to run my screws into to have it securely stuck to the wall,

can anybody shed some light for me?

one video i saw said to mount the rail between 3-6 inches above the slide out. that is a pretty wide range if i'm trying to find a 1x2 piece of wood with the 1" side facing me.
i don't want to drill any "extra" holes if i can help it.


thanx in advance.

Dave

[CecilD]

I think one can assume there is a header above a large slide opening. My trailer is fiberglass over an aluminum subframe; when it is cold below the dew point, the moisture on the side of the trailer will print all the substructure. I don't know if this happens with wood framed trailers.

I think the high end electronic stud finders read density so should pick things up behind aluminum.

[hamm2018]

Originally Posted by indian4dirt

hi All!

i have a new slide out topper in my hands and am prepping to mount it myself. seems simple enuff.
been watching multiple utoob videos and have the concepts down. the only detail i have any apprehension about is drilling the holes in the wall for the top rail.

i don't know how the RV wall is constructed. i am not sure how to find some solid point to run my screws into to have it securely stuck to the wall,

can anybody shed some light for me?

one video i saw said to mount the rail between 3-6 inches above the slide out. that is a pretty wide range if i'm trying to find a 1x2 piece of wood with the 1" side facing me.
i don't want to drill any "extra" holes if i can help it.


thanx in advance.

Dave

What makes you think the rig has wood structure vs. aluminum structure? What is the age of the RV?

As mentioned, depending on your location, you may be able to see the framing structure in the morning hours due to condensation on the outside.

[jimcumminsw]

What make and model + year of the trailer that you are planning on installing your slide topper on.

Another item how long is the slide topper in length that you are attaching by yourself. I know I would not install any slide topper on any of the 5er's that I have owned by myself. All of the toppers would need at least two people to install on any of the slides that were on my three different trailers.

[indian4dirt]

Originally Posted by hamm2018

What makes you think the rig has wood structure vs. aluminum structure? What is the age of the RV?

As mentioned, depending on your location, you may be able to see the framing structure in the morning hours due to condensation on the outside.

to be honest.. i don't have any idea if i have wood structure or metal. mentioning wood was just a shot in the dark hoping for somebody familiar with RV design. i have a 29' 5th wheeler with a Cougar name on it. it is a model from 2010. i believe it is made by Keystone.

it is set up about 6 hours away from me so i have not been able to get up and thump on the wall since the awning got to me.

[indian4dirt]

Originally Posted by jimcumminsw

What make and model + year of the trailer that you are planning on installing your slide topper on.

Another item how long is the slide topper in length that you are attaching by yourself. I know I would not install any slide topper on any of the 5er's that I have owned by myself. All of the toppers would need at least two people to install on any of the slides that were on my three different trailers.

ur point is well taken.
i won't have an extra set of hands available or i would definitely use them.

i was successful at replacing the fabric of my main awning on my own. that too was recommended as a 2 man job. it was tedious but i got it done...
so i am hopeful i can make this one work also.

[jimcumminsw]

Originally Posted by indian4dirt

to be honest.. i don't have any idea if i have wood structure or metal. mentioning wood was just a shot in the dark hoping for somebody familiar with RV design. i have a 29' 5th wheeler with a Cougar name on it. it is a model from 2010. i believe it is made by Keystone.

it is set up about 6 hours away from me so i have not been able to get up and thump on the wall since the awning got to me.

I had a 2010 Cougar a 318SAB model. This had an AL frame if I remember correctly, not wood.

I had the dealer install slide toppers on all three slides for me; this was done by them with no issues what's so ever. I had them installed at time of purchase of the trailer.

[indian4dirt]

Originally Posted by jimcumminsw

I had a 2010 Cougar a 318SAB model. This had an AL frame if I remember correctly, not wood.

I had the dealer install slide toppers on all three slides for me; this was done by them with no issues what's so ever. I had them installed at time of purchase of the trailer.

thank u... that will be helpful !

[indian4dirt]

I'm Back!!!


one more opinion please?

i got to my rig and did measuring... i have a rain gutter on the exterior wall just above my slide out.
my question.....
should i remove the rain gutter and install the slide topper along that same line?
or attempt to mount the slide topper above the rain gutter?

[RickLight]

I did my own toppers, but not the top rail. I took a careful look at how the factory did it. I believe they rely on the overall length of the rail. Lots of screws and lots of adhesive! When the forces are spread out over a large area they become fairly small.

[RickLight]

Oh, double check that gutter. Does it have a slot for topper fabric?

[MtCamper]

You should be able to use self tappers and mount the top rail just below the rain gutter. Make sure you are hitting the aluminum framing and don't over torque to the point of stripping the screw, it's easy to do with an impact driver. Many of the better stud finders will work to find aluminum framing. As suggested, check the gutter, many have another rail for awning attachments. It's going to be tricky to attach the awning itself to the slide by yourself. I think I'd attach it with the slide closed and tie the free end off with a rope going over the roof, attach one end then the other. Be sure to use sealant. I'd also suggest looking at other Cougars of similar vintage and see where they have their toppers mounted. It's also possible the factory may have the framing scheme they would be willing to share with you.

[indian4dirt]

Originally Posted by RickLight

Oh, double check that gutter. Does it have a slot for topper fabric?

hi... i have looked at the rain gutter and compared it to the rail supplied with the topper. the open gap is much wider than the rail supplied. looks to me like it would not hold the topper for very long if at all. or maybe it fits a different designed topper than i have.

[indian4dirt]

Originally Posted by MtCamper

You should be able to use self tappers and mount the top rail just below the rain gutter. Make sure you are hitting the aluminum framing and don't over torque to the point of stripping the screw, it's easy to do with an impact driver. Many of the better stud finders will work to find aluminum framing. As suggested, check the gutter, many have another rail for awning attachments. It's going to be tricky to attach the awning itself to the slide by yourself. I think I'd attach it with the slide closed and tie the free end off with a rope going over the roof, attach one end then the other. Be sure to use sealant. I'd also suggest looking at other Cougars of similar vintage and see where they have their toppers mounted. It's also possible the factory may have the framing scheme they would be willing to share with you.

i had thought of that, BUT.... the rain gutter is mounted so close to the top of the slide out flange that i could not close the slide all the way if i place the topper under the gutter. great idea, but in my case, the physics don't work.