Slide Awning Topper - Yes or No?

[dkno1957]

Hello! We are new to the travel trailer camping world and are looking for advise. We have a travel trailer with a slide. Is it a good idea to get an awning topper that rolls out & back to keep the slide safe? Also, if you do this, should you also get a ladder and a leaf blower to take off leaves etc before it is rolled back in?

As I said, new and trying to determine if the cost of the slide awning topper is worth it.

Thank so so much & look forward to the answers!

Debbie & Harvey

[grumpy0374]

Have 3 slides on our motor home, all with toppers. Wouldn't own an rv/with slides without them.
If you have toppers, no need for a ladder or blower as anything on top will fall off as the slide topper retracts.
Without a topper, any dirt, water, leaves, droppings, will hit the top of the slide, and some of it may be brought into the interior of your rig when the slide retracts.
I just get up on a ladder once or twice a year and clean out the area between the topper and slide roof and to treat the seals with 303.
Your going to get pro's and con's for them. Use your own judgement.
Grumpy

[parkerbill]

We added a slide topper to our super slide. It keeps all or most of the water and to me, most importantly, it keeps the debris like sticks, acorns, leaves and other assorted junk off the top of the slide, thus the debris does not damage your seals and/or end up inside the trailer.

[TonyDi]

I have toppers on 3 out of my 4 slides. I think they help in keeping debris off the roof of the slide out. I wouldn't go without them.

[JUS1MO]

As all have said, you definitely need a slide topper...

[tbos1958]

No topper on my large slide but I wish I had one.

[LJMinniePlus]

On our previous TT, we had a small slide and I just used a step ladder and wiped the top down prior to closing the slide. Our new TT has a super slide that is taller, longer and deeper. There is no way that I could reach or wipe it by hand, so we had a slide topper installed as part of the purchase agreement. It boils down to whatever you are comfortable with. Small slides can be cleaned quite easily, large slides not so much.

[Badlands Bob]

I just climb up the factory ladder and sweep off the slide before I close it up if we are camping in the woods. The downside is, I have to climb up the factory ladder and sweep off the slide before I close it up.

Slide toppers are notorious for flapping in the wind and puddling water when they sag. It's also one more thing that UV rays will eventually deteriorate.

I guess it comes down to what you're comfortable with.

[rpierrie]

Grumpy said it well above. One more vote in favor of toppers.

[rideandslide]

First , the Topper will have nothing to do with safety , just helps keep the top of the slide free of deprie. We do not have one on our 8 foot slide, wish we could justify the expense !

We carry a high pressure jet hose nozzle and when we leave, i get up on the ladder with nozzle now on the disconnected water supply hose, and wash off all the leaves, sticks, and pine straw that has found it's way there during the stay ! With the jet spray, i can do it from one end !!!

[jbenoit28]

We have two on our TT and it makes life much easier, especially when the weather isn't nice.

Joe

[ztoymaker]

We have one on our slide. And it's a big plus. I would say go for it.

[RPr]

Having pushed 4 inches of wet snow, leaves, acorns and assorted debris off the slide to from time to time, it is on my to do list.

[Gigattime]

Agree with the other posts in favor of them. We have them on ours and wouldn't​want to be without them. Makes life easier and helps protect the seals from UV/baking in the sun.