Community Forums

joembx · 03-21-2017, 06:31 AM

hi everyone,,,getting ready to pickup new 5ver ,it has 2 slides and no toppers,i would rather install myself (i know the work will be better )any opinions on brands and installation techniques or links to do research big thanks
joe ,barbara
2017 heartland roadwarrior 427

Jake21 · 03-21-2017, 06:51 AM

I bought mine from tough top awnings. Installed myself. They are near needeing replacement after 5 years of full timing.

WeBeFulltime · 03-21-2017, 08:51 AM

Have had Dometics on 2 fifth wheels covering 10 years and 8 solidest and they have been trouble-free.

Fiesta48 · 03-21-2017, 09:36 AM

Don't do it.
1. Expensive intially
2. Expensive to replace material.
3. They flop around in the wind.
4. Stuff still gets under them
5 . They still can let rain in.
6. Rain accumulates on top and BIG water puddles up in center.
7. When my wear out I'm not going to replace them. One is 27' long.
8. Twice I've closed the slide and got soaking wet inside.

Mr_D · 03-21-2017, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake21

I bought mine from tough top awnings. Installed myself. They are near needeing replacement after 5 years of full timing.

OP seems to need the whole unit, not just the fabric. When mine needed replacing on the '02 DSDP I bought them from Tough Tops. Made right here in Vancouver, WA.

Gigattime · 03-21-2017, 07:39 PM

We are happy with ours from Carefree of Colorado. We went with Slideout (SOK lll) Kover lll which also has an aluminum enclosure when closed. Had these on previous coach and were trouble free and in great shape when we sold after 12 seasons of use. Folks have mixed feelings on toppers, but I wouldn't be without them on our coach.

aa9zz · 03-21-2017, 07:51 PM

Wouldn't toppers help protect the slide seals too? Without a topper wouldn't UV rays destroy the seals quickly?

Phil

joembx · 03-22-2017, 04:06 AM

thanks for the info so far everyone,,we had toppers on our diplomat and i believe they helped alot with debris,rain and uv ,,,but yes they do flap in the wind, an the water will pool ,( i was able to solve that )the pooling would be a little harder to solve on a 27 ft. top but could be done,and i would want them shielded ,we had sunbrella fabric on our coach ,seem to hold up well ,but would get soggy after a full day of rain ,even with treating,,im going back on forth on sunbrella type or vinyl ,any opinions on that would be great,,,one thing im worried about is when installing is when screwing to rig catching something solid not just fiberglass,,or is the latter ok with a good adhesive an screws,,,,,everythings a challenge lol ,i guess it would"nt be fun any other way! thanks everyone

Gigattime · 03-22-2017, 05:20 AM

I installed on previous unit, but worked them into the deal on our new 5th wheel this past spring.

If you are in the corner and follow manufacturers recommendation, you should easily catch the framing. The rails get mounted right below or in place of the existing rail and I just followed the screw locations that the manufacturer used.

We went with vinyl and like. The vinyl does get stained over time, but with the enclosed case, not easy to detect from the ground.