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Old 05-17-2019, 01:24 PM   #1
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Slide topper tension

Well, I just installed a set of 4 slide toppers on our 5erand of course one of them sags and puddles water. Can I say I'm disappointed!

I've seen Joe's (MSHappy Campers) solution with PVC and conduit and if necessary I will make up a couple for the 156" topper which kinda defeats the real use of these toppers.

Question - has anyone added a turn or two to the tension springs? The 84 and two 90 inch toppers which so far don't sag, have the Dometic prescribed 13 turns as I found out when I had to assemble one that came apart. That 156" topper with exactly the same springsalso has 13 turns. Kind of ridiculous that a topper almost 2x as long has the same tension and no doubt that it will sag and pool water. Or is this just the way these things are and use a PVC gadget or a beach ball as the solution.
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Old 05-17-2019, 01:33 PM   #2
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I would,try a couple turns And see if it says. You could always return the number of turns.
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Old 05-17-2019, 01:37 PM   #3
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I thought material for topper is for stopping leaves n sticks from laying on slide. not to stop water or rain from going thru? what the heck learned something new today..
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Old 05-17-2019, 01:40 PM   #4
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You want it tight enough that water will run off but not so tight that it hinders the slide going out.
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Old 05-17-2019, 02:28 PM   #5
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Dave, are you saying that you installed the complete toppers or just new fabric?

If fabric, did you go by the topper manufacturer's chart for the number of turns on that model topper?
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Old 05-17-2019, 02:31 PM   #6
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I think the ability of a slide topper to shed water is more dependent on the slope of the topper and less dependent on the tension of the spring. I suspect a very long topper will have some sag in the middle of the roller that will also cause some sag in the fabric. Dometic makes a cradle to address the roller sag.

https://www.makariosrv.com/dometic-b...-3309526-006u/
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Old 05-17-2019, 02:44 PM   #7
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How do you add turns with the fabric already installed?
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Old 05-17-2019, 02:45 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hohenwald48 View Post
I think the ability of a slide topper to shed water is more dependent on the slope of the topper and less dependent on the tension of the spring. I suspect a very long topper will have some sag in the middle of the roller that will also cause some sag in the fabric. Dometic makes a cradle to address the roller sag.

https://www.makariosrv.com/dometic-b...-3309526-006u/
I agree, without a certain amount of slope they are going to hold water. My long slide holds lots of water, and it doesn't slop much. I just put two of the big pool noodles under the fabric to make it not hold water (which gives you an idea of how LITTLE slope mine have). Yes it's kind of a PITA to have to do that, but it beats growing mosquitoes on top of the slide, or having those gallons of water fall off when bring in the slide - some of which will find it's way inside.
If the OP's topper has a decent amount of slope, then I'd like to think that giving the spring another turn would help.
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Old 05-17-2019, 03:03 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers View Post
Dave, are you saying that you installed the complete toppers or just new fabric?

If fabric, did you go by the topper manufacturer's chart for the number of turns on that model topper?
Joe, I installed a complete new set of toppers from Makarios (a highly recommended seller)

I had to rewind one spring as it had 'slipped' its inner retainer but rewound both ends just to ensure they were identical

Quote:
Originally Posted by hohenwald48 View Post
I think the ability of a slide topper to shed water is more dependent on the slope of the topper and less dependent on the tension of the spring. I suspect a very long topper will have some sag in the middle of the roller that will also cause some sag in the fabric. Dometic makes a cradle to address the roller sag.

https://www.makariosrv.com/dometic-b...-3309526-006u/
The installation instructions put a 1/2 to 1-1/2" neight between the topper brackets and the awning rail. Mine are right at 1-1/2". That 1-1/2" dimension is the limit for our 5er as there is a drip rail directly above the new awning rail.

Just looked at that cradle kit - oh well 88 more bucks
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Old 05-17-2019, 03:08 PM   #10
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How do you add turns with the fabric already installed?
From what I can see, you pull a couple screws from the width bar, separating the arm and wind the spring by using that arms still in place
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Old 05-18-2019, 12:38 PM   #11
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From what I can see, you pull a couple screws from the width bar, separating the arm and wind the spring by using that arms still in place
Be careful and keep that arm under control. I have a friend who lost an eye to one that got away from him.
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Old 05-18-2019, 01:04 PM   #12
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Ours sagged and collected water. I tied 3 inflatable swimmers donut things in a row and pulled them through the gap above the roof with rope and tied them off. No more puddling.
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Old 05-18-2019, 02:00 PM   #13
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Or beach balls from the dollar store

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Old 05-18-2019, 02:08 PM   #14
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We used the big beach balls under the full trailer cover we had for our 5th wheel. This worked like a charm.
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