Slide Topper Issues

[JudyGail]

On another thread Rotaxman said:

"These worthless A&E's bang and whip in wind and hold water dealer said I could not wrap them any tighter because they would pull the rail off of the trailer. I'm not sure I believe that but it could be possible given DT's poor engineering and the assembly lines lack of any pride in their work. "

I assume you're talking about ALL RV manufacturers because nearly all slide toppers have these same issues no matter what RV they are on.

I've heard a beach ball will help keep the flapping down to a low roar and let the water run off the topper. Just inflate the ball so it fits snuggly between the slide and the topper to tighten the topper. It probably won't look real pretty, but it works.... and it's cheap.

[Carny Bill]

One word of caution, and speaking from experience. When u go to remove the beach ball, u will be on a ladder. Do Not face the ball and pull it out. I got the shower of a lifetime doing that in the winter when the ice and melted snow was on it.

Bill

[JudyGail]

Forgive me, but ................. I bet that was a real shocker!

[Carny Bill]

Boy O Boy was it. It was a hugh waterfall. I could not believe my stupidity.

[BobW]

One time I thought about slipping a kids air mattress under the topper. That would keep the wind from flipping it and elevate it enough to keep out the rain. The long ones may need two. Blow them up and slip them in place.

[2 DA WDS]

Heres a light bulb that just went on.
What about tying them down? Throw a rope, strap whatever over it length ways and attach the strap to the bottom of the slide?

[jdwilson3]

I tried tying them down on my Avion, thought it looked like XXXX!

I then made PVC ridge pole in 3 foot lengths. Each length was tied by a PVC "T". A 8 inch "leg" into the bottom of the "T". A second "T" was used as a "Foot" for the "leg". Only used when we were going to be somewhere for a longer stay.

Yes, you have to use a ladder to put under the topper. Worked very well and kept the topper from flapping in the wind, as well as kept water off the topper.

Beach balls can blow out in strong winds.

[BobW]

Just remember, anything you put under the topper can migrate to the center and be a bitch to get out. I remember once we were camping in Virginia City, just out from Reno. The wind always blows there very hard, every night. It blew so hard one night we had to close all the slideouts. Made it hard to remember where the bathroom was that night.

[jdwilson3]

Bob, the "ridge pole" is as long as the slide, each section about 3 feet long, add a T, another pole, another T, etc. A pole section can be cut to a different length to equal the length of the slide. Shoving the pole into the T tightly, the whole assembly can be removed from one end! No need to cement the assembly, then you can disassemble and take along.

I made two sets for my Avion, and they worked great, but I pitched 'em when I traded the Avion, and should have kept 'em.

[bstark]

JD: I like that idea as I made some for a previous trailer out of that "imitation" wood they use for fencing but the damn things were a pain to pack so when we bought this trailer we opted to not have the slideout awnings and to date have not regretted our decision. Our SOB trailer was only three years old and the edges of the AE vinyl awnings were already fraying & starting to look ugly.

Your idea of the PVC is great for it's adjustability and lightness as well as the take-apart-to-pack convenience. Great idea!

[rverdlm]

Why have slide toppers when they are such a problem? I've been full time for over 11 years. All trailers have had slides. Never wished I had toppers. What good do they do? Everyone I've met over those years that had them had problems! When I was a mechanic on caravans 90% of the problems were with slide toppers. I would never have them. Cut them off and get on with life!

[billr]

Had toppers on previous SOB for 7 yrs and had no flapping or open/close issues. Just the unexpected "shower" when the DW pulled the slide in while I was under doing the Sewer job!

I won't have them again due to the cleaning issues underneath and they do start to get ratty-tatty after a few years, just about impossible to keep the fabric clean.

Cheers,
Bill

[igotjam]

One of mine fell off on Friday (the 5 screws that hold them on broke off 1/4" from the head of the screw) Tried to take a screw out of another one to see what to buy and 3 more brke off. I gave up...Guess no awnings are the way to go.

[bstark]

To stop that from happening again, replace with slightly larger (stronger) diameter Stainless screws. you can paint the heads with white enamel nail polish to disguise the stainless heads.

[jdwilson3]

igotjam, slide topper screws breaking or pulling out of the wall is not unique to DT products. Helped a neighbor repair his toppers that ripped out of the wall on a Montana.

[Hobo]

I put a 1/2" hole in my toppers just behind the roller and centered. That lets the water drain and still keep all the debris from accumulating on the slide roof. Have not had any other problem but maybe that because Paul installed them, not production. More then I can say about the rest of the unit.

[2 DA WDS]

I was wondering about putting a grommit in the low area. Is that what you have or is it just a hole?

[Hobo]

Originally Posted by 2 DA WDS

I was wondering about putting a grommet in the low area. Is that what you have or is it just a hole?

I heated 1/2" metal rod (dill bit) and melted it though. That leaves no ruff areas for a tare to start.

I had discoloration from water sitting on top that showed me the best place to place the drain hole. No more sagging or showers when the slides come in.
4 years now and no runs, tares or rips.

[DebDav]

Also had one topper bracket break screws.

RETENSIONED topper and installed stainless screws - total of 8 per bracket.

Now topper is tight and until it stretches does not hold water.

[2 DA WDS]

Thanks Hobo, that sounds easy.

DEBDAV, how do you retension the topper?