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09-15-2019, 03:14 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Scottsdale
Posts: 138
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Slide out covers
When we bought our 3121RL it did not have covers for the slide outs. Outlast RV did. They kept the leaves and stuff off the slide top. The wife wants to spend the money to have them installed on this one. Personally i don’t they they that are worth it, any thoughts?
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09-15-2019, 03:44 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,981
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Having had slide covers on trailers in the past and not having them on this trailer, one of the first mods I did was install them. We do a lot of camping in pine trees or in oak trees. The slide tops are almost always covered with pine needles or leaves/small twigs, not to mention the pine sap. For us, it was "a necessity"....
If we lived in a place where most of our camping was in the open (think desert southwest) then I'd probably not want them. They are a PAIN when the wind blows (out in the open) and flap all night. A couple of nights on our last trip (Michigan to Las Vegas and back) I was considering taking them off just to get a night's rest. Now that we're back home, those thoughts are no longer a consideration.
So, depending on how you use your trailer, they may/may not be something you'd want to consider.
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John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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09-15-2019, 04:57 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,325
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IMO slide toppers are a personal choice, and there are a few brands to choose from. Installation can be very simple, or a bit involved depending on brand/style. “Book” rate is 2.5 hrs per topper, that said take the labor rate at your shop of choice and add that to the cost of materials.
My personal favorite is this one:
https://www.carefreeofcolorado.com/p...kover-III.html
Not cheap, not real easy to install, but look the “cleanest” IMO.
Dometic would be my next choice.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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09-16-2019, 07:05 AM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,742
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I've had campers with and without them. Current unit has them and I'm happy with them. In my opinion they are worth it in the rain as the least amount of water and debris I have to worry about when retracting the slide inside the better. In full sun I think it keeps the slideout much cooler having the shade over it. YMMV
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Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
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09-16-2019, 07:43 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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From my experiences with them if you're in an area with lots of trees, rain, heat or during the fall they're priceless, if regularly in a windy part of the country I wouldn't give you .02 cents for them. But they do improve the appearance of the RV in my opinion.
Just be sure whether you mount them or a dealer to put some pitch on them so water doesn't pool on top of them.
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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09-16-2019, 07:51 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: South US
Posts: 712
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My camper came with covers for all 3 slides. They are great for the above mentioned reasons. The living room slide extends out so far that during heavy rain water will pool in center and sag the cover. Long term fix (for an extended stay) would be inflatable beach balls or something similar to raise slide cover center.
Short term, just move slide in,drain water then extend. Also my kitchen slide cover failed to retract on a recent trip. I got on the roof with some spray lubricant and the problem was fixed.
Just a few considerations for slide covers. Overall I think they are worth it.
RMc
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 SRW Aisin Trans. HO CTD
Air Lift Bags -Curt 16K Slider Hitch
2017 Laredo 350 FB
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09-16-2019, 08:08 AM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,674
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I've never had them but thought about getting them but...I live in the SW and spend a of time in this open country where the wind never stops blowing. 30mph is considered a nice little "breeze"; slide toppers don't like 30mph wind. If I spent more time under trees etc. I would get them because I would probably be somewhere with less wind like FL; if we were somewhere like that year round vs just the winter we would definitely have them. Plus, I do believe that having them would surely cut down on the heat generated by the black tops of the slides. Oops! Misspoke; the slide tops aren't black, they're gray. The ends are black.
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Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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09-16-2019, 02:07 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Micky Town
Posts: 241
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I cant justify the dead presidents for them.
I do use an electric leaf blower when braking down my site, which is easy cheesy.
Troy
__________________
2022 Coachmen 339DS DP-don’t kick me out!
2018 Keystone Limited 3551FWMLS...Gone.
2020 Heartland 4270 Cyclone…Gone
2018 F350 CC 6.7 PSD drw…Gone.
2021 F350 CC 6.7 PSD drw Platinum…Gone
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09-18-2019, 07:29 AM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Indiana
Posts: 21
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I've always had slide toppers and always will. I don't relish the idea of having to climb onto the roof to clean the top of the slideout when closing up. I also feel they help prevent leaks from standing water and driving rain plus all kinds of other nasty things on the roof finding their way into our clean trailer. They also shield the slideout roof from the sun's harmful UV rays.
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2006 Keystone Mountaineer 342PHT
MorRyde PB & IS System
2018 RAM 3500 CC, SB, 6.7 TD, 4X4
SuperGlide 3300 Hitch
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09-19-2019, 06:15 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: O'Fallon
Posts: 209
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When I purchased my new to us '12 Raptor a month ago, the dealer said that it's a good practice to spray and wipe down the slide seals with a lube softener etc. He said that he sprays and wiped the outside of the seal and then with the damp rag wipes the inside of the seal to coat it as well. This make sense to me and I will do this.
But with slide toppers, how does one maintain the top slide seal? Do you unhook the topper and then inspect and wipe/clean the flap seal? That sounds like a lot of work.
Just being a newbie I thought I would ask.
Thanks.
__________________
Dan
2012 Keystone Raptor 395LEV
2021 Ford F-350 King Ranch DRW 6.7 Diesel
'09 Harley CVO Road Glide
'76 Harley FLH Shovelhead
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09-19-2019, 06:46 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Lockwood
When I purchased my new to us '12 Raptor a month ago, the dealer said that it's a good practice to spray and wipe down the slide seals with a lube softener etc. He said that he sprays and wiped the outside of the seal and then with the damp rag wipes the inside of the seal to coat it as well. This make sense to me and I will do this.
But with slide toppers, how does one maintain the top slide seal? Do you unhook the topper and then inspect and wipe/clean the flap seal? That sounds like a lot of work.
Just being a newbie I thought I would ask.
Thanks.
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The factory techs recommended Pledge furniture polish, the dollar store brand works just as good, for all the rubber seals & gaskets throughout my rv, used it for last 6+ years once a month & when I sold the 5er in Jan all seals looked new. Only wiped the top ones as far as I could reach under the toppers.
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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09-20-2019, 11:48 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Romeo
Posts: 142
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it keeps the leaves and rain out when closing up
__________________
2018 Cougar 359MBI
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09-29-2019, 07:43 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Qualicum Beach
Posts: 555
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Lockwood
When I purchased my new to us '12 Raptor a month ago, the dealer said that it's a good practice to spray and wipe down the slide seals with a lube softener etc. He said that he sprays and wiped the outside of the seal and then with the damp rag wipes the inside of the seal to coat it as well. This make sense to me and I will do this.
But with slide toppers, how does one maintain the top slide seal? Do you unhook the topper and then inspect and wipe/clean the flap seal? That sounds like a lot of work.
Just being a newbie I thought I would ask.
Thanks.
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This is how
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09-29-2019, 08:07 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Lehigh Acres
Posts: 176
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Spend the money and put them on. They save the slide top seals and keep leaves and debris off the top of the slide
__________________
Rick and Sandy
2017 Toyota Platinum Tundra 4X4
2011 Bullet Premier 19FBPR
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09-29-2019, 08:17 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Ocean Isle Beach
Posts: 1,431
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I’ve been with and without. My last four 5ers are with. Only way to go. They are on all 5 slides. I’m 71 and not going up there to clean up slides before leaving.
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09-29-2019, 09:02 AM
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#16
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE
Posts: 72
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Slide Toppers or Not, that is the Question
We do a lot of State and National Park camping and I wouldn't be without the toppers. Easy to install and yes rain water does still get on the top of your slide but not nearly as much as without the topper. Never have heard them flapping in the wind. Got ours at etrailer.com. Quick shipment, shipped in a hard tube for protection and lot less money. A little bit of drilling needed, and follow the instructions or get on YouTube.
__________________
M&P James
HSV, AR
2017 31BKPR Bullet Premier
2021 GMC SIERRA SLT 2500 HD
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09-29-2019, 12:59 PM
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#17
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Overland
Posts: 20
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I had them on my last 5er and put them on myself on our newer 5er---2 guys (3rd guy sh owed up late), 2 A-frame ladders, some caulk strips for mounting channel and brackets, couple screw guns and about 5 hrs for 3 slide toppers----love not having to worry about debris on top of the sliders.
__________________
2011 Cougar 327RES 5er
2006 Chevy Silverado 2500HD
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09-30-2019, 07:12 PM
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#18
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Tacoma
Posts: 64
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Since the topic of slide toppers is being discussed I have a different question on this topic. I had toppers put on our new unit and was wondering if there's something any of you do or use to keep the living area topper from puddling water. The dealer said you don't want to tighten up the tensioners any more then they are do to possible failure. Anyone one out there that has knowledge on this subject?
David
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09-30-2019, 08:01 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 1,659
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Miloski
Since the topic of slide toppers is being discussed I have a different question on this topic. I had toppers put on our new unit and was wondering if there's something any of you do or use to keep the living area topper from puddling water. The dealer said you don't want to tighten up the tensioners any more then they are do to possible failure. Anyone one out there that has knowledge on this subject?
David
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I guess it's all about pitch. I had 2 installed on my coach and they never pool any significant water. The dealer installed the mounting points as high up as he could. Ive seen other installations where the topper has no pitch as the fabric sits parallel to the slide ceiling.
__________________
2017 Keystone Bullet 308BHS in Saddle.
2017 RAM 2500 Laramie Mega Cab 4x4 Hemi 6.4L
2008 GMC Yukon XL Denali (SOLD)
Hensley SwiftArrow Control Hitch with 1000 lb Spring Bars
Me, DW, (3) little DS's, and 1 rambunctious Boston Terrier
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10-01-2019, 02:29 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Northville, NY
Posts: 374
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I have them on all six of our slides. We do get a little water pooling now and them but I don't worry about it, that's what the rubber seals are for. I got more pooling on our old 5er w/o slides. We park all winter under GA pines so lots of needles and pine cones, no sap though. At 72 I don't like to go on the roof to sweep the slides every time we move. I would not be w/o them.
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