Slide Toppers

[skmct]

I just bought a Montana HC 318 re. Its still at the dealers being prepared for delivery. I am thinking about having slide toppers added. I don't want to have to get on the roof to check for crap each time we brake down. How much should I expect to pay. And are they worth the cost. I am not lazy just getting a little old.

[ImTravis]

When I bought my Premier they charged me about 450 installed for each one.. Since one slide was under the awning and the other not, I only had them install one.. I feel it was worth it to me.


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[chuckster57]

Slide toppers are a personal choice IMO. I'm on my 3rd fiver with slides and haven't had them on any. I do have a roof ladder and have no issue getting up top and sweeping the roofs.

$500.00 each installed is about the price if you decide. Most dealers don't stock them but can get them quickly. IMO it's just another fabric (vinyl) that will need replacing.

[skmct]

thanks for the reply's I was quoted 2000 for 3 sides which seams a little high. May be I will shop around or give it a try with out for a while.

[JRTJH]

There are 3 or 4 different price ranges in slide toppers. Be sure when you shop around that you're getting the price for the same model topper. The "older style" with the rollup part mounted in the open is quite a bit cheaper than the newer 'improved" style with a box that closes over the fabric. Then there's the fabric vs aluminum "final wrap" style, all of which are priced differently.

So, when you talk to your dealer again, find out what model and brand of slide topper he quoted, then shop for quotes with that information in hand. Otherwise, you may find that your dealer, even at that price, was quoting the best toppers available and you settled for $500 less and got the cheapest toppers on the market.... Apples to Apples !!!!!

[Fishhawk]

IMHO
I don't think slide awnings are worth the money or the maintainence.
At least for me
I'm in my 70's and always looking to make something easier to do
So this is what works for me
I carry a lite fold up ladder and a small elect blower camping , and before pulling in the slides, I blow the tops off
and check for debris.
So far .... So good....

Once , when camping, I saw my neighbor pulling in his slides equipped with awnings
after only a week at that campsite wasps had made nest(s) under his awning fabric
As the fabric retracted , the nests fell on top of the retracting slides
Soon the camper was swarming with very angry wasps and one extremely angry wife
Her screams could be heard throughout the camp

We ran over there with our 3 cans of wasp spray and someone else showed up with a battery powered vac and soon life was good at site 83 again


We were rewarded for our small efforts that day with making 2 new very good friends
and a bottle of great wine presented to us

[GmaPaTime]

Having just gone through this ourselfs I can speak on the purchasing part.

We had decided if we were to get toppers it would be Dometic. After checking "MakriosRV", we found that that for the black (1) 76", (1) 136" and (1) 150" it was either $1,100 for Deluxe or $1,160 for Elite and $1,500 for the Full Cover. Now this is just for the toppers, hardware and shipping.

We had our dealer quote us for the Elite and received a price of over $2,500 installed. Labor was quoted at 1.5 hours each @ $125 hr.

Needless to say, I'll be installing myself if we decide to have them. Dealers really take advantage of those who have no choice.

[Barbell]

We elected to not get the slide covers and have seen no reason to add them now. In addition to the wasps as described above, there are lots of other things that get under them and they are difficult to clean out. A foldup ladder and a long handle broom is what I use to clean off the slide tops; takes 5 minutes and I get a look at the top seals which I would never see otherwise.

[Desert185]

I'm still deciding. What about rain leaking inside when the slide is extended?

[chuckster57]

I'm still deciding. What about rain leaking inside when the slide is extended?


Haven't had that happen yet. The slides are designed to seal when fully extended.

[sourdough]

I debated and debated on putting slide toppers on our trailer when we bought it. There are pros and cons; not only was I worried about the high initial cost (we have two long slides and one that is about 6') but also their durability. I opted not to go with them to see how it would be. I bought a 7' collapsible ladder from CW, had an extendapole that went out to 12' (which barely reaches the far side of the long slides), a brush for the pole and a battery powered blower. It has worked for us. It takes a bit of work but not much and does give you an opportunity to look at the tops of the slides and seals. I've seen some toppers on trailers that look like the slightest breeze would shred them so don't know about how long they last.

[Steve S]

The only issue that I have with the topper is that you can't roll it in when it get's really windy unless you pull in the slide.
The plus side is that they do keep crap off and slime from the tress.

[outwest]

Like others have posted, it's a personal decision. Opted for a topper here. I park under trees at some places, so it's nice to not have to worry too much about pine cones, etc. That doesn't mean they can't get under the topper, but it takes a wind carrying it just right in order to land under the topper.

The downside is that it makes it harder to examine and maintain the seals on the top of the slide. But, it also helps to protect those same seals from the sun.

[skmct]

It's sounds like a lot of things 6 of 1 and a half a dozen of another. The wife likes the blower and ladder idea of coarse she doesn't do ladders:) But from a cost point I think we will start with the ladder and blower. Any thoughts on a light weight compact ladder?

[sourdough]

I bought my 7' collapsible ladder at CW. About 200 or a little more. Very easy to collapse or open up, lightweight but strong and just drops right into my pass thru. If it's we you will want the extend a pole with the brush on the end. Leaving the morning after a rain the blower just won't do it very well. I just bought a B&D blower with a battery like the one on my B&D drill/saw combo. Not too expensive and very handy.

[Javi]

Guess my dealer made me a heck of a deal, I got all three slide toppers and installed for $900 on our 333MKS. And they are the full cover Dometic and match our awning.

I got really tired of hualling a ladder and leafblower not to mention having to use the darn things. So I went with the toppers, so far I ain't sorry.

[Fishhawk]

It's sounds like a lot of things 6 of 1 and a half a dozen of another. The wife likes the blower and ladder idea of coarse she doesn't do ladders:) But from a cost point I think we will start with the ladder and blower. Any thoughts on a light weight compact ladder?

I bought this ladder at Lowes, right at $112 with the sale price

It's a great versatile and very sturdy ladder that we also use around the house a lot

It does weigh 32 lbs , but sturdy , quality construction requires material weight

Werner 13-ft Aluminum 300-lb Telescoping Type IA Multi-Position Ladder
Item #: 78390 | Model #: MT-13

:)

[Desert185]

Well, for now I plan to use the roof ladder on the trailer for access to the slides and carry on old, lightweight broom we have. Will evaluate the situation on the trip next month.

[Brantlaker]

When the DW and I bought our 318SAB we had them put toppers on the 3 slides I can't do Ladders and we like to camp under Trees it would be one more thing to do before we leave. The only drawback we have is when it rains the long topper fills with water and sags causing a waterfall when closing. We like them and before they wear out we intent to upgrade the to a new bigger and better 5er. (maybe a Lifestyle Alfa Gold with the storage slide)

[chuckster57]

I wonder if you adjusted the tension one more turn if the topper wouldn't sag and collect as much water.

[sourdough]

The collapsible ladder I mentioned from CW folds to a 4"x4' square x87" long. It appears to be on sale there for about $138. Takes up very little room and weighs about 25lbs. The Werner MT-13 is a very good ladder. I have it's big brother (not for the RV). They are stout but fairly heavy and they don't collapse side to side to my knowledge.

Desert185 - please be careful using the roof ladder. Just read a post in this forum from a gentleman whose ladder pulled loose from the top and dropped him 10' onto a curb. I just took my RV in for a loose ladder. EVERY screw and bolt in it was loose. After it was repaired I just looked at the service manager and asked him how in the world they rated something so flimsy for 300lb service. He just shrugged and said "I wouldn't do it"; well, neither would I. I would not trust the roof mounts for repeated uses but I'm about 200 and think I'm pushing what it will actually hold.

[Desert185]

Apparently, ladders and chainsaws are more dangerous than motorcycles. Better go riding...after I cut my last half cord this season. Thanks for the thought, though. I'll be careful.

I'm already carrying the "kitchen sink". A ladder and a leaf blower is out of the question. :)

[Wing-in-it]

I don't know if this has been mentioned before, but I would check with your manufacturer and make sure you CAN put them on. Some rigs DON'T have the substructure to bolt them to. I called Keystone about my 1st rig (a Springdale) and they said I couldn't put them on because there was nothing to bolt them to. (Same went for when I wanted to install a ladder) The dealer would have installed them anyway.

[GPG52]

We have had them installed before delivery on both the 5er we owned. We like them and would order them again. :CF: GPG