Slide-out roof covers

[ldiaz791]

We just made the change from a Class A Bounder to a Keystone Avalanche 379BH 5th Wheel. We learned real fast that the slide-out roof covers (4 in the 5th Wheel) are extra unlike our previous Class A and All sales people at the place we bought our 5Th Wheel we’re programed to sell them as an extra feature. I know there’s are a few threads on this but I only want to ask how necessary are they to have before I make my mind on getting them install.

[whcarr]

I put three on on my 371, mostly to keep debris of the roof slides, also seems to help keep the sun off the tops. They are noisy when the winds blowing and hold water! I think there worth the expense just to not have to get on The roof to check for and remove debris every time I retract the slides.

[LZScout]

Unless you like having to climb up on the roof to sweep off the top of the slides before retracting them, I’d recommend getting them. We’ve never regretted doing it.

[JRTJH]

I've had trailers without them and trailers with them. Our current Cougar didn't have them and we used it for 3 years before putting slide covers on it. We do a lot of dry camping in remote campgrounds and before we had them I always had to sweep the slide tops before we could leave. It was easy to do when dry, but if we were leaving during the early morning (wet slide from dew) or during bad weather, cleaning the slide tops meant changing clothes before we could depart because of the exposure to rain during cleaning the slides. We made two trips to "hot areas" without the slide covers. Both were uncomfortable in the trailer because of the temperature.

After installing the covers 3 years ago, dry camping "packing for home" has been much easier, almost all of the "slide top cleaning" has been eliminated, I can often break camp in bad weather and not have to change clothes to drive home. We've done three extended trips in hot weather and the trailer interior seems to be more comfortable with the covers providing "shade" for the slide tops.

You are already experienced in the benefits of slide covers from your motorhome days. If you felt they benefitted you then, and if your camping style will be similar, then they'll benefit you with the fifth wheel as well.

If your camping includes being parked under trees or being exposed to direct sunlight in "high temp areas" then I'd recommend them.

My only suggestion would be to negotiate your best price with the dealership, then look up the price of buying and installing them yourself. Amazon and EBay both have Carefree and Lippert slide covers for sale, often at extremely reduced prices. If you're relatively proficient with hand tools and a measuring tape, installing them is not difficult. You'll probably find that your new fifth wheel has the awning rails already installed, or a "rain diverter" installed where the awning rail would be positioned, so there's really no "impossible task" to face.

[Park1911]

Slide toppers are very beneficial. They prevent water leaks and may help extend the life of slide-out roof seals. Standing water, leaves and even pine needles are shed when slides are retracted. No need to climb the roof to clean it off. They may catch and hold some rainwater if not installed properly(pitched to drain). I have them and would buy again.

[ldiaz791]

Thank you for the positive advise on installing the slide-out roof covers. I will most likely be getting them install at General RV where we purchased our 5th Wheel, their price was not that bad. With our ClassA slide-out covers I always had to bring the slides in and out several times to get the water off of them, is this normal with them?

[JRTJH]

Thank you for the positive advise on installing the slide-out roof covers. I will most likely be getting them install at General RV where we purchased our 5th Wheel, their price was not that bad. With our ClassA slide-out covers I always had to bring the slides in and out several times to get the water off of them, is this normal with them?

It is with my large one. The small one doesn't pool water.

[Tbos]

Thank you for the positive advise on installing the slide-out roof covers. I will most likely be getting them install at General RV where we purchased our 5th Wheel, their price was not that bad. With our ClassA slide-out covers I always had to bring the slides in and out several times to get the water off of them, is this normal with them?



My 2 large ones will puddle water one more than the other. I stop the slides part way in for the rain to run off. Once it’s done I pull them in the rest of the way.

[Frank G]

Yes for slide covers.

[notanlines]

Idiaz, we concur with what has been said. We help people install slide covers most years in Florida. We did two this year. Once you have done one then the rest are a breeze. The pooling water is a problem and is the noise in the wind, but overall we'd do them again.

[Hblick48]

When we purchased our rig almost 3 years ago, it had slide toppers. 2 years ago, while on a cross country trip, the big topper stitching (that holds the topper to rig) failed during a wind storm. Had to roll flapping topper up and then duct tape it in place so we could continue trip. Replaced with new topper material from www.sunpromfg.com. They are heat welded instead of stitched, so they should last longer than I will be able to RV anymore.

One year later, during a wind storm, the other two toppers failed just like the first one. Replaced material...good to go.

Installing is definitely a two person job!

[travelin texans]

When we purchased our rig almost 3 years ago, it had slide toppers. 2 years ago, while on a cross country trip, the big topper stitching (that holds the topper to rig) failed during a wind storm. Had to roll flapping topper up and then duct tape it in place so we could continue trip. Replaced with new topper material from www.sunpromfg.com. They are heat welded instead of stitched, so they should last longer than I will be able to RV anymore.

One year later, during a wind storm, the other two toppers failed just like the first one. Replaced material...good to go.

Installing is definitely a two person job!
Ours lasted 5+ years fulltiming before the stitching failed, replaced with the "welded" seams also & definitely a 2 person job. When I replaced them I gave the roller an extra round which tightened them up a bit & no more pooling on them. When the originals pooled water I'd raise/lower one end of the rv til the water ran off, releveled & brought in the slides.

[ldiaz791]

Thank you All, I have contacted Gen RV and they are honoring the price they gave me for the four slide out covers when I purchased the 5th Wheel a month ago. They are installing four Lipper brand covers, has any one know this brand? And are they a good quality brand?.

[Frank G]

Thank you All, I have contacted Gen RV and they are honoring the price they gave me for the four slide out covers when I purchased the 5th Wheel a month ago. They are installing four Lipper brand covers, has any one know this brand? And are they a good quality brand?.

I used them before and they were just fine. From A conversation I had with Lazy Days RV, they carried the hardware and sewed the fabric to size. The repair companies servicing the park also sew up replacements on site. Same with awning replacements. Slide toppers are a good profit center for the dealers.

[itat]

If you boondock in the desert or the prairies where there are no trees and a lot of wind, you may not want them. If the wind isn't a factor, they provide shade even if there is nothing falling on the slides from overhead trees. If you camp mostly under trees, they are a huge benefit IMO. I had toppers installed on all 3 slides on my new 5er.

[sgrol]

Don't have them but would love the shade feature. I know you can't have your awning out during a storm with wind. How do the slide toppers hold up in stormy and/or windy conditions? Do you have to bring in your slide?

[Hblick48]

Don't have them but would love the shade feature. I know you can't have your awning out during a storm with wind. How do the slide toppers hold up in stormy and/or windy conditions? Do you have to bring in your slide?

In my case, wind and age caused them to fail. They lasted over 15 years. Sitting inside hearing them loudly flap in the wind during a storm wondering when they will fail, and they eventually did. At that point it's a maintenance item. They will fail if you keep the rig long enough.

[sgrol]

They will fail if you keep the rig long enough.

So will my awnings but I can stow them in inclement weather prolonging the inevitable without compromising living conditions inside. I guess my question is do people bring in their slides during bad weather to protect the toppers? If my awning was out in the last storm we were in (couple of weekends ago) I would have found it in the next state. Made me wonder how a slide topper would have fared.

[Hblick48]

So will my awnings but I can stow them in inclement weather prolonging the inevitable without compromising living conditions inside. I guess my question is do people bring in their slides during bad weather to protect the toppers? If my awning was out in the last storm we were in (couple of weekends ago) I would have found it in the next state. Made me wonder how a slide topper would have fared.

The tension roller on slide toppers is on the slide. When the topper fails, the tension roller will automatically try to retract the topper. It may get jammed, but you can always get the fabric rolled up properly. I pulled my pickup parallel and close to the slide, stood on side of bed, rolled it up properly and duct taped it.

Awnings always have side support arms, so you must retract the slide in heavy winds. Fabric can't retract on its own if it fails.

[John&Genny]

Thank you All, I have contacted Gen RV and they are honoring the price they gave me for the four slide out covers when I purchased the 5th Wheel a month ago. They are installing four Lipper brand covers, has any one know this brand? And are they a good quality brand?.

Lippert sells the Solera slide toppers, which is what I installed on my Avalanche. They seem to be of decent quality but I’ve only had them installed a year now so I can give you a better run down in a couple of years :) The only thing negative I can say about the Solera slide toppers is how they are designed left very little clearance between the dining room slide topper and our awning, probably less than 1 inch. I was able to make it work, but I really had to move the fabric and topper away from the awning as much as possible. In looking at the Dometic slide toppers, it may have been a better fit. Of course, this may not be an issue in your RV.

[Park1911]

My awnings (I have three) flap occasionally. They are 13 years old and still okay. The larger, main room awning flaps the most. Flapping is sometimes associated with rainstorms but the rainwater ponding on the awning does help to minimize the flapping. To me, flapping is not really a concern. When we leave we slowly retract the slides to allow any rainwater to slowly drain off the cover.

I've read that some people will slide pool noodles between the awning and slide to help support the awning fabric and shed water.

If torrential rain is forecast you can always pull in your slide.

[haulinit]

I put three on on my 371, mostly to keep debris of the roof slides, also seems to help keep the sun off the tops. They are noisy when the winds blowing and hold water! I think there worth the expense just to not have to get on The roof to check for and remove debris every time I retract the slides.

WHCarr, what kind of topper did you put on the couch slide? We just put two on the othe two slides on our 371. Our dealership said they couldn’t put ne on the couch slide due to the awnings.

[rgnmgr]

Be aware that adding covers may impact your warranty.

[travelin texans]

Be aware that adding covers may impact your warranty.Mo
Most warranties are for only 1 year & the dealer & manufacturer will be able to find an excuse not to cover almost anything depending on the day of the week. So if you want slide toppers I wouldn't let a possible warranty issue slow you installing by one minute.

[HitFactor]

Be aware that adding covers may impact your warranty.How so?

A good install job would take burden off the warranty. Generally, the manufacturer has to prove the install caused the warranty claim.