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06-01-2021, 08:35 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Manchester
Posts: 22
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Slideout Toppers
Ok, so besides the obvious to protect the tops from leaves, etc getting on them and helping to provide an extra level of rain protection, is there any truth that they help keep your coach cooler inside because they help to "shade" the actual slideouts from direct sun?
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06-01-2021, 11:08 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,750
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In my opinmion they do. I've had one trailer with no slide out cover and later had it installed. I could feel the diffrence. This unit weordered the trailer and had them installed before delivery. I wouldn't own a trailer with a slideout without them.
__________________
Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
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06-01-2021, 01:15 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,686
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I'm of a mixed mind on the toppers. I had never had them and never really wanted them but after staying under some kind of trees that dropped "stuff" and acorns all winter one year I began entertaining having them since cleaning them was a pain. Had them put on this trailer to see what I thought.
While I do think they may keep your slide tops a little cooler and leaves off the tops of them, they are noisy and worrisome IMO plus you have to be careful how you set up or you will get runoff where you don't want it.
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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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06-01-2021, 08:36 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,222
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They defiantly keep slide outs cooler, before covers you could feel the heat on the ceiling inside the slide. After covers slide ceilings are hardly above room temperature.
They also keep all the crud off the slide roof.
__________________
Russ & Paula and Belle the Beagle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 14,000# GVWR (New TV)
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS 32’ GVWR 12,360
Visit and enjoy Oregon State Parks
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06-02-2021, 04:39 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Liberty, Texas
Posts: 5,034
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I'm like Danny...sorta mixed opinion. I never had them before either.
Issues...water will collect on them and cause them to sag. If I am pulling the slides in after a rain I have to stop and start the slides. If not the topper cannot keep up with the slide and will fold under the roller. Also, obviously in cold weather the water will become ice. I've had ice 1/2" thick on the toppers. It's kinda rough on old hands breaking that ice up before pulling the slides in.
I have seen a redneck work around that used kids balls , 8-10" diameter, in a fabric sack with a drawstring pushed under the topper to make a tent of sorts. Pull the sack out with a hook on the end of a wooden stick.
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 Laramie CC DRW LWB 4X4 Cummins Aisin 3.73
Reese Goosebox 20K
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Oshkosh
2008 Bigfoot 25C9.4 LB Cabover
2023 CanAm Defender SXS
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06-02-2021, 07:59 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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Toppers IMO improve the looks, keep debris off the slides & keep the slides a bit cooler, but the draw back is if parking in windy areas the popping & flopping will drive you nuts. Also if adding balls, swim noodles or whatever under them to help with the flapping or sagging holding water will eventually stretch the fabric making the situation worse.
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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06-10-2021, 06:55 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Gilbertsville
Posts: 33
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I have had them on this trailer and our previous trailer and love them. Every time I see a neighbor get out a ladder to clean all the sticks and leaves off while packing up I am thankful I had them added when we bought the trailer. Well worth it IMO
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06-10-2021, 06:59 PM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,339
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I don’t have them, but I have installed more than I care to remember. I will say, carefree is better than Dometic IMHO.
The hexagon bars that hold the brackets on the Dometic seem to bend over time and allow the fabric to drag on the slide.
__________________
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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