|
|
11-14-2014, 07:16 PM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Naples,Fl
Posts: 110
|
Slide Toppers
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.
__________________
Me The wife of 54 years
And an old cat
2007 Chevy 2500 HD 6.6 Duramax
2014 Montana HC 318 RE
B&W Turn over with companion
|
|
|
11-14-2014, 07:33 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Auburn, Ky
Posts: 147
|
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.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
__________________
TV: 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4WD (Big Red)
Toy: 2019 Flagstaff V-Lite 30WFKSV (B**** Magnet IV)
|
|
|
11-14-2014, 07:44 PM
|
#3
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,317
|
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.
__________________
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.
|
|
|
11-14-2014, 08:01 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Naples,Fl
Posts: 110
|
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.
__________________
Me The wife of 54 years
And an old cat
2007 Chevy 2500 HD 6.6 Duramax
2014 Montana HC 318 RE
B&W Turn over with companion
|
|
|
11-14-2014, 09:25 PM
|
#5
|
Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,979
|
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 !!!!!
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
|
|
|
11-15-2014, 05:22 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 110
|
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
__________________
DW of 48 + yrs
Buddy, very spoiled dog
2-bikes
2- guitars
Fishing stuff
|
|
|
11-15-2014, 05:32 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Currituck, NC
Posts: 356
|
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.
__________________
Steve & Amy
2017 Winnebago Aspect 30J
Previously :
2015 Jayco 31UL MH
2015 Cougar X-Lite 29RLI
|
|
|
11-15-2014, 06:12 AM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Arizona
Posts: 375
|
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.
|
|
|
11-15-2014, 06:29 AM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Nevada
Posts: 2,695
|
I'm still deciding. What about rain leaking inside when the slide is extended?
__________________
Desert185 🇺🇸 (Retired Chemtrail vendor)
-Ram 2500 QC, LB, 4x4, Cummins HO/exhaust brake, 6-speed stick.
-Andersen Ultimate 24K 5er Hitch.
-2014 Cougar 326SRX, Maxxis tires w/TPMS, wet bolts, two 6v batts.
-Four Wheel 8' Popup Camper.
|
|
|
11-15-2014, 06:47 AM
|
#10
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,317
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Desert185
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.
__________________
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.
|
|
|
11-15-2014, 09:11 AM
|
#11
|
Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,669
|
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.
|
|
|
11-15-2014, 09:28 AM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: B.C
Posts: 1,399
|
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.
__________________
2010 Keystone Cougar 25 RL.
|
|
|
11-15-2014, 10:09 AM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Okla
Posts: 363
|
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.
__________________
2012 Keystone Vantage 32FLS
|
|
|
11-15-2014, 12:37 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Naples,Fl
Posts: 110
|
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?
__________________
Me The wife of 54 years
And an old cat
2007 Chevy 2500 HD 6.6 Duramax
2014 Montana HC 318 RE
B&W Turn over with companion
|
|
|
11-15-2014, 07:43 PM
|
#15
|
Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,669
|
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.
|
|
|
11-16-2014, 04:56 AM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Waco, Tx
Posts: 5,457
|
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.
__________________
2015 Ford F350 DRW 6.7 Diesel XL
2020 Avalanche 313 RS
|
|
|
11-16-2014, 05:40 AM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 110
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by 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?
|
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
__________________
DW of 48 + yrs
Buddy, very spoiled dog
2-bikes
2- guitars
Fishing stuff
|
|
|
11-16-2014, 06:52 AM
|
#18
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Nevada
Posts: 2,695
|
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.
__________________
Desert185 🇺🇸 (Retired Chemtrail vendor)
-Ram 2500 QC, LB, 4x4, Cummins HO/exhaust brake, 6-speed stick.
-Andersen Ultimate 24K 5er Hitch.
-2014 Cougar 326SRX, Maxxis tires w/TPMS, wet bolts, two 6v batts.
-Four Wheel 8' Popup Camper.
|
|
|
11-16-2014, 07:07 AM
|
#19
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Brant Lake,NY
Posts: 321
|
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)
__________________
Gary & Gail
Alfa Gold 3905SH
2016 F350 DWD 4X4 6.7,3.73 Rear
2012 Cougar 318SAB
2015 F350 SWD 4X4 3.55 Rear
|
|
|
11-16-2014, 09:09 AM
|
#20
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,317
|
I wonder if you adjusted the tension one more turn if the topper wouldn't sag and collect as much water.
__________________
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.
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|