Slide Topper Revisited

[Nankipoo]

Does anyone know why the slide toppers on this 5'er have been done this way? There appears to have all ready been a slide rail on there and then they added another one for the toppers.

[jasin1]

Maybe the topper mounts different then the lower bracket…possibly just wanted a steeper pitch so it sheds water easily and doesn’t pool

[chuckster57]

Got your PM. Probably wanted to show me that pic. I think Jasin may have the reason.

[Nankipoo]

Yep. That was the pic.

[rhagfo]

Taking a closer look is the lower not a awning channel, but a rain gutter? It looks like the ends have caps to direct the water away from the side of the trailer.

[chuckster57]

I have installed both types, and the lower rail is a rain gutter with an awning rail built in. I suspect the topper was installed by a dealership and the techs didn’t know you could use it. Or as stated, they wanted a steeper pitch.

[JRTJH]

There are three "awning rail extrusion types":

Awning Drip Rail ("rain gutter" only)
Awning Mount Rail ("awning mount" only)
Awning Mount Rail with Drip Rail (combination)

As a second note: Both the awning drip rail and the combination rail have "extension end caps" that install to keep rain water from dripping down the trailer sidewall...

Here are photos of the extrusion types, of which there are multiple manufacturers and multiple shapes, some square, some rounded, some black, white, tan or other colors as well as multiple sizes...

What I see in the OP's second photo is a combination awning mount rail with drip rail. There is clearly a slot for the slide cover gimp in that photo. I can come up with a couple of "excuses" for the installation as it appears:

1. The installer couldn't locate the correct end cap extension and was concerned that the existing ones would be damaged and not usable to reinstall. (IMO, a weak excuse)

2. The installer wanted a steeper pitch, but didn't want to move the existing extrusion so it sat higher on the trailer sidewall, so he installed a second extrusion above the OEM extrusion. (IMO, an even weaker excuse)

3. The installer had some other "consideration" such as the existing extrusion was leaking but didn't want to reseal it, or the existing extrusion was damaged so that it was not usable along the run, but we can't see that damage in the photo. (IMO, also a weak excuse)

4. The installer did a "hack job" just to get the trailer out of the shop in the fastest time. (IMO, a BAD excuse, but if it's what the owner wanted, it may not be the installer's choice or decision)

[jasin1]

Adding a #5 to John’s post above


The setting: Small mom and pop rv dealer …somewhere in middle America



Lead installer ( 1 year seniority) “ but the mounting rail came in the box! ..I have to install it”….it’s in the directions”..

His helper of 1 month… “why don’t we use the rail that’s already on the trailer?”

Lead installer… “ do you understand what I’m saying???…it came in the box! …we have to install it ….right?…yes?…..I’m gonna get Bobby….he probably knows..I think he installed one last year”…”Dont Touch My Tools While I’m gone!”

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by jasin1

Adding a #5 to John’s post above


The setting: Small mom and pop rv dealer …somewhere in middle America



Lead installer ( 1 year seniority) “ but the mounting rail came in the box! ..I have to install it”….it’s in the directions”..

His helper of 1 month… “why don’t we use the rail that’s already on the trailer?”

Lead installer… “ do you understand what I’m saying???…it came in the box! …we have to install it ….right?…yes?…..I’m gonna get Bobby….he probably knows..I think he installed one last year”…”Dont Touch My Tools While I’m gone!”

Or Bubba & Bubba Jr added the topper in their driveway & Jr says "hey dad what's this" , dad says "hold my beer & let me see it, oh yeah we gots to put that up yonder for this thing to work, give me my beer & you climb up there & puts a whole bunch a screws in 'er!".

[flybouy]

The "why" really doesn’t matter at this point. If your replacing the fabric you can use the original drip rail or the added awning rail. If you remove the added rail you will have a mess to clean up and holes to patch.

[jsb5717]

Aside from all of the lame excuses as to why the installer added a second rail when the original one would have worked as designed, it's kind of a 'no harm, no foul' result, isn't it? It will work just fine...just looks a little dumb. I wouldn't undo it at this point.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by jsb5717

Aside from all of the lame excuses as to why the installer added a second rail when the original one would have worked as designed, it's kind of a 'no harm, no foul' result, isn't it? It will work just fine...just looks a little dumb. I wouldn't undo it at this point.

At this point I think the same. Why they did that would be nice to know (funny?) but it's done. It added a lot of potential penetrations to leak and now diverts all the water coming off the roof onto the topper. On the other hand, mine is installed properly and my rain gutter catches water as it should above the topper. Nice but one of the spouts above a topper points almost directly at the entry steps. That placement (there wasn't really another option) can lead to a VERY refreshing dousing in a heavy rain (it exits under the awning). Could be kinda nice in the right situation but....not generally.

[jsb5717]

Originally Posted by sourdough

... one of the spouts above a topper points almost directly at the entry steps. That placement (there wasn't really another option) can lead to a VERY refreshing dousing in a heavy rain (it exits under the awning). Could be kinda nice in the right situation but....not generally.

I wonder if it would work OK to dam up the gutter on the door end so that all of the water would be forced out the other end and save the entry door shower. Just a thought...

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by jsb5717

I wonder if it would work OK to dam up the gutter on the door end so that all of the water would be forced out the other end and save the entry door shower. Just a thought...

Thanks. I've thought about that (but forgot). I may do that. The worst that would happen would be the rain water pushing out and coming down the topper.

[Nankipoo]

I will be replacing the fabric soon. Unless I see something crazier when I take the fabric off, I will be going back in the same track. It’s been working so why change it. Does look weird but I’m not taking one off and try to patch holes. To me that would be asking for problems. Thanks for the replies thus far.

[jsb5717]

Originally Posted by sourdough

Thanks. I've thought about that (but forgot). I may do that. The worst that would happen would be the rain water pushing out and coming down the topper.

Forgot? You're not that old, are you? I mean, my mind is...wait, what was the question again?

Yeah...too often

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by jsb5717

Forgot? You're not that old, are you? I mean, my mind is...wait, what was the question again?

Yeah...too often

I don't know if I'm "that" old or not. Never tracked birthdays much except a few; 18 - got my draft card classified 1A and a notice for a bus. 21 - I could buy beer. After that DW reminded me when I turned 50. I remember 55 because I retired. 60 DW again reminded me. At 70 my DD reminded me and was totally shocked I was that old. She took me out for dinner (the only time)....I assume she was thinking at that age it was my "last supper". And then there was....I have no idea. I did manage to hold a train of thought there for a bit...

OP I think you're on the right track. If you replace the fabric go over that bracket closely to make sure it's sealed up good then put the new fabric right back in it. I suppose you could remove the old topper, inspect/seal that added on bracket and then put the new topper back in the slot below the rain gutter, at least it could channel some water that way.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by Nankipoo

I will be replacing the fabric soon. Unless I see something crazier when I take the fabric off, I will be going back in the same track. It’s been working so why change it. Does look weird but I’m not taking one off and try to patch holes. To me that would be asking for problems. Thanks for the replies thus far.

When you get ready PM me for a couple tricks.

[Nankipoo]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

When you get ready PM me for a couple tricks.

Will do. Just waiting on better weather. Got the topper fabric delivered today.

[Nankipoo]

Here is a pic of what one looked like after removing the slide fabric. I'm still stumped. They didn't gain that much height if that was the reason.