Slide Out Topper Awnings

[BookPaul74]

Just a question but does anybody know if the gutters above the slides are designed for the topper awning to fit/slide into or do you have to put a new track on the trailer?

Not sure I want to put them on but just curious. I had them on a previous fifth wheel and they would really flap in the wind and I had to replace them twice from age and wind damage.

2014 Cougar 337fls

[chuckster57]

Depends on what the factory installed. I’ve seen drip rails with the awning track.

[mikec557]

We had drip rails with the awning slot for the topper fabric. When I had Shade Pro install a topper while at Quartzsite, the installer wouldn't use the OEM rail. Instead he mounted a new fabric rail right below it. He didn't say this clearly but he intimated they didn't want the liability of using the OEM rail because it is also responsible for holding down your rooftop rubberish material. Imagine the force of those heavy winds you've already experienced with your other toppers pulling on the rail that holds your roof material...

[JRTJH]

Our 2014 Cougar XLite has "drip rails" over each slide. There are no awning cover attachments on the OEM drip rails on my trailer. When I installed my slide covers, I installed the awning rails on the main slide under the attached factory drip rail. On the bedroom slide, there wasn't enough room to install the awning rail and maintain a slope, so I removed the factory drip rail, installed the awning rail in its location and then reinstalled the OEM drip rail above the awning rail.

So, I have both the OEM drip rail and the awning attachment rail for the slide cover attached above each of my slides. There are a few types of aluminum moldings that combine both functions, but on my 2014, Keystone didn't use that type molding. I have seen the "dual molding" used on more recent trailers, but I haven't seen it used on older trailers built before about 2016 or so.

[BookPaul74]

Thanks for the replies.

[Rambo]

My Montana had the topper rails preinstalled over the slides. It made it Much easier. On my keystone I installed the new rail right under the one that sealed the roof.

[BookPaul74]

Thanks. I’m not sure if I want to install them or not.