Slide Awnings

rwmurphy15 · 03-06-2014, 05:53 PM

I'm picking up a Fuzion 301 in a couple weeks and the dealer recommended installing a fan tastic fan and awnings over the 2 slides. I think the fan tastic would be a good thing but I would like to hear some comments on the slide awnings if anyone has them and if it is a good investment. Thanks

Sherwood · 03-06-2014, 05:58 PM

My last camper did not have the slide awnings and I was constantly going up top and clearing off leaves and pine needles. If I didn't, they end up inside the camper if the seal did not keep them out. So, when we bought our current travel trailer, I had them installed. I'm very glad I did. Nothing gets underneath there now. Not to mention it helps keep the rain and sun off the top of the slides. I wouldn't have another camper without slide awnings.

Festus2 · 03-06-2014, 06:58 PM

x2 A worthwhile investment - you won't regret it.

Fixjet · 03-06-2014, 08:05 PM

Had them on my 04 Outback and the mounting screws pulled through the siding. I won't have them on my 2012 Laredo and use a small leaf blower if I need to clean off the top.

Dlshunter · 03-06-2014, 08:27 PM

I have a 2006 28FRSL 5er and I want to install a slide topper. My concern is exactly what happened to Fixjet. What the heck is the header made of that spans the 13 feet of the slide?
Is there a 2x8 tube of aluminum channel to drill into, or is it pressed fiberboard, air?

Fixjet · 03-06-2014, 08:50 PM

Mine was just screwed in to the siding. Poor excuse for an installation. It's under tension so the screws will pull out at some point. I ended up drilling through the wall and putting fender washers inside. Looked wonderful as you can imagine. But it worked.

allmi01 · 03-07-2014, 06:17 AM

I had slide covers on 2 of my prior TTs. nether had any issues. I installed them my self in both cases. First one was a Carefree Guari-awn which was cool as it inclirorated an optional window awning but was amanual crank out affiar. Not sure they are still produced.

Second one was a A&E slide topper.

In both cases I never had an issue with ehawning rail coming loose. I always used pop rivets to attach if there was not a solid header.

We are saving to put them on our current TT.

MIKEPATC · 03-07-2014, 06:30 AM

I have had slide awnings on all my trailers. One of the first things I do when I get a new one. I have never had any problems with them. and the Fan-Tastic Vent Fan ... absolutely the best mod I have done .

Javi · 03-07-2014, 07:06 AM

I will never own another trailer equipped with a slide without a topper on said slide/slides.

2014Fuzion300 · 03-07-2014, 07:15 AM

I have a 2014 FZ300, which is basically the same as the FZ301 except for the extra kitchen pullout section. I would consider a second AC unit before spending any money on slide awnings or fan tastic fans.
My two cents....

Bouncey !

rwmurphy15 · 03-07-2014, 12:33 PM

Thanks, everyone for your reply's I told the dealer to install the slide awnings and the fantastic fan.

Jeff_S · 03-07-2014, 05:36 PM

Pros and cons about slide awnings:

We put a slide awning on our '03 Titanium and yes indeed they protect the top of the slide from leaves and other debris AND they help keep the trailer cool in hot weather.

But what I didn't like was that in very windy weather they flap like crazy, cause a very loud obnoxious noise like the top of the trailer is coming off. In fact we have been in situations where we have had to bring the slide in, in the middle of the night to be able to sleep. Also have seen other people's slide topper awning rip right off their coach. We have a 2014 Montana High Country and we probably will not be using slide toppers.

My2cents

Jeff_S

jesse_h · 03-07-2014, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff_S

Pros and cons about slide awnings:

We put a slide awning on our '03 Titanium and yes indeed they protect the top of the slide from leaves and other debris AND they help keep the trailer cool in hot weather.

But what I didn't like was that in very windy weather they flap like crazy, cause a very loud obnoxious noise like the top of the trailer is coming off. In fact we have been in situations where we have had to bring the slide in, in the middle of the night to be able to sleep. Also have seen other people's slide topper awning rip right off their coach. We have a 2014 Montana High Country and we probably will not be using slide toppers.

My2cents

Jeff_S

When we purchased our new trailer I was all set to have awnings put on the slides and had it in the deal. Owner of the dealership said he would be happy to sell us them and install but he ends up pulling off over half that they install. Why? The flapping in the wind as stated above. I didn't have them put on.
I would think there is something to be said about a dealer talking you out of a sale for himself.

Wing-in-it · 03-07-2014, 06:43 PM

Funny my dealer asked if I wanted the slide awning on my Springdale. I said no it was to expensive. Then I called Keystone a few months later to see if I could install them & a ladder. Well, come to find out my rig had no sub structure to install those options. But the dealer was going to put them on any way. Be careful before you install.

Mark

Dogman · 03-08-2014, 03:42 AM

I installed them on my 301 after 3 camping trips and rain on the last. They work and you will be happy with them.

bsmith0404 · 03-08-2014, 04:05 AM

My parents put them on their 5th wheel, here's what I have noticed. After the rain, my dad has to go out and push them up with a broom to drain the water pools, they flap in the wind, leaves and pine needles can still get in under them (if that happens hopefully you either have a short slide or a long broom to clean it out), when we got ready to leave, I was up on top of my RV sweeping and wiping down the debris from the tops of my slides, my dad was on to of his wiping off dirt and stains on his slide toppers. He said he hates them and will never own them again, I'll just never own them.

2014Fuzion300 · 03-08-2014, 07:22 AM

I have also seen people putting a small beach ball or a plastic pillow in between the topper and the slider to keep the water out and to prevented it from flopping and still have to clean, sweep or blow.
I use a small electric blower before leaving to clean the slider top.
In our case we have one big slider right in the middle of the trailer if I have to close it because of heavy win It will "disconnect" our room and the kids room ( garage).
My 2 cents.

Bouncey!

Road-King · 03-25-2014, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2014Fuzion300

In our case we have one big slider right in the middle of the trailer if I have to close it because of heavy win It will "disconnect" our room and the kids room ( garage).
My 2 cents.

Bouncey!

And this is a bad thing?

2014Fuzion300 · 03-25-2014, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road-King

And this is a bad thing?

I know what you mean😜
Bouncey !

poochy · 03-26-2014, 06:20 PM

we have a 302 fusion had slide awnings put on beginning of last summer seem to cut the heat and temp down inside rv by about 5 degrees wouldn't do without them now

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