slide topper

chipper10 · 03-02-2020, 12:18 PM

I have a 2018 keystone 311 impact ,My dealer will not install slide topper because there is no backer board to fasten to slide wall,is this big problem ?

**chuckster57** · 03-02-2020, 12:28 PM

I’m thinking your dealer doesn’t know much. The brackets get mounted in the upper corners flush with the facia pieces. There should be framing for the room, and even if there isn’t we use sikaflex on the back side of the bracket as it’s a very strong adhesive.

chipper10 · 03-02-2020, 01:59 PM

I think they are (my dealer) talking about the part hocked to the camper wall ,is this what you are saying or the part on the slider

**chuckster57** · 03-02-2020, 02:44 PM

The awning rail is screwed to the exterior wall. I have installed numerous rails without knowing if there was a “backer”. There are a lot of screws used and if the dealer uses butyl tape behind it, it will stick and seal.

ChuckS · 03-04-2020, 06:01 AM

the rear rail should be attached with Tri lock rivets as called out in the install instructions. Using screws of any type for this is just stupid unless there is a backer plate...which there most likely is not

**chuckster57** · 03-04-2020, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuckS

the rear rail should be attached with Tri lock rivets as called out in the install instructions. Using screws of any type for this is just stupid unless there is a backer plate...which there most likely is not

That would be great if they sent enough in the install kit. Most I’ve seen is 4, Plenty of screws. Can’t say I’ve had a failure yet.

rhagfo · 03-04-2020, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuckS

the rear rail should be attached with Tri lock rivets as called out in the install instructions. Using screws of any type for this is just stupid unless there is a backer plate...which there most likely is not

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

The awning rail is screwed to the exterior wall. I have installed numerous rails without knowing if there was a “backer”. There are a lot of screws used and if the dealer uses butyl tape behind it, it will stick and seal.

I am with Chuckster57 on this. I installed my own and drilled pilot holes for the screws (coarse thread) then put adhesive sealer in each hole and along the entire length of the track. We sit just off the Pacific part of the year in winter, west winds will rattle it a bit, but still no issues with screws pulling out. This slide cover is about 13' long.

**JRTJH** · 03-04-2020, 08:40 AM

Time flies !!! It seems like "last summer" that I installed slide covers on our Cougar. Looking back at records, it was in 2015. One is 157" long the other is 79" long. Both awning rails were installed with "every screw hole filled with a screw" (about every 6") and with butyl putty tape behind the rails. I did drill pilot holes after seeing that the first screw through the rail "tented" the FILON. So all the rest I drilled pilot holes to prevent the FILON from distorting. It's been 4 seasons, coming up on 5 years, through some pretty serious winds, "flapping slide covers" that forced us to retract the slides for fear they might rip off, and the awning rails are as secure today as they were the day I installed them.

I'd say, screws and butyl putty tape, properly installed on a FILON sidewall, is all that's needed. As for a "backing strip required or we won't install slide covers"... It sounds to me that the dealership is really saying, "We can't make enough money off the installation, so we won't bother"..... If it were me, I'd find a different dealership to "accept my money".....

**chuckster57** · 03-04-2020, 12:41 PM

Book is 2.5 hrs with rail install per topper. If a tech can’t make that time, he/she shouldn’t be working in the RV industry.

Nagrompj · 03-19-2020, 07:53 AM

Look at the side of your trailer first thing in the morning on a cool day, the dew will show pattern of the frame. Just mark it with some masking tape.

LT Dan · 03-19-2020, 04:20 PM

Thinking about installing some slide out awnings on our 2014 375FLF. Im trying to reduce the heat that comes thru the bump out roofs in the summer. The RV is located in Cape May, NJ from May thru Oct. A couple of questions to those who may know.
1. Will they help?
2. Are some brands better quality than other regarding hardware and material?
Any advise is greatly appreciated.

rhagfo · 03-19-2020, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LT Dan

Thinking about installing some slide out awnings on our 2014 375FLF. Im trying to reduce the heat that comes thru the bump out roofs in the summer. The RV is located in Cape May, NJ from May thru Oct. A couple of questions to those who may know.
1. Will they help?
2. Are some brands better quality than other regarding hardware and material?
Any advise is greatly appreciated.

1. Absolutely, our greatly cut heat through the slideout roof.

2. We installed Dometic, and are very nice.

**chuckster57** · 03-19-2020, 05:40 PM

Dometic has nice slide toppers, so does Carefree. You can spend big money for different styles, so take your time and look at them all.

I like the Carefree Ascent but your not going to like the price.

**JRTJH** · 03-19-2020, 07:14 PM

I bought the Carefree slide toppers. Their kits (at the time/not sure about now) came with a one piece awning rail that shipped with the topper. Dometic did not include the awning rail and buying it from an online supplier meant "double truck shipping charges" for two separate items. Because of the need for an awning rail, the Dometic slide toppers were about 70% more (price + shipping) than the comparable Carefree kits. Make sure, whatever brand you buy, that everything you need is included in the kit or at least "included in the calculation" for final price …..

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