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06-08-2020, 05:55 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Liberty, Texas
Posts: 5,034
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Carefree Slide Toppers
Like others I debated with myself about getting slide toppers. After chasing acorns off the top of the slide I decided to get them. One issue was the topper fabric being subjected to the Texas sun. The rear awning on my Bigfoot has really deteriorated and I have bought replacement fabric but not installed.
Anyway, I decided on Carefree toppers with the polymer section. When the topper is rolled up (slide is in) the polymer is what is rolled up last and exposed to the weather, not the fabric. I bought the toppers through my Mom & Pop RV shop and had them install this January.
We are prepping for a long trip (Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa) so I have the 5th pulled up in the driveway with slides out. Last Friday I noticed one of the toppers was torn. Looking closely, it isn't ripped but the bond where the polymer section and fabric come together has failed. Maybe about 10-12 inches has separated. I emailed pics to the RV shop. Last night I noticed another of the toppers is doing the same thing. Another email and pic sent.
One of the service writers just called. She will talk to the boss lady as soon as she walks in. I'm not sure what the easiest/quickest solution would be. Maybe remove the fabric and tube and leave the brackets until the shop and Carefree have a solution. I would hate for this to happen on the road. I can see how the loose fabric could get tangled up in the slide seal.
We leave Wednesday morning. I hate last minute surprises.
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 Laramie CC DRW LWB 4X4 Cummins Aisin 3.73
Reese Goosebox 20K
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Oshkosh
2008 Bigfoot 25C9.4 LB Cabover
2023 CanAm Defender SXS
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06-08-2020, 06:05 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Liberty, Texas
Posts: 5,034
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Pics of the toppers:
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 Laramie CC DRW LWB 4X4 Cummins Aisin 3.73
Reese Goosebox 20K
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Oshkosh
2008 Bigfoot 25C9.4 LB Cabover
2023 CanAm Defender SXS
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06-08-2020, 07:05 AM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,671
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Brent,
THANKS for the heads up! I debated and debated on putting that topper and fabric on this trailer for the same reasons you did. I also wondered about that material transition - man, I'm glad I didn't, and they were considerably more expensive than the regular ones I got. Hope all goes well with the repairs - or removing them. If you're leaving Wed. your choices may be very limited. Good luck.
__________________
Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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06-08-2020, 07:14 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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Contact Carefree directly! Possibly they could send someone with replacement fabric to wherever you're going to be & replace the fabric on site. They should be ok traveling, but may not last too long once extended if there's much wind.
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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06-08-2020, 02:36 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Liberty, Texas
Posts: 5,034
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Dragging it to the shop first thing tomorrow. Remove the ripped toppers. Replace when we get back.
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 Laramie CC DRW LWB 4X4 Cummins Aisin 3.73
Reese Goosebox 20K
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Oshkosh
2008 Bigfoot 25C9.4 LB Cabover
2023 CanAm Defender SXS
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06-09-2020, 02:59 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Liberty, Texas
Posts: 5,034
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Shop removed the 2 bad awnings this morning, left the brackets. Carefree is shipping replacements. I'll get them put back on when we get back.
World of Outlaw Sprint Cars at the historic Knoxville Raceway, Friday and Saturday. Leave tomorrow. Hopefully scratch another historic race track off my bucket list.
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 Laramie CC DRW LWB 4X4 Cummins Aisin 3.73
Reese Goosebox 20K
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Oshkosh
2008 Bigfoot 25C9.4 LB Cabover
2023 CanAm Defender SXS
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06-09-2020, 03:21 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,671
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Brent did anyone say what the cause was? Just a fluke, design flaw, bad batch? I would still like to consider something like that because I had no doubt that these will begin to deteriorate in a year or 2.
__________________
Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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06-10-2020, 04:57 AM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,319
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sourdough
Brent did anyone say what the cause was? Just a fluke, design flaw, bad batch? I would still like to consider something like that because I had no doubt that these will begin to deteriorate in a year or 2.
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Have you looked into carefree “ascent” toppers? The fabric is covered when the slide is retracted. $$$ but IMO worth it.
__________________
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.
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