Slide Toppers

**Dave&Ginny** · 02-29-2012, 05:25 AM

I've read on another rv forum about need of the slide toppers. My dealer didn't want me to get them, what's everybody's opinion of them? Many of you already have your Redwoods, how are they working?

dave

Hunter11 · 02-29-2012, 05:45 AM

We have had them on all our trailers and I really like them. I will say this, if we went with full body paint I doubt we would get them. Most all of the full body painted units we have seen have black or dark colored slide toppers and down here in Texas that would not be a good thing. That would just draw more heat on the slide tops during the hot Summer. Why would your dealer not want you to get them?

Happy Camper · 02-29-2012, 07:22 AM

We have them on our current unit, but did not get them on the 36RE. There are pros and cons to both. They are noisy and you need to pay close attention to mud dobber nests and paper nests. I neglected to check before running my slides in and I had a RV full of flying friends. They do, however, help keep the sun off and small limbs/debris. I think it is more of personal preference - you won't go wrong either way.

**Dave&Ginny** · 02-29-2012, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunter11

We have had them on all our trailers and I really like them. I will say this, if we went with full body paint I doubt we would get them. Most all of the full body painted units we have seen have black or dark colored slide toppers and down here in Texas that would not be a good thing. That would just draw more heat on the slide tops during the hot Summer. Why would your dealer not want you to get them?

He said that they really didn't work that well because if it was windy they flap and if you do get debris under them that it was even harder to clean off the slide. He also said that they had to be replaced every 5 or 6 years because of the sun and that they mildew.

mhs4771 · 02-29-2012, 08:17 AM

We've had them and wouldn't be without them. Sort of depends where you camp. If you're every camped in the woods in the fall you would be glad you had thme, other wise you would be on the roof cleaning leaves and Pine needles off before retracting the slides.

KR2011 · 02-29-2012, 09:35 AM

Dave I have had them and up here where we are I have to replace the fabrics every couple years because they do tend to flop in the wind and having snow and ice build up on them is not very good for them. The up side though is they do make a difference in heating and cooling your rig and helps with the rain noise. If the factory or dealer does not set them right they will hold water and dirt from leaves so some extra cleaning is usually needed. But like Hunter11 said the added heat with the black fabrics that would come on yours would be noticeable but easier to keep clean.

lillyputz · 02-29-2012, 09:46 AM

We have them on our current 5th wheel, for approx. 7 years. they will keep you up at night when the wind blows. the harder it blows the more theyflap. does keep debri off. can hold water when it rains. if the snow is to heavy, you still have to removemost of it or the slides won't come in. we had the largest toppers material replaced about two years ago. we did not order them with our new Redwood.

Lillyputz

**Dave&Ginny** · 02-29-2012, 10:08 AM

Thanks for the information guys..I didn't order them on my Redwood but I wanted to see if I made a mistake and if so get them ordered. I feel comfortable now with my decision and will stick with not getting them

Buddy · 05-29-2013, 06:22 PM

I love my toppers, when I pull my slides in they are always clean, I will never have snow on them because I want go where it snows.

Fredtp · 05-29-2013, 07:57 PM

I have had them on my last two RV's but did not get them on the Redwood, what a mistake!!! I am getting some installed before the summer is out. Tired of sweeping the acorns and pine straw off, and when it is wet even worse. I never had a problem of them flapping or blowing.

Radio_Flyer · 05-29-2013, 08:33 PM

I don't have any issues yet with climbing on the roof, sweeping the slides and doing a quick inspection. That may change as I get older. Our friends with the identical unit as ours and the toppers are constantly removing birds nests and the start of bird nests. Constantly removing straw and nest material. They've taken to using my leaf blower from a ladder before closing up the slides. They did have the advantage when we had to pull out on a rainy day and just pulled in the slides. Good and bad in my opinion.

RifRaff · 05-29-2013, 09:15 PM

I had a 50+ mph wind coming off Lavon lake, slide awnings did flap, quite a bit. 5'er was rock solid, I was worried. It was neat watching the white caps as the front came thru. I did not have slide awnings on last TT, IT COST $4000.00 to fix. I would not buy until dealer installed 5 @ no cost.

RifRaff

George66 · 05-31-2013, 09:34 PM

I ordered them with ours, first time we've had them, I got tired of cleaning the ice build up and snow on the slides. I live in mine for work in Alberta and move about 5or 6 times a season from April to the end of November,.So hope ithe toppers will help, keep you posted on the pros and cons.Edited by: George66

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