Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 10-14-2014, 03:01 AM   #1
Traveling
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 910
Rain on Slide Covers

Greetings All-It's ME again;

I know there has been some discussion on this, but I wanted to solicit a little more in-depth discussion. Why? Because I live in a very rainy area, of course and I am selfishly wanting to know MORE!

I know about raising the nose of the coach to drain the rain off of the slide covers, and this DOES work. HOWEVER, this is just not practical long term in a place where it rains almost daily for weeks on end sometimes. Does anyone have any experience to share with putting things (beach balls, baffles, etc) under the slide awnings to deflect water and encourage runoff before it pools in the center? This is one of the reasons that we almost didn't get slide covers. Thanks so much!
TNTBaker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2014, 04:06 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
rob_fla's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,674
When I installed our slide awnings, I mounted the awning rail bar a little higher that typical so we would have a slope on the slide awnings.
We have weathered a number of very rainy days and we have not had any water pooling on our slide toppers.
__________________
Robert & Sheryl
2014 Redwood 38FL
MoRyde 8K IS, Disc Brakes, MoRyde Pin Box
17.5 Goodyear G114's, RV Armor Roof
2018 RAM 3500 DRW, Curt Q24 Hitch

rob_fla is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2014, 04:10 AM   #3
Traveling
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 910
Thats a good plan. We dont have that luxury :-(
TNTBaker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2014, 04:39 AM   #4
Site Team
 
Dave&Ginny's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 5,407
I've seen folks use swimming pool noodles
__________________
SOB "The RV Wiseguy"
Dave&Ginny is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2014, 01:06 PM   #5
Site Team
 
hoosierguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,340
Quote:
Originally Posted by TNTBaker View Post
Greetings All-It's ME again;

I know there has been some discussion on this, but I wanted to solicit a little more in-depth discussion. Why? Because I live in a very rainy area, of course and I am selfishly wanting to know MORE!

I know about raising the nose of the coach to drain the rain off of the slide covers, and this DOES work. HOWEVER, this is just not practical long term in a place where it rains almost daily for weeks on end sometimes. Does anyone have any experience to share with putting things (beach balls, baffles, etc) under the slide awnings to deflect water and encourage runoff before it pools in the center? This is one of the reasons that we almost didn't get slide covers. Thanks so much!

In a situation like you are describing where you will be located long term in one location, I would fabricate a support system from 1 1/2 inch to 2 inch white PVC pipe components. I think a support could be assembled in a manner so it could be placed between the top of the slide and the topper to slightly raise the center of the topper and prevent it from sagging and collecting water. The pipe could run the entire length of the topper to provide support and just enough rise of the topper to prevent water from collecting. I think such a support could be assembled with minimal gluing of parts so that it could be disassembled when needed and placed in the storage area for traveling.

FWIW this just an idea that I have had. I haven't actually tried it yet but may be trying to implement this for our stay in Florida this winter.
__________________
Guy & Phyllis
2012 RW36RL,DualA/C,KodiakDiskBrakes,TrailAir Tri-Glide,GY_G614's,Roadmaster Comfort Ride Slipper Spring Suspension
2011Dodge3500Laramie,CrewCab,4x4,SRW,Michelins, LongBed,6.7LCTD,3.73,PullRiteSuper5th20.5KHitch, BlueOxBedsaver

hoosierguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2014, 02:58 PM   #6
Traveling
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 910
That's a SUPER idea Guy! I am going to share this with Todd. I like it because the PVC will not degrade in the weather, and we can create it with short "sections" and disassemble, as you said. If we implement, I will post pictures. I really like it!! I POURED last night, and is supposed to all week. I will likely start this TOMORROW!
TNTBaker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2014, 03:30 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
johnboytoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,055
One of the mfg's came out with a support kit that supposedly rolls up with the awning and bows UP a bit to make the runoff...

let me see where I found that...
but more angle is a good idea that can be retrofitted...
__________________
Ours: '11 Monaco Diplomat 43DFT followed closely by '14 Jeep 4 dr Wrangler.
Hers: '13 Explorer Sport - AWD 365hp twin turbo scooter!
Previous: '13 Ford F350 CC Platinum and '13 38GK
johnboytoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2014, 03:34 PM   #8
Traveling
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 910
When we were in service the shop foreman was talking to us about an installed support, don't know if it was the same one. He said he lost count of how many he was asked to REMOVE because they broke all the time when opening and closing the slides. It sounds like a good idea tho. I like the idea of raising the attach point of the awning so that it has more angle... Don't know if it could be done without ruining the paint. Probably not.
TNTBaker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2014, 03:41 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
johnboytoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,055
Actually raising the portion connect to the rv seems easy,
you won't be moving the end on the slide...
and the slide topper will cover the 'old' area...

disconnect...
SEAL all the old holes...
move it up...
and reconnect...
__________________
Ours: '11 Monaco Diplomat 43DFT followed closely by '14 Jeep 4 dr Wrangler.
Hers: '13 Explorer Sport - AWD 365hp twin turbo scooter!
Previous: '13 Ford F350 CC Platinum and '13 38GK
johnboytoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2014, 03:53 PM   #10
Traveling
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 910
Hmmm. Maybe an idea. Definitely goes on the list of things to customize if we order a new coach ever... maybe by then they will have perfected the resolution of pooling water on slide covers!!
TNTBaker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2014, 07:33 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
atom ant's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 7,101
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnboytoo View Post
One of the mfg's came out with a support kit that supposedly rolls up with the awning and bows UP a bit to make the runoff...

let me see where I found that...
but more angle is a good idea that can be retrofitted...
Was this it John? I think Carefree of Colorado had it, but I don't see them on their website anymore. A cool concept, but maybe it didn't work

__________________
Brad & Dory - Lone Tree, CO
CURRENT - 2013 Itasca Meridian 42E/2013 Wrangler 4dr Sahara
SOLD - 2014 Redwood 36RL/2014 F350 DRW
atom ant is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2014, 07:58 PM   #12
Traveling
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 910
That's interesting. It DOES Look like it might be prone to malfunction IMO. Hopefully I am wrong. Honestly, I don't know why they don't just work harder to attach the awnings a little more above the slide to cause an angle. I know it's not always possible, but it IS on the RWs.
TNTBaker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2014, 08:23 PM   #13
TnB
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 79
A possible problem with mounting the slider higher is the increased area exposed to billowing when going down the road. Having the topper attached close to the roller reduces this area.
TnB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2014, 08:29 PM   #14
TnB
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 79
Here is a design using PVC pipe:


http://www.dmbruss.com/zRVTech/RVTT_TopperSupport.htm
TnB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2014, 08:52 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
travelin' texans's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,353
Don't think billowing is the problem as I've seen some that are mounted at near 45 degree angle.
__________________
Danny & Linda
Full-timed 10+ years
Former '13 FB owner
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Currently rv & truckless
Replacement undetermined
travelin' texans is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2014, 10:09 PM   #16
Site Team
 
hoosierguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,340
Quote:
Originally Posted by TNTBaker View Post
That's interesting. It DOES Look like it might be prone to malfunction IMO. Hopefully I am wrong. Honestly, I don't know why they don't just work harder to attach the awnings a little more above the slide to cause an angle. I know it's not always possible, but it IS on the RWs.

I looked at our 36RL this afternoon. The topper mounting could be raised a few inches on the the two rear slides, but, the front bedroom slide mounting is a high as it can go.
__________________
Guy & Phyllis
2012 RW36RL,DualA/C,KodiakDiskBrakes,TrailAir Tri-Glide,GY_G614's,Roadmaster Comfort Ride Slipper Spring Suspension
2011Dodge3500Laramie,CrewCab,4x4,SRW,Michelins, LongBed,6.7LCTD,3.73,PullRiteSuper5th20.5KHitch, BlueOxBedsaver

hoosierguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2014, 10:29 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
johnboytoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,055
That's it AA !

The one thing I've noticed with the awnings is it has to be opened JUST right and if extended TOO far the fabric is lower than the roller and causes a ridge that holds water...

We did drop the arms down as far as we felt we wanted, but miss the auto dump feature of my last 5er !!!
__________________
Ours: '11 Monaco Diplomat 43DFT followed closely by '14 Jeep 4 dr Wrangler.
Hers: '13 Explorer Sport - AWD 365hp twin turbo scooter!
Previous: '13 Ford F350 CC Platinum and '13 38GK
johnboytoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-15-2014, 01:27 AM   #18
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 32
Slideout awning supports

Take a look at (the awning air wedge).
Donhutch1800 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-15-2014, 06:22 AM   #19
Senior Member
 
sinder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 506
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnboytoo View Post
That's it AA !

The one thing I've noticed with the awnings is it has to be opened JUST right and if extended TOO far the fabric is lower than the roller and causes a ridge that holds water...

We did drop the arms down as far as we felt we wanted, but miss the auto dump feature of my last 5er !!!

Interesting our awning auto dumps when it gets too heavy with water. I had it doing it several times a year or so ago during a big rain. I now tip the one end down enough so it runs off.
__________________
Dean & Pam - SOB
sinder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-15-2014, 05:27 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 210
My rub with the slide awnings is; mine are noisy with the slightest wind. I am ready to remove them after spending the money to hav them installed. If I were to order another RV tomorrow; I would not buy them.
__________________
Jay D. and Rhonda J Garrett
2015 RW38GK
2014 RAM 3500 DUALLY
Full timers Oct 2014
Ramblin Roadrunners is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Redwood RV or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:18 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
×