cwit
new york
Senior Member
Joined: 07/20/2008
View Profile
 Offline
|
I live in upstate NY and snowbird in the south. Those awnings don't unroll good when they are froze. They also don't like heavy winds.
|
forwardho
DFW -- Texas
Full Member
Joined: 03/13/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
I have 3 of them and would not be without them. They also keep the sun off the top of the slide keeping it cool inside the RV. My son and I made 3 new awnings and installed them ourselves. Works for me.
2004.5 Dodge Ram 3500 Dually - AKA Blue Thunder
Quad Cab SLT 5.9L Cummins HO Turbo Diesel
48RE Trans w/Mag-Hytec DD Pan @ Temp Gauge
18K Hitch
50 Gallon Auxillary Fuel Tank
Viper Security System
2003 35' Cardinal Fifth Wheel--AKA Motel 9
forwardho
|
CTD
Stockton, CA, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 02/24/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
We just returned from a trip to the Pacific Northwest and I really wished I would have had a topper. We woke to heavy rain so climbing up on top of the trailer would have been useless. So we retracted the slide with water/needles etc. We had a earlier unit with a topper and never experienced wind whip problems; maybe we were lucky or the tension was correct. Our present rig with a large slide is getting a topper, and I plan to do it myself. JMHO
1996 Dodge 3500 4X4 Dually Gear Vendors OD 1996 Alpenlite 29RK
|
Gunpilot77
Killeen, Tx
Senior Member
Joined: 10/06/2000
View Profile
Offline
|
daily double wrote:Has anyone installed them yourself??
Instruction video about halfway downthe page. Here's how
I wouldn't be without them either. I'd like to see a leaf blower or a broom get snow and ice off the slides in the winter.
Fifth wheel pulled with a pick-up
|
Mile High
Lone Tree, CO
Senior Member
Joined: 02/05/2008
View Profile
|
It really depends on where you will be travelling I think. We have never had them because of what the wind can do to them. At some of the lakes we go to, it's not just an annoyance, its a "bring in the slides to keep them from ripping off!".
I suppose you can always think of a few reasons you want them when you don't have them, but once you have them, it's too late to be wishing you didn't install them when it's time to "batten down the hatches"
Brad & Dory
2006 Ford F350 4X4 SB CC SRW Powerstroke 6.0
2007 Montana 3400RL 5th Wheel Our Rig - Our Mods
Visit Us, Our previous rig - 2003 2955RL
|
|
|
cabanaman
middleburg florida
Senior Member
Joined: 07/02/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
downtheroad wrote:Folks will tell you that they are a waste of money and you don't need them...that's one opinion.
Folks will tell you that all you have to do is climb up on the roof with a broom or a leaf blower and clean the slide roof off each time..
Not me, I am not climbing up on a wet slippery roof or hauling a full size ladder or leaf blower around every time I break camp.
I like slide toppers for the reasons you outlined and more.
Look at any up-grade TT, 5th wheel or motorhome..they will have slide toppers.
I agree totally and they provide shade on top of the slides to help out with heat buildup inside.
Retired Navy
2007.5 Dodge Ram SLT sport 2500 quad cab 6.7 cummins,6 speed auto with exhaust brake.
2007 Open Road 378SA4S-5 quad slide.
|
mwallace61
Alabama
Senior Member
Joined: 03/28/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
For me, they were worth the price. My next rig will have them as well.
Mike & Karen
ForrestGump the Wonder Dog
USA
|
Dale_S
Saugus, CA
Senior Member
Joined: 05/23/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
I had them installed when I ordered mine from the factory. No sweeping, no drying, no climbing, and keeps the temperatures down. I live in a windy area and haven't heard them flapping. I would definitely get them again.
2007 Chevrolet Silverado Classic 2500HD Duramax 6.6
2008 Jayco Eagle 299RLS
|
up2nogood
Utah
Senior Member
Joined: 02/20/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
Bottom line is there are more positives than negatives . Basically two negatives they flap in the wind, and they wear out. Everything else is positive . If its a monetary thing don't get them ,you can live without them, if not just get them .If you don't like them ,and you have the fifth wheel long enough they will wear out , and you will be done with them.
|
countryrose
Redding, Ca
Senior Member
Joined: 11/14/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
Dale_S wrote:I had them installed when I ordered mine from the factory. No sweeping, no drying, no climbing, and keeps the temperatures down. I live in a windy area and haven't heard them flapping. I would definitely get them again.
Ditto!!
Also not all slid toppers are equal, AE makes them as well as CareFree. I have read many comparisons on this forum most seem to prefer CareFree, I personally went with CareFree and Like them. As someone said earlier you can live without, the question is do you want too?
Enjoy the Road
Gary
2009 Bighorn 3400RL
2008 Chevy 3500HD DRW
DuraMax w/allison
|
|
|
