Corbaus
Missouri
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Joined: 03/25/2010
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I had a gust of wind pull open one of our slide awnings and it torn it a little. With hopes of an easy repair, when I looked at it I found that the top edge next to the coach was very thin from the sun, weather and being 10 years old. The awning unrolls with the slide when it comes and and can then be pulled out further to shade the windows.
I am going to replace two. Could anyone offer me advice on replacements - How difficult of a job? Where is the best place to look for the material? How much am I looking at? I don't have the measurements with me, but it is a 2002 Beaver Santiam - dinette slide and bedroom slide.
You guys are the greatest for advice. Your expertise sure make starting a new project much easier and quicker!
Thanks,
Bryce
2002 40' Beaver Santiam
Sea Eagle 375
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P3TC
Glendale Springs, NC
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My slide awning pulled loose at the the threads and has to be replaced.
I had to order the fabric from Carefree of Colorado using the model and serial numbers shown on the roller tube....$390 plus shipping, waiting now for delivery......found an RV dealer who will install it for me.
Bill
 1998 Monaco Diplomat
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Musicman
Wenatchee, WA
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Joined: 02/28/2002
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You might check out this vendor. Look here
Musicman
FMCA #F333309
'97 Winnebago Vectra
'01 Blazer LT
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zmotorsports
Utah
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Bryce, you have several options. You can either replace just the fabric or the entire topper assembly. The older style such as on your 2002 does not have the cover that surrounds the material and provides an easier opportunity for the material to billow while driving. As far as material, there are several places that offer replacement fabric and some in a heavier thickness as well as enforced stitching which is usually the point of failure.
Here is a link to a popular replacement fabric and replacing the fabric is fairly straing forward. Lock the spring/roller assembly and remove the awning fabric from both the coach and the roller assembly. Reinstall in reverse order. There are online manuals for each manufacturer and model of slide topper.
http://www.shadepro.net/category/Replacement_Slideout_Canopies.html
If you wish to upgrade to the newer style that has the anti-billowing enclosures then they are just as simple to replace only a little more awkward and may need some assistance to avoid scratching the side of the coach. I opted to replace the entire slide toppers and window awnings when I replaced ours last spring because I wanted the anti-billowing covers as well as to somewhat upgrade the overall appearance of the toppers to the newer style.
Mike.
Here are a few pictures of ours on our Dynasty with the new style Carefree Sideout Kover III and SL Window Awnings.
2003 Monaco Dynasty/ 26' Haulmark Edge trailer
2011 Jeep Unlimited Rubicon
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Macktee
Canada
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I just had all 4 slide toppers replaced, and the mobile service person who did the job took all the info from the coach and called Monaco, so I got the same color and material as the main awning. Very happy with the way it looks. These toppers generally have enough wear after 5- 7 years that they will have to be replaced. Macktee
04 Monaco Dynasty Diamond 1V ( Homer II)
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SS Slacker
Lino Lakes, MN
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I just finished replacing mine and ordered them from Shadepro that is in Zmotorsports's post.
They were the exact replacements for my carefree toppers and the exact same color as original. I am sure Carefree got them from Sunbrella originally so they were exact fits and color. Shadepro's website is set up with the popular color options that were used by the manufacturers so you don't have to go through hundreds of color options. I was very pleased and for two new Acrylic tops I paid around $450 with free shipping.
I was also surprised at how easy they were to install with very clear instructions, however it really helps having two people for the job. Took us about 2-3 hours total for two awnings.
* This post was
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Dan & Tracy
2 kids ages 9 and 11
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Corbaus
Missouri
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Thanks so much for the responses. You provided me what I need to hear to start on replacement.
Thanks again.
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steveownby
Cosby, TN
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Bryce,
I advise you to check this web site:
http://www.stonevos.com/
Call this company and talk to Chris. Chris is a motorhome owner and makes awnings from the best fabrics and sews with the most uv and rot resistant thread. The product is absolutely top notch and somewhat cheaper than the standard stuff.
Steve Ownby
2003 Monaco Signature
Full-time since 2007
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chring
Brooksville, Fl & North East, TN
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Joined: 08/02/2004
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Thank you Steve.
Bryce, I have already sent you a response via e-mail. But for the benefit of other members here: The awning in Bryce's case is one of the older Carefree Omega awnings used up through 2003. After that they went to the newer standard slide topper configuration. They have made small changes to the newer models.
Unfortunately Carefree no longer provides factory support for the older topper/awning configurations. This includes parts and fabric. I just finished the 2012 Maintenance Session in Indiana and met with several customers such as yourself. My advice was to consider doing what was mentioned in an earlier post, converting that slide to the new carefree slide topper system. I admit this is a very expensive solution but one that many should consider due to the fact that as time goes on parts for the assembly will be harder to find and there are only a couple of us fabric experts in the country who are making fabric replacements for the older Omegas.
In regards to fabric, the best fabric available is either Recacril
( woven and made in Spain ) or Sattler ( woven with premium yarns in Austria ). Both are the best you can get. Sunbrella is very old technology and the weave process is terrible for slide toppers because it promotes stretching and warping. Even some of the awning manufacturers have steered away from Sunbrella and have switched out.
Today's Sunbrella is nothing like yester years. Quality is an issue today. The thread I use is called Solarfix and was designed for NASA. It is guaranteed for life and is impervious to chemicals and UV rays. The Poly thread of today is like many other products coming out of China, suspect in quality and short lived in installations that have a lot of UV exposure. Tests show that the vast majority of Poly thread looses 50 % of its strength over a 3 year period. This is why I standardized on Solarfix. It is extremely expensive for me to use but worth it in the long run for my customers.
Carefree, Girard and Zipp Dee awning/topper manufacturers all make their fabric in house on large machines that are automated. All three still use the poly thread. Girard and Zip Dee are still using Sunbrella while Carefree abandoned Sunbrella and has gone to Recacril in most of their acrylic toppers/awnings.
Sattler is a commercial grade acrylic fabric and is found on Prevosts and Newells as well as commercial building installations. You will not find it on other RV's as I am currently one of the few that uses it in the country. It has been available on a very limited basis in the USA which is why few know about it but has been the choice fabric in Europe for commercial and Marine applications. It truly is a premium grade fabric that is excellent for RV use. if anyone is having slide toppers made I highly recommend that you have the person doing your toppers use it. I also would demand they sew it using Solarfix or Tenara thread otherwise your going to be back getting new replacements in a couple years.
I hope this helps everyone.
Safe travels,
Chris
2005 Ambassador 40 PLQ
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