Spiceypete
Trego, Wisconsin
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Joined: 06/09/2008
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I have an 08 Jayco 5th wheeler at a seasonal campground site. My larger 3'slide awning seems to want to collect rain water and sag. The 2' slides are fine. At this point we're out there just weekends. Other than retractng the slide in when we leave, has anyone seen any way that others may have dealt with this problem. I was thinking of putting 4" of styrofoam on top of the slide for support of the awning, but thought I'd check out other ideas first. Thanks.
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scbwr
Wilson NY
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Joined: 03/09/2004
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Some things I've read include putting a beach ball under the awning or making a frame from pvc pipe to prevent water collecting. When camping, I don't worry about a little water, and if there's enough, I just pull the slide in to drain the water. Since your trailer is on a seasonal site, I'd just pull the slide in when I'm not there as it will help save the awning. But...I could also see designing a frame from PVC....basically two triangles with connecting pieces for the length of the slide. Can you visualize what I'm suggesting?
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Scott_C
NJ
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Yeah, the topper material isn't designed for long-term extended position. Some of the better toppers have a sprung tube that keeps tension on the fabric to prevent this. Given this is also probably a longer slide, I'd just buy or make an inflatable tube of the diameter you'd need. Believe it or not, you can make your own out of 6 or 8-mil polyethylene sheeting from the hardware store, a soda or water bottle (for the valve, a regular soldering iron, and some masking tape... Otherwise, find you local packaging store where they have the bag material on the roll and will heat seal/crimp and fill whatever you need for a few dollars.
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LarryJM
NoVa
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Joined: 11/09/2007
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Spiceypete wrote:I have an 08 Jayco 5th wheeler at a seasonal campground site. My larger 3'slide awning seems to want to collect rain water and sag. The 2' slides are fine. At this point we're out there just weekends. Other than retractng the slide in when we leave, has anyone seen any way that others may have dealt with this problem. I was thinking of putting 4" of styrofoam on top of the slide for support of the awning, but thought I'd check out other ideas first. Thanks.
Below is what I use to keep the slide topper from sagging. I had some old 5in thick foam and I cut two pieces about 5in wide and like 24 inches long and side a piece under each end of the awning. It was free and I can install and remove them from the ground w/o a ladder and if I should forget to take them out they won't or shouldn't damage anything except prevent the slide from going all the way in. I might attach a piece of rope to the rear one and run it over to my electrical inlet as a reminder when disconnecting to remove the supports. They take no inflating or putting together and weigh almost nothing.
Larry
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JayflightG2
Vancouver
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Saw this one. Looks interesting.
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Bandaid
Holcomb, New York USA
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I had slide toppers installed on my trailer last spring and had the same problem. I cured it by going to Walmart and buying 3 rib, large diameter pool noodles! Also got some 1/8" nylon braided rope and tied the three nodles into a length wise triangle. Then tied a length of rope to both ends so the support could be pulled into position under the topper, then tied off. Wind will lift the topper cover and the support will blow out unless it is tied in. Only aggravating problem is having to get the step ladder out both when we set up and when we pack to leave, but at least the water no longer puddles in the topper!
First time we camped withthe slide covers, I was openning the dump valve when my wife decided to close the slide. I got a nice cold shower as the water poured off the end of the slide cover! That's when the light bulb came on to visit Wally World!
Bandaid
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Spiceypete
Trego, Wisconsin
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Joined: 06/09/2008
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Thanks so much for the great and diverse ideas. I'm sure that I'll be able to work this out. Here in N. Wisc. we're getting hammered with some strong storms and heavy rain. So I suspect the awning will be sagging again when I get back out to the CG on Friday.
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