Best Height of Slide Topper - Cord Rail?

[Doug]

Got my 8.5' slide topper today and was looking at the install.
I currently have a rain gutter/flange 2" above slide trim.
This looks like it has to come off regardless. 4 screws

On eTrailer website, install video show cord rail for topper installed 2" above slide trim.

https://www.etrailer.com/Awnings/Lip...000163289.html

On the Lippert instructions, it says minimum 3"

Anyone have any experience with what is a good height for the cord rail?
I can find a good flat spot on the siding at 2", 3 1/2" and about 4 1/2"

I guess you want a decent slope to drain water, but not a huge opening for debris to blow in.

For those of you that have installed a topper, I'd like any input you may have.

Thanks,
Doug

[BigJohnD]

I've installed several and I don't go by the instructions. One way, and maybe not the way some prefer to do it, is get everything installed on the slide wall (Brackets, roller / awning etc). Run the slide out, get you a long straight edge (4' level or something), lay it on top of the roller going to the rv side wall, and make a mark with a pitch that you can live with. This gives you a good visual. Sometimes, what THEY say is not enough pitch and it will pool water. I tend to set my rail a little higher. Depends on the rig and other variables. Anyway, once you've made your mark, run slide back in, take a few measurements from slide flange to your mark, make duplicate marks the length of the slide and draw you a line. Install the rail. You probably know, but don't use a level to make your line. The reason I say measure off of the slide flange, is that is where your roller is. You want it straight and even with that, not the gutter or anything else.

[Doug]

Thanks BigJohn.
I'll take a look at that the way you suggest tomorrow.
I am thinking the 4 1/2" is going to be closer to a decent pitch.
For some reason, I am thinking the slide extends 42" so that would be a 1/9 pitch

Any idea what your current toppers are above the slide trim?

Doug

[BigJohnD]

I'd have to measure. A shade too low, I can tell you that much. On the Jay Flight, they have that gutter above the slide as built. I removed the gutter and went over that area with the rail, and that was actually a shade too low. Another 1-2" up would have done it. I should've just left the gutter and mounted the rail above it.

[Doug]

Good info.
I'll look at it tomorrow and see what pitch it takes to get above the gutter.
Thinking I'll leave it now as well.

Thanks much

Doug

[BigJohnD]

Not to throw a curve ball, but on the Jay Flight SLX 245RLSW I just picked up for my father in law (I had trusted dealer do the topper to save me work and time), they installed it in place of the gutter and it has just enough pitch. So, kind of depends on the rig, slide etc. Post what you come up with tomorrow.

[Doug]

Went to install this morning and missing hexagon rods that connect awning to support brackets. Frustrating, cancelled eTrailer order after 2 weeks when they extended back order status by 4 weeks. Ordered through Amazon 4WHEELONLINE.COM. I thought they were just wrapped up with awning. Last check this morning to verify, but not there. Off to contact vendor for parts.
Nothing better than listening to a high pitch saxaphone with lots of static UGH!
Doug

[BigJohnD]

I usually get the Dometic / EZ toppers from Makarios. Easy install and everything you need in one kit. And of course they're one of the best priced. I started dealing with them due to the fact the topper came with everything.

I usually call and let them know what I want and they verify the P/N I need. Super nice people.

[Doug]

I had planned on the install today and have camper at home so I installed cord rail and brackets.
Spent 2 hours just trying to clean silicone caulk from where gutter was. Not much success, but smoothed out best I could.
If I installed cord rail to cover gutter holes and silicone mess it would only be at 2" above slide. Not much pitch.
So, I decided on 4.25" above slide. That might give me clearance to re-install gutter to hide holes from gutter removal. I won't know until I get extension arms to install awning. If not, I think I might run a 2" strip of eternabond tape just under cord rail to cover 4 screw holes and silicone mess. That should make it look a little neater.



This image shows dirty caulk and a screw hole.

[norty1]

On my current Jayco, the slide toppers came installed from the factory. They are not high enough and we always get water in them. My wife goes up ion the roof and sweeps them out. If I did it, I would put as much fall on them as possible. The eyeball method that BigJohnD describes is the way I would do it too. I even thought of raising mine a few inches.

[jasum]

norty they say you can use an inner tube or a beach ball under the middle of slide toppers and that will prevent water from pooling on toppers.


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[BigJohnD]

I've got a pvc contraption I slid under mine while living in it. I've see the partially inflated ball, pillows, the air wedge that's actually designed for that etc.

Doug won't have to worry about it.

[Doug]

Thursday July 6th and still waiting on missing parts to install topper before our NY State trip Sunday. Looks like I'll have to leave without topper and request a refund. Not really happy, but it is what it is. I guess I'll reinstall gutter until the time comes to install topper.
I'll update once I get topper in place.

Doug

[Doug]

Just got back from our NY State trip and got my parts for the slider.
Install went well and height seems just about right.
It has a good pitch to it.

[SOMBATFAMILY]

Looking good. I installed my slide topper cord right below the roof line and have a very good pitch but after heavy rain I still have to bring in the slide to get rid of the puddle.