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02-07-2012, 08:05 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Youngsville, LA
Posts: 7
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Slide out topper blues!!! HELP
Just bought a 2010 Designer 35RLTS, love it so far. Fit and finish is very impressive and seems to be very well built. I have one problem, slide out toppers! Being my first 5er with toppers, I was very excited to have them. They add a certain class to the RV that I liked. The likes ended there, they hold water with even the slightest rain and you don't find out till you close the slide outs. By that time water is all over the slide out and the topper rolls up with creases from the stretching Can someone give me few tips or maybe some products that make them a little easier to deal with. Maybe something to keep the water from collecting during heavier rains. Also, is this normal for slide toppers ? Thanks in advance for any advice.
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02-07-2012, 08:09 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Marrero,la
Posts: 158
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I just get a long brush and hold one end down with the brush until most of the water has drain off, then I stand on the thidr step and push the brush bteween the topper and slide out. u I go outside after every rain and drain all 3 slides. i know it a pain but that the only way that i can keep the water off.
__________________
Randy T
Marrero,La
2011 Jayco Eagle 321RLTS FW
2012 Dodge 3500
US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
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02-07-2012, 08:15 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Reno (home base) Winter Eloy, AZ
Posts: 988
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Yup...that's pretty much what you have to do.
We tend to camp out here in the West where we don't have to worry about much rain.
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2012 Pinnacle 36KPTS - Kitchen Pantry Triple Slide
Mor/Ryde suspension and pin box, Dual pane windows, Auto Leveling System, 2 A/C's, Sailun G's and more...
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02-07-2012, 08:35 PM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Youngsville, LA
Posts: 7
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I was afraid you were going to say that. Guess I will need to buy a long broom. What are the advantages to having slide toppers anyway?
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02-07-2012, 08:41 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Wedowee AL
Posts: 272
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I don't sweat it. Just leave water up there. When leave, slide slide in, water drains. Recycle the slide and topper corrects itself.
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F250 HD 7.3 Diesel :)
31 Ft RLS Designer 5th Wheel :D
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02-07-2012, 08:44 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Wedowee AL
Posts: 272
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Smith772
I was afraid you were going to say that. Guess I will need to buy a long broom. What are the advantages to having slide toppers anyway?
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Toppers help prevent leaks, in hot sunshine they provide cooling and under trees they keep the debris away that you do not have to clear away before sliding in the slide. If you leave the debris up there, over time your rubber seal will be damamged and it will leak.
__________________
F250 HD 7.3 Diesel :)
31 Ft RLS Designer 5th Wheel :D
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02-07-2012, 08:46 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Reno (home base) Winter Eloy, AZ
Posts: 988
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kcconawa
Toppers help prevent leaks, in hot sunshine they provide cooling and under trees they keep the debris away that you do not have to clear away before sliding in the slide. If you leave the debris up there, over time your rubber seal will be damamged and it will leak.
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We ordered our Pinnacle with the slide awnings just for the reasons you mentioned.
__________________
2012 Pinnacle 36KPTS - Kitchen Pantry Triple Slide
Mor/Ryde suspension and pin box, Dual pane windows, Auto Leveling System, 2 A/C's, Sailun G's and more...
View photos
Our Trip Journal
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02-07-2012, 09:11 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: "Where we Park It"
Posts: 1,071
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kcconawa
Toppers help prevent leaks, in hot sunshine they provide cooling and under trees they keep the debris away that you do not have to clear away before sliding in the slide. If you leave the debris up there, over time your rubber seal will be damamged and it will leak.
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Same reason we got them too.
Yes they are a PITA, but the pluses out weight the minuses
__________________
Robert & Bale the "Traveling Dog"
SOB
2012 GMC 3500HD DRW
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02-08-2012, 07:25 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Full Timing since December 2011
Posts: 311
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Ours seem to drain automatically. The weight of the water makes them sag and drain off the sides. As the water drains, we can hear the roller mechanism creep back up and tighten. Have not timed this process, but, it usually is finished within a day.
Another trick is to place a small beach ball under the awning to make a tent like structure. My neighbor constructed a PVC device that he slides beneath each topper; it has the same affect as the beach ball.
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2015 Seismic 4212 on order
2010.5 Dodge Ram 3500 MC CTD HD Dually (4.10 gears), Firestone Air-Bags, with a Superglide model 4400.
2012 Yamaha Zuma 125
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02-08-2012, 08:36 AM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Youngsville, LA
Posts: 7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shin Pond Hunter
Ours seem to drain automatically. The weight of the water makes them sag and drain off the sides. As the water drains, we can hear the roller mechanism creep back up and tighten. Have not timed this process, but, it usually is finished within a day.
Another trick is to place a small beach ball under the awning to make a tent like structure. My neighbor constructed a PVC device that he slides beneath each topper; it has the same affect as the beach ball.
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I will have to try the PVC contraption. Sounds like a good solution, for some reason mine won't drain on its own. Thank you everyone for the responses, sure is a big help. Now that I know the toppers are serving a good purpose, keeping them dry wont feel like as much a PITA as it did before. Just felt like a whole lot of work for nothing. Thanks again.
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02-08-2012, 12:43 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,726
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I just run the slide in for a moment... dont even have to go all the way in to dump the water....
__________________
Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days /2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12
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02-08-2012, 10:19 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Marrero,la
Posts: 158
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Not to be an smart a--------, you can allways leave the slide in and the topper won't get wet.
__________________
Randy T
Marrero,La
2011 Jayco Eagle 321RLTS FW
2012 Dodge 3500
US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
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02-09-2012, 12:02 PM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Youngsville, LA
Posts: 7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rthibodaux
Not to be an smart a--------, you can allways leave the slide in and the topper won't get wet.
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The problem occurs when we are in the 5th wheel camping and it rains. So that might not be the best solution although it would keep them dry while in storage I think it is just going to take a little extra effort on my part. Just being lazy i guess, also felt like I was doing all this extra work with not much benefit. I figured that if I have to maintain these toppers I might as well maintain the top of the slide and do without the toppers. Now that some that responded to my post made me realize all the benefits it doesn't seem so bad anymore. Very doable and actually kind of excited that they are on there keeping my RV cooler in the summer and making the seals last longer.
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02-09-2012, 03:00 PM
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#14
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: James Island, SC
Posts: 22,859
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I would not be without them. Even with the extra problem of rain pooling.
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Moderator
2011- 351RLTS Eagle, MorRyde suspension/pin box,
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02-10-2012, 11:15 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,726
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if you are really that worried about rain pooling on the topper.. you can place a beach ball under there at the center of the slide-out and that will help the water run off
__________________
Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days /2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12
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02-10-2012, 02:07 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Maplesville - Home Base
Posts: 3,059
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I have the same Designer and I just run my slides in and then back out after a rain. That gets rid of any leaves, etc. that has collected up there since the last time also. It also keeps the slide mechanism working occasionally as well. I full time so moving the slides occasionally can't hurt the mechanism.
__________________
Ed
KM4STL
2006 GMC 2500HD CCSB 4x4 Duramax/Allison, Titan 52 gallon fuel tank, Prodigy Controller, B&W Companion Hitch
2010 Jayco Designer 35RLTS, Cummins/Onan RV QG 5500 EVAP, Progressive Industries EMS-PT50X, TST Systems 507 TPMS, RV Flex Armor Roof
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02-15-2012, 10:21 AM
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#17
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Youngsville, LA
Posts: 7
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Thanks
Thanks to everyone for the great responses to my post. All were very helpful and made me feel much more confident and happy to have the slide out toppers on my 5er.
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02-16-2012, 04:02 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Upperco, Md.
Posts: 807
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You can also drop the nose of the unit a couple of degrees to unload the water. If you have multiple slides, this is quicker and faster. Only takes a little out of level to work!!
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02-16-2012, 05:05 PM
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#19
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Youngsville, LA
Posts: 7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ela1948
You can also drop the nose of the unit a couple of degrees to unload the water. If you have multiple slides, this is quicker and faster. Only takes a little out of level to work!!
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Why did'nt I think of that? Great solution, definitely going to try it. So simple!
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09-28-2012, 06:39 PM
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#20
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Albany, N.Y.
Posts: 41
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Rain Water Collecting on Slide Toppers
Awningairwedge.com They are made just for this purpose. I bought 2 of them for the 2 big slideouts and they work great.
You can also get small toy inflatable balls (they have a shiney finish) from Wal-Mart's. $1 each. Deflate them a little bit and they work great. Way more durable than a beach ball. You can space them out evenly under the topper and they easily keep the topper tight so the water doesn't collect. I used 2 of them under the kitchen slide topper. Just don't forget to take all of this out when you pull the slide in. By the way, once I set up I am on a site for the entire Summer.
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