Slide Topper Fail

[JimL]

So, an interesting event while setting up in an RV park last weekend……

Went to extend the main slide (2018 M2 37HJ) and heard the slide slowing down and starting to (it seemed) bind up. Stopped extension, retracted slide a bit with no issues, started extending again and issue returned - this time, hearing a noise that was the slide topper detaching from the rig (it was obviously the culprit and it’s mechanism locked up) and it quickly spinning itself back into its housing…….UGH.

So, another repair task now that I’m back in my home park.

Any suggestions/advice? Try to repairs what’s left? Just purchase new fabric and try to install in the existing housing (after making sure the thing functions mechanically)?

Or, just replace the entire thing with a new one? That might be an improved version…….

Thanks in advance!

[Martigg]

I was notified in a campground that our slide topper on our large slide was not over the slide. (‘18.5 37HJ) We’re in the middle of 43 day’s of travel. For the time being I just verified all mounting screw’s were tight & they weren’t. I feel the seam failed at the motor home rail & allowed the topper fabric to retract back into the housing. I’m going to “try” to have the material re-seamed & attempt to re-installed.

[repeach]

I was fortunate. My main slide (2018.5 37HJ) topper stopped coming in with the slide, but it was still under warranty.

[Crossingover]

Consider the topper fabric a wear and tear item and expect to replace it every 5 years or so (depending of course on how often it is deployed and getting exposed to sun and debris). Just replaced all three toppers on our HJ for about $1,200 at a RV collision center. Considered doing the job myself for about 4 seconds before making the correct decision to take it to a pro.

[allanlr]

They are not that bad to do with two people (men). I just replaced the one on our main slide for our 2018 HJ. I had someone out replacing the rear A/C under warranty and asked if they knew how to replace the slide material, I had already ordered and received from Carefree. They took it down and told me I had a bad spring tensioner on the left end of the assembly. I got on the phone with Carefree after a 45 minute and found out they only use a single tensioner up to 18'. After 18' slides they use two. I decided then I now knew more than the guy replacing the A/C. The person from Carefree sent me the manual for the slide cover. My son and I followed the instructions and replaced it in about an hour. After watching youtube videos I am convinced it is easier to replace them on the coach unless you have a problem like Jim had above.
Carefree manual attached in case anyone needs it in the future.

[Gunfighter]

We just returned from a long trip, during which we also “lost” the living room slide topper on our 2018.5 37K. Upon returning home got out the ladder and sure enough the seam stitching on the piping strip on the motorhome side came loose and the entire topper had wound up on the reel. To be honest I don’t know how long this took to unravel. I never noticed the topper looking out of the ordinary. I have the fabric on order and will install with the help of my son when it arrives. I did review the many videos on YouTube and one thing I would add is that there are multiple designs made by Carefree. Some covers rotate up and some down and in the videos, some remove the “reel” to remove and reinstall the topper while others leave the reel in place. In hindsight I wish I had inspected the stitching on the topper and caught it before it unraveled. Oh well, the joys of maintaining an RV.

[RedHorse1]

I replaced the fabric on one of our toppers a couple years ago and it was pretty easy. Several YouTube vids on the topic. Yes, easily handled by 2 people but with 3 it is a bit easier.

[RoWest]

This company offers replacement fabric and brags about their double stitching. The seams are twice the number of stitches where my originals had failed. The fabric was in good shape, but the stitching unraveled..
https://www.toughtopawnings.com

[Jpred]

Hay allanir, that (men) was totally inappropriate. Hope I never camp around you. And yes I'm a man.

[jetlag]

Originally Posted by Jpred

Hay allanir, that (men) was totally inappropriate. Hope I never camp around you. And yes I'm a man.

Really??

[gunafulltime]

Originally Posted by Jpred

Hay allanir, that (men) was totally inappropriate. Hope I never camp around you. And yes I'm a man.

What are you saying? I do not understand this comment.

[JimL]

Originally Posted by RoWest

This company offers replacement fabric and brags about their double stitching. The seams are twice the number of stitches where my originals had failed. The fabric was in good shape, but the stitching unraveled..
https://www.toughtopawnings.com

Thank you - I’ll check this out!

[JimL]

Originally Posted by Jpred

Hay allanir, that (men) was totally inappropriate. Hope I never camp around you. And yes I'm a man.

NOT inappropriate at all.
Grow some skin.
And, I’d say for a junior member to make this their 1st post is totally inappropriate.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that I (as the original poster) can delete your ridiculous comment.

[jetlag]

Originally Posted by gunafulltime

What are you saying? I do not understand this comment.

He is "woke" and did not understand you said it was a job for 2 "men' as in probably heavy. Typically ladies, oops I screwed up again, are not as strong as men and nothing was implied. But, he is a MAN after all!!

[gunafulltime]

Please!!!!!!
That is absurd, Jpred. You have got to be kidding, right? I hope so. Otherwise, that is super pathetic.

He was just helpfully explaining that two men did the job. Give me a break!