Leaves on slide-out?

OttawaBob · 10-08-2017, 10:10 AM

Hi all.

Quick question. Is it necessary to remove leaves from the roof of your slide out before by retracting it back in?

Do the leaves get forcibly removed or dI they get caught underneath? Perhaps a stupid question.

Thanks.

travelingjw · 10-08-2017, 10:21 AM

I remove all debris from the top of my slide-out prior to retracting. The seals will tear if any of the debris is sharp. My concern about leaves is the stems, especially where they break from the tree. The small "knots" may damage the seal. Much easier to sweep the slide out rather than replace the seals.

Grumpy · 10-08-2017, 10:30 AM

Definitely remove them. That's why slide toppers are such an asset.

Swampy · 10-08-2017, 10:35 AM

I lost the topseal

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelingjw

I remove all debris from the top of my slide-out prior to retracting. The seals will tear if any of the debris is sharp. My concern about leaves is the stems, especially where they break from the tree. The small "knots" may damage the seal. Much easier to sweep the slide out rather than replace the seals.

I lost the top seal due to tree debris on top of the slide out. It needs to be swept off prior to retracting. I found that one of those electric leaf blowers made the job easier, but I hate working off the top of a ladder, so I installed a slide cover. So far, with the slide cover, I have not had any debris get on the top of the slide out. The slide cover just dumps the debris on the ground as the slide out retracts...... Swampy

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RAurand · 10-08-2017, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Definitely remove them. That's why slide toppers are such an asset.

However, leaves and other stuff does get under slide toppers as well.
So, I do not have a slide topper. I just send the kids up on the roof to sweep it off and if it is wet, wipe it off with a towel.

The Owl · 10-08-2017, 03:39 PM

I carry a small folding ladder and check each time that we leave a camp site. Most of the time it takes only a couple of minutes to sweep the slide. If I had several slides, I would want the toppers but they still need checked to make sure nothing is in the seals.

Grumpy · 10-08-2017, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAurand

However, leaves and other stuff does get under slide toppers as well.

Never had that issue in over 16 yrs.

Marcm157 · 10-08-2017, 06:48 PM

I always clean the top of my slide before bringing it in. Sometimes I use a broom but most often a quick blow off with a small electric leaf blower does the trick...

Nickp · 10-09-2017, 09:04 PM

Hello, we just purchased a new Jayflight 32bhds from Town and Country in Clyde, Oh. I asked the dealer about that when we picked our TT up. Same as others have said, he told me you definitely want to make sure the top of the slides are free of all debris before retracting, to ensure the seals do not get damaged.

Another tip he gave me was, lift the flap of carpet inside your slide outs and thoroughly sweep underneath of them. He told me of stories where little stones get caught under that flap and drag across the kitchen linoleum and leave gouges!

Atlee · 10-10-2017, 03:23 AM

My previous non Jayco trailer had a slide. I added a slide topper so I wouldn't have to climb a ladder to clean off the slide. It worked for 3 years. Didn't have debris come in when retracting the slide.

I solved the slide/slide topper problem when I got my new 23RB this year. So slide, no need for a topper.

fochman · 10-10-2017, 06:13 AM

Times two on the leaf blower. I use one that uses the same rechargeable battery that powers my weedwacker at home. I also carry a collapsible ladder to use.