Slide out awnings/covers pros and cons

[slabat]

I am purchasing a new trailer with two slides and am considering putting slide covers/awnings on the slides. Liking for pros and cons of installing them.

[MichaelO]

I’ve been thinking about doing that on my trailer too, so I’ll be following this thread.

[Grumpy]

Don't know of any "CONS" used them for over 20 years.

[AKRUEBBE]

Originally Posted by slabat

I am purchasing a new trailer with two slides and am considering putting slide covers/awnings on the slides. Liking for pros and cons of installing them.

I wouldn't leave home without them

[BuddyRay]

I tried living without them for about 2 weekend camping trips. After the first trip we had to clean all the leaves and crap that came into the camper on the top of the slides when I closed them
On the second trip I tried cleaning them off before breaking camp.
NOT.
I realized I had to carry a ladder, climb up and sweep the tops off to clear leaves, sticks, pine straw (we live in the south!) and sometimes water.
I experimented with all kinds of tricks - like a battery powered leaf blower and a jury rigged 90 at the end of a pipe to blow the top off - that only worked when the leaves were dry and light.
Why would ANYBODY want to mess with all this?
I really think covers should be standard equipment on any slide.
The ONLY con I can think of is $$.
But then, how much does the emergency room cost when you fall off that ladder?

[Bobby B]

Spent one season without them, put them on the following year.

[Nathan S.]

What about wind? For debris they sound great. I’ve heard of guys putting beach balls and other items under them because they are noisy in a windy environment and have a tendency to parachute. We get a lot of wind out west. How do you guys handle this?

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Nathan S.

What about wind? For debris they sound great. I’ve heard of guys putting beach balls and other items under them because they are noisy in a windy environment and have a tendency to parachute. We get a lot of wind out west. How do you guys handle this?

If they're installed properly wind shouldn't be an issue.

[norty1]

Mine came with slide covers on all 3 slides from Jayco.

[JohnWedell]

Originally Posted by Nathan S.

What about wind? For debris they sound great. I’ve heard of guys putting beach balls and other items under them because they are noisy in a windy environment and have a tendency to parachute. We get a lot of wind out west. How do you guys handle this?

We camp a lot on the beach where it gets very wind and they make a racket. During that time we bring the slide in.

[RedHorse1]

We have them on our 3 slides. Have camped in windy conditions and can hear the flapping when the wind direction is right but it’s never kept me awake. The water rolls off pretty well when retracting as do the leaves and other debris, if wet tho the leaves tend to stick. I figure they are an additional barrier to rain getting thru the slide seals and may offer a little extra insulation from direct sun. We were camped in the snow for a bit and it had to be cleared before the slide could be retracted. The fabric may need replacing after 5-ish years or so. If we trade I’ll get toppers on the new unit.

[SloPoke]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Don't know of any "CONS" used them for over 20 years.

The only con... is the expense of maintaining them over the years.... benefit outweights the expense!

Originally Posted by BuddyRay

I tried living without them for about 2 weekend camping trips. After the first trip we had to clean all the leaves and crap that came into the camper on the top of the slides when I closed them
On the second trip I tried cleaning them off before breaking camp.
NOT.
I realized I had to carry a ladder, climb up and sweep the tops off to clear leaves, sticks, pine straw (we live in the south!) and sometimes water.
I experimented with all kinds of tricks - like a battery powered leaf blower and a jury rigged 90 at the end of a pipe to blow the top off - that only worked when the leaves were dry and light.
Why would ANYBODY want to mess with all this?
I really think covers should be standard equipment on any slide.
The ONLY con I can think of is $$.
But then, how much does the emergency room cost when you fall off that ladder?

X2

Originally Posted by Nathan S.

What about wind? For debris they sound great. I’ve heard of guys putting beach balls and other items under them because they are noisy in a windy environment and have a tendency to parachute. We get a lot of wind out west. How do you guys handle this?

The sound of the wind... is nothing compared to the rocking that our Seneca deals with in Wyoming, Nebraska or Colorado winds. Utah and Nevada winds are .00001db quieter.

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

We have them on our 3 slides. Have camped in windy conditions and can hear the flapping when the wind direction is right but it’s never kept me awake. The water rolls off pretty well when retracting as do the leaves and other debris, if wet tho the leaves tend to stick. I figure they are an additional barrier to rain getting thru the slide seals and may offer a little extra insulation from direct sun. We were camped in the snow for a bit and it had to be cleared before the slide could be retracted. The fabric may need replacing after 5-ish years or so. If we trade I’ll get toppers on the new unit.

Best answer on the forum today!

[Cincinnati Kid]

We're happy with ours. It's nice to check the slide roofs inside the trailer and they are clean as a whistle.
If possible, get them done at the Jayco factory. Ours were a little over half what the dealer wanted to charge, and I think the factory did a great install. We drove up it to Middlebury, then made a Michigan camping vacation out of it.

[CampingTime]

Just a FYI I just received my 2020 Eagle 330RSTS a few weeks ago after ordering it. I found out at the Hershey RV show that it’s a non listed option to have Jayco install the slide covers and the cost was about a third if I would have had the dealer install them. I believe I paid around $850 for the three slide toppers.

[Iraqvet05]

Originally Posted by norty1

Mine came with slide covers on all 3 slides from Jayco.

Did you order it like that? Most of the Flights I looked at did not have them.

For those of us looking to add them after delivery, I am curious how difficult they are to install at home.

[Bobby B]

I installed mine with the help of a friend. Really easy to do. Etrailer has a couple of good how to videos. Took us about 2 hours for both slides.

[TCNashville]

I've had them on my last 2 trailers.
Pros; Keeps the debris off. Keeps the slide room cooler. Protects the slide seals and slide roof. Looks great.
Cons; The only con I can think of is water will pool on the larger slide cover. Never experienced the wind/flapping noise that some speak of.

[MichaelO]

Any recommend brands?

[Bobby B]

I got the lippert slide out awnings. Amazon had them a little cheaper than etrailer.

[AKRUEBBE]

If the tension is properly adjusted they should not make much noise in the wind.