Awnings/Slideout toppers - vinyl or fabric? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Tim & Robyn · RV-Dreams Family Member

Awnings/Slideout toppers - vinyl or fabric?

Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

We had an awning on the Mckinzie fiver that was fabric at one time but it had no toppers over the slideouts.

With the Elite fiver we have vinyl awnings and vinyl over the toppers. Remember you will have to do regular maintence no matter what you will have. Mildew and tree sap, dirt and dust are the reasons why. I am going with to go with the saying "vinyl is final".
southwestjudy

Darrell and Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm not sure if they make fabric awning toppers for slideouts but vinyl cleans easier when washing your roof, however, we have had both vinyl and fabric main awnings and perfer the fabric. Fabric breaths better and is more resistant to mildew; tree sap is another issue - just don't park under any trees

. Fabric is also stronger then vinyl when dealing with wind. I'm surprised that Bob and Judy's Elite Suites has a vinyl awning, most high end rigs use fabric.

Tim & Robyn · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for the replies. I know the question of whether or not to even have slideout toppers is a Ford vs. Chevrolet kind of question, and even depends on what part of the country you'll be spending most of your time in. But it seems that if we want to have them we'll have to have the dealer install them (slideout toppers)... they don't seem to be offered as an option by the manufacuter we've decided on.

I was kind of wondering about the mildew factor... it has seemed to me that vinyl is more susceptible to that because it won't dry out as well as fabric when it's rolled up...

Anyway, we're still up in the air on them, but a patio awning is a must! And maybe some window awnings for shade if we park out in the open a lot...

Jim01 · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you are handy with tools, Camping World sells toppers and they are not too difficult to install.

I helped a friend install one on his 5th wheel bedroom slide, and it wasn't too bad. Need 2 or 3 people though.

Don't know about price, so you would have to weigh the costs. confused

Jim

phyllen · RV-Dreams Family Member

Last week husband installed one over bedroom slide by himself. Said it took about 20 minutes. Would have taken less time with help but I was taking a nap. Oh well.

Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Woven acrylic is fabric and drys faster according to Camping World catalogue. Vinyl sheds water faster. Go to google and yu will find many sites.
southwestjudy

RVDude · RV-Dreams Family Member

www.Sunbrella.com is the top-line fabric used in patio umbrellas and all sorts of industrial and commercial exposure situations and high-end RV awnings/topper and the like. Not cheap, but it lasts, won't mildew, dries instantly, etc. etc.

Darrell and Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Tim and Robyn,

We ordered our Cedar Creek with the slideout toppers and at first I almost hated them. Whenever it is windy they can be noisy but now that we have had them for awhile I appreciate not having to climb up and sweep off the slideouts before putting them in. Also, if it is raining out when it is time to put the slideouts in they keep the water off the top of the slideout and out of the rig. Now I am glad we have them, however, they are something that you can install later.

Awning and Sign · RV-Dreams Community Member

Fabric is the way to go these days. I would look into a company called Universal Awning and Sign. They have really done me well with my custom projects.