Do I need slide covers??? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

jbarrett72 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Do I need slide covers???

RVPAINTER · RV-Dreams Family Member

I consider their use to be - keeping debris from being dragged in when retracting the slide and assisting in keeping rain from perhaps coming in. They can however fill up and sag with rain and one must try to dump the rain before retracting. To me the most important is the debris as getting up on a ladder or on the roof to sweep off the slide covers is not always easy.

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jill and Jay:

First, as usual, the sales person didn’t provide correct information.

Here’s an “in general” answer and, as always, “it depends.” In general people who have their rigs in areas where there are more trees or foliage and less wind, like the east, tend to appreciate and have slide covers, sometimes referred to as “toppers.” They keep debris and water off the slides and when you move they keep that stuff from trying to come in the rig and also from messing up the big slide gaskets. This is a big deal - protecting those gaskets.

People who live where there are more winds, like the south west for example, tend to not have slide covers because the wind will make them flap and drive you nuts. (There are various methods to reduce or eliminate this problem but they are troublesome to put in and take out if you move a lot. “You’re Mileage May Vary” to say the “it depends” expression another way.)

Some say, who don’t have slide covers, you can just climb on the roof and sweep the debris off. Well, they can, but not me. At least not every time I move. Sometimes it is very wet up on the roof and it can be a bit dangerous to say the least. Again, it depends. You will get very tired of climbing the ladder.

We have slide covers and wouldn’t be without them. Others will feel the other way. But, for the most part, unless you stay in the windy areas a great deal the benefits of having them out way the disadvantages. And, IMO, the sales person is totally wrong as to the “extended stay” criteria.

Hope this gives you some perspective to make your choice. Many opinions will follow this one I’m sure.

Safe Travels

Bill

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

We are in an "extended stay" situation here in Oklahoma City and will be for possibly a few more years. We do not have slide toppers because of the winds here.

Since I have no experience with slide toppers, I can only speak of what I've read of other's experiences. In some cases, with the way wind currents can be around an RV, those wind/breezes could blow items such as leaves or other light materials up under the slide covers and onto the slide. If that is true, wouldn't one need to have a way to remove those light materials from the slide before retracting?

I know of two RV dealerships here in Oklahoma that will not order RV's equipped with slide toppers if they are for their "stock." If they are ordering an RV for a customer and the customer wants them, obviously they will order those units with toppers. They don't equip stock RV's because the winds here can literally tear them apart.

I guess I am different than most. I have no problem getting up on the roof to sweep off the slides when we do move, but we seldom move. I still go up to sweep them anyway, especially after the trees in our area have finished expelling their pollen. I am somewhat overweight and now 66 years old, but climbing up there isn't a problem for me. However, I've not had to be up there when it is wet.

We do have a "multi-ladder" that can serve as a tall step-ladder. If necessary, I can set that up and clean the slide from atop the ladder. While I've not purchased it yet, I will likely get an electric leaf blower for that purpose.

Terry

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Our main slide topper self destructed in late March when we put out the slide. It was eight years old and we think the roller tube sagged enough in the middle to get caught behind the lip. Since then I have been using a broom to clean off the top of the slide when we move. Luckily most of the time we were away from trees and there was no need since we stopped many nights traveling from Florida to Washington State. My knees do not like going up and down that ladder. Next week we will get the topper replaced since we would rather have it the majority of places we camp. I am not sure a leaf blower would work all the time since wet pine needles take work to dislodge with a broom. We are under a pine tree here and when we leave I hope it is dry since we are covered in pine needles.

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

It is definitely a tradeoff. However, having had it both ways WE do not have toppers. They are far too much trouble - on balance. It is rare that there is any significant debris on the tops of the slides, but I do climb up there without issue to check them if I have been sitting under trees. Usually the wind blows them off. There are also techniques you can use from the ground to clear them. I'd rather go through that trouble than trying to "protect" the slidetoppers by all kinds of contraptions and bringing in the slides if it gets real windy.

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

Our 5th wheel is 16 years old and we use it at least once per month plus 2 full months each summer in one location. We have never had slide toppers. Like others depending on how dirty of an area we are in, I will sweep or hose off the top of the slide before closing up to leave.

Neil and Connie · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill makes good points…we got them on our new rig and think they're a no brainer. The only thing that would tilt the decision the other way was if we intended in staying out west only in unshaded campgrounds. No shade means no trees means no leaves on top so it might be worth skipping them in that situation since they do flap in the wind a bit.

I've seen some posts on the web where people made little supports out of PVC piping to slide under the toppers. This helps keep them from flapping and also helps with rain puddling on the top. Got to remember to remove them before pulling the slides in though so there is a downside to them as well.

I'm guessing this is another of those Ford/Chevy or gas/charcoal discussions and you'll get a million opinions on it.

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have toppers on our rig and would not be without them. But, I am unable to get on the roof due to handicap. So, cleaning the top of a slide is out of the question. I have found that the awning pull out rod will dump water off the topper. Just be ready for a wet arm and shirt. And, if you are disconnecting the sewer stinky slinky, be sure you DW does not start pulling in the slide. Rainwater is generally cold. Don't ask how I know. If you have water on the topper, just bring in the slide slowly with rest stops to remove the water.
Also, I feel the toppers help in hot weather, because the insulation on the slide out roof is minimal at best. Further, the seals will for sure last better if kept out of the sun.
We volunteered in Oregon at Bonneville Dam a couple of years, and the wind coming up the Columbia can be annoying (our host site was on an island in the middle of the river). Like others, I was forced to build the PVC supports and install them to salvage what little sanity I have left.

Cindy T · RV-Dreams Family Member

We are in the West, lots of wind, so we don't have toppers. If we were in less windy areas where there are lots of trees, it might be a consideration. But so far, we haven't seen a need for toppers.

Cindy T

jbarrett72 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Neil and Connie wrote:
I've seen some posts on the web where people made little supports out of PVC piping to slide under the toppers. This helps keep them from flapping and also helps with rain puddling on the top. Got to remember to remove them before pulling the slides in though so there is a downside to them as well.

I've also heard of people using beach balls between the cover and the slide.

Neil and Connie · RV-Dreams Family Member

jbarrett72 wrote:
I've also heard of people using beach balls between the cover and the slide.

That's even easier than putting together the PVC thing although not having one in the middle might cause more rain to puddle there.

rhianna · RV-Dreams Community Member

We had a 5th whl without covers and now a MH with. They can be noisy, hold rain and tear when they get old. We have taken them off and repaired them (quite a job). But they do help a lot to keep the sun and heat out of the rig when the slides are out. The ceiling of the slides in the Carrie-lite would get very hot in the sun of NM during the 110 deg summer, not so bad in the Diplomat MH. Would we get them again? Maybe,maybe not. The weigh a lot but I think they add value to the rig (what ever that means)

MSinMS · RV-Dreams Community Member

Has anyone looked at this type of slide covers made by Lippert. I've been curious to know if they were a better solution than the usual.

http://www.lci1.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=277:slide-out-boot&catid=34:products&Itemid=268

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

MSinMS wrote:
Has anyone looked at this type of slide covers made by Lippert. I've been curious to know if they were a better solution than the usual.
http://www.lci1.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=277:slide-out-boot&catid=34:products&Itemid=268

I think that is a product designed to help reduce or eliminate slide out leaks. It will do nothing as a comparison for keeping debris off of the slides as a slide awning does.

As of now, we don't have any leaks, but I will also be interested in whether the product in your link is actually effective in correcting leaks. I guess I'll need to keep an eye out for any comments about them.

Thanks for the heads-up.

Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Saturday 16th of June 2012 02:04:16 PM

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

I went to the site and had a hard time staying in my chair. Any company that spells devices as "devises" and Burgundy as "Burgondy" does not very high in my estimation. I woud expect a company to at least have a proofreader that can actually read and spell. Just sayin'

Delaine and Lindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have had 3 5th wheels with the slide toppers and 3 5th wheels without the slide toppers.. I prefer no slide toppers, and haven't had a issue without them. I do have a electric leaf blower ($59.00) and have used it a time or two. We never park under trees if at all possible. Tree's are a hazard, and I would rather not park under a tree, however we do have a roof mounted Satellite dish.. Happy Trails....