RV Slide Topper What You Should Know! (With Keep Your Daydream) 

Yessss!! My two favorite RV’rs! Been watching you both for a year and now, we got an RV!! Hope to see you on the road one day. God bless you all out there!

Slide toppers are like auto leveling jacks, once you have them you will never go without them again. The days of water and leaves on your slide are over. Happy travels, Lou

You guys are good people. Nice of you to help Marc and Trish. I agree with you: they're a good family; but you guys are awesome too. God bless!

I always turn the top rail upside down. That way the screws are mostly hidden under the topper. It just looks a little nicer.

I ordered a slide topper awning for my truck camper last week. Glad I found this video. I plan to install it myself instead of paying an outrageous cost to have a dealer install it.

Great video, especially since we love Mark and Trish along with your great info. We found this very informative video because we just found a tear in a couple of our Monaco Coach slide toppers. You said one of the negatives of the topper is wind noise, this is true, when the wind is strong enough it does make noise and vibrations. Your channel is great. Thanks for sharing

RV’s are so much work, especially if you full-time like me, but we all keep doing it cause we love it so much. Good video!

This video inspired my to install one, which I documented in a video on my channel. It's a lot easier to install than I thought it would be.

I absolutely love my slide toppers. What a huge difference. When it rains they do sag so sometimes I put a small beach ball/kickball underneath to make a slope.

Great job! We love KYD as well. Thanks for the video.

They really are a lot easier to install than you might think and well worth the effort.

Thanks for the video. I’m thinking of installing one next spring.

The pros that you mentioned are enticing. My concern with slide toppers, and have heard this from RVers who have them, is the wind. Most sites we’ve been at help block or partially block the wind. We work camp and are at a site for anywhere from 6 months to a year and the site we’re at now in East Texas has such strong winds out of the South that we don’t/can’t use our awning. If it weren’t for fear of ripping in the wind during storms, we might get them. Your installation video shows it’s much easier to install that I thought.

Anyway to tighten a slack slide topper. One is tight. Other flaps around a bit...thanks for all your videos 👍👍👍

When installing the rail, install it the opposite way, so the screws are under the topper fabric, it gives a little bit more pitch, while keeping the screws unexposed to most of the weather.

i was told I couldn't add one on my rig , I think I was told that a few times, I also live in Arizona, I finally found a guy who said yes we can ,, yes it just makes sense to have it , its like solar and lager propane tanks, ,,,, we are retired in our 60s so a long time to go, I also put a cover you can get to protect your covers when installed that snap on, I recommend it.

We have them on our Tiffin and in N. Central Texas the winds are so gusty they flap to the point you want to pull the slides in. Will be tying them down today with clothesline and maybe beach balls.

Huh. And I always thought they were awnings😁. Very nice. Great informative vid. Thanx.

We have 3 slides on our fifth wheel and all of them have slide covers. Also being from AZ, the covers do flap in the wind and is very loud, making it sound like a train nearby. That is my only negative with them. Otherwise, they are great for keeping water and debris off your slide.

Great video. Let’s see if we can get you some commissions on all the sales you may have just made. I think your video was the little nudge I needed to get my slide topper 👍

My two favorite RVing channels!

Hey Guys, I had three toppers installed on my 2021 Primetime Lacrosse 3411RK. This is my thrid trailer, and the first two already had the toppers installed from the factory. I was quite disappointed that this unit did not come with them pre-installed. I have never had a problem with any of them, including the new ones. However, I did just watch a video from another full-time camper who said they would never install them in the future because of the trouble they have had with the material getting pinched in the slide while retracting... when there is water standing on the surface of the topper, especially on the larger slides. I personally have never had this happen, but I may be watching a little closer if I am in a similar situation. Just a "for whatever it's worth" note. Happy camping! (NOTE: when he had this problem, he couldn't use the slide until he climbed up and cut it off!)

Good stuff, thanks all.

In the southeast they’re almost mandatory due to the Georgia pines and pine cones. Plus they keep rain and the heat off the top of the slide. One downside is the wind. Solution to that is some 8” or so kids play balls. Shove them under the cloth and it helps mitigate the flapping.

I do not have one but my in-laws do and it is hotter sitting in the slide out during the summer. So it puts the top of your slide in the shade and helps keep the slide slightly cooler.

Great collaboration. Thank you for sharing.

I like how the setup on Newmar Motohomes are done. The wind-up is attacked to the motorhome and the other end attached to the slide. They claim it keep it taut so it won't flap. They also have little brushes to sweep off any debris as it rolls up.

They are one of the best upgrades we have installed.

I haven't had slide toppers on any of our rigs, but going to make sure they are on our new one. I did ask the question, can yhey be disconnected when the wind picks up. Answer was no. I don't understand why not, would make sense to me. Cana quick disconnect be installed. Would make it a good add on, especially in the desert.

Our slide needs one of those. I nearly broke it because something had fallen on it but I couldn't see it and when I tried to pull it in started going crooked.

We have a slide topper on our Trailer and sometimes wished we didn't. When camping in wind it sounds like it could get ripped off. We've had to bring in our slide out at night a few times for fear of it damaging the topper. If I had to do it again I wouldn't of optioned it on our trailer.

I'm here from KYD, and I must say that this is a great video! I'm definitely a new subscriber! The only problem I see with this is that we need 5 toppers! 😁 I agree with you about Marc and Tricia! They're great people, and wonderful parents raising exceptional children! That Caleb makes me laugh all of the time! 😄

I'm a full-timer and have these on all 3 of my slides. Two have been destroyed by the weather (and will need to be replaced)....wind and snow mostly. I live in Washington state, lots of rain, lots of wind. They do keep the fir needles and mostly the rain off the slides.

Thanks. Great tip.

Do they help keep the rig cooler, by keeping direct sunlight off slide roof?

I wouldn’t own a RV without a slide topper. We had ours installed in 2015 on our new trailer before we took it off the lot. The only con I have is water does pool on it during heavy storms. To remedy that I shove a small rubber ball underneath. We’ve been in some pretty windy conditions and through some pretty bad thunderstorms and never heard ours flap.

Thanks for the informative video. But I am still to chicken (haha) to try and put one on myself. You know how it goes sometimes it could go smooth and then there is always one thing that goes wrong. Like the wife not liking it. Lolol.

I’m new to RVing and really enjoy yours & KYD channels. ❤️🤙🏼. Keep up the good work & content. ✝️🙏🏼😎

One of the places I camp is Assateague Island, MD and the wind on the beach can shred an awning to pieces. Is always amazing how many portable tents and screen houses we always see in dumpsters while we camp there. I don't think a slide topper would survive on Assateague.

Had our’s installed professionally... it was worth it and a whole lot quieter!!! If hubby was working it with me the language would not have been pretty🤦‍♀️

Is that other guy camera shy? Lol nice one you guys love all your content keep it up😊

I follow you and KYD... I watched this video last year and have Since thought a lot about getting them. But my question is: Does any company make a quick disconnect version or a way you could disconnect the fabric quickly and allow it to roll back inside the can? I thought of this because of storms. As a full time RVer I want them to try to add some shade to the top of the slides , maybe cooling them a little from the Florida sun. And to act as a rain barrier on my bedroom slide because it sounds like hammers on the slide when it rains. But if that nice, early morning rain turned into a full blown storm.. I wouldn’t want the wind to rip the topper off or damage it. Any help would be awesome.

Just like my friends,Oh you have tools and a truck we need your help.Lol.

Another added strong hold I used on the rail mount is I used Long Grip Tri-Grip Rivets. This is because the very thin wall did not work well with screws. Even hand tightening the screws they wanted to strip.

We love our topper. You never mentioned the con of owning one, but the only thing we don’t like is the springs are not strong enough to keep rain from pooling on top after a heavy rain. A quick in and out with the slider takes care of it. PS already subscribers to KYD.

agreed it looks as though you have the rail upside down, plus it will give a larger pitch so debree will roll off. That looks like the one issue I see in the install is the pitch looks to shallow. Also my concern with these toppers is if they get snow or ice they can get heavy and sag and not have enough tension to get the snow and ice off the slider. Your thoughts on this ?

ya might wanna do an over view of what a slide topper is and what is does and looks like just so when you're explaining people have an image to work from

I would assume this would make all the difference I live in my RV full-time I put a tarp over the trailer covering the slide out. I was initially going to buy a slide topper but figured might as well cover the entire thing for less so I went with the tarp but if you are not stationary you probably don't have an option

We we're going to have a couple put on our 5th wheel but the dealership said that for the most part worthless. That they have to be replaced way to often.

I'll take exception to one advantage that you listed - snow. If the snow is wet and heavy it will cause the fabric to sag and make it impossible to retract the slide completely. How do I know? Camping in Arizona between Globe and Superior this March, I had to drive into Apache Junction before the snow melted enough to fully retract my slides. And the toppers (okay - 12 years old) had to be replaced.

Not sure what happened with my slide topper (haven’t climbed up top yet), but it somehow locked and was actually keeping my slide out from deploying. Me being the “won’t to no for an answer” type, assisted (pushed) the slide and both of the plastic slide topper mounts broke off (bad news), but the slide is out (good news). A must in this small Lance 2285.

Ordered my new rig(2022 Flagstaff 524BBS) with the slide toppers...

Slide toppers are a must, and contrary to some of the comments the vinyl lasts for years and is easy to replace. I would have put butyl tape between the track and sidewall rather than what looked like silicone caulk. The butyl tape is excellent for sealing screws as it is compressed. Silicone will separate as it weathers and if there's any expansion/contraction. Then a bead of lap sealant on the top edge of the track will seal you up for a decade or so.

Slide toppers are great. However, get the type that has a metal cover when closed, otherwise the Sun kills the exposed fabric. Secondly, they need some slope otherwise water will puddle in the topper and stain it pronto. Yours was black, good idea. Next, they vibrate while driving. I put a tab of gaffer tape (duct tape) over the edge to stop the trashing. After a few years, I had the RV pressure washed and they blew the topper to shreds. $$$$. It must have been ready to expire, but it was a cost I didn't plan on.

What is the best color? Black will match our coach and not look dirty, but thinking white will keep the coach slides cooler. Need help. Thanks

I had them installed before i picked up my 5th wheel, and one of them sags when it rains. How do you tighten them? I can't find a video or guide online.

We too plan to add a slide topper to our Grand Design Imagine 2500RL. Now all I have to do is encourage a friend to be my helper. Hey Keep Your Daydream...wanna help?

Can the slide topper awning be installed without drilling a hole or a nail into laminated walls? using some glues? worry about water getting into walls and causing delamination,

Could you have used the rail that's on the edge of the gutter? Just put my slide topper on and ran the fabric through the channel at the edge of the gutter. I ran it from the rear of the TT towards the front until I reached the slide out.

I have seen these on various campers and I am not too impressed that they seem to sag (not enough tension maybe adjustable) and also have seen others comment that it does not necessarily stop rain from getting onto the slid top. But maybe the seal will then wipe that bit of water away. It will however keep limbs/other debris off the slide so you don't need to get on the roof to sweep it off.

I know that this is an older video but what is the top of the slide made of? Rubber like the roof or fiberglass? I haven’t gotten up on mine yet. Little scared of heights.

I have no slides, but I can't imagine not wanting to have a slide topper! To an engineer, it just makes sense!

My slide has the fridge on 1 end and only has 1" space above the vent access? Any advice on how to mount the bracket?

I have a 2020 jayco class A 2 of the 3 toppers (awnings) have broken Pondering to replace or just leave it alone ? Thoughts

Does anybody have any thoughts on what the limit for the length of such a slide topper is? Our trailer has a fairly large (sofa and dinette), and I am concerned about both weight and size. On a larger slide like this, I am also worried that the middle would sag and collect water/debris. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Yes they keep debris and rain off the slide but when the wind is strong, as it will be in southern AZ, it's kind of scary hearing them flapping and worrying if the topper material will tear or damage the side of the trailer and the noise is bad and we have to close the slides at night so we can sleep. Thinking of removing them but other than that, they're great.

If the slide topper is advertised as 7'1", what measurement is that referring to? The fabric of the topper, the brackets that mount to the slider, the total width of the rv slider, etc??

Don't forget that it keeps the rain from soundings like BB's hitting you roof keeping you awake all night.

Any reason you didn’t use butyl tape under the hardware?

Had a big one break and was flapping in the breeze going down the road! the little bolt in the center on the end sheared, I noticed when i put it out that it wasn't operating smoothly. haven't had a chance to fix or look at them to see where i can lube the rolling mechanism so they don't get sticky. Just a heads up for y'all, Don't let this happen to you! I was lucky it didn't smash windows and dent side of camper. the camper was only 2 yrs old when this happened.

Seems to be a easy installation....just bought a Mini and was going to get one for my rig. The question I had was on the main track, what are the screws screwing into the fiberglass siding or a top plate/header inside the wall framing? Additionally when you laid the repair tape on the 9 degree section wasnt it going to come off when you close the slide? Thanks for the video it was a great help

Do you still recommend/ like the slide toppers?

Wouldnt rain just blow under it?

It's just a big window shade they make for house windows..for the most part. But here is some advice, as long as I have owned homes, cleaned gutters, vents, outdoor dryer doors, etc. Stuff will get anywhere and everywhere! Before you retract check to make sure nothing blew in or was brought in by squirrels, they love dry, cozy corners to eat their food, & clean their chops. This is one disadvantage to the awning...what if you find something that will damage your seal, now how do you get it out? I'll let you figure that out there are many ways.

Question. We have had a slide topper before. Our biggest complaint was water accumulation. Do they make a fabric that collects debris and shades, but lets water through??

Why you DON'T want one: (1) - large ones (18ft. +) fill with rain and "belly" in the middle during storms. You have to pull in slide to empty, then put slide back out and start over. (2) - large ones (18ft. +) will flap and "sail" in mild wind. Wind can be from FROM ANY DIRECTION. Wind pulls the fabric out further from the spring loaded roller and the flapping will increase dramatically. Slide must be pulled in to "rewind" the spring loaded roller which will reapply tension to the fabric. If wind is strong enough, it can rip slide topper off at any weak park of the stitching. (3) - the forward part of the slide topper is ALWAYS under 60mph + winds when on the freeway. There is approximately 3"-6" of fabric from wall of trailer to the spring loaded roller, and it is ALWAYS subject to UV rays unless you have a hard fabric protector integrated into the fabric. Some Airstreams have these and the more expensive diesel pusher I have seen them on. The fabric rolls into a hard, usually aluminum, cover that wraps around the fabric. The forward part of this piece is under freeway wind speeds at all times while on the freeway. Tears usually start at the point nearest the trailer where the small round "string" rubber slides into the frame holder. There is a line of stitching there that runs the entire length of the fabric. It can be mitigated with fabric repair tape at that leading edge, but it is just a stop gap. Why you DO want one: If you live in a mediterranean climate (CA) or desert climate (AZ). Yes the constant prolonged deployment in strong sunlight is damaging. But, do you camp and travel? Or are you a park unit and never move. Your call, but I rather use the money for other things like solar panels or similar things as I camp and move. Just be cautious! Sometimes these are more hassel than they are worth.

Hey Marc. Y’all in snow country now. Good job boys.

Good morning Jared. Hoping you and your family are doing well and are safe in these interesting times. Wanted to know if you are still happy with the "Carefree" slide topper brand vs. another slide topper brand you may have become more fond of? As always....your recommendation is important to us. Thank you in advance! Luis and Shauna.

Would you like to make a video about the slides ? Are they reliable ? What are the most common breakdowns ?

How can I pay you guys to put one on mine?

I find slide toppers are awesome for people who move often but bad for people who sit in one place for a while. I chose not to go with them because they become a breeding ground for critters, if you sit for a while. Of course, where you are sitting makes a big difference. I do like all their pros and if you have them, you still need to go on the roof and keep them clean, to keep them functioning at their top level. Please let me know if you disagree.

no one noticed they put tape on the slide top which moves in and out??????

We always clean the slide outs when cleaning the outside. Clean the rubber seals underneath and on the outside edges. These are your slide out wiper blades, do not lubricate them, they're supposed to change direction to seal better. When the slide out is extended, the edges of the seals should have folded outward. Sometimes you have to go around and check them, take a rounded object and simply flip them out. Choose a topper to extend past the edges at least 4 inches on both sides so it'll try to keep the elements from getting under the topper. Only con I see in the toppers is having to pay for them! They are an investment. RV's have a tendency to LEAK!

Did you mention what brand of topper you used? I looked through the comments...

Put a topper on my new rig, but had the service do it for 200.

Was the eternabond tape applied to the slideout and the sidewall of the RV? That does not seem to be adding any value as once the slide is retracted the seal between the top of the slideout and the eternabond tape will be broken. Am I missing something?

No link?

I guess I'm not seeing how the topper keeps debris from blowing in through the sides between the topper and the slide?????

Didn't Keep your daydream get a new grand design trailer?

I guess for me after weighing the good, bad and ugly I have decided Not To Install Them. It just takes a few minutes to take a battery operated leaf blower and clean the top off and if needed I can also wash it. To each their own. 👍🏻

Good luck getting one in one piece. I've ordered 2 and neither one was delivered because of in transit damages. I gave up. I'll sweep the top off.

Is it spring loaded for retraction?

OK. You’ve all convinced me. No slide-outs. Hassles, expense, and maintenance problems.

Ours broke they used wood screws instead of sheet metal the end cap gears broke slide wouldn’t open

Salient points that should have been covered: 1) measurement - knowing the precise overhang necessary for your rig (CRITICAL missed point); 2) manufacturer - Lippert quality (replace failed components only) , Dometic mass production (must replace ENTIRE topper), or no-name junk? 3) topper material - Sunbrella, vinyl, or who knows what. 4) Choose what you will on #3, but the topper will sag, and it will accumulate water. Might look "chic" today, but a simple on-top look before closing slide is infinitely more beneficial than each topper costing a minimum of $500.00 installed. I guess price should have been item 5). A longer slide will easily top $1,000.00 Happy camping!

there is no slope in it angle should be steeper so rain will go dawn very easy right know i don:t see that and tension on it looks sloppy

👏👏👏

Mine worked ok for 3 years....full time rv er ....wind and snow.....then the attachment to the trailer rotted loose, waste of 600$ i paid for it when i bought my trailer.....

Missed the name of the Clear sealant that you used to cover the screw holes?

I had a slide topper on my unit and I removed it. The water that did get under it never seemed to evaporate and the top of the slide was green as a result. Also it kind of gives you a false sense of security that something didn't blow under the topper and is sitting on the top of the slide. Everyone has a preference for sure but I prefer to climb the ladder and sweep off the slide before I close it.