DIY $20 Fix for Worn Out RV Slide Toppers

[@RVwithTito]

I know you want one of those Rivet Drill Attachments 😁Here's the Amazon affiliate link - amzn.to/4gFYAGE Cheers! Brian

[@davidmcgee2126]

@@RVwithTito LOL. If I hadn’t gone in on the M12 rivet tool. I do enough rivets to make it worth it. The M12 tool makes it a 1 hand operation so you can position what you’re working on. If you do a lot of rivets it’s a game changer A couple of riveted schwintek systems alone makes it a good purchase let alone all the screws that either go into aluminum tubing or nothing at all. Filon is pretty tough stuff, amazing what it will support with rivets when the wood behind is rotted

[@jimsjacob]

Dear KZbin. I have to lodge a stern complaint with my subscription to RV with Tito. It was 11 days, count them ELEVEN DAYS! before I was notified that a new episode dropped. I sirs, am furious!! I need to be made aware as soon as Brian posts another episode. Nothing less is acceptable! Great work Mr. Tito! Always great content! 😊

[@brucemontgomery6853]

Imagine - plan- execute…your humble joy and presentation are wonderfully rewarding

[@RVwithTito]

Thanks again Bruce!

[@WeretheRoberts]

Hey I wanted to let you know this video was absolutely what I needed to explain how to take the slide toppers apart safely. I had a different problem but I needed to disassemble them so the way you explained the how to part was awesome. Always love your videos and seldom comment but this one was awesome. Oh, my problem was the little “plastic” piece at the end of the spring assembly Lee apart on both sides so it doesn’t have a way to hold the tension. Unfortunately, as you mentioned, those parts aren’t available separately from the whole spring assembly so I had to order both left and right side. $220 later I’m waiting on them to arrive. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you and now I have to apologize because I used up my word allotment for the day according to my wife. Hahaha God bless. Looking forward to the follow up on this.

[@RVwithTito]

Thanks for letting me know. It makes my day hearing how it helped you out. BTW the follow up videos are done and we've got new fabric all around. Everything is rolling great. Good luck wrapping up your fix!

[@philsmith5400]

Innovative AND fearless - quite the combination!

[@RVwithTito]

Thanks Phil. It was definitely worthwhile trying ti fix it and get a few more good years out of it 😄

[@philsmith5400]

@@RVwithTito at the beginning of the video, I thought maybe you were going to 3D print a new one...! Great job-

[@johnstangel8918]

Great way to think on your feet, Brian. Nice job.

[@daviscrt]

Great video. I just became a LV2 RV tech. New side job for after 2 retirements. Might need to buy that rivet tool for sure. Don

[@RVwithTito]

Yeah. For $40 it has been a great addition to the toolbox. I also used it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/paCni6Kjn7aXjM0si=4r5RZDFt_RtGwhT5&t=657

[@dirtroadsailing6418]

Nice job! I get jealous every time I watch one of your videos and see something in your shop I don't have, today it was the bar clamps on the end of one of your work tops. I plan on stealing that idea as my own. I also ordered one of those rivet drill attachments, it would have come in handy when I rebuilt my power cord reel and had to re-install about 20 1/8" rivets.

[@RVwithTito]

Thanks! Yes. I love finding cool tools. That clamp at the end of the workbench has also come in very handy. It's inexpensive and easy to make with some pipe clamps (amzn.to/3XYoluq), pipe and wood. Good luck!

[@barnettbilly85]

Great repair ,Mr.fix-it.

[@RVwithTito]

Thanks!

[@1sheinz]

For others , you might want to same the protruding metal on the outside so the washer sits flat. Advantage is now the wear is on 2 washers rather than one. Using flat head threaded screws eliminates the spacer problem. Also on the inside why not remove the original wear collor and put 3 washers on the inside and long enough screws to thread into the last washer with a dab of blue lock tight. Now you have 5 washers to prevent wear and steel to steel threaded fasteners. Threading into that thin alloy will not keep tight, though the epoxy will help longer term. THANKS FOR THE GREAT INFO. CHEERS AND SAFE TRAVELS. Steve h.

[@RVwithTito]

Hmmm. Didn't put that much thought into it :) Thanks for the suggestions.

[@Mth308]

I just had to do something similar on my class c. Instead of pulling it out to get the new metal on I just cut a grove in my washer so I could slide it over the tension shaft then screwed it down with the washer off center to cover up the old oblong hole. Not sure if that makes sense but a lot easier than having to pull off the old one. Your way is definitely more professional.

[@RVwithTito]

Oh Yeah. That would work too. Great fix.

[@RVingwithBandit]

NICE always something to fix on the RV. Looks like your fix will survive many more trips.

[@RVwithTito]

I hope so 👍

[@TKGP67]

Been enjoying your content for some time now. Great channel, keep posting! Cheers!

[@RVwithTito]

Thank you very much for sticking with me. I'm not going anywhere.

[@anthonyb2334]

This is an excellent video. I had the same issue on mine but unfortunately, I replaced the assembly. This would have been worth trying. Thank you

[@DirectCurrent4u]

Super nice fix my friend! Keep up the great work. I am sure this will help a lot of RVers!👍

[@RVwithTito]

Thanks. I think its going to work. Looks like that cap is aluminum. If it were steel this probably wouldnt be an issue.

[@garryhammond3117]

Very well illustrated - thanks! - Cheers!

[@RVwithTito]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@MichaelStoneqm3]

I was dreading having to do mine, 20' like yours. You made it make sense, thank you. 👍🏻

[@RVwithTito]

Glad I could help. Good luck!

[@philsmith5400]

That's what he does!

[@safbuys2684]

You’re sharp!!

[@campnut6076]

May be able to find some small stamped flange bearings in 5/16 or 8mm ID that would be easy to attach to the end cap. Looks like a good diy fix Brian.

[@RVwithTito]

Thanks. Several ways to skin this one I'm sure.

[@campnut6076]

@@RVwithTito I was a maintenance machinist in a former life. It never leaves you. 😊😊

[@daniellel256]

Another great video. Just this week we replaced out slide topper and awning fabric. Yeah Tough Top

[@RVwithTito]

Nice! That is our plan as well, bit had to fix this stuff first.

[@timf6916]

Nice, Good thinking. Great idea

[@RVwithTito]

Thanks 👍

[@lesbollinger7099]

179/hr I'll stick with the diy and buy a few neat tools thanks for sharing Brian

[@RVwithTito]

Each hour spent learning means less reliance on others to solve your problems. Yes, you can spend your money to expand your tool collection along with that new knowledge.

[@davidmcgee2126]

When tensioning slide toppers and awnings wind it like you are rolling up the fabric As a DIYer I like your fix As a RV tech I want to point out the time taken, it’s cheaper to replace than fix if you bring into a shop. While I could make more fixing it the customer would be better served with a new one. The shop charges $179 an hour. If that’s worn are the springs about to break, or another part fail?

[@RVwithTito]

I get the tech perspective. Not everyone is willing to DIY. Those who do will learn a lot through the process and then decide whether to attempt this type of fix or even do the full replacement themselves. I did inspect the other components and cleaned/lubed them up prior to reassembly. Just a little surface rust on the spring was all that needed to be removed. From my assessment, it looked like it had a lot more life in it. Time will tell. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@bobg8309]

Nice job

[@RVwithTito]

Thanks!

[@lindanadaud9698]

Great video. Thank you!

[@RVwithTito]

You bet. Glad you liked it!

[@Blakehx]

Nice work! I have a question about my main awning… it’s only a couple years old but has gotten slower and louder. Is there any way to service or lubricate them? Thanks

[@douglashornick4388]

Looks like a solid job Brian. Was it not possible to tap the metal in the center flat that you needed to use the first washer to go around it?

[@dwanehoughtaling419]

Another great video. Thanks. Was there a reason you used screws vice rivets to connect the new rod guides to the end cap?

[@RVwithTito]

Smaller holes plus I had better control over how tight to make it.

[@mycheallhamlet1603]

Love your very well done videos. Thank you for your effort. I got really excited about that rivet attachment. As a Dewalt guy I thought it was Dewalt but your link took me to another brand. That was ok because the idea of not dragging out the compressor and the hose was exciting. The reviews were really bad. Under 60%. Mostly jamming issues. Curious what has been your experience? How much have you used it? Thanks for the feedback.

[@RVwithTito]

I'm a DeWalt guy too, but couldn't justify the dedicated cordless rivet gun. It was really expensive. For around $40 this drill attachment has worked just fine. I have not had any problems. I also used it for this project: kzbin.info/www/bejne/paCni6Kjn7aXjM0si=4r5RZDFt_RtGwhT5&t=657 Hope that helps.

[@mycheallhamlet1603]

@@RVwithTito It did Brian. Thank you much. I often do not buy a product on amazon unless it has atleast 70% 5 star rating but your opinion goes along way. Also saw a rivet nut attachment. Too excited. Lol

[@donitaarender7839]

This is really a great fix!! I need to replace my awning material. So how do you know what size to order? And how do I know if I have an electric dometic or a lippert??

[@RVwithTito]

Go to www.toughtopawnings.com they have clear instructions. If you need help then Tyler will help you figure it out. Mention RVWITHTITO and also get a discount.

[@coreymerritt7742]

Super nice fix Brian you may need a little help with getting the tube back on 😅

[@RVwithTito]

Yes. Melissa will be lending a hand feeding those back on. We'll be getting to that soon.

[@pchris6662]

Looks like it will work for a while but eventually fail again and probably much soooner because you may have reduced the surface area for the shaft to rub against. I’m not clear why you didn’t get a oil impregnated bronze bushing and cut it down to size as needed instead of a washer. I can’t quite see all the clearances you have to work with when it’s all assembled but I think you have enough room to give it a nice 3/8 or so of material to work with so it should last another 30 years or so.

[@RVwithTito]

We will see. 🤫

[@pchris6662]

@@RVwithTito true. But you did do a good job and you have a talent for showing people how to do it. Thumbs up 👍

[@RVwithTito]

​@@pchris6662Thanks.

[@my_channel_44]

Grease your endcaps! $1 bearings are expensive!

[@RVwithTito]

Thanks for the tip. I'll squirt some grease in there when we put them back. 👍

[@my_channel_44]

​@@RVwithTitoI was making fun of the so-called manufacturers, whose boomer economics couldn't be bothered to put a real bearing in there. Yet they charge full price for their sticks-n-staples design.

[@my_channel_44]

Bolt depot stocks a stainless steel 18-8 'extra thick' fender washer in 1/4". And yes, typical 1/4" is actually a tight 5/16's.

[@RVwithTito]

@@my_channel_44 Thanks. I happened to have a bunch of those 1/16th thick washers around. So that's what I used. I'll see if my local specialty store has the thicker washers. I'm sure they do...I was just there today to get all new stainless screws for when I reattach the toppers :)

[@my_channel_44]

@@RVwithTito I'm sure if you just grease those ends with some heavy molly grease, it'll be fine.

[@lemichaeljohnson2069]

Hell no that’s just way too much work. I wouldn’t even know how to put it back together lol. I’ll just buy a new topper

[@johnmckee7937]

It is a lot of work for a 20 plus year old part. He still has a very rusty spring that will fail.

[@ka7qqv]

Wow. That's the neatest Awsome straight forward solution. Thanks I need to replace plastic caps on my outside window awnings. It's so awesome my vectra is a Cousin to your winnebago Again you rock Hope to see you at quartsite Ka7qqv Don