Measure, Order & Replace Your RV Slide Topper

[@RVgeeks]

Tough Top Awnings offers a special discount for RVgeeks viewers! Use the discount code "RVGEEKSROCK" at checkout for a 5% discount on your entire order at toughtopawnings.com

[@prohomevideos]

Nice video. I am curious, at the 8 minute mark, what is the small metal bracket looking thing that is attached to the RV wall?

[@RVgeeks]

Great question! That is the stop for the anti-billing device. If the wind should try to billow the topper fabric out while driving down the highway, that little bar on the end of the roller tube will rotate around and hit against that bracket, stopping the fabric from completely unrolling in the wind. Considering that our slide toppers are protected with metal wraps, it’s not likely it would ever be needed, but they seem put them on every slide topper whether they have metal wraps or not.

[@prohomevideos]

@@RVgeeks Thanks for the fast reply. Why does that "stop" have a little slot in it? That slot doesn't appear to have any purpose. On another note, I am purchasing a replacement fabric that is much longer (because it is cheaper that way) so I will have to roll it around the tube more than normal so I do not believe the method in the video will work because the spring tension will run out. Am I correct?

[@RVgeeks]

@@prohomevideos We have no idea what that little slot is on the stop for the anti-billing device. Always wondered about that! LOL As far as using fabric that is longer than the original, you are correct that it will use up the spring tension just to roll it onto the tube. The way to solve that is to increase spring tension prior to installing the new fabric. The best method is to measure the old fabric versus the new and roll the tube the correct number of turns to tighten the spring to account for it. For example, let’s say that the new fabric is 18” longer than the old fabric, and the circumference of the roller tube is 6”. That would require three additional rotations of the tube/spring to tighten it to make up the difference. Get a helper on a ladder next to you and have them hold the roller tube firmly, releasing the pressure on the pin that’s holding the spring, remove the pin, then carefully rotate, and count three rotations to tighten the spring, and put the pin back in. Now those extra three turns of the spring will do the trick. Hope this helps.

[@prohomevideos]

@@RVgeeks thanks for that great information!

[@Jumpingoffthecliff]

I just finished installing a Tough Top replacement for the topper awning on my living room slide on our 2002 Newmar. The material is definitely superior to what was in place on mine. My only complaint is that the plastic beading is not sewn directly to the edge of the fabric. That lack of stitching allows the plastic bead to meander and it causes problems when feeding it into the track(s). Basically, the person feeding the awning into place has to constantly adjust the positioning of the bead. In my case, it was my wife and I doing the installation, and it made it much harder for her to do since she was standing on a ladder while I did the pulling. This is definitely a two person job, but all in all, it isn't too bad to do, but it would have been impossible to do alone.

[@RVgeeks]

Great to hear that you tackled this one as a DIY project! The Tough Top fabric is indeed far superior to what came from A&E on our 2005 Newmar. We do know what you mean about the space in the pocket where the beading goes, and it definitely is easiest for two people (one pulling and one feeding). We've noticed that when Tyler installs them alone, he only pushes the fabric through, and never pulls it. We always do them with two people, but we'd bet that what you've described explains why he does it that way when it's only one person doing it.

[@WOODOGS]

You’re awesome! Thank you for posting. That was exactly my task. A&E. 👍

[@RVgeeks]

So glad it helped!

[@rodneybrowning8358]

Great video. Very complete on all points from ordering to installation. Thanks guys

[@glock19gen3]

What did you use to lubricate the slide seals and how often do you do so?

[@RVgeeks]

TJentzsch So funny you should ask, because I literally just did mine yesterday. lol That's baby powder, and we apply it once each year (usually in the spring during our annual spring cleaning and maintenance). The purpose is to prevent the rubber seals from sticking to the paint on the slide-out, as that's what pulls the rubber apart over time. Here's a video we made about this specific topic: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmiTYpuYiLSSodE

[@glock19gen3]

Awesome. Oddly enough, I found your other video detailing the cleaning using baby powder right after I posted the comment :) Thank you for your video and tips! Truly amazing work.

[@jeffpusser4275]

Thank you for all of your very informative DIY videos. I have a slide topper question that I think I can fix myself. On my Newmar, the bedroom slide topper has pulled away from part of the metal cover side closest to the rear of the coach. It is not ripped but looks like it has simply come unglued and needs to be pulled out of the metal cover end, re-glued and slide back into the metal cover. If you are able, can you suggest the best way for me to pull the vinyl out of the metal cover end so I can re-glue the vinyl to itself around the rod and then feed it back into the cover. Thank you for any help. Jeff

[@RVgeeks]

Hi Jeff. You'll probably need to remove the fabric exactly as if you were replacing it, repair it, and re-install.. Newmar actually heat welds those, and gluing won't likely hold, although stitching it might. It is possible that it will need to be replaced with a better quality aftermarket fabric. If you decide to do that, we highly recommend Tough Top Awnings as being far better, and they even offer a discount to our viewers.

[@deanbunnell4155]

How do you tell what brand of awning you have?🤔

[@RVgeeks]

Hi Dean! The two most popular brands on the market are Carefree of Colorado, and Dometic/A&E. so the odds are pretty good right off the bat that you have one of those two. There are a number of ways to tell the difference, including the general way they look, which you can match up with our many videos about awning replacement. A surer way to know the brand is to search for a logo or name somewhere on the awning. Carefree of Colorado usually has their logo on the endcap on each side of the awning. Also, unrolling the awning will often find a label either on the roller or up inside the area where the awning attaches to the RV with manufacturer and model details printed on it.

[@raymondcraft9911]

Great video guys!!

[@stanwilson7566]

I don't have a slide out awning and I am looking to put one on, I need to know how to size it so I can find out how much it will cost.

[@RVgeeks]

Stan Wilson Hi Stan. If you're looking for an A&E / Dometic slide topper, like ours (which we really prefer over the Carefree of Colorado brand), you'll have to go to an authorized dealer. They do not sell direct to the public, and places that sell replacement fabric won't work, because you need the entire mechanism installed on your rig for the first time. Many RV dealers & service centers are authorized Dometic dealers. To determine the length you'll need, here's a link to the directions: www2.dometic.com/FileOrganizer/1-international/Operation%20&%20Installation%20Manuals/Awnings/SlideTopper_installation-operation_EN.pdf The directions on determining the length start right in on page two, but it seems a little complicated. Since you have to buy from a dealer anyway, you might want to call one and ask their service department to take a look at your rig to determine the length. Any tech qualified to do the install should know how to do it.

[@idecorproperties297]

Excellent instructions!!..I'm looking into add a cover to our TT (2015 Heritage Glen 272RLS) but my nearest dealer (CW) charges over $1000.00...I would love to order all the necessary awning and hardware and have them only install it (which will be a lot cheaper). I already have the measure of the slide-out (162"). How can I be sure I'm ordering all the necessary hardware?

[@RVgeeks]

+iDecor Properties We've never heard of CW being okay with someone bringing in their own outside parts, but if they said they would do that, and they will be doing the installation, we'd recommend consulting with them directly to confirm everything they'll need. The odds are pretty good that ordering a complete slide topper or awning from Dometic will include all the required parts. We ordered a window awning from them, and once we ordered the awning and arms, the only thing we needed to add was putty tape, which any RV shop will have plenty of on hand if they need it. Here's our video to give you and idea of everything that came with our awning: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYHLYZenqap8htE Going to Dometic's website will probably be a very good source of info as well. Hope this helps.

[@Trail1Rider]

When you order does the new fabric come already beaded or do I have to sew that together?

[@RVgeeks]

Yup. It comes exactly as shown, with the beads beautifully stitched in place.

[@1995dresser]

What type of Lube do you use to maintain your slide out Seals ??

[@RVgeeks]

+1995dresser No lube should be applied to the seals. Here's the secret: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmiTYpuYiLSSodE Note: some manufacturers may have different recommendations.