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Old 06-04-2014, 07:44 PM   #1
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Slide out awnings?

OK, newbie next question...

Anyone installed the awnings attached to their slideouts to keep rain and sun off?

Saw them on a toyhauler in Moab, but never got to talk to the owners.

Wondering if they are a good idea and if so, what brand are you using?

Thanks,

Pirate
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Old 06-04-2014, 08:12 PM   #2
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Have had five 5th wheels & never had a awning on the slides on any of them.
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Old 06-04-2014, 09:08 PM   #3
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Hmmm...OK, Thanks,

But did you ever think about adding them?

My first 5th wheel, first with slides...and wanna make it last in good condition...

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Old 06-05-2014, 12:59 AM   #4
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I added the two on our unit. They are the white on white from Carefree of Colorado. The install is fairly straight forward just make sure you hit the aluminum structure in the slide so the brackets dont pull off. They are nice to keep the sun off the slide roof which helps cool. They overhang the sides some to help keep the rain off the top of the slide so when you retract it the water rolls off the top instead of coming into the trailer. They can flap some if the wind is blowing hard and hits them just right but it has not bothered us yet. If I had to do it all over again, I would do it in a minute.

If you install them your self I would suggest putting the awning rail on the trailer as high as the instructions allow. You want all the angle you can get on the big slide to help the rain water roll off instead of pooling. I put mine at the lowest point and get a pool on the big slide.

I would also get the toppers with the protectors that roll up with the fabric when closed. (might even go back and add them now)
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Old 06-05-2014, 02:26 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by memgrove View Post
They overhang the sides some to help keep the rain off the top of the slide so when you retract it the water rolls off the top instead of coming into the trailer. )
Also keeps tree debris off the slides.

Nothing can rip a seal faster than crap getting pushed through it.
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Old 06-05-2014, 03:38 AM   #6
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memgrove,

Ummm..."toppers with the protectors that roll up with the fabric when closed"

Help me understand.

Thanks,

Pirate
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Old 06-05-2014, 03:56 AM   #7
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memgrove,

Ummm..."toppers with the protectors that roll up with the fabric when closed"

Help me understand.

Thanks,

Pirate
Most likely talking about the awnings that have the 2 or 3 piece aluminium cover attached at the wall and to the fabric. When the awning rolls in the aluminum provides a hard cover.
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Old 06-06-2014, 02:10 AM   #8
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Dometic SlideTopper - Dometic - RV Slideout Awnings - Camping World

If you look where the awning attaches to the trailer you can see it.

I had an aluminum guard that wrapped around the awning of our airstream and kept it nice for over 25 years. I see now they can be added to today's awnings and slide toppers. They are 3-5 aluminum slats that roll around the fabric and tube in the stowed position to protect the fabric from the sun.
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Old 06-06-2014, 03:08 AM   #9
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Originally Posted by memgrove View Post
Dometic SlideTopper - Dometic - RV Slideout Awnings - Camping World

If you look where the awning attaches to the trailer you can see it.

I had an aluminum guard that wrapped around the awning of our airstream and kept it nice for over 25 years. I see now they can be added to today's awnings and slide toppers. They are 3-5 aluminum slats that roll around the fabric and tube in the stowed position to protect the fabric from the sun.
That's the one, last time I checked with a dealer, they couldn't be retro fitted. Has something changed in the last couple of years? Well worth it if you have a good awning to protect and you can add the aluminum cover.

Of course if you are doing toppers for the first time probably more cost effective to just go with the Full meal deal.
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Old 06-06-2014, 11:03 AM   #10
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Well all,

I have asked our dealer about these:

Carefree SideOut Kover III

The Carefree of Colorado SideOut Kover III

These seem to be the ones that have the metal cover when retracted.

Thoughts?

Pirate
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Old 06-06-2014, 05:03 PM   #11
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That's the one, last time I checked with a dealer, they couldn't be retro fitted. Has something changed in the last couple of years? Well worth it if you have a good awning to protect and you can add the aluminum cover.

Of course if you are doing toppers for the first time probably more cost effective to just go with the Full meal deal.

Im not sure. I found them after I had installed mine. I will have to look around a bit.

I really dont see why they could not be added to the toppers, the mechanics are just rollers and springs with constant tension. So if the new cover makes the fabric longer just put another turn on the tension.

The new cover for the awning might cause a problem making the fabric too long thus making the arms too short for it to open all the way though.

Guess I need to do some "google-ing"
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Old 06-06-2014, 05:20 PM   #12
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That's what I put on mine. You can get the wind guard (what I used) or the full metal cover. I didn't think the full metal cover would work very well. By design, stuff (leaves, sticks, etc.) should fall off as it rolls up. If it is rolling into a metal cover, it could impede the stuff from falling off and could potentially get stuck.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Pirate View Post
Well all,

I have asked our dealer about these:

Carefree SideOut Kover III

The Carefree of Colorado SideOut Kover III

These seem to be the ones that have the metal cover when retracted.

Thoughts?

Pirate
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