Rain pooling on new slide topper-problem or no?

[MLCBFarrell]

Hey there everyone!
Question about our new slide toppers, since we've never had them before. Two slide outs on our new TT, one in the bunkhouse and the larger one holding the dinette and sofa. Shorter one seems fine after a rainstorm, but the longer one always sags and is filled with a puddle. We've been trying to encourage the water to drain off by getting on the roof and sweeping it off the topper, but this is a pain. According to our dealer, the tension is okay. Any suggestions, thoughts, ideas? Toppers were installed by our dealer, not the factory, and are the Carefree brand that have the metal covers that the awing rolls up in to. Are we doing the right thing by getting up there and getting the water off, and is this just part of having a topper or could the dealer be wrong about the tension?
Thanks, LuAnn

 

[Alaskansnowbirds]

LuAnn,

Depending on the distance between your topper and the top of the slideout, I have seen people slide different size balls in between the topper and slide.

I've also seen supports made out of PVC pipe that holds the center up so the rain runs off.

The biggest problem with either one of these is that you have to make sure it is removed before you try bring in the slide.

 

[Ron]

Not uncommon for the rain to cause the cover to sag.  We have never suffered any damage from this.

 

[jerryarlyne]

It is common for that to happen. I just run my slide back in and out again after it quits raining so the weight of the water doesn't get a chance to stretch the fabric from sitting there too long.

 

[Ned]

Ours does the same thing.  We bring the slide in slowly in stages to let the water drain off.

 

[rankjo]

I find it somewhat easier and quicker to let the jacks down on the affected slide-side and tip the water off. Actually the Winnebago manual suggests that. Of course I only have a single slide so those of you with multiple slides on both sides of the vehicle would have a problem.  Remember to let both jacks down on that side at the same time, since otherwise you may torque the chassis and it has been known for windshields to pop out or break :-[
Rankjo

 

[Tom]

....those of you with multiple slides on both sides of the vehicle would have a problem.

Since water finds its own level, it doesn't matter if the RV is tilted to one side or if it's tilted front to back (or vice versa)  ;D

 

[Ned]

It will drain best if you drop the front or back rather than one side.

 

[MLCBFarrell]

Mmm-I don't see how raising/lowering my stabilizing jacks on the slide side of the TT would help water to drain off...it's still sitting on 2 axles, right?  ??? The TT won't be able to move too much. As you said, Tom...maybe if I raise two jacks on the front and lower my tongue jack?
If I used balls under the topper, how do I determine what size balls to use underneath, and what type? Beach balls, playground type balls, etc., and won't the wind blow them out from under? I guess I'd have to determine what size so that they fit pretty snuggly under there. This is my long slide, it houses both a loveseat size sofa and a huge U-shaped dinette. Must be the length of it that is causing the problem, because the shorter one that holds the bunks has not had any problems with pooling water.  If I move in the slides, will any water or dirt/debris come into the room with it? Since our stab. jacks are manually cranked, this is beginning to sound like a lot of effort!    But, if we don't get it off, I'm afraid the awning fabric will stretch and cause problems because of it.

 

[Ned]

Mike, sorry for the confusion, I was referring to a motorhome with jacks.  Don't use the stabilizers to try and raise one end of the trailer.  They aren't designed to take that much load.  If you raise the stabilizers, perhaps you can use the tongue jack to raise the front enough for the water to drain.

 

[MLCBFarrell]

Sorry, Ned! Now I'm confusing you--by saying raise my jacks, I meant raising them closer to the body of the trailer rather than cranking them down.  ;D

 

[John From Detroit]

There are several solutions.. Short term.. Bring in the slide, thus dumping the water

Long term,  There is an air pillow sold at some stores (I **THINK** Camping world has them)  but here is the URL

Some folks use Swim Noodles which you can get in Toy stores or departments or swim (Sporting)departments at many stores including the much loved/hated Wally World (As well as K-mart)

And, See above replies

 

[MLCBFarrell]

Thanks so much for the info, everyone! Today (since we've received buckets of rain since yesterday accompanied by flood warnings), I think I'll just bring in the slide slowly to dump the water before I head off to work and we receive more rain. John, I have some of those noodle things. I've never seen anyone use them in conjunction with the slide toppers-only as pads to keep you from bonking your head on the slides. Can you tell me how they are used to help keep the water from pooling?

 

[John From Detroit]

I''ve only read about it but I gather the person just shoved a few of them up over the slide and under the canvas, this causes them to support the canvas so the rain drains off easier

I think the air wedge is a better option.

 

[BruceinFL]

Went to an RV show a few months ago and some guy was selling a gadget to keep the rain off the slide topper. Was made out of PVC and all it did was raise and support the middle of the topper so water would run off and not pool. Looked at the price and figured I could make it myself but then would have to carry a ladder to get it up there.

My solution is to make sure the wife does not retract the slide without letting me know first. Have been soaked when she pulled in the slide when I was out dumping tanks or disconnecting H2O and electricity. Otherwise the water pooling doesn't bother me.

 

[Ron]

My solution is to make sure the wife does not retract the slide without letting me know first. Have been soaked when she pulled in the slide when I was out dumping tanks or disconnecting H2O and electricity.

Don't ya hate it when that happens? ???

 

[rankjo]

re Tom's comment above that tilting the RV forward or back is better than tilting it to one side for draining the slide topper,---I would reply that if the water pours in the open window that would sort of defeat the purpose, now wouldn't it??  ;D

 

[Ned]

Close the window first.

 

[Tom]

re Tom's comment above that tilting the RV forward or back is better than tilting it to one side for draining the slide topper....

That's not quite what I said in this message. I merely offered front-to-back tilting as an option. I'm not sure it's better, but it's the one I choose, if I can get to it before the other half presses the button to retract the slideouts.

Since we have windows on 3 sides of our slideouts, it doesn't really matter which way we tilt the coach; Ned's comment about closing the window applies in either axis.

 

[Tom]

Coincidentally, this morning I happened to look at the slide topper awning of the coach parked next to us, a country Coach. Attached is a photo, which speaks for itself.