Slide Toppers in the wind

[DKRITTER]

We're on the Texas South Plains and the wind is blowing from the North at 21mph. MH is pointing to the SE.

Both of my slide toppers look like parachutes with every gust of wind and they squeak constantly. I've done some searches and I'm not to keen on the beach ball option.

I'm thinking I'll go to the hardware store and get a couple of long ropes and tie down the topper by looping around the entire slide.

Has anyone done this with success?

 

[Lab00Rat]

The rope idea won't last long as the tension will slip the rope to the lowest point (outer edge of the slide). This will leave you in the same place you started. Also, You might damage the topper edges with rubbing between the rope and topper in the wind. Beachballs should work. Worst case, pull your slides in till the wind passes?

 

[Richpatty]

Pulling in the slides is the ultimate solution for this of course, but this a pain since you have (for the FWS) to start the engine, pull up the jacks, air up the coach and then pull in the slides…

I would like to hear what others have done short of pulling in the slides.

 

[DKRITTER]

This is spring in West Texas the wind always blow. Need to have a solution with the slides out.

 

[Neal]

It would be nice if slide topper vendors put in a reinforced "slot" at the sides of the slide topper. Then RV manufacturers put some type of hook on the slide. You could then use a strap that connects the side of the slide topper to the slide.

Other ideas I've heard are beach or soccer balls in the side of the slide topper to prop it open in place so it can't flap. I think the movement does more harm than wind flow.

 

[redbaron]

This is spring in West Texas the wind always blow. Need to have a solution with the slides out.

My 2013 dutch Star had the same issue. I resolved it by building a foam pack that slid into the natural gap between the slide roof and the awning. I used a foam block and cut to size. I then add a tarp to the outside edge with sand filled along the edge to keep it laying down toward ground on the bottom, and enough overlap on the top to let the excess drape over the top of the awning.

I had one for both sides, but generally only put one side in based on where I was parked.

How much sand is tricky. I eventually replaced sand with pockets to be able to add rubber weights. You want enough downward weight to keep it from blowing in, and to hold the fabric on the top of awning without causing sag. A deeper foam block will support more weight without sag

Hopefully this makes sense. I don't have pictures of this, and my Girard slide toppers never had the problem on my 2019 dsdp.

 

[Richpatty]

I like this idea…. I can picture the foam block and the tarp hanging down…. How much tarp was laying on the top of the slide and what did you do to keep it up there? Weights?

 

[Skipper16]

We're on the Texas South Plains and the wind is blowing from the North at 21mph. MH is pointing to the SE.

Both of my slide toppers look like parachutes with every gust of wind and they squeak constantly. I've done some searches and I'm not to keen on the beach ball option.

I'm thinking I'll go to the hardware store and get a couple of long ropes and tie down the topper by looping around the entire slide.

Has anyone done this with success?

 

[Skipper16]

That’s exactly what I did. Didn’t tie them too tight just enough to keep them under control and not get torn off.

 

[redbaron]

I like this idea…. I can picture the foam block and the tarp hanging down…. How much tarp was laying on the top of the slide and what did you do to keep it up there? Weights?

I had about 3 inches hanging down towards ground, and about 8 inches over top. The foam was about 16in deep, and I had about 5lbs of weight.