Topper

Trek-Cyclist · 03-07-2007, 04:07 AM

I've read posts about replacing the slideout topper and un-winding the spring... hummmm!
Wouldn't be easier to hold the spring tension to the shaft by replacing the cotter pins in each side? When I replaced the arms for the full awning I used long cotter pins on both ends of the shaft to hold the spring in place while I removed the arms. I replaced the arms and removed the pins, everything was good.
I'm replacing the bedroom slide topper today and was just wondering...There should be hold pin holes through the end caps that line up on the tension shaft.. Pondering

Trek-Cyclist · 03-07-2007, 04:07 AM

I've read posts about replacing the slideout topper and un-winding the spring... hummmm!
Wouldn't be easier to hold the spring tension to the shaft by replacing the cotter pins in each side? When I replaced the arms for the full awning I used long cotter pins on both ends of the shaft to hold the spring in place while I removed the arms. I replaced the arms and removed the pins, everything was good.
I'm replacing the bedroom slide topper today and was just wondering...There should be hold pin holes through the end caps that line up on the tension shaft.. Pondering

tomsm · 03-07-2007, 07:29 AM

Ed - I have done what you're considering - put cotter pins through the end caps and shaft and it's totally under control. That's the way the factory ships them.

rvcarpenter · 03-07-2007, 07:42 AM

just curious, why are u replaceing the slide topper? I have a 2001 and have not replaced the topper yet. I wonder weather I should.

Fossilhog · 03-07-2007, 07:54 AM

I just received the Bedroom and Dinette/living room slide topper fabrics last week. Snowing so I can't do the job but that's what the instructions say. My preliminary fussing with it revealed tons of spring tension just to unroll the last few rolls of fabric. Looks like a straight forward job.

Oh I bought my '02 Adventurer in December of '04 and the fabrics were on their way out then. Spoke to the previous owner, he wintered in the Keys.

Ed..let us know how it went please?

Trek-Cyclist · 03-11-2007, 09:03 AM

Replaced Topper due to shoddy A&E material and some hail damage. But it was starting to come apart on the front edge last year.. Next coach won't be A&E and will have covers to keep it out of the highway wind.

Pretty straight forward pin the roller before removing it... I've seen some posts about un-winding the spring. But I felt you could over wind it when re-mounting and risk breaking the spring when extending the slide. I also didn't want to use vice grips to hold anything especially were it's a painted surface.

Trek-Cyclist · 03-20-2007, 05:23 PM

Well we replaced the livingroom topper today and everything went very smooth. All set for another 3 years? Remember when it hails crank in the slides! The front edge peeling? Still working on that one, might be the nature of the beast!

Wizard · 03-21-2007, 04:12 AM

Back when I had my 5er, I had to replace 2 of the 3 toppers. They came apart just after the warrenty ran out. Go figure. I had to move the slide out slightly to align the holes and put a pin in the roller. then after retracting the slide, that gave some slack in the mechanism. remove the rail stop screw and slide it out. Make sure to have a helper if its a long slide. Very easy job if you like to DIY.
Good Luck

Trek-Cyclist · 03-21-2007, 05:50 AM

Wizard,
I like doing my own work. At least I know it'll be done right the first time especially with some of the folks working in RV shops now!
Retired and have the time and experence, so why not? How's the Riser working out?

Wizard · 03-23-2007, 03:01 PM

Got the riser donw too, see other post. Just took a little advise, thought, patience and elbow grease. Ha Ha

GaDawgFan · 03-29-2007, 10:40 AM

I am new to RV'ing. I just bought a 2000 Itasca Horizon back in December. I noticed that the slide cover need to be replaced and was wondering who you guys woud recommend I buy the replacements from. Thanks!

Trek-Cyclist · 03-29-2007, 02:42 PM

GaDawgFan,
The bedroom slide we bought from Campers Inn in NH. The Livingroom slide we bought at Camping World. The price was reasonable at both places... The only issue we had at camping world the Shipping was 68.00 because it was shipped in a 20 foot tube!
If I recall 138.00 for the bedroom topper and 158.00 for the LR at camping world plus shipping.
Make sure you give them the Numbers from the old topper... The new one will be exactly the same... no guess work!