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Post by smilingred on Mar 23, 2019 15:02:55 GMT -5
Hi everyone,
Just bought our first 5W Durango from KZ. My question is what about adding slide awnings? are they necessary? Dealer would like us to add them but they are not cheap? Are they worth it?
Marilyn
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Post by Chuck on Mar 23, 2019 15:30:47 GMT -5
smilingred I am one that would not have a 5th wheel without them, we live in the northwestern U.S. an there are pine tree that love to drop their needles all over the place ... I am not one to climb up an our roof an sweep pine needles off such even on a nice day ... Also branches that fall on your slides is not a good thing if you close your slide on them were they can cut your seals ... Now there are people that say buy a ladder an sweep off your slide an it's far cheaper than the slide topper, my knees will not with stand climbing so have put on slide toppers were I can, our problems is that on our G384RLT the windows on the right side over the dinning room table an door are to high an we can't put a slide topper on that slide ... So I try to wash off any stuff if we are in a camp grounds with lots of trees an pines before I close slide in hopes, but some camp ground frown on such so I tend to be pretty quick about it or find camp sites away from trees ... Our other slide do however have slide toppers an I love them ...
So I am one who would say put them on an don't look back, they are worth there weight in gold
Welcome to the Kz family an the form
Chuck
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Post by Edd505 on Mar 23, 2019 21:41:09 GMT -5
I live in the SW desert with few leaves. I'm a ladder guy and I carry an electric blower to get things off the slides, lot cheaper than slide toppers.
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Post by kaboom on Mar 24, 2019 11:48:55 GMT -5
We are saving up for slide toppers. But in the mean time I use a leaf blower with a rain gutter attachment. I use it to clean off debris and water before closing the slides. I can stand on the ground and blow the debris off the tops. I do have an expandable ladder and have climbed up to look at the tops of the slides after blowing them off. The leaf blower so far is doing a good job.
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Post by lynnmor on Mar 24, 2019 12:30:41 GMT -5
Be sure that YOU know what the toppers will be screwed into. Dealers will fasten them to the thin filon where there is no backing. On my trailer, there is no way to properly attach a topper above the refrigerator vent without making special brackets.
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Post by Chuck on Mar 24, 2019 14:13:26 GMT -5
I agree with lynnmor, we had the slide topper over are refrigerator vent pull out last summer, was a real mess ... Our dealer had put the slide topper on at our request, but only put small bracket where the refrigerator vent was, Kz pull the slide topper off an sent a new one to our dealer with instructions on how the slide topper was to be put on with new brackets ... Now the slide topper is on the very top of the slide with backing brackets so there is something solid for the brackets to be attached to ... It's a shame that Kz had to tell the dealer how to attach a slide topper but that just shows you what there training of RV Tech at our dealer is in some case's ... Safe Travels
Chuck
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cloud
Weekender RV’er
Posts: 54
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Post by cloud on Mar 24, 2019 16:31:21 GMT -5
My 5th wheel had the rails installed when purchased. All I had to do was measure the rails and order the toppers. The cheapest place I found them was amazon. If you don’t have the rails the ones I ordered had them in the box. Took about an hour to install both. Attachments:
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Post by lynnmor on Mar 24, 2019 17:14:08 GMT -5
My 5th wheel had the rails installed when purchased. All I had to do was measure the rails and order the toppers. The cheapest place I found them was amazon. If you don’t have the rails the ones I ordered had them in the box. Took about an hour to install both. See those brackets on the slide, they are the ones that needs to be located carefully especially if there is a refrigerator in the slide. I have no idea if you have backing there. I got blueprints for my trailer and there is a very small area about 1" high that can be used, and that requires custom brackets. I never did install the topper.
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cloud
Weekender RV’er
Posts: 54
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Post by cloud on Mar 24, 2019 19:03:32 GMT -5
These work well if no backer is found. I only had 2 screws per bracket that I used these on. Attachments:
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Post by ronc on Apr 6, 2019 12:11:12 GMT -5
Mine were factory installed by KZ. I'm with Chuck ... the "self cleaning" of the slide toppers is a nice feature. I do have a leaf blower, but haven't used it in a LONG time. Toppers are, however, another thing that can go wrong. We had one that the brake failed and as the slide "attempted" to extend, it just kept tilting until the brackets broke free. Big bang there when the slide room dropped down. The bracket flipped up on the roof and gave us a nick that would have leaked water. All of this happened, fortunately, just before the KZ rally. The broken topper was removed by morRyde (can't travel with that thing flapping around) since I was there for annual service, no charge. Then KZ fixed (with sealant) the roof puncture and Lippert replaced the slide topper on my dime. The KZ roof repair has now been covered with enternabond tape, so permanently fixed. This was kinda a freak accident as I haven't heard of anyone else having that particular failure. Despite this, I'm still a fan of toppers. Help keep the sun off the top of slides which helps with AC and keeps them clean when under trees, as Chuck mentioned. Price is an objection to some. Just offering info here.
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Post by laknox on Apr 9, 2019 10:21:22 GMT -5
Of you that have toppers, do you have flapping issues? Also, since one of my slides is just the wardrobe, would it even be worth it to put on on it? Personally, I'm more concerned with shade than trash, since I have no issues with going up on the roof.
Lyle
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Post by RdRmr on Apr 9, 2019 11:29:44 GMT -5
Had the slide toppers on our previous unit, got tired of the flapping when the wind would come up in the wee hours of the morning, wife is a lite sleeper. Then when it would rain, the one over the main slideout would puddle with water on top. Did not install them on this unit, don't miss them at all. But then, too each their own. I do carry a small battery powered blower and a ladder if needed, works for me. Happy Campin....
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Post by ronc on Apr 9, 2019 14:55:49 GMT -5
Of you that have toppers, do you have flapping issues? Also, since one of my slides is just the wardrobe, would it even be worth it to put on on it? Personally, I'm more concerned with shade than trash, since I have no issues with going up on the roof. Lyle They do flap in the wind. It was unsettling to me at first ... sounded like critters in the attic. But I have grown accustomed to that and no longer find it objectionable. But anyone who tells you they don't flap will also tell you their truck is so good they can't even tell they are towing anything.
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Post by Chuck on Apr 18, 2019 11:01:50 GMT -5
LOL I have to say I have never heard ours flap, do they sage, yes, when we get a hard rain they will sage, thus I close the slide an re-open it to clear the rain off them ... An of course I have a great Ford F350 DW 4x4 LB that pulls our trailer just great as if there was almost nothing behind it You know I had to say that Ron LOL
Chuck
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Post by ronc on Apr 18, 2019 14:48:27 GMT -5
;-)
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Post by no1eman on Jan 27, 2021 12:33:26 GMT -5
Where can i find information about where a"backer" support may be on the slide to install the topper bracket. Wejust bought a 2021 durango 333rlt & are considering adding them.
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Post by Soleman on Jan 27, 2021 20:56:39 GMT -5
Where can i find information about where a"backer" support may be on the slide to install the topper bracket. Wejust bought a 2021 durango 333rlt & are considering adding them. Not sure where the brackets precisely are, My Dealer installed them for me. Hartville RV Center in Hartville Ohio. There isn't enough room for a topper and "shade awning" on the main slide-out (Dining and Recliner side) of the D333RLT. They do flap a bit when the wind kicks up but that hasn't bothered me. The rain will puddle, so what? I think they do the job they were intended to do and they look good!
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Post by lynnmor on Jan 28, 2021 10:34:56 GMT -5
Where can i find information about where a"backer" support may be on the slide to install the topper bracket. Wejust bought a 2021 durango 333rlt & are considering adding them. I got blueprints from the factory. I don't know if any models add extra backer for aftermarket toppers. Using toggle bolts will not do much since the outside skin is thin paneling, but dealers will use that to make a sale.
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Post by jfspry58 on Jan 28, 2021 11:05:01 GMT -5
Where can i find information about where a"backer" support may be on the slide to install the topper bracket. Wejust bought a 2021 durango 333rlt & are considering adding them. I also have a 2021 333RLT that I’m thinking about putting slide toppers on. If you find out where the reinforcements are, or if there even are reinforcements, would you please share that information? If I find it I will also share. Good luck and thanks! Jay
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Post by midlotexan on Jan 28, 2021 13:04:26 GMT -5
We have the slide toppers. Yes, they keep your slide tops clean. I wouldn't buy another trailer with out them. We have been along a river lined with Cypress trees this fall, their fine leaves are needle like and get everywhere. Thankfully, they just blow off in the breeze. Kirt
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