Rain on Slide Covers

[TNTBaker]

Greetings All-It's ME again;

I know there has been some discussion on this, but I wanted to solicit a little more in-depth discussion. Why? Because I live in a very rainy area, of course and I am selfishly wanting to know MORE!

I know about raising the nose of the coach to drain the rain off of the slide covers, and this DOES work. HOWEVER, this is just not practical long term in a place where it rains almost daily for weeks on end sometimes. Does anyone have any experience to share with putting things (beach balls, baffles, etc) under the slide awnings to deflect water and encourage runoff before it pools in the center? This is one of the reasons that we almost didn't get slide covers. Thanks so much!

[rob_fla]

When I installed our slide awnings, I mounted the awning rail bar a little higher that typical so we would have a slope on the slide awnings.
We have weathered a number of very rainy days and we have not had any water pooling on our slide toppers.

[TNTBaker]

Thats a good plan. We dont have that luxury :-(

[Dave&Ginny]

I've seen folks use swimming pool noodles

[hoosierguy]

Originally Posted by TNTBaker

Greetings All-It's ME again;

I know there has been some discussion on this, but I wanted to solicit a little more in-depth discussion. Why? Because I live in a very rainy area, of course and I am selfishly wanting to know MORE!

I know about raising the nose of the coach to drain the rain off of the slide covers, and this DOES work. HOWEVER, this is just not practical long term in a place where it rains almost daily for weeks on end sometimes. Does anyone have any experience to share with putting things (beach balls, baffles, etc) under the slide awnings to deflect water and encourage runoff before it pools in the center? This is one of the reasons that we almost didn't get slide covers. Thanks so much!

In a situation like you are describing where you will be located long term in one location, I would fabricate a support system from 1 1/2 inch to 2 inch white PVC pipe components. I think a support could be assembled in a manner so it could be placed between the top of the slide and the topper to slightly raise the center of the topper and prevent it from sagging and collecting water. The pipe could run the entire length of the topper to provide support and just enough rise of the topper to prevent water from collecting. I think such a support could be assembled with minimal gluing of parts so that it could be disassembled when needed and placed in the storage area for traveling.

FWIW this just an idea that I have had. I haven't actually tried it yet but may be trying to implement this for our stay in Florida this winter.

[TNTBaker]

That's a SUPER idea Guy! I am going to share this with Todd. I like it because the PVC will not degrade in the weather, and we can create it with short "sections" and disassemble, as you said. If we implement, I will post pictures. I really like it!! I POURED last night, and is supposed to all week. I will likely start this TOMORROW!

[johnboytoo]

One of the mfg's came out with a support kit that supposedly rolls up with the awning and bows UP a bit to make the runoff...

let me see where I found that...
but more angle is a good idea that can be retrofitted...

[TNTBaker]

When we were in service the shop foreman was talking to us about an installed support, don't know if it was the same one. He said he lost count of how many he was asked to REMOVE because they broke all the time when opening and closing the slides. It sounds like a good idea tho. I like the idea of raising the attach point of the awning so that it has more angle... Don't know if it could be done without ruining the paint. Probably not.

[johnboytoo]

Actually raising the portion connect to the rv seems easy,
you won't be moving the end on the slide...
and the slide topper will cover the 'old' area...

disconnect...
SEAL all the old holes...
move it up...
and reconnect...

[TNTBaker]

Hmmm. Maybe an idea. Definitely goes on the list of things to customize if we order a new coach ever... maybe by then they will have perfected the resolution of pooling water on slide covers!!

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by johnboytoo

One of the mfg's came out with a support kit that supposedly rolls up with the awning and bows UP a bit to make the runoff...

let me see where I found that...
but more angle is a good idea that can be retrofitted...

Was this it John? I think Carefree of Colorado had it, but I don't see them on their website anymore. A cool concept, but maybe it didn't work

[TNTBaker]

That's interesting. It DOES Look like it might be prone to malfunction IMO. Hopefully I am wrong. Honestly, I don't know why they don't just work harder to attach the awnings a little more above the slide to cause an angle. I know it's not always possible, but it IS on the RWs.

[TnB]

A possible problem with mounting the slider higher is the increased area exposed to billowing when going down the road. Having the topper attached close to the roller reduces this area.

[TnB]

Here is a design using PVC pipe:


http://www.dmbruss.com/zRVTech/RVTT_TopperSupport.htm

[travelin' texans]

Don't think billowing is the problem as I've seen some that are mounted at near 45 degree angle.

[hoosierguy]

Originally Posted by TNTBaker

That's interesting. It DOES Look like it might be prone to malfunction IMO. Hopefully I am wrong. Honestly, I don't know why they don't just work harder to attach the awnings a little more above the slide to cause an angle. I know it's not always possible, but it IS on the RWs.

I looked at our 36RL this afternoon. The topper mounting could be raised a few inches on the the two rear slides, but, the front bedroom slide mounting is a high as it can go.

[johnboytoo]

That's it AA !

The one thing I've noticed with the awnings is it has to be opened JUST right and if extended TOO far the fabric is lower than the roller and causes a ridge that holds water...

We did drop the arms down as far as we felt we wanted, but miss the auto dump feature of my last 5er !!!

[Donhutch1800]

Take a look at (the awning air wedge).

[sinder]

Originally Posted by johnboytoo

That's it AA !

The one thing I've noticed with the awnings is it has to be opened JUST right and if extended TOO far the fabric is lower than the roller and causes a ridge that holds water...

We did drop the arms down as far as we felt we wanted, but miss the auto dump feature of my last 5er !!!

Interesting our awning auto dumps when it gets too heavy with water. I had it doing it several times a year or so ago during a big rain. I now tip the one end down enough so it runs off.

[Ramblin Roadrunners]

My rub with the slide awnings is; mine are noisy with the slightest wind. I am ready to remove them after spending the money to hav them installed. If I were to order another RV tomorrow; I would not buy them.