Slide cover flapping in wind

[Old Goat & Grace]

Hi all -
We have a new Axis 25.6. On windy (even slight wind) nights the slide cover flaps and makes lots of thumping noises. Curious if it’s too loose or normal, and if normal, any suggestions to solve? It made for a long night last night.
Thanks.
Grace

[K0LCB]

I have tried swim noodles, beach balls, PVC pipe and rope. I never found a good solution

[ducksface]

I might review my need for such a device.
A bazillion motorhomes are or were without them.
They're nice, they keep the crud off, I guess they're a weather barrier.

The op says they are not nice and are a weather multiplier.
Take it off, see if you can live without it, enjoy your rv.

[Hugh.vines@att.net]

Mine doesn’t make noise at all on axis 25.2 so there must be an adjustment. Call Thor. And let everyone know

[DbleDutch]

Our 24F has a full length slide with topper. Out 50+ nights camping in all kinds of weather/storms, only once did the wind come up during the night blowing through the topper/slide roof gap, making a loud flapping. Made for a couple hours of sleeplessness. I am guessing the angle and wind were just right to cause the flap. Should it happen again and depending on the time of night, temp outside, how warm the covers are and how much motivation I have (read wife), I plan to toss a rope across the topper end to end to pinch the end openings closed. Will it work ???

[Laco]

The slide toppers have tension springs to keep them taught when open, and to roll them up when you retract the slide. Perhaps that spring is weak or???? We have had slides with toppers for years, and other than in very high winds never really had them bother us. I frankly would not want to not have the toppers, the amount of crud, leaves and junk you will bring inside when you retract the slides will surprise you.

[Lt Keefer]

The topper on my full wall slide makes a little noise every now and then. It is one of many things that make noise in an RV. My ice maker makes noise, so does the converter under the bed. The jacks tick every now and then while the water pump makes noise every time a faucet is opened. The awning creaks in the breeze and the heater is loud in the winter. My point is, things make noise and after a while I quit hearing most of them.

[GVP-The Boxcar Children]

The roller might have uncoiled one or two laps on install. The fix is to put in the lock pins to hold the current tension, remove the tag end from the channel on the coach, pass it around the roller a lap or two, reinstall it then remove the lock pins. Note that the entire roller assembly will have to come off-one cannot just remove the tag end from the channel where it fastens to the coach.



I had to replace a damaged one on our Georgetown and the first install fit too loose-similar to what you describe. Removing it as noted above and lapping it once or twice then reinstalling it worked perfectly. Finally, there is plenty of extra material (18 or 20 inches I recall) on the roller so there should be no issue with over-extending the fabric once you add the lap or two.


Good luck!

GVP

[Old Goat & Grace]

Thanks for the many replies. We also prefer to have it to keep the top clean, and when we get back from the winter we will be taking it in for serving and have them look at this. Any level of wind, no matter what direction, causes the flapping. I suspect it needs tightening, and as we have a repair already scheduled under warranty, we'll add this to the list. Last night winds were 20 mph and it was a very sleepless night for my husband. I opted for earplugs, which at least managed to dull the sound.

Grace

[Warhorse]

I am wintering in NW central FL, it has been very windy here quite often, and I would not be surprised if mine are now damaged or will be.

[David & Diane]

I have a similar problem on my Mobile Suites 36RSSB3. The slide cover for the rear-most driver's side slide flaps enough to be an annoyance if the wind is blowing in just the right direction and strongly. It flaps enough that I suspect it could be damaged if nothing is done to stop the flapping.

I found a strap (about 3" wide) that the manufacturer apparently intended to be used to stop awning flapping and/or hold an awning down in windy conditions. I've run the strap over the slide-out slide cover and staked it to the ground fore and aft of the slide. I tighten it just enough to hold down the slide cover. I have found that this solution keeps the cover from flapping and does not damage the slide out cover.

I could take a picture and post it, but I don't know how to post pictures. My camera takes pictures in .jpg format.

[Old Goat & Grace]

Originally Posted by David & Diane

I found a strap (about 3" wide) that the manufacturer apparently intended to be used to stop awning flapping and/or hold an awning down in windy conditions. I've run the strap over the slide-out slide cover and staked it to the ground fore and aft of the slide. I tighten it just enough to hold down the slide cover. I have found that this solution keeps the cover from flapping and does not damage the slide out cover.

David & Diane - Curious where you found the strap. Did it come with your RV or did you buy it elsewhere? Do try to get us a picture!

We are in Las Cruces, NM right now and it is so windy I'm worried ours will tear or otherwise get damaged.
Thanks,
Grace

[David & Diane]

The strap did not come with my 5th wheel. I'm in Florida now. I believe I bought the strap at an RV Dealer in PA maybe 7 or 8 years ago.

I would like to post a picture, but don't know how. I can take a picture and email it to you if you can get me your email address. In the mean time, I'll look around & see if I can find another strap.

[ducksface]

I'm not sure a picture is needed.
Any box store or auto store in the world sells a ratchet strap.
Or a rope
Or maybe even bungie cord on a roll, cut to buyers required length.
Has the op walked over to their nearest neighbor and asked what the neighbor does?

How to post pictures.

Advanced button
Manage attachments button
Select file button.
Pick a picture on your phone or computer
Upload button.
Wait for the picture name to move to the lower box.
Close that screen
On your original open screen
Save changes button

(or thereabouts. I might be off on a button name but it's similar)

[David & Diane]

I just found a probable strap solution on Camping World's Website.

Look for "RV Awning Hold Down Strap Kit", Item #4100, $12.27. Probably plus tax & shipping.

This looks very similar to what I have. I would probably buy & use a far more robust stake. My installation does not use the spring in the kit, I just tightened the strap appropriately.

[Laco]

If you go the strap route, don't forget to undo it before running the awning out.

[JimOIB]

I have a FW24F with full wall slide and have a bit different solution that works for me.

I cut three lengths of 1 inch PVC and put threaded couplings on the ends. The lengths are cut so they fit in my cargo bay and when put together they extend 6 inches beyond the end of the topper both front and back. I ran shock cord down the inside of the PVC. When the slide is extended I place the assembled tubing over the top of the topper and bungie the cord ends under the slide. Be careful not to make the bungie too tight. I put enough tension on to keep the topper from flapping. I sleep like a baby at night.

[petefoss]

Neat solution I will make too.

[Old Goat & Grace]

Originally Posted by jimbo12

I have a FW24F with full wall slide and have a bit different solution that works for me.

I cut three lengths of 1 inch PVC and put threaded couplings on the ends. The lengths are cut so they fit in my cargo bay and when put together they extend 6 inches beyond the end of the topper both front and back. I ran shock cord down the inside of the PVC. When the slide is extended I place the assembled tubing over the top of the topper and bungie the cord ends under the slide. Be careful not to make the bungie too tight. I put enough tension on to keep the topper from flapping. I sleep like a baby at night.

Could you send a picture of it in use?

Grace

[JimOIB]

I don't have a picture handy. I'll take one in a few weeks when we prep for our next trip. In the mean time here is a diagram of the setup.
--
Jim