Slide topper

[Jusjay]

Hi All, has anyone out there ever had the arm on your slide out topper break? Mine just did! I was doing some work on the inside of the RV and needed to put the slide out. In doing so about three quarters of the way out there was a loud bang and the slide shook and then finished moving out.

[Jusjay]

More pictures,

[gmtech16450yz]

Thor Forums - View Single Post - rear awning barely holding

Mine was a little different situation but probably another reason to ditch the slide toppers all together. If these products were well designed and built, it wouldn't be an issue. But between the poor quality of the products and the shoddy way they're installed, sometimes the "options" aren't worth the risk of failure.

[javelin]

It is unfortunate that you both have had problems with your slide topper(s), but I am glad that you both posted your situations with pictures so the rest of us can see what is going on. That broken topper cap/arm almost looks like the topper tube started binding at that end and broke off the cap. I am not sure if there is a bearing receiver in each end cap that should be sprayed with silicon spray once in a while?
I went out and had a quick look at my 2013 ACE which has relatively small slides (thankfully) at only 12’ and about 7’ wide.......but I noted that one screw head was missing on each slide topper support bracket (both missing screw heads were on the trailing rear topper bracket end). Not sure if that is significant or not......maybe related to how the topper spring tension is distributed.
So basically the rear topper cap arm on each slide was only attached with one screw to each corresponding rear slide wall mounting bracket. I drilled out the broken screw on the smaller bedroom slide and used a stainless steel pan head screw to restore some support. Not sure if stainless screws will be strong enough long term, but it is what I have available. I will do the larger slide as well when weather improves. I also checked the topper end cap screws and all are tight and still in place. So thanks for posting your info and reminding us to check things a little more closely.

[gmtech16450yz]

Originally Posted by javelin

.......but I noted that one screw head was missing on each slide topper support bracket (both missing screw heads were on the trailing rear topper bracket end). ...

Wow. So in one day we have three people with three different Carefree slide topper failures. Like I said, I think they're poor design and a possible disaster waiting to happen.

I would also say yours broke because of too much force for the type/size/amount of fasteners. If I were you I'd add 2 or 3 more screws to that part of the brackets. There's plenty of room to put them in between those screws on each end.

The other thing you guys with the broken screws or parts might want to do is to lighten the tension on the rollers. Just take the rear end cap off and let it unwind a few turns. Be careful obviously since it will want to spin around once you take the screws out. Mine had a fair amount of tension on them, more than I think is necessary. It's the roller tension that's breaking these parts.

BUT WAIT! Is is up to the assembly guys at Thor to determine that tension when they're installing the toppers? Are they winding them up too tight? OMG maybe this IS a Thor assembly problem after all. hahahahaha. I still say it's mostly a design problem.

[javelin]

Originally Posted by gmtech16450yz

Wow. So in one day we have three people with three different Carefree slide topper failures. Like I said, I think they're poor design and a possible disaster waiting to happen.

I would also say yours broke because of too much force for the type/size/amount of fasteners. If I were you I'd add 2 or 3 more screws to that part of the brackets. There's plenty of room to put them in between those screws on each end.

The other thing you guys with the broken screws or parts might want to do is to lighten the tension on the rollers. Just take the rear end cap off and let it unwind a few turns. Be careful obviously since it will want to spin around once you take the screws out. Mine had a fair amount of tension on them, more than I think is necessary. It's the roller tension that's breaking these parts.

BUT WAIT! Is is up to the assembly guys at Thor to determine that tension when they're installing the toppers? Are they winding them up too tight? OMG maybe this IS a Thor assembly problem after all. hahahahaha. I still say it's mostly a design problem.

So the sun is back today and I took your advice; at least regarding the addition of screws in the slide support plate which fasten the topper cap arms. I also removed the stainless steel screw I had used to repair the bedroom slide temporarily yesterday....I was lucky to remove it as it was galling from installing and removal already (plus stainless steel is not as strong typically as regular steel screws). I then used regular plated steel screws (with stainless lock washers) for repairing the two old screws which had heads broken off and for all new screws added......2 per front and back topper arm support brackets on both my slides. Not sure if/how quick the steel screws will rust but I may also dab them with black enamel paint.

So I feel better knowing there is some additional strength added and glad the one screw left holding each slide topper bracket at one end did not let go. We have driven through some terrific mountain foothill cross winds without topper incident, so hopefully now there are more screws in place we should have less chance of a dangerous situation with toppers in future. Thanks again guys for posting about this potential problem.

[Macutak]

My topper just did this same thing. The screws used rusted out and released the mounting arm. Because it was under tension it swung around the roller until it got in the way of the slide as it was coming in. I heard a pop and found that the arm was healed on with just one screw and the shape of the arm split as did the singe screw hole. The part is only $16 plus the fun of repairing 12 feet off the ground. Should be fun. Bring popcorn. Tickets are free.

[TheGoodLife]

The Solera topper (another great Lippert product) on our rear slide did basically the same…locked up.

2022 Quantum KW-29

[The Gritz Carlton]

No slides, no toppers, happy camper.

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

No slides, no toppers, happy camper.

Yup. X2!