Slide topper self install.

**Hoopy Frood** · 08-12-2021, 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by PHMadness

Really? How is that price gouging? Seems downright reasonable to me.
But I come from an industry that's constantly accused of it too, so there's that.

2020 310GK - 2011 F350 SRW

I think it's price gouging because I'm pretty sure I can do it in 2 hours and I've never done one before. And several mobile
RV services wanted 1 1/2 hours for the same job. Plus their large markup for the parts, over 50% markup for standard parts
from Lippert. But I wasn't really surprised that much, there's a reason they're nicknamed "stealers".

Their installed price for three slide toppers, only one of which is a large one, was over $2200. Nah, I think I'll do it myself.

**Ynot4me2** · 08-12-2021, 04:48 PM

You could maybe try a mobile tech and compare.

Sent from my SM-P610 using Tapatalk

**Hoopy Frood** · 08-12-2021, 05:22 PM

I have checked into the mobile RV services and they are about 1/2 the price, plus no upcharge on parts. But I'll have to admit after watching the process,
I will most likely do it myself. The slides on our 351M are small to moderate, so it shouldn't be too bad. Our old Fuzion had a 21 foot slide topper! The largest
topper on the 351 M is less than 10 feet.

**Walaby** · 08-12-2021, 05:24 PM

I did mine myself. Four toppers. I had an assistant, because they take two people to install. Each one probably took me and my assistant close to an hour each but admittedly by the time I got to the end, I doubt the last one took that long.

So, if you assume two people to install (which is a valid and good assumption) and assume an hour per (maybe they are a tad faster than I was), then 2 hours per topper seems reasonable.

Mike

**Hoopy Frood** · 08-12-2021, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by Walaby

I did mine myself. Four toppers. I had an assistant, because they take two people to install. Each one probably took me and my assistant close to an hour each but admittedly by the time I got to the end, I doubt the last one took that long.

So, if you assume two people to install (which is a valid and good assumption) and assume an hour per (maybe they are a tad faster than I was), then 2 hours per topper seems reasonable.

Mike

Figured that way seems reasonable, but it also equates to $150/hour for each worker. Them's pretty good wages.

I guess I'm just too much of a tightwad.

Yes, I can definitely see the need for an assistant. Trying to do it yourself with no help would be an exercise in frustration.

**Sportsdad60** · 08-12-2021, 06:34 PM

My opinion.

Slide toppers are good if you travel frequently to places where tree debris falls onto your slides.
They are bad if you travel where there is a lot of wind.

Since we are FT in Texas coastal area with winter winds (and only Palm trees as cover), toppers were a PITA. We eventually ended up "tying down" the toppers with PVC and rope to prevent the noise with winds as little as 15mph.

Our new GD rig has no toppers and when we do camp in the trees (such as our recent trip to MN) I just go up top and use a broom to remove debris.

YMMV.

**Walaby** · 08-12-2021, 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by Hoopy Frood

Figured that way seems reasonable, but it also equates to $150/hour for each worker. Them's pretty good wages.

I guess I'm just too much of a tightwad.

Yes, I can definitely see the need for an assistant. Trying to do it yourself with no help would be an exercise in frustration.

Well those workers don't make anywhere near that $150 an hour. All the adders for the dealership (utilities, rent, insurance blah blah) all contribute to building up that labor hour. I do think $150 an hour is high, but that's the labor rate of my dealer as well. I doubt those workers make more than $15-$20 an hour where Im at.

It's definitely doable with an assistant. I did it. Bought my toppers from eTrailer and me and my grandson installed. I didn't have to pay him anywhere near $150 an hour

Mike

**Hoopy Frood** · 08-12-2021, 08:10 PM

Yes, I think $150/hour shop rate is bordering on outrageous. Even car/truck dealers aren't quite that high, although there may be some high end dealers at that
point and beyond. I'm just glad I'm able to do most of my own work. I can't imagine having to rely on dealers and mobile RV work. Heck, I couldn't afford to go
anywhere if I did. LOL

**Spartacus** · 08-12-2021, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by Hoopy Frood

I just called a local dealer, and they wanted 2 hours labor PER TOPPER!! We have the 351M with three toppers, one fair sized and the other two are
small. Over $800 in labor for the three toppers. That's just insane. I told them that was price gouging on a major scale.

When I got my RV and ask the dealer how much will it be and they told me $2000 dollars and that was back in 2019 so I told them thank you.

You can look at a lot of YouTube video to show you how it's done.

**Spartacus** · 08-13-2021, 01:30 AM

Originally Posted by Hoopy Frood

I think it's price gouging because I'm pretty sure I can do it in 2 hours and I've never done one before. And several mobile
RV services wanted 1 1/2 hours for the same job. Plus their large markup for the parts, over 50% markup for standard parts
from Lippert. But I wasn't really surprised that much, there's a reason they're nicknamed "stealers".

Their installed price for three slide toppers, only one of which is a large one, was over $2200. Nah, I think I'll do it myself.

Learn to do it yourself, when the dealer told me that to install a washer & dryer in my RV for $2200 dollars I said thank you and I did it myself, after watching a lot of YouTube video and buying the washer & dryer myself at a discount I did it myself.