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  1. #1
    Seasoned Camper acadiaforever's Avatar
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    Are slide toppers repairable?

    2018 310-GK with factory toppers:

    In searching the forum, I found lots of threads about "to topper or not," but nothing on repairing damage.

    We clipped a tree this week with the slide topper on the kitchen slide, broke both end caps and drove the topper back a bit less than a foot. There is a small tear at the leading edge of the topper where it fastened to the side wall. The fabric is skewed on the rubber rod that holds the topper in the channel (what I would call a bolt rope on a sail).

    So the question is whether anyone has repaired a damaged topper instead of replacing it? If it makes a difference, this topper was ordered with the trailer--we believe that it was installed at the factory, but I just read a post saying that at least one person's toppers were installed at the dealer on a new trailer.

    Thanks for any pointers,
    -Al
    Al and Kathe
    House: Bass Harbor, Maine
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    Highlighted states are those we have camped in for at least one night in our Solitude.
    2018 Solitude 310GK 110463 (Rhett) / 2018 F350 CC DRW 4x4 Lariat (Scarlett)
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  2. #2
    Commercial Member huntr70's Avatar
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    If you ordered it from factory, the toppers were installed by them.

    I don't know if they sell replacement parts, other than the fabric.
    Steve- Inventory Manager at Tom Schaeffer's RV, Shoemakersville, PA www.tomschaeffers.com
    [email protected]
    2011 RAM 3500 SRW Outdoorsman Edition 4X4, 6.7 Cummins--TWEAKED!
    2021 Reflection 310RLS

  3. #3
    Site Team Second Chance's Avatar
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    I've seen all kinds of repairs made to toppers on different rigs. GD will have used a vendor for the factory-installed toppers and, if they can't provide the parts for you, they can tell you where you can get them. If you're not up to doing the work yourself, find a good mobile RV tech:

    http://rvservicereviews.com/

    Rob
    U.S. Army Retired
    2012 F350 DRW CC LB Lariat PS 6.7
    2020 Solitude 310GK-R, MORryde IS, disc brakes,
    Sailun LRG tires, solar, DP windows, W/D
    (Previously in a Reflection 337RLS)
    Full time since 08/2015

  4. #4
    Site Sponsor 2hams's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by acadiaforever View Post
    2018 310-GK with factory toppers:

    In searching the forum, I found lots of threads about "to topper or not," but nothing on repairing damage.

    We clipped a tree this week with the slide topper on the kitchen slide, broke both end caps and drove the topper back a bit less than a foot. There is a small tear at the leading edge of the topper where it fastened to the side wall. The fabric is skewed on the rubber rod that holds the topper in the channel (what I would call a bolt rope on a sail).

    So the question is whether anyone has repaired a damaged topper instead of replacing it? If it makes a difference, this topper was ordered with the trailer--we believe that it was installed at the factory, but I just read a post saying that at least one person's toppers were installed at the dealer on a new trailer.

    Thanks for any pointers,
    -Al
    We feel your pain. We just managed to rip a part of the slide topper on the curb side. I've sent a message to Grand Design to find out replacement numbers for our factory installed topper. Now searching about patching a small hole in awning fabric. We have already trimmed the neighbor's tree limb that was hanging over the street.

    One thing about slide toppers or not -- the damage to our topper prevented scratches on the rig.

    Kay & Dave - Virginia Beach, VA
    Golden Retriever Molly - Been swimming in 28 states
    2019 Solitude 310GK
    2019 GMC Denali CC/LB SRW
    Previous rig: 2014 Reflection 303RLS #314 and 2008 Silverado 2500 D/A

  5. #5
    Site Sponsor SolarPoweredRV's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by acadiaforever View Post
    2018 310-GK with factory toppers:

    In searching the forum, I found lots of threads about "to topper or not," but nothing on repairing damage.

    We clipped a tree this week with the slide topper on the kitchen slide, broke both end caps and drove the topper back a bit less than a foot. There is a small tear at the leading edge of the topper where it fastened to the side wall. The fabric is skewed on the rubber rod that holds the topper in the channel (what I would call a bolt rope on a sail).

    So the question is whether anyone has repaired a damaged topper instead of replacing it? If it makes a difference, this topper was ordered with the trailer--we believe that it was installed at the factory, but I just read a post saying that at least one person's toppers were installed at the dealer on a new trailer.

    Thanks for any pointers,
    -Al
    Repairing versus simply replacing the entire topper depends on which parts can be replaced and/or repaired versus replacing the entire topper. If the topper material and the roller tube haven't been damaged, and the mounting brackets on the coach have not been pulled off the coach, then both arms would be easy ( and less costly) to replace and you are back in business. In my opinion, if more than the mounting arms need to be replaced, then I would suggest a new topper and all new hardware.
    David and Peggy
    2019 Ford F350 Lariat, 6.7L Diesel, Dually, Long Bed
    Running with 20k Reese Goosebox (Love It) and Ford Factory "Puck" system.
    Stopping with 8,000 lb Disc Brakes and Titan Hydraulic over Electric Brakes system.
    Powering all this fun with 1200 Watts of Solar, two Tesla, Model S, battery modules, 24 volt Victron Inverter.
    2018 Solitude 310 GK

  6. #6
    Long Hauler D2Reid's Avatar
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    I keep a roll of awning tape on board. It's clear plastic tape kind of like packaging tape but about 8 times thicker and a little more rubber like. Over time you get little rips on the leading edge of slide toppers. You can put some tape over the little tear to keep it from becoming a big tear. It's clear so not easily spotted. If nothing else it keeps things together long enough for you to get a proper repair done.
    Dallas
    2017 Momentum 376TH, 2019 Ford F450, Dual Rear Wheel, 4x4, diesel.
    2015 Harley-Davidson Street, XG750

  7. #7
    Seasoned Camper acadiaforever's Avatar
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    Sorry for not closing this story out. We were in Quartzsite this winter, so I went to one of the larger dealership / repair shops. They didn't deal with Carefree, but were able to give me the name of a company in Yuma that regularly came to Q to work. The end result is that I was able to reuse the roller bar, but had to replace the end caps and the fabric. All the work was done right where we were parked in the LaPosa LTVA. We also had a body guy come out to repair the gouge we had from the same incident. Can't see it, even though I know where the repair is. I was pleased. We didn't involve GDRV since there was no question about its warranty status... NOT.

    D2Reid, Thanks very much for the pointer to awning tape. On the list for the next Amazon order, when I can figure out where to get things delivered to. Moving almost daily right now.
    Al and Kathe
    House: Bass Harbor, Maine
    Home: Wherever we're parked
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
    Highlighted states are those we have camped in for at least one night in our Solitude.
    2018 Solitude 310GK 110463 (Rhett) / 2018 F350 CC DRW 4x4 Lariat (Scarlett)
    Follow us: http://lobstersontheloose.com

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