22 MLE slide out cover

[Terry and Debbie]

We have a 2024 imagine XLS 22 MLE
The dealer said the slide out awning would not fit
Has anyone put one on this model?

 

[retired_engineer]

Do you mean a slide topper or an actual awning? We have a slide topper that our dealer installed on our 2023 22MLE.

 

[Terry and Debbie]

Yes topper
Are they the same as 2024 ?
I would think the dealer would have wanted the 700$ he originally quoted me
Then he said they don’t fit

 

[Ynot4me2]

We had a Dometic slide toper installed last year on our 2020 22mle. I don't think much has changed on 22mle that would prevent a toper installation. My only regret is not having it installed earlier.

 

[Riverbug]

That doesn't seem right to me. My 2022 22MLE had a slide topper, and our 2023 23LDE with similar slide has one. Both were dealer installed. Looking at the pictures of a 2024 vs 2022, they appear to have similar distance above the slide out.

Maybe check with a different installer. There only needs to be enough room for a rail to be mounted under the gutter with enough tilt that the water will run off the topper. Mine is covered right now otherwise I would measure the distance between the bottom of the gutter to the top of the slide so you could compare. But maybe you could ask the dealership to compare for you? They sure look the same to me in pictures. Also, maybe ask specifically what the problem is?

 

[retired_engineer]

Yes topper
Are they the same as 2024 ?
I would think the dealer would have wanted the 700$ he originally quoted me
Then he said they don’t fit

I don't believe there is any difference in the slide size between our 2023 and a 2024. We have a 12 ft Solera topper which has a fabric width of 11 ft 7 in wide. Your quote sounds in the ballpark of what we paid to have the dealer install the topper.

I could only get a quick measurement due to weather and slide being closed. Our slide edge to edge of the outside trim is a little under 11 ft. 6 in. The material on the topper extends about a 1/2 in. past the trim edge. Without being able to measure this turns into 3 or 4 inches past the slide side walls.

One thing we've noticed is due to the length the fabric can sag some when we get heavy rains. This happens even after increasing the spring tension. To resolve this I have built a PVC support that I put between the slide roof and topper. Since then water runs off as expected.

 

[Terry and Debbie]

Thank you guys so much. I’ll be at the dealer Friday getting my hitch inspected
I ask him then. Maybe the salesman was referring to the water buildup from rain. I talked to one camper and he put a pool float under his to get the pitch he needed
I really appreciate you going out in the weather to assist
I’ll update in a few weeks when we return. Going to Panama City

 

[JPS350]

There are plenty of people who have toppers on their 22mle. There are plenty of dealers that have no issues selling and installing them.

When we got ours (2nd hand) I called Grand Design to ask if there were any issues putting one on. They recommended against it. I was told that when they make a trailer that they would expect to have a topper added, they install support (basically a nailer) in the wall where the topper would attach. The 22mle does not have the extra support. I never did install a topper, and honestly don't miss what I don't have. You may want to call Grand Design and ask the same question for your year. Ours is a '21.

 

[Terry and Debbie]

Will do
Although the service manager today said no problem
But I will call GD and let him know
I did order the part though
Thanks