Wind Noise Issues with Driver-Side Slide Out Toppers

[Marcie.campbell56]

Has anyone had a problem of excessive noise when the wind is blowing with their slide out topper on the drivers side?

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Not on our Momentum.

 

[Second Chance]

It's not uncommon. There are a number of different remedies - from beach balls between the slide roof and the topper to a rope loosely "wrapped" around the slide front-to-back (the method we used to use when someplace long-term). There are quite a few threads on the forum on this topic.

Rob

 

[TNFLineage]

Same problem here. It's distracting, very loud and irritating. The Lineage is back in Elkhart for a different issue but we told them to fix this.
The office called and said they couldn't replicate the noise. We asked that they take the unit outside on a windy day. Extend the slide and sit there for awhile. It won't take long before the noise hits. No word on if they did.
We pick it up next week, will report back.

 

[Second Chance]

Same problem here. It's distracting, very loud and irritating. The Lineage is back in Elkhart for a different issue but we told them to fix this.
The office called and said they couldn't replicate the noise. We asked that they take the unit outside on a windy day. Extend the slide and sit there for awhile. It won't take long before the noise hits. No word on if they did.
We pick it up next week, will report back.

It's not something Grand Design can "fix." It's part and parcel of having slide toppers.

Rob

 

[Marcie.campbell56]

I had toppers on 3of my slide outs on my Sunseeker and never had a problem with noise and was in plenty of hard winds with it over the years

 

[Weebeenew]

I think it's a perfect storm of wind speed. And position of rv. I've only had it happen once. We were at the Herkimer mines in NY. It got so bad. I brought the slide in.

 

[TNFLineage]

We picked up our Lineage yesterday and talked about this issue at length. Basically, nothing got done. I disagree with Second Chance Rob above. If slide toppers make this noise industry wide nobody would have them.
Personally, I believe that the problem is the length and weight of this slide. It sags in the middle due to length and weight. This moves and vibrates with any wind. I stand outside and support it in the middle with a broom handle and the noise stops.
This was all mentioned to GD's service techs. They were up on ladders looking at it, but nothing was decided. They apologized and said to stay in touch if it continues in the future. Our next outing isn't until March, 2026. That's all I can offer at this time. If anyone finds something definitive please share.

 

[ajg617]

We got used to it and noise was minimal - they also sag when it rains and I learned to stand inside the door when pulling the slides in after rain. What I didn't like is the long slide topper roller tube over the kitchen bowing in the middle when the slide out was retracted and the cord pulled out of the channel about a foot in the front of it - repaired and it still works. Worse for me is the oven/microwave vent flapper that has no lock on it - metal on metal.

 

[traveldawg]

We had them on our last RV. We intentionally did not get them on our current rig. Too much noise in the wind which never seems to end in the SW states. So much noise some nights that we would have to pull the bedroom slides in just to get to sleep); too much water retention; in general just another maintenance item with more down sides than upsides.

The only positive I could say is that they keep the sun off the slide outs so maybe less air conditioning is needed. Maybe. Not that we can tell.

So, for us, they are a no go.

 

[Summit1]

Has anyone had a problem of excessive noise when the wind is blowing with their slide out topper on the drivers side?

Possibly, but not I.

The issue, which may or may not be a problem, could be caused or exacerbated by several things, including sufficiently strong wind, position of the RV relative to wind direction, and adjustment (tightness/tension) of the slide topper.