slide toppers

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   I am interested in purchasing and installing a slide topper for our 179. The slide is 109"x22" and is a standard size(9'6"). I have looked at Carefree of Colorado, Lippert Solera, Camping World and Etrailer-a lot of different toppers and they all "seem" to be very similar.  It seems like they all have a waterproof fabric, hardware included and come in black or white-prices vary from $299-$460 for the kit. I feel confident that we can install it correctly, I just don't have a good feeling about the differences and long term quality.  
I read a couple of articles that claimed to be rating"the best slide toppers", but I think most of those are from industry magazines with healthy advertising revenues from the various slide topper companies. so are not really objective. However, at least 2 articles noted the Lippert Solera as their editor's choice.
does anyone have any experience with a slide topper? What are your thoughts ?
thanks for any input
Vann

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Pod People Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 22 Sep 2011 Location: Chapel Hill,NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 1088	Topic: slide toppers Posted: 21 May 2020 at 3:19pm
	I am interested in purchasing and installing a slide topper for our 179. The slide is 109"x22" and is a standard size(9'6"). I have looked at Carefree of Colorado, Lippert Solera, Camping World and Etrailer-a lot of different toppers and they all "seem" to be very similar. It seems like they all have a waterproof fabric, hardware included and come in black or white-prices vary from $299-$460 for the kit. I feel confident that we can install it correctly, I just don't have a good feeling about the differences and long term quality. I read a couple of articles that claimed to be rating"the best slide toppers", but I think most of those are from industry magazines with healthy advertising revenues from the various slide topper companies. so are not really objective. However, at least 2 articles noted the Lippert Solera as their editor's choice. does anyone have any experience with a slide topper? What are your thoughts ? thanks for any input Vann
	Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6418	Posted: 21 May 2020 at 3:37pm
	I would be very interested in reading any replies as well.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

crw8sr Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 12 Oct 2017 Location: Omaha Nebraska Online Status: Offline Posts: 328	Posted: 21 May 2020 at 6:21pm
	We have a Lippert Solera on our 190 that I installed. Works great and have no issues with it.
	Chuck & Lyn Izzy, Morkie. RIP Zoe Joy & Gracie, Yorkie 2018 R Pod 190 2019 Traverse In moments of adversity;when life's a total wreck, I think of those worse off than me and really feel like heck.

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 21 May 2020 at 6:25pm
	I have a Lippert on my P0od, EXCELLENT. I bought it from etrailer.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

JR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 31 Aug 2018 Location: Manistee, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 376	Posted: 21 May 2020 at 8:17pm
	I got a Dometic from the dealer I purchased the trailer from and am very satisfied with the unit. I installed it into the drain rail above the slide out on a 179. Had no problems with it. The fabric is 103" long (just as long as the slide out) and it could be a couple of inches longer. But they don't come that way the next size up is about 6" long (if my memory serves me correct). I was unable to install the anti-billowing "stop" do to space restrictions and this has not been a problem. The anti-billowing feature is only to stop the billowing while driving down the road, not while extended with the slide in the "out" position. Again I am satisfied with the product.
	Jay 179/2019

JA-Pod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28 May 2019 Location: Raleigh NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 35	Posted: 29 Oct 2020 at 1:39pm
	Vann, Did you ever decide on what to do re the slide out cover? john
	John & Allison R-Pod 179 (2017) Nissan Frontier SL V6 4.0 (2019)

Pod People Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 22 Sep 2011 Location: Chapel Hill,NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 1088	Posted: 29 Oct 2020 at 5:59pm
	No, have not purchased one yet. Still wishing and trying to rationalize the $$$. We have a canvas topper that came with the pod. It's functional, but a bit of a pain to install and remove. We'll see what happens. Vann
	Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179

happywifehappylife Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 10 Sep 2016 Location: Boring, Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 14	Posted: 30 Oct 2020 at 12:56pm
	We have an early 2017 RP 179 with a Carefree topper that we have used for four years. Installation was my only issue; I'm too old to climb a ladder and handle something that heavy alone. Without help or the desire, I took the Pod and topper to an RV repair shop and had it put on there. It is a fairly simple operation with the equipment they have. I solved the issue of a thin exterior wall by asking for a backing plate on the inside of the sidewall placed at the forward end of the topper (which places it inside one of the cabinets above the dining area). We've had no issues with the operation of the topper and never since had to sweep leaves or other debris off the top of the topper. If $$$ is an issue, there is a cost to hire an RV technician to do the installation, but any one with mechanical skills, two ladders and a little help could do it without the cost of installation at a shop.