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Slide topper support


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2007 Safari Cheetah 42SFD

Has anyone seen a slide topper support like the one in the image attached.  This is on a 25 full wall slide.  This beast has a center support running the length of the slide.  The center support has 4 folding sections to support it.  Each folding support is attached to the slide, the center support and the side of the rig.  The folding supports consist of two tubes that slide together and then fold against the center support and the coach as the slide closes  Two of the folding supports have been coming apart when opening. The slide will not fully close when these supports are not closed properly.  The shadows you see in the attached image is where I have cut the awning to access the supports then applied mending tape.  I have applied silicone spray to the side supports and the hinge points on the center support and the rig.

Any suggestions?

What about just removing the support

 

7AECB0C8-5C19-4B31-846A-D01C9A2A496D_1_102_o.thumb.jpeg.3eb9bd8416016ad8c9b7a974ae3de458.jpeg

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1 hour ago, bobbylinn52 said:

2007 Safari Cheetah 42SFD

Has anyone seen a slide topper support like the one in the image attached.  This is on a 25 full wall slide.  This beast has a center support running the length of the slide.  The center support has 4 folding sections to support it.  Each folding support is attached to the slide, the center support and the side of the rig.  The folding supports consist of two tubes that slide together and then fold against the center support and the coach as the slide closes  Two of the folding supports have been coming apart when opening. The slide will not fully close when these supports are not closed properly.  The shadows you see in the attached image is where I have cut the awning to access the supports then applied mending tape.  I have applied silicone spray to the side supports and the hinge points on the center support and the rig.

Any suggestions?

What about just removing the support

 

7AECB0C8-5C19-4B31-846A-D01C9A2A496D_1_102_o.thumb.jpeg.3eb9bd8416016ad8c9b7a974ae3de458.jpeg

My 25 foot slide is the same arrangement. I was told although Monaco and others stopped using this kind of support, that the topper will and does sag quite a bit if the support is removed. My only suggestion would be to remove the topper, which is not that difficult if you do it by removing the outside roller tube and laying it on the roof (search slideout / topper spring replacement fit the details,  or PM me).  At that point, you should have access to the mechanism for the support and you can repair it, whether by rivets or bolts or whatever the connectivity is for all the moving parts.  Chris  @throgmartin may have industry contacts in or around Missouri that could repair it, if you are not game to attempt the repair.  It may be a beast, not sure.

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22 minutes ago, Steve P said:

My 25 foot slide is the same arrangement. I was told although Monaco and others stopped using this kind of support, that the topper will and does sag quite a bit if the support is removed. My only suggestion would be to remove the topper, which is not that difficult if you do it by removing the outside roller tube and laying it on the roof (search slideout / topper spring replacement fit the details,  or PM me).  At that point, you should have access to the mechanism for the support and you can repair it, whether by rivets or bolts or whatever the connectivity is for all the moving parts.  Chris  @throgmartin may have industry contacts in or around Missouri that could repair it, if you are not game to attempt the repair.  It may be a beast, not sure.

Steve, Thanks for the input.  I do not see anything that is broken or loose.  The part that keeps coming loose is a slip fit of two tubes nested, one in the other.  From watching the operation over many open an close cycles it appears the parts are not moving freely so then one side hangs up a little causing the opposing side to over extend and separate.  I really hated cutting the Stonevos fabric but it was that or do as you suggested, lay the roller tube on the roof and then spray silicone everywhere.  I have seen other Safari/Monaco units with the full wall slide but none had this support system and some did not have a topper.  Thanks again for the input and suggestions.

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Removing the roller is not that difficult but definitely a 2 person job. You do not need many tools ( hex keys, and a tool to push the topper cover pins in to release the cover) and ladders unless you are doing the work from the top of the coach. 

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Linn:

That assembly is called a summit. It was a great idea by Carefree but they failed at the concept by using cheap hardware.

If it breaks or fails, you can remove it. Parts for the Summit have been long gone for years. If there is a way to repair that slip jpoimt I would do it before junking that portion of the assembly.

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2 hours ago, throgmartin said:

If there is a way to repair that slip jpoimt I would do it before junking that portion of the assembly.

Cut a slot in the sliding pieces with a bolt through it so it can't slide out too far?

- bob

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I would try Boeshield T 9 as a cleaning agent, and lubricant. NOT silicone. It attracts, & retains dirt, etc.

IF I had this issue, I would contact Girard and find out if they make a Slide out Topper this length.  I have seen their Topper on a Signature Noble III full wall slide, but I don't know the length of it. It would resolve your problem, Expensive but , like anything it's all about maintenance.

You may want to consider contacting https://www.truetopperusa.com/  and have a chat with them. 

They did a lot of R & D developing their product and may have some insight. Good luck. 

IF you do, please update your post so we all can benefit. 

T y.

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Thanks to everyone for all of the input.  Each time the slide is opened two of the four sliding arms will separate. I cannot find anything broken or out of place.   I will be removing the Summit topper support in the near future.  I am not going to battle it any longer.

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Paul,  I had been in contact with True Topper in Oregon and then an installer in MS.  I have two issues with this, cost is around $4,000 and once you go down this path there is no return once the upper flange on the slide out is cut off.  Once there are  more installs and positive feedback I will consider this again.

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Linn

Look at a 2007 Monaco Signature Noble III. They have a full wall slide with a Girard slide out topper. 

Totally different design and function. The topper cloth casing is mounted on the coach side wall. The traveling edge is mounted on the top, face of the slide room,  which causes a natural angle that water, etc. run down, off. As the topper is retracted a broom , mounted in the edge of the topper cover, sweeps any and all debris off. I had these on our coach , 10 years full timing and they are terrific. Some ppl will complain of the cost, but they work. 

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On 10/28/2024 at 9:05 PM, bobbylinn52 said:

Thanks to everyone for all of the input.  Each time the slide is opened two of the four sliding arms will separate. I cannot find anything broken or out of place.   I will be removing the Summit topper support in the near future.  I am not going to battle it any longer.

OK,  I have had more time to think on this and to discuss this further with Chris Throgmartin I am going to try and salvage this support.  I will keep this post updated.  This may take a while as I have winterized and parked the rig in the storage shed which is not tall enough to work on top.

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • Solution

I removed the slide topper today and the Summit support system.  After getting everything off the slide and inspecting it better I think the issue is 3 missing screws in the side attachments.  The first image below shows a side support that did not separate with the screw in place.  The second image shows a side support that kept separating missing the screw.  I thought the side supports had to move in and out for the Summit to fold correctly when retraction the slide room.  I don't think that belief was correct.  The attachment point for the side support arms on the center rail slides allowing the system to fold when moving in and to unfold when moving out. Chris @throgmartin , since you are one of the few who has seen this system, is my assessment correct.  Also, Chris what do you recommend to lubricate the moving parts on the assembly?IMG_2356.thumb.jpeg.873a5fca97984a19803a9c332b0b3561.jpegIMG_2357.thumb.jpeg.460650cb2552be67d2e9309285afa3a1.jpeg

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Well, I didn't have any broken parts till I put the Summit support system back on the coach.  After I installed the Summit system I had my wife run the slide in and at the last inch POP!  I am guessing something was not aligned properly, but don't know. I went ahead with the install leaving the broken piece and the support arm associated with it off.  It still seems to support the topper fabric fine.  I guess time will tell. 

IMG_2364.jpeg

IMG_2363.jpeg

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