It was exciting to get a week of camping. But rain, rain, and more rain! Your slide toppers turned into Kiddie pools. You had to repeatedly bring in the slides to remove the weight of the water off the toppers. But useless, the awning tube is out of shape due to the heavy rain, and you have to repair or replace it.
Have you met the above problem and keep searching to find a solution? Here is the way to help you stop the AWNING FABRIC SAGGING, save your awning and camping life.
We searched the markets and found the following reasons for fabric sagging
1. Less tension
When the slide topper awning lacks tension, the fabric will be loose. The Rainwater pools on the fabric
2. Insufficient slope
The awning is without enough angle will affect water runoff.
3. Bent roller tube
Larger slide topper awning, the fabric will be more likely to sag and bent tube.
Because the pulling force is larger with bigger fabric, the middle tube will bear more force. The tube will be out of shape after several times opening and closing the awning. You may not see it with your eyes, but it did.
How to solve problems?
1. Simple way
Get cheap beach balls or pool floaties from the dollar store and partially inflate them. Shove them between the topper and the roof of your slide to help support them in the rain or snow. Also can stop the fabric flap on windy days. Not too tight, but enough to prevent the sagging. Not a quality fix, but it will help prevent further stretching of the material and help the runoff.
2. Tensioned the fabric.
Most brand slide toppers awning, like Dometic, Carefree, Awnlux, Lippert. The awning can adjust awning tensions as needed. You can read the manual or video to do it.
Please do not add too many turns, maybe 0.5-1 circle, then test your awning.
Because the tube will bear more force with over-tight fabric.
Here is the Awnlux awning maintenance video to show how to replace fabric and retention their awning tension.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqUVELfT9OY
3. Adjust the awning installed slope
It is not a very good suggestion to adjust the awning slope for the RV which is already installed with a slide topper awning. You need to move the current bracket or sail track to a new position; it will leave holes. Please do a good job with waterproofing.
But if wanna to add a new slide topper awning, considering a good slope, a proper slope would probably help for snow and ice too. will protect your awning well.
A proper slope will solve around 60% problem of sagging, but for bigger sizes 12’-16’, there is not enough space for a big slope， which may still cause the sagging problem. So sometimes a stronger roller tube will be a better choice.
4. Stronger tube
For 12’-16’ slide topper awning, the tube is more easily bowed in the middle, even to the point of rubbing against the slide out. More bigger size, more force the tube bears when you operate the slide box.Most slide topper awning brands, like Lippert, Dometic, made the awning tube with around 63mm . "Imagine a 5-meter rope that’s only 6cm thick — the more pressure you apply, the easier it bends. Without extra reinforcement, they tend to sag, shake, or even deform over time."
That’s why Awnlux developed the W5270 series with a reinforced 70mm roller tube. Compared to the traditional 63mm, it offers nearly 20% more rigidity. This means better stability, less sagging, and a longer-lasting awning — even with heavier fabrics and extended spans. It will be a good choice for 12’-16ft slide box.
5. Center cradle
It is a good tool to support the tube when the awning rolls, If the center of the awning tube is closer to the slide wall than at the end of the awning tube, then these parts will solve the sagging issue. It keeps the longer toppers taught.
As I know the Dometic, Lippert, and Awnlux make the Slide Awning Cradle.
If your awning fabric is sagging or the tube is out of shape, the 2nd and 3rd. cannot help. You need to replace a new fabric or awning.
We research the famous brand slide topper awning brand in the markets as below to help you choose a suitable one
Lippert (Solera) : Popular awning brand, major OEM supplier for leading RV brands like Thor and Forest River, if you get RV with the above brand and wanna Lippert awnings. Congratulations, you can replace it directly.
Compared with carefree or Dometic awnings, Solera slide topper awnings are more budget-friendly, and Lippert with a nationwide after-sales service system, easy to find spare parts and repair. The awning is designed with universal brackets and pre-packed kits. No matter you get the I II III which series of awning, you can replace it easily.
They also offered anti-billowing to resist windy noise and a center cradle to protect the roller tube. If needed, you can order from your local store.
But some customer feedback, the Lippert awning fabric is light, and the roller tube is not good for a big-size slide topper. The spring is less tense or sometimes gets stuck, and needs to be adjusted by hand.
Dometic slide toppers are designed with an integrated look with slim profiles and high-quality end caps. It complements the overall RV appearance, especially on luxury rigs.
The frame is made with stronger materials and an improved spring system, which helps to reduce sticking and with good extended performance in windy conditions. But with the good quality, the price is among the most expensive on the market.
Compared to Lippert, the Dometic replacement part cost is higher, repair cost is high. If you have a limited budget, it is not a good choice.
Carefree is one of the oldest and most respected names in the RV awning market. The slide system is well-calibrated, delivering a strong retraction force and smooth operation. The roller tube is more stable, especially on a larger awning. Compared with Dometic, it is more cost-effective. But higher than Lippert and Awnlux. It will support customize, can meet different demands. The installation steps are more complex and the spare cost is higher. Need a professional store to do the repair, the repair cost will be similar to Dometic.
AWNLUX is an emerging brand in the RV awning market， focused on RV series awnings and awning parts. In the slide topper, they offered 4 different series to meet different demands.
1. W5250 common slide topper awning, price is lower. Better spring system, extend awning lift time. They also offer special pre-packed bracket kits to match all brand awning brackets; you don’t need to dig any holes in the slide topper to replace.
2. W5270 upgrade series slide topper awning, compared with 5250, they update with 70mm dia. Tubes. More strong, suggest to 12’-16’ slide box. Add an anti-billowing device as a standard part.
3. 5280 Cassette slide topper awning, protects the whole awning mechanism from sun and rain.
4. W5260. A slide topper awning with solar fabric. Made with a high-efficiency solar cell technology, providing the power for your RV appliances and devices.
Compared with another brand, it is more cost-effective. Support customized and DIY.
But the repair parts need to contact with their web.
If you are not concerned about budget, Dometic and Carefree awnings are an excellent choice for you
For those who are looking for customized solutions, the carefree and Awnlux can help you do it.
If you are worried about after-sales service, Solera works performance with their strong service network.
And if your project involves unique specs or non-standard requirements, Awnlux is highly capable of full customization to support it.
In conclusion:
Sagging slide toppers are a never-ending battle; it is not just an eyesore, it is a warning signal.
Prevention is cheaper than repair. No matter which way you choose, do it right now.
Choose the solution that fits your rig, your budget, and your adventure style.
Good luck with that, especially in rain or adverse conditions.