Do you meet any problem, like the slide topper stuck when you close, or leaking on a rainy day, the topper roof mildew, dirty with dust, or bird droppings? If yes, you will know how important an awning is to a slide topper. Here are some main types of Slide toppers awnings in the Market:
TYPE 1 Spring-Roll back slide topper Awning. It is the most popular type in the RV market, the awning will installed on the top of the slide box, and extend and close along with the box. simple structure, easy to install and operate. But cannot resist strong wind, suggest closing on windy and heavy rain days.
Suggest brand： Lippert, Dometic, Carefree, Awnlux The above 4 brands are famous on the market with different advantages. Here is the blog to tell the advantages and suggest how to choose a suitable one.
TYPE 2 Spring-Roll back with aluminum Weather shield Ideal for sun-drenched regions like California, Arizona, and Texas, protect the awning fabric when the slide topper is closed or during long-term storage. The structure is the same as the spring roll back, but looks more beautiful and has a longer lifespan. But more cost and complex installation. Suggest installing with a person.
Suggest brand： Dometic, Carefree
TYPE 3 Full Cassette slide box awning. Protect the awning fabric and mechanism completely with durable aluminum cassette, ensuring the awning with long lifetime. Cost is higher, but compared with above two types, you can save more cost on fabric replacement or whole awning replace. The RV will look better when the slide box is closed.
Suggest brand：Dometic, Carefree, Awnlux
(Awnlux designs the cassette awning with modular type, size 5’6” -16’, saving more cost on transport. With that brand awning, you can enjoy similar cost as the spring roll back awning, but more durable.
TYPE 4 Topper awning without fabric and roller Maybe we cannot call it an awning. It was a system installed on the RV body, so clean that you can’t tell the RV has a slide-out unless you look at it carefully. It can clean up the dust, twigs, and leaves when the retracted slide box. Without the fabric, you will never hear the flap noise and the tuck spring.
But compare the roller awnings, they cannot resist the sun to keep the slide box cool and reduce noise. Cost is higher, some high-end RVs with this type of topper awning
The camping life has a long history in the American market, along with rising demand from customers. In order to create better outdoor experiences, most RV manufacturers add slide-topper awnings as a standard part.
But some RVs still do not match slide topper awning or only come with awning brackets. Added the damaged, stuck, dirty awning. The Slide topper awning market demand continues to grow.
Some customers ask us what is the annual quantity demand for slide awnings. I tried to search but didn’t get professional data. So I tried to analyze the RV Types with the slide box.
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RV TYPE |
Slide topper |
Market share (according to RV Industry Association（RVIA） |
Picture |
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Class A |
2-4 slide topper |
Around 10% (1-1.2 million) |
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Class C |
1-2 slide topper |
Around 10% (1-1.2 million) |
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Travel Trailers |
Some types with slide out |
Around 40% (4-4.8 million) |
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Fifth-Wheel Trailers |
2-4 slide topper, even more |
Around 15% (1.5-1.8 million) |
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Based on the assumption that 60% of RVs with slide outs, so (1.1M + 1.1M + 4.5M + 1.65M) × 60% ≈
5.2M slide topper awnings
Second
markets (after-service market) let us assume that slide topper awning lifetime is 5-8 years, the annual replacement rate is approximately 12-20% ( considering the weather, damage, and fabric dirt)If all RVs with one slide topper, the annual replacement quantity is 5,200,000 × 15% = 780,000 pieces per year
Demand for newly manufactured RVs. In 2024, newly built vehicles are 334000, assuming that 40% of RVs have with slide-out 334,000 × 40% = 133,600
- Each RV need 1.5 piece Slide-Out → 133,600 × 1.5 = around 200,000 pieces / year
We can conclude that the Slide Topper Awning annual demand
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Market |
Quantity |
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After service markets |
~780000 |
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Newly built RV |
~200000 |
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Total quantity |
≈ is about 980,000 pieces/ year |
The information we mentioned is sourced from the internet, and the actual content depends on the actual market demand.
Awnlux may be a newer name in the e-commerce space, but we've been deeply involved in the RV awning industry for more than 15 years. In 2022, we expanded our business to online platforms like Amazon, eBay, and our own web store. By 2024, we had sold over 20,000 slide toppers online—earning strong ratings and great feedback from customers.
From what our customers have told us, there are a few common reasons why people decide to replace or upgrade their slide topper awnings.
In this large and growing market, since 2010, we sold thousands of slide topper awnings in US market, our products have steadily gained traction. Among our slide topper awnings, the 5250C series is our best seller—praised by customers for its performance and value.
Our customer base spans every region of the U.S., and we’ve learned a lot from the real experiences and feedback they’ve shared with us.According to Awnlux customer feedback, there are some main reasons to order a new slide awning.
In this vast slide topper awning market, Awnlux sells tens of thousands of units to the U.S. every year. Since we began exporting to the U.S. in 2010, our products have steadily gained popularity. Among them, the 5250C series has been our best-selling slide topper awning, consistently receiving high praise from customers. Our customers span across all regions of the United States, and we've received valuable feedback from many real users. Below are some genuine reviews from our customers, which have provided us with great insights and inspiration. You may discover more in this link https://awnluxpro.com/products/awnlux-black-modular-slide-topper-awning-slide-out-protection-for-rvs-travel-trailers-5th-wheels-and-motorhomes.
Here are real feedback from our customers:
LOVE OUR AWNLUX AWNING
“It’s a wonderful thing to actually receive a great quality item at a good price!
I received my 12.5’ black awning 2days earlier than expected, and was able to follow the simple instructions and install it by my self it about 2hours. Was surprised at how beautiful it turned out!
Thank you AWNLUX, I am a very happy camper camper😎”
John & Sheila
Good overall
“The materials all seem very good. Having the fabric folded twice (different directions) left serious kinks/creases in the fabric. I had to open the fabric up in a very warm shop and use flat pieces of wood with weights to "iron" them out. The finished product is great! The instructions were a B-/C+.”
Eeeeeezzzzz to assemble.
“Open the awning and it was pretty much identical of the one I had. I was near a tornado and it ripped my slider topper off. The one I got from you was the perfect size and fit perfectly back for the other one was. I do recommend to use another person to help though. I did put it up by myself.”
Great Value!
“Very solid construction. Installation was quite easy if you are a do it yourself person and have some common tools. I found using a small drill bit to pre-drill starter holes made installing the brackets much easier and quicker. Then the self-drilling screws will not be likely to skid around on the slippery wall surfaces when trying to start them. Putting some soapy water on the vinyl retainer splines made them slide in MUCH easier. If you do that, be SURE to use the furnished screws to fix the spline in place otherwise it may just slide back out! Once released, the spring tension seems just right, no flapping problems driving down the road! These toppers will not disappoint!”
Great quality
“Super happy with our slide toppers. Really impressed with the quality, from everything to the thick vinyl down to the screws. Was worried and felt like we were taking a risk on a cheap product but it’s not. Just a really good deal.
Fairly straightforward to install, just took time. We had never done an installation like this before so we had a lot of trouble threading the polycord through the fabric on our 13’ awning but then decided to whittle the end to a cone and it was so easy after that. But the directions and video were easy to follow and we didn’t ever get confused.”
After reviewing our customers' genuine feedback, our top concern is: what challenges do customers face when purchasing a slide topper awning? This has always been the key issue we are committed to solving. We've summarized some of the most common questions from our customers, and we hope these insights can offer helpful guidance to you as you're reading this.
4. Top 10 Most Common User Questions
1. Is a Slide Topper really necessary?
Yes! It helps keep water and debris off your Slide-Out, reducing the need for repairs.
2. Is your slide topper awning becoming loose or not retracting properly after a few years of use?
This is mainly due to reduced spring tension or aging and deformation of the fabric. It's considered a consumable item and typically wears out over 5–7 years. Timely replacement is recommended.
Suggest brands: Dometic, Solera, Awnlux
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Awnlux W5250 Series |
Dometic |
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Manual |
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& DIY |
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3. Can I install it myself?
If you're handy, DIY is possible. Otherwise, professional installation is recommended.
4. Can I just replace the fabric?
Yes, replacement fabric kits are widely available.
5. What types of RVs can it be installed on?
You can install it on Campers, Motorhome, Travel Trailers, etc.
6. Why won't it retract after a few years?
This is usually due to spring fatigue or fabric deformation, normal wear and tear. Replacement is recommended every 5–7 years.
7. How do I choose the right size?
Measure the length of the slide out box from the left flange to the right flange and match it with the manufacturer’s sizing chart.The key pint is that you need to make sure the actual fabric size of the awning can fully cover your slide out box size.
Here is Awnlux size guide for your reference. https://awnluxpro.com/blogs/news/the-ultimate-guide-to-rv-slide-topper-awnings-everything-you-need-to-know
8. What if the fabric is dirty or torn?
Replace the fabric or the entire unit. Regular cleaning and maintenance can extend its life. We recommend maintenance at least twice a month
9. What causes loud flapping noises?
It could be due to low tension, poor installation, or wind conditions.
10. Fabric cracking/aging
Replace the fabric or upgrade to a better material (e.g., blackout PVC). Or Accident damage: File an insurance claim or replace the full unit
Challenges and Opportunities
Opportunities:
A vast number of RVs on the road ensures steady demand in the replacement market. Standardized parts simplify logistics and distribution. More and more consumers are willing to spend on enhancing comfort and visual appeal.
Challenges:
Installation may require moderate technical know-how. High-end models come with greater costs and more involved after-sales support. Compatibility issues can arise between different brands and vehicle models. If you're in the RV accessories industry, operate a repair service, or manage a cross-border e-commerce store—this is a product with close to a million units in yearly demand. Isn’t it time you tapped into this growing market?