Topper and Vent Options Offered By Dealer for New Purchase

[surfs-up-today]

I just signed on the dotted line for a new camper.

It has one slide out and the dealer wanted to sell me a "topper" for about $800 installed (or so, if I remember correctly). Also 3 rain covers for the hatches. I think they were $130 each, installed.

I said no the topper as the unit will be closed 60% of the time (or more) and when open, I won't be near trees. I heard they make noise in the wind.

On the rain covers for the hatches, I didn't want the reduced air flow that might occur.

With both these items, I could install them myself if they are really needed. So price aside, are these things important to have? If so, why don't the manufactures install them?

[jplante4]

I guess that's enough on (and off) this topic.

CLOSED

[Ralph_Cramden]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Ralph Cramden wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Chill Ralph!

You like what you have, I like what I have. I have owned BOTH.

Chill? LOL.........I certainly have not lost any sleep over your choice of vent covers.

"then we have one that comes along as usual and bashes a product to promote what he has for some insane reason ."

No doubt you were referring to me. So please explain to everyone what I was "bashing".

What? Huh? Did I miss something?

drsteve wrote:

surfs-up-today wrote:
So why on earth don't these new trailers just come with these two features, rain vent covers and toppers for the slide outs, if everyone likes them so much? They wouldn't cost much if sourced by the mfg and installed on the assembly line, so it shouldn't be the cost. What am I missing?

It makes the MSRP cheaper, and gives the dealer an opportunity to make money by selling accessories and charging lots of labor to install them.

Rockwood / Flagstaff offers bot as options for a rediculously low price. I think two Maxxair fans with covers were like $150.00 and a Dometic topper on our 13' slide was $262.00 installed when built.

[2012Coleman]

SoundGuy wrote:

Which begs the obvious question - WHY? :h Declaring so without providing any explanation as to why you've come to this conclusion is useless to the OP or anyone else reading this thread who may also be considering a slide topper. :R

In the interest of offering suggestions that could actually help the OP he might want to alternately consider a Slide Out Sweep. I've never personally owned or tried one but it seems like a possible solution to having to climb up on a ladder in order to sweep the slide top clear of debris and certainly is less costly than a topper.

Not to burst your bubble - but this product would be great if it were actually available for sale. A little more reading on the website produces this:

website wrote:

Looking for domestic production.
Overseas production fell through. Excitement is still there, with hundreds of responses!
Please email: info@slideoutsweep.com
if you are interested or know source for production.

[drsteve]

surfs-up-today wrote:
So why on earth don't these new trailers just come with these two features, rain vent covers and toppers for the slide outs, if everyone likes them so much? They wouldn't cost much if sourced by the mfg and installed on the assembly line, so it shouldn't be the cost. What am I missing?

It makes the MSRP cheaper, and gives the dealer an opportunity to make money by selling accessories and charging lots of labor to install them.

[cummins2014]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Ralph Cramden wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Chill Ralph!

You like what you have, I like what I have. I have owned BOTH.

Chill? LOL.........I certainly have not lost any sleep over your choice of vent covers.

"then we have one that comes along as usual and bashes a product to promote what he has for some insane reason ."

No doubt you were referring to me. So please explain to everyone what I was "bashing".

Total nonsense on your part, air restriction claims, screw coming loose ,as said bashing a product to promote what you have, for whatever insane reason.

Again the MaxxAir bolts the brackets to the vent frame . Bolt, nut, and LOCK WASHER, no they do not come LOOSE. Claiming they do is bashing a product, or in very least ,not having any idea what are talking about. Actually a lot of both ,bashing, and having no idea.

Did your previous MaxxAir come loose, or did you just grab that one out of the air.

[Cummins12V98]

This is the Maxx cover I am comparing to, no mention of airflow restriction. Maxxair 503.15 (00-933066) White Vent Cover $30.35

They also sell I assume a newer version that claims 5% reduction in air flow. Sounds like someone copied someone. Maxxair 00-955002 Black Fanmate Cover with Ez Clip Hardware $58.92

The FV vent cover I have used in hot climates for 3 years Fan-Tastic Vent U1500BL Ultra Breeze Vent Cover $52.78

Can't claim FV is more expensive now.

Prices from AMAZON

[Cummins12V98]

Ralph Cramden wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Chill Ralph!

You like what you have, I like what I have. I have owned BOTH.

Chill? LOL.........I certainly have not lost any sleep over your choice of vent covers.

"then we have one that comes along as usual and bashes a product to promote what he has for some insane reason ."

No doubt you were referring to me. So please explain to everyone what I was "bashing".

[Ralph_Cramden]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Chill Ralph!

You like what you have, I like what I have. I have owned BOTH.

Chill? LOL.........I certainly have not lost any sleep over your choice of vent covers.

[cummins2014]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Chill Ralph!

You like what you have, I like what I have. I have owned BOTH.

Great response, good for you. At least you didn't continue with misleading , and false information, its a start. :C

[Cummins12V98]

Chill Ralph!

You like what you have, I like what I have. I have owned BOTH.

[cummins2014]

Ralph Cramden wrote:
I would of just used the Maxxair cover with its supplied brackets that do not disturb the sealant. Especially when taking into account all you had to do was pop out the plugs on the vent housing of the Maxxair fan you have, and attach the brackets provided with the cover. Claiming the screws will come loose over time is just BS.

Airflow? I don't think Maxxair makes it a habit of designing vent covers that restrict the air flow of their fans.

The way that bracket is set in sealant sure looks like a Micky Mouse installation and prone to leak at some point IMHO.

MaxxAir is mounted with bolt,nut, and washer ,have no idea where he could have come up with screws coming loose.

Have to agree, anytime you start messing with sealant or removing existing screws you are asking for trouble.

At this point the facts are out there, majority choose the MaxxAir, for good reasons, then we have one that comes along as usual and bashes a product to promote what he has for some insane reason .

At least he knows now how easy it would of been to just pop out the hole plugs and install the MaxxAir, 🙂

[Ralph_Cramden]

I would of just used the Maxxair cover with its supplied brackets that do not disturb the sealant. Especially when taking into account all you had to do was pop out the plugs on the vent housing of the Maxxair fan you have, and attach the brackets provided with the cover. Claiming the screws will come loose over time is just BS.

Airflow? I don't think Maxxair makes it a habit of designing vent covers that restrict the air flow of their fans.

The way that bracket is set in sealant sure looks like a Micky Mouse installation and prone to leak at some point IMHO.

[Cummins12V98]

Where do you get they don’t last as long??? Mine are three years and look great and are in Palm Springs Ca sun 8 months out of the year and the rest in the NW Summer sun.

Oh well I know what I know cuz I have owned both.

[IAMICHABOD]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Hmmmm.

...Specifically what is better by having a materials n Workman ship warranty that’s longer....

This may be one

This may be another

And maybe another

They do seem to fail within the warranty period.......

That is why I went with the Maxx Air for the fan cover, their 6 year Warranty.
All their covers are constructed of high density polyethylene with maximum UV inhibitors,they cost less and last longer than the Fantastic Vent Cover

Unlike the Fantastic Vent covers that only have a 3 year Warranty, they seem to not Last that long.

I have 4 other Maxx Air Covers on my RV that are 7 years old and show no sign of chalking or brittleness,it sits outside here in sunny So Cal.