slide topper replacement ACE 30.1 2016

[neilfullagar]

slide topper replacement ACE 30.1 2016

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Anybody have experience with replacing the slide toppers? Our are from Carefree, but are unlike those I see - anywhere.

It is past time to replace our bedroom slide topper. The fabric is disintegrating. Duct tape helped for a while...) I assume that the livingroom slide topper must be about due as well. I watched several YouTube videos and it seemed DIY doable. So I ordered replacement fabric from Tough Tops. Looks great.

First issue: I've now watched six different how-to videos. All of them say to turn the roller unwrapping all the fabric until the channel (that the fabric edge slides into) is at the top (except one that says bottom) and then put cotter pn or screwdriver or awl through the hole to keep the spring from rewinding. On mine the is no hole to stick anything through. (The sixth video actually says, after saying stick it through the hole, that tehirs didn't have a hole so the drilled their own. I don't think I'm confident enough about what I would be drilling through to do that.)

One video gives an alternate method, removing the roller and letting the topper hang down the side, then sliding the roller off the fabric. Although that will be more complicated and more effort, I'd do it except that the topper won't hang down very far. It will mean manuvering the 7 foot long roller over my head while sliding it off, or having more than two people up ladders to slide it off. I think that method works better for toppers for slides that go out more than 18"!

Second issue: All the videos say to slide the old fabric out and new fabric in, and show the end of the channel in the roller being clear of the endcap/bracket but it is not on mine. There is less than an inch clearance from the end of the channel to the endcap. I have ordered a small rachet driver with short heads that I hope will allow me to remove the screw in the end of the channel. (See note on further complication below.) Even if I get the screw out, I'm concerned about etting the new fabric around the bend and into the channel.

Third (lesser) issue: All of the videos refer to and/or show the screws (locking the fabric in place in the channel on the side of the coach, and closing off the end of the channel in the rioller) as either being a Phillips head or taking a hex key. Mine need a square drive.

I have only tried the bedroom lide topper but it certainly appears that all the same issues will apply to the livingroom slide topper - and be harder to surmount.

[hermanmullins]

Neil,

Your explanations are a bit fuzzy. Could you tell us what coach, year make and model with some pictures of your slide and awning. With that we can offer better suggestions. 

Herman 

[kaypsmith]

I have replaced several of the toppers and awnings as well. First of all, the easiest way is the first that you described. Most of the end caps are not aligned so it will need drilling and then using a file, making a slot that is perfectly in line with the fabric channel in the roller. You will need to secure the spring end with a pin of some kind, do not let that spring unwind and try to hold it by hand. Now if yours does not have the hole, a good pair of vise grip pliers clamped around the shaft and secured in some fashion can be used to suffice for the pin. If you are not confident in drilling the end cap as described above, then you will need to find someone that is handy enough to do this job.