Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Keystone RV Forums > Keystone Tech Forums > Keystone Questions
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 10-25-2013, 06:15 AM   #1
Bob Landry
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Austin, Tx
Posts: 1,910
Slide Toppers

Aside from keeping the top of the slide outs free of debris, which is a non issue with me, has anyone noticed a benefit in keeping the trailer cooler during the summer season. I'm really liking my Outback, but the lack of prep for a second air conditioner has me looking for ways to keep it cooler during the summer and modding is certainly cheaper than a new trailer. Beside, I've spent so much time and effort fixing Keystone, I've really become quite attached to it. I'm going to install solar screens and that will certainly help, but there is a lot of heat transferred from above, especially with the mail living area slide out that houses the sofa and dinette. I'm thinking that anything that keeps direct sun off the roof of the slide outs will help.
__________________
2011 Outback 277RL
2013 F250 XLT Crew Cab 6.2L

Bitter Gun Owner
Bitter Clinger
Armed Infidel
Bob Landry is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2013, 07:39 AM   #2
SAABDOCTOR
Senior Member
 
SAABDOCTOR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: WESTERN,CT
Posts: 2,095
I have them on my unit but I would be lyin if I said they kept the unit cooler in the hot temps. They do keep it cleaner. Any thought about putting in a 2nd a/c through a wall? I have a friend that did it to his. he lives in texas. the a.c is in the bed room it is not too big so when he travels he can remove it and put it on the floor and puts a cover over the hole. just a thought. Now all you would need is time.
__________________
BARNEY AND CHRISTINE
2010 MONTANA 3750FL
2005 DODGE 3500 DUALLY TD
2 RESCUE PUPS: SUSITNA AND CRYSTAL. RIP ALYESKA!
SAABDOCTOR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2013, 09:49 AM   #3
Festus2
Site Team
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Fraser Valley BC Canada
Posts: 7,015
Bob -
One would think that, by having a slide topper, it would help keep the sun's rays off the slide top itself and keep the slide and interior somewhat cooler. I can't seem to find anything in the way of any research or test results that actually show that it does, in fact, actually do this.

Perhaps after having spent the extra $$$ for the slide topper, it is something like the placebo effect and it "just feels a bit cooler" inside.

Not that you are too concerned about rain, our slide topper does help to keep our slide roof and that long, sealed stretch between the RV wall and the slide out much drier and less prone to water penetration. Rain is something we are very familiar with here on the west coast as well as lots of debris, leaves and other "stuff" that falls off trees - we have plenty of those too!

I suspect that having a slide topper would be beneficial when you eventually come to selling your RV -- if you are contemplating doing that in the near future.

Two people can install the topper fairly easily --- they are not that difficult and there is even a You-tube video or two out there illustrating just how easy it can be.
__________________
2008 Cougar 5th Wheel 27RKS
2005 2500 GMC Duramax
Festus2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2013, 06:13 PM   #4
BlindGuyNAR
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 109
So I think it "might" help some, but I'd think additional window tinting or window awings would do more.

You should concentrate in minimizing any heat transfer from outside in and vise versa. Foam blocks for the vents, shades closed, in/out trafic, shady sites, etc. all stuff I'm betting are part of your daily routine and your tired of

Regardless of the unit not being prepped a "quality" shop should be able to add framing for a second AC unit. For elec I've even seen a completely separate power cord ran to hook ups just for AC. Really simplified the install.
__________________
2012 SuperDuty CC KR 6.7
B&W hitch
Load lifters with on board compressor

2013 Mountaineer 346 LBQ

If no one from the future comes to stop you from doing it, how bad of a decision can it really be?
BlindGuyNAR is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates in any way. Keystone RV® is a registered trademark of the Keystone RV Company.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 03:30 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.