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Post by rvdanfam on Oct 5, 2020 6:19:35 GMT -5
Aloha! I am looking for advice on the proper slide topper for my Venture Sonic 211VBD. The refrigerator vent location presents a challenge for some toppers so I wanted to find out if anyone has found one that works.
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Jim
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Post by Jim on Oct 5, 2020 11:23:23 GMT -5
Ok I'll give a shot, but I am a bit puzzled why the refer vent would be an issue with a slide topper. Venture put the vent on top of the slide? it is usually on the exterior side wall on the back of the refer. The only pictures I find of the slide does have the black plastic access door for the refer. All this said, if there is a vent on top of the slide, a toppers should sit above it enough with plenty of air flow not to be a problem. Personally, I wouldn't think you will have a problem putting a topper on. Looking forward to your progress on this.
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Post by rvdanfam on Oct 5, 2020 14:52:05 GMT -5
I have had two dealers now tell me that they cannot mount the bracket that goes on the outside of the slide room because the refrigerator vent is where they would mount it on one side. I am wondering if there are other types of slider toppers out there that would mount to the flange or somewhere else on the RV.
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Jim
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Post by Jim on Oct 6, 2020 8:10:17 GMT -5
Wow, I got ya now. Just curious , have you asked Venture about this? It sounds like they might have a design issue on locating that vent. Hopefully they can help you out with a solution. That being said if there isn't a bracket that would just be a bolt on for that, possibly the bracket could be modified and still give you solid mounting and work with the vent. You might research the various RV Forums for others that might have this problem on some other brand(SOB) RV, and have recommendations on a topper brand that works out of the box. I am going to go to our dealer sometime this week to see our newly delivered Sporttrek. While there , I will see if they have your rig or one with the same slide layout and if so, see if they have any idea on doing a topper.
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Jim
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Post by Jim on Oct 16, 2020 23:14:45 GMT -5
When we went to pick up our Sporttrek today, I asked the tech there about the slide topper issue you have. He said it isn't a big deal for them to modify the bracket so that it doesn't interfere with the refer vent, and wondered why other dealers are having a problem helping you. They also trim it out nicely with caulking to seal everything up.
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Jim
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Post by Jim on Nov 28, 2020 13:41:48 GMT -5
We have got Slide toppers ordered for our Sporttrek. My son and I will put them on ourselves, just as we did on his Cougar. plan to follow my dealer's technicians tips on putting them on the Venture though. Also was assured that there will be no warranty issues with Venture either.
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Post by SaltySasquatch on Aug 4, 2021 1:20:06 GMT -5
We have got Slide toppers ordered for our Sporttrek. My son and I will put them on ourselves, just as we did on his Cougar. plan to follow my dealer's technicians tips on putting them on the Venture though. Also was assured that there will be no warranty issues with Venture either. What brand of slide topper did you go with, I will be adding them to my rig next spring |
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Jim
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Post by Jim on Aug 4, 2021 9:57:44 GMT -5
SaltySasquatch,
We put on Lippert Solera slide toppers. We have been very happy with them.
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dlakeman
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Post by dlakeman on Aug 9, 2021 11:37:49 GMT -5
Jim,
Would you post a pic of the bracket when it's installed over the refer vent?
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Jim
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Posts: 210
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Post by Jim on Aug 10, 2021 10:38:27 GMT -5
I can get a pic of the installed bracket and backing location for you but not sure if it will help considering the refer vent location on your rig. I don't have a vent on the slide on my VFK where the slide topper is mounted. What we had to "avoid" was the awning for the Campfire Grill on ours, so it may help with the same situation on your vent. It may be a couple of days before I can get the pic if ok.
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dlakeman
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Post by dlakeman on Aug 10, 2021 10:57:44 GMT -5
The refer top vent on the outside of my Stratus slide is about 2" from the top of the slide. From what I've seen, topper mounting brackets (various vendors) are wider than 2", therefore the problem of how to secure the aft mounting bracket. I was hoping someone had solved the problem and could provide a pic.
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Jim
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Post by Jim on Aug 15, 2021 13:20:25 GMT -5
dlakeman, look at my reply on the "upgrade and modification" topic on martianman's question on a slide topper for his VIK. I added a lot of detail there on what we did to mount the topper brackets to help with the stress on the outside facia trim.
As for the vent and bracket, you may need to cut off a bit of the bracket so it will fit there. I think you could still mount and use the bracket for the slide hopefully.
Still working on getting some detail pics on the reinforcement we did on the facia for you. I got too busy with stuff here at home to get up to the kid's place where "Mini" lives, but promise to get them soon.
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dlakeman
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Post by dlakeman on Aug 15, 2021 15:01:52 GMT -5
Thanks Jim. I'm looking forward to the pics. I've attached a pic of the outside of my slide, and specifically the refrigerator upper vent, and slide facia. As you can see I have one inch of the slide body to attach a bracket. I called Carefree of Colorado (manufacturer of RV awnings). Their Ascent awning looks like it might work. I sent an email last week to one of their tech reps with the pic I've attached to this post. I've yet to hear from the tech rep. Attachments:
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dlakeman
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Post by dlakeman on Aug 15, 2021 15:05:37 GMT -5
The pics in my post are sideways. Up is to the left. The ruler is hanging down from the top of the facia (black "frame" around slide to which the seals are attached).
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Jim
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Post by Jim on Aug 16, 2021 10:09:03 GMT -5
dlakeman,
Yep, not much the to attach to the slide. Looks you would need to use some of the facia surface to attach a bracket. You would have to reinforce the facia like we did on ours. Hopefully Carefree will be able to help guide you.
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