True Topper: An Alternative to Saggy RV Slide Toppers?

We’ve been reading about an interesting product called the True Topper as a replacement for traditional slide toppers. Most RVs with slide-outs either have nothing at all over their slides, or they have fabric slide toppers.

A slide with no topper means dealing with any water and/or debris on top before retracting them. Fabric slide toppers help to prevent water and debris from getting on top of the slide, but they come with their own issues. For example, flapping in the wind, water pooling on top, and various maintenance issues over time.

So, we thought we’d take a look at True Toppers to see exactly what they are, how they work, and how well they work.

What Is a True Topper?

This device is comprised of a single piece of aluminum mounted along the top of the slide-out. It’s fitted at the edge with a material that glides along the top of the slide as it extends and retracts. That sweeps off debris, ice, snow, etc., whenever the slide-out is retracted. It also helps remove water to keep it from leaking into the RV’s interior as the slide closes.

Since it’s a bit difficult to describe how it functions, this short video shows one in action:

Who Makes True Topper?

True Toppers, also known as “Topless Toppers,” are made by Composite Solutions, Inc, which was founded in 2006 as a research and development company for the RV industry.

Composite Solutions, a family-owned business based in Oregon, also developed the one-piece Seamless Slides slide room currently used by Tiffin, which should soon be available throughout the RV industry.

How Is True Topper Different From Other RV Slide-Out Toppers?

They allow you to leave your slide room out even in high-wind conditions, something that’s a challenge with traditional slide toppers that tend to flap in even slight winds.

Not only do flapping slide toppers cause an annoying noise, but, depending on the strength of the wind, they can be torn or otherwise damaged by wind and other weather elements. True Toppers are quiet because there’s no material to flap in the wind.

RV owners are often compelled to retract their slide rooms when it’s windy, losing considerable interior space in their RV as a result.

A True Topper won’t trap debris behind a roof flange and even removes snow, ice, and debris from the slide-out for you, so you don’t have to do it manually. They also have a lower-profile design and won’t fade or tear over time like traditional fabric slide toppers can. In fact, they have a lifetime warranty on all parts.

While traditional awnings tend to sag and collect debris, water, and ice, True Toppers aren’t subject to any of these issues. They essentially squeegee clean the top of the slide room as it retracts.

Can True Toppers Fit Most Types of Slide Outs?

Yes. True Toppers can be retrofitted to most styles of slide rooms, including those with a flange or lip at the top along the edge of the roof.

How Much Do True Toppers Cost?

That’s a tough question to answer specifically because it depends on the size and number of slide-outs on your RV. To learn the cost for your particular rig, you’ll need to measure your slide room(s) from edge to edge (flange tip to flange tip) and contact True Topper directly.

Do Any RV Manufacturers Offer True Toppers?

As we write this blog post, Tiffin offers the True Topper on select motorhomes, including the Zephyr and the Allegro Breeze. They’re also offered as an aftermarket alternative to traditional slide room awnings on many Class A and Class C motorhomes, 5th wheels, and towables.

How Well Does The True Topper Work?

We checked out many of the reviews from True Topper owners, and they’re overwhelmingly positive. For example, users noted being in 30-50 mph winds with their slide rooms out while they experienced no noise (other than the wind itself, of course) and absolutely no issues with their True Toppers.

Most users said that their traditional slide toppers were incredibly noisy in the wind and tended to sag and require replacement after a period of time. Once they’d had their True Toppers installed, they noted being subject to heavy rain storms, often with driving winds, and experiencing no leaks, no noise, no trouble, and great satisfaction.

One user worried that without the traditional slide toppers, the tops of his slides would retain more heat. He still had one traditional slide topper, so he went to the trouble of measuring the surface temp on top of that slide to those with True Toppers. To his surprise, the tops of the slides with True Toppers were much cooler than the old fabric-covered one. From everything we’ve read, users are very happy with this mod.

All this said, we know that not every RVer will choose to upgrade. If you still have fabric slide toppers, they’ll need to be replaced at some point. (Original OEM topper material is pretty cheap and doesn’t last.)

What About Replacing Traditional Slide Topper (Or Awning) Fabric?

If your toppers are in need of replacement, check out our entire library of slide topper & awning replacement videos. You’ll not only get step-by-step instructions on how to DIY the job, but you’ll also get a special discount on the very best replacement fabric out there — Tough Top Awnings.

Our entire rig has Tough Top fabric on every topper, as well as the patio, window, and door awnings. After 20 years on the road full-time, you can trust us when we tell you that it’s the very best fabric you’ll find. Anywhere.

What Do You Think of True Toppers as an Alternative to Traditional Slide Toppers?

If you have True Toppers, we’d love to hear about your experience with them. Even if you have high-quality replacement fabric slide toppers, like we do, we’d be interested in hearing what you think of this new idea. Leave a comment below with your take on it.

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