Install - Lippert Solera Slider Awning
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11801
Printed Date: 30 Apr 2024 at 8:35pm
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Topic: Install - Lippert Solera Slider Awning
Posted By: mcarter
Subject: Install - Lippert Solera Slider Awning
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2018 at 8:26am
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I purchased a Lippert Solera Slider Awning from etrailer.com and installed yesterday. The install was done on a 2015 178. The slider measured 73" from outside frame to frame. I chose the 6 1/2' awning which at 78" gives you 2 1/2" on each side. The awning was less than $200, free shipping. The larger the slide the more the price, for a 179 is north of $300 because the 179 has a much larger slide. The install took less than 2 hours and DID require help of a second person when putting poly cord in the keder rail. I chose white versus black just because I thought it would be cooler. One caveat - the awning comes with all hardware to include a awning rail (keder). I did NOT use it - I used the existing rail on my Pod. I did have to remove the drain spouts on Pod. I have added a link to the etrailer video on install of same awning on RP-180, good to have because install instructions supplied do not cover install on an existing rail.
Link: https://www.etrailer.com/tv-install-solera-slide-topper-2017-forest-river-forester-lcv000165063.aspx ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Replies:
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2018 at 8:30am
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Here pic after install.
https://postimages.org/">  ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2018 at 9:44am
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Looks good Mike. A great mod. Anything that is dual purpose is a winner, slide top stays clean, and protects from rain/water intrusion..
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Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2018 at 11:56am
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Mike, Does that have the cover over the fabric? Is that an option? ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2018 at 11:57am
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It does not nor have I seen that option. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2018 at 12:07pm
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Lippert calls it the Solera Shield. From their brochure: The built-in Solera Shield is available on replacement slider and patio awning fabrics. It provides elegant and practical protection for your Solera vinyl or acrylic awning canopy. As the awning retracts, the aluminum Solera Shield automatically rolls up around the fabric to protect it against the elements during travel. Be sure to order your Solera Shield to match your hardware. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2018 at 12:37pm
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Saw that. Not offered by etrailer. Did see a video on a DYI cover made from vinyl gutter. The Solera Solar Shield appears to be aluminum and built into fabric. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Awchief
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2018 at 4:05pm
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I got a couple of quotes from local shop to install a topper. They both wanted right at $250 just for the installation. The video makes it look very easy. I am inspired to give it a try. Thanks for the link and inspiration. ------------- Michael |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2018 at 4:08pm
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You can do it. Not that bad, let me know if you have any questions. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Camp town usa
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2021 at 12:55pm
| I see the solera topper 6’6” notes the fabric is 6’1’. Im confused if the models have changed as suggestion for a 178 is the 6’6” unit. I am not able to confirm the slide length but forum posts say it’s 73”. Which size do I get 6’6” or 7’? |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2021 at 6:07pm
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Mine is 6'6" and covers slide. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Camp town usa
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2021 at 6:42pm
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Is the fabric only 6'1"? Amazon is showing that for the 6'6" model. I want to have it extend past the actual slide a few inches on each side. The 7' model says fabric is 6'7" which seems better for the 178.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PXL7S4C?pf_rd_r=PYNKZR2QXHGR8X3FZAV4&pf_rd_p=5ae2c7f8-e0c6-4f35-9071-dc3240e894a8&pd_rd_r=3537bcd5-0ba5-4aac-beed-7c7f4460933a&pd_rd_w=Ko7ui&pd_rd_wg=PdBkT&ref_=pd_gw_unk |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2021 at 1:18pm
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My fabric is about 73". Easiest to measure yours - side to side width, to include side flanges, then add 5" to that measurement. The 5" accounts for the 2 1/2" on each side. Personally I think 7' is too wide. In my first post to this message there is a pic of mine mounted on a 178. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Camp town usa
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2021 at 8:11am
| I see. Part of my problem is RPOD is in storage so i cant confirm measurements. The 6'6'' model has fabric at 6'1'' (73''). This wouldn't allow any overhang on the 178 slide - if slide does in fact measure 73''. |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2021 at 8:37am
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If you can get to it to measure it, you want to confirm that the fabric length is no longer than the space between the two plastic spouts on the ends of the keder rail/rain gutter on the wall above the slide. The actual box of the slide will be narrower than that. The box is also narrower than the slide when measured from edge of flange to edge of flange. Mike Carter wrote that the 73" fabric worked on his 178. I have the 179, so I can't say for the 178 which has a smaller slide than the 179. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2021 at 12:17pm
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Camptown, All I can say is what I used and what it measured. At beginning of post is picture of it installed. 6'6" matches the slide measurement. SH makes an excellent point in that you'll create a different problem if the slide material exceeds the keder rail length. There has been no change to slide measurements on the 178. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Camp town usa
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2021 at 1:51pm
MC, bear with me... your topper (which is 73" wide fabric) covers your slide out and has overhang? So the slide out being covered is likely shorter than 73'? Am I on the right track - it's hard when i cant touch my unit to confirm this stuff. Again, the purpose is the price for the 6.5' model is under 200$, so trying to get it right before I am forced to buy 2 awnings. 
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Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2021 at 3:32pm
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Camptown, I'm with you:). You are on track, the slide is narrower than the slide measurement plus flanges. So the 6'6" is the cover you want. Remember it is not an awning, it is a slide cover. BTW - I recommend you get black not white. Mine is a pain to keep clean. I think you will be satisfied. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |