How Many Times to Wind Solera Slide Topper for Proper Tension

Updated 05/13/2025 | Published 10/27/2021

Question:

At the end of the slide topper installation, I took the keeper pins out of the ends. I rolled the topper back to relive tension and the left pin came out easily and with no issues. On the right one, however, after rolling the topper back to relive tension, I pulled the pin out with great difficulty. When it came out, the spring unwound and the topper came out of the arm. Did I break something inside? Can this just be rewound and if so how??

asked by: Michael B

Expert Reply:

Put the pin back in and wind it 12-16 times rolling it towards the camper to put the correct tension in the slide topper # LCV000163285 before installing it. This will give you the correct amount of tension for extending and retracting the awning.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Danny

6/5/2024

Do you wind both ends of a solera topper if the tension is off the spring and do you wind both ends the direction towards the camper

Jameson C.

6/5/2024

@Danny The direction you will wind the roller is "towards" from the RV. This way when released it would want to roll the awning up. You would want to wind it with both ends of the roller connected to the awning arms.

Don

7/19/2024

@JamesonC Wind "Towards" from the rv? Can you please clarify? Not sure if i am to wind down or towards the ground or up towards the sky to get it right

Jameson C.

7/19/2024

@Don Towards the RV as in the roller is rolling in the direction of the RV.

5/9/2025

For clarification.... Do I put the pin back in BEFORE re-winding! My Solera lost all tension when the fabric 'weld' failed and let loose all the tension. I have new fabric to install. So, tension totally gone and I need to re-wind. Pin in both sides before rolling towards the camper?