By Tony Barthel
The RV Slideout Sweep is one of those products for RVs that you knew you needed and wished someone would invent. Fortunately, someone did, and you can tell this was invented by an RVer.
The RV Slideout Sweep is a handle attachment that you put between a broom handle and a broom head (for use with those broom handles and heads you find in hardware stores that are threaded to be twisted together). Effectively this is a big plastic “U” that goes between them so that, when you’re standing on the ground, the broom head is parallel to the ground.
One of the things I always used to try to remind people of is that whatever is outside when your slide room is open, is going to be inside when it’s closed. I’ve seen a lot of slide seal repairs just because folks closed the slide rooms with branches and twigs on the roof of the slide room, which then damaged the seals and turned into nasty leaks.
The solution has been to get a ladder or get up on the roof of the RV and sweep the top of the slide room off before you bring it in. That means you’re either carrying a spare ladder or are going up on the roof of the RV. For people who are averse to ladders, such as yours truly, this is one of the big reasons I wouldn’t buy an RV with a slide room. Period.
This simple u-shaped plastic handle attachment solves that problem. The company reached out to us and sent me one of these things to try out and the first impression is that it is very well made. There was nothing flimsy or cheap about it.
I went out to the garage and got a push broom and put this device between the broom handle and the broom head and it made it possible to reach up to the roof of my travel trailer and sweep it off.
The size of this can reasonably fit into an exterior baggage compartment and I think you’d be fine with a simple broom head and handle that you could use to sweep out the interior of your RV, so you’ve got inside and outside covered.
The company also notes that you can use a broom head or a mop head as well. And, bonus, this is made right here in the good ol’ US of A.
Sometimes someone comes to us with a product and I see it and think “this would be nice” – and then there’s something like this that, if you’re not a roof climber, it’s more of the RV essentials category.
Of course, if you have slide topper awnings or don’t have a slide room the story is different – but for the rest of you, I think this is $26.99 very well spent. You can get one for yourself here.
Bonus hacks
Now here’s a hack for you from your RV Geek. If you have a remote camera like a GoPro, you can attach that to the broom handle as well and use your smartphone to see what’s going on up on the roof of the slide. Again, I’ll go out of my way to avoid ladders. This way you can also be sure you’ve cleaned off said slide roof properly.
Another bonus. You could attach a squeegee head to the RV Slideout Sweep and squeegee the water off the roof of the slide. There usually won’t be much if your RV is properly leveled, but none is better than some.
We have 1 slide for the dinette, the bathroom is just forward of that and and the bedroom forward of that with the escape window not more than 4 1/2’ from the slide out wall. I carry a 4 section 12’ ladder that can make a 6’ step ladder that I place outside the escape window in case we need it. Before I stow the ladder I move it next to the slide and check the slide roof. I also have the indoor broom with me so I can sweep it off if need be. It all works with the equipment I’m all ready carrying so no need to add to my “junk” I normally carry.
I bought a RV Slide Out Sweep before visiting a Canadian Campground. When we got ready to leave all three slide outs were covered with large pine cones that would have been a disaster if I’d tried to retract the slideouts. I used the sweeper and filled a bushel basket with large Pine cones. The sweeper, I’m sure, probably paid for itself on one trip. In the past I’ve used a ladder that was cumbersome to carry, but now it’s a simple sweep.
what are the prices on the box cat system?
Thanks for asking, Phil. A 10’ x 15’ kit is $221 with free shipping. A full price list is at MiceOut.com. Stop needing to worry about mice. Cheers, Tom
Years ago I bought a Mighty Pro handheld blower that has a lot of power. The rubber blower nozzle twists off. So I attached lengths of pvc pipe in a “U” shape to blow air onto the top of my slides, main roof & solar panels. I take off the short side of the “U” piping & have a 90 deg angle that I use to blow out any stuff that gets under the slide covers, including water. Works like a charm. And it all disassembles for easy storage. Tractor Supply, Walmart & Home Depot, all carry it on their websites for around $30-$35. I spent about $5 on the pvc pipe. I use the blower for many other things as well, like blowing leaves off the truck, blowing out the truck bed, cleaning off the campsite pad, etc..
PRO-SERIES 81 MPH 81 CFM Electric Mighty Pro Leaf Blower-806021 – The Home Depot
I use a car dust mop with a purpose-built PVC handle that disassembles for easy storage. Works fine.
Per the website, the purchased price is for the “Arched Section” only. Nothing stated about the broom head shown in the picture of this article. Most broom heads have an ‘angled’ connection point, where did you find broom head depicted in this article?
Painters handle that extends. I use it to wash my trailer.
I wish I had thought of this – I have one but never tried it yet. Looks like a great idea.
To inspect the top of my slides, I put my iPhone on a selfie stick, and use the camera function on my Apple Watch to see if all is clear.
For anyone who doesn’t want to add $30 and storage to a simple job, tie a towel into the middle of a cord “bowtie” style and draw it back and forth from the ground. Leaves and water instantly safely removed…
Good idea Wolfe. And I already carry all that I need !
Although capitalism is somewhat defeated .
Thank you
Was unable to order from their site, disappointing.
Hi, Kathy. Did you click on “Shop” at the bottom of their website? If you did and it didn’t work, there must be a problem with their website and we’ll let them know. Sorry you’re having trouble with it. Take care. 🙂 —Diane at RVtravel.com
Touch the shopping cart and under that you’ll see continue shopping. Had to really search for it but it’s there
I wouldn’t own a RV without slideouts, period. My slider topper rolls up and nothing will stay on the topper, because it rolls everything off. No need for me to carry one of these tools. I can see where one would use, if they do not have a slider topper.
I guess it might help if leaves and small branches blow in between the topper and slide?
With the arch as high as it is, it might not fit between the roof of the slide and the topper. It might work at each end of the slide.