just bought an Open Range that came without slide toppers. I traded in a North Shore that had the toppers. In doing so, I noticed that most of the new fivers on the lot did not have toppers.Question: Is there a general movement away from these, or is the manufacturer just trying to save a buck?As a relative newbie, I'm curious what the general consensus is on the presence/absence of toppers. It's nice not to have to clean off slide before decamping, but hosing them off wasn't that big of a deal.What's a ballpark cost to add?Thanks.

the dealer is just ordering trailers without so he can get them cheaper i just installed three toppers on a customers trailer just the toppers were 1,100 with shipping that was for dometic

Haven't had toppers, haven't needed them in 20 years. I say no to toppers.Everytime I sweep off the slideouts it gives me a chance to check the condition of the membrane

Love 'em. We've had them on our 2 5th wheels and wouldn't have one without them. We had them added to our toyhauler when we bought it. They really help keep the heat from building up inside when the sun is shining hard on the top of the slides.

had them on my chieftain. would have ordered them if they weren't standard. they don't put them on new units so they can have a lower selling price, and make a bunch if they add them on.bumpy

the bear II wrote:Haven't had toppers, haven't needed them in 20 years. I say no to toppers.Everytime I sweep off the slideouts it gives me a chance to check the condition of the membraneGuess if you haven't had them in 20 years, it would be hard for you to compare?? I like them, they keep leaves and small twigs off the top of the slide and when it rains, 95% or more of the roof of the slide stay's dry....I'm around a lot of trees in the mountains so they're a plus as far as I'm concerned...I don't have to sweep off the top of my slide, I can look under the topper and see what I need to see.....6 of one, half dozen the other.I'd recommend them..

adding slide out topper | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

C-Bears
Explorer
Nov 10, 2014
We have had two fivers without them. I have heard a lot of folks who have them say that they just love them. Also have heard a bunch say they make tons of noise in the wind.

We try to camp more with open sky around us due to sat signal anyway, so keeping tree debris off my slides is not an issue. If they help with keeping the rig cooler, that would be nice, but I am not sure it would be worth the extra bucks.
rmalik1
Explorer
Nov 10, 2014
personal choice - I do not like them
Allworth
Explorer II
Nov 07, 2014
Our first two fivers had them. The Titanium did not. Between the time we put the deposit down and the day we had our old trailer ready for trade-in, I measured the slides and called Camping World and ordered toppers (with installation which was on sale). Much cheaper than the dealer's price.

We took the trailer from La Mesa to CW without even going by the house.

We wouldn't be without them.
FlatBroke
Explorer II
Nov 07, 2014
Had e'm on the previous two trailers, this one didn't have e'm. Although they were nice keeping debris off when under a tree I sure don't miss e'm flapping in the wind when we use it 3 to 4 months in Arizona. Woundnt spend extra money for them but if they were on there it would be Okay
ReneeG
Explorer
Nov 07, 2014
Some models come with the toppers, ours did. For our last RV, a 32' Komfort TT, the slide did not have a topper, so we added one. It cost us labor and parts about $1500.
waltbennett
Explorer
Nov 07, 2014
They can make more money off of you by your adding them there, rather than from the factory.
Dayle1
Explorer II
Nov 06, 2014
Bumpyroad wrote:
they don't put them on new units so they can have a lower selling price, and make a bunch if they add them on.
bumpy

X2, they are much cheaper if factory installed. If I was buying off dealer inventory, as part of the deal I would have toppers installed, but at factory price, or no deal.
Halmfamily
Explorer
Nov 06, 2014
I had the dealer install three Dometic toppers on our new fiver we picked up two weeks ago, total cost $1500. This is our first unit with them. Our new fiver does not have a rear ladder due to the rear deck and it is hard for me to get on the roof to clean off slides. Worth every penny.
NC_Hauler
Explorer
Nov 06, 2014
the bear II wrote:
Haven't had toppers, haven't needed them in 20 years. I say no to toppers.

Everytime I sweep off the slideouts it gives me a chance to check the condition of the membrane

Guess if you haven't had them in 20 years, it would be hard for you to compare?? I like them, they keep leaves and small twigs off the top of the slide and when it rains, 95% or more of the roof of the slide stay's dry....I'm around a lot of trees in the mountains so they're a plus as far as I'm concerned...

I don't have to sweep off the top of my slide, I can look under the topper and see what I need to see.....6 of one, half dozen the other.

I'd recommend them..
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Nov 06, 2014
had them on my chieftain. would have ordered them if they weren't standard. they don't put them on new units so they can have a lower selling price, and make a bunch if they add them on.
bumpy