Slide Out Toppers

I got a loaded Elite Suites and skipped the toppers. Dealer told me they get loose and start flapping over time.

Even my relatively cheap travel trailer came with slide-out toppers. An essential item for the heat of Texas IMHO.

Not all dealers will rip you off. We had toppers installed on three slides and it was less than $1000 for all three. You just found a lousy dealer.

Short answer, MONEY. Dealers will order their stock without toppers. Then if you want them, they will charge you twice as much or more for them than you would pay the factory to install them.

Our Open range did not have them. We called the biggest dealer in our area to see what it would cost for the four slides. $3800. A few months later we had a leak issue and wanted to take it to the factory to get it fixed. When we dropped it off we asked about adding slide toppers while they had it. Cost us $1800.

I installed toppers on our 5er myself and a buddy. They sure help alot, especially bedroom ones.

All of my 5ers had toppers, would not be without them.

A fifth wheel can have pretty much any option that a class A can. I am on my second fiver and both have slide toppers. I don't understand your statement that they don't have them. Fivers can also have auto leveling, washer/dryer, dish washer, powered shades, fireplaces, etc.

It's an option. The trailer can be ordered with them or they can be added later.
There are a number of different "styles" available.

Our first 5th wheel had toppers. Our present one doesn't. In my opinion it's all about keeping the price down.