Yah, short answer for me is, it does make a big difference...
Don't know about the extra weight, but the extra room is nice. I had a friend who had a camper, North Star? or something like that, but no slide. He felt it was too closed in.
He looked at mine and felt that a slide would be best route for him. He got a Toy Hauler instead, but his feedback that 'Yes' definitely a camper w/slide..
I would suggest you look at them both, with and without, and see if you notice a big difference, keeping in mind you tend to get used to either one after awhile... Adapting etc...
For a Solo, might work out fine..
If I were to do it again, I'd do a slide, just one, not the 3 that some campers have, that's a little too big for moi...
Hope that helps..
ps. Only problems I've had with the slide is the rollers on the bottom popped out. Have to keep them lubed/spray, no big deal, but that's about the only prob I've had with it.