Why I chose my 2716g

[Mike91]

I really was thinking of going to a High Wall but the 2716g worked out better for me. Since the 2716g w/AC is only about $500 cheaper than a HW276 w/AC or about $800 cheaper than a HW277 w/AC, I'll tell you my reasons.

First and primarily are the height to fit in a garage. The High Walls won't fit in every garage and I truly wanted that as a priority over all else.

Second the High Wall's beds were very very high. My young daughter couldn't get in by herself and I worried if she fell, since they were so high.

The high Walls didn't have a sofa except for that HW296 monster Pop Up, that was so big, I thought I may as well go back to a travel trailer if going with that. The HW277 didn't have a sofa at all, and the HW276 was a little L-shaped bench that could only fit 2. I wanted a real sofa, not a bench seat, like I had in the travel trailer that could fit 3 to 4 people.

They didn't come with a cassette toilet, only a 12 gallon black tank and marine toilet. Years ago the highwalls did come with cassette toilets which was a positive IMO. The reason is I want easy access to dump and clean the tank since I don't camp where there is sewer hookups. The travel Trailers were always getting clogged even when filling to the top and flushing. Emptying all the way was harder to do at a dump station, and definitely hard to do when the camper is closed and there's no access to see if it's all evacuated.

I like having 2 refrigerators. The second outdoor compressor refrigerator has a freezer like the Highwall refrigerators. I get a total of 4.4 Cubit feet of refrigerator space (2.5 CF and 1.9 CF).

I like having a huge dinette and slide out. At 50" X 80", none of the Highwall models have a slide out dinette that large.

I give up the hardwall bathroom which is OK because I get a wall to wall drawn across privacy curtain along with the shower curtain.

I give up an oven which I never used in the travel trailers but once or twice.

I give up the bigger sink which is OK also.

I also give up a 12 gallon grey water tank but it being so small is really useless to me, where I'd have to use my blue tote, portable waste water tank anyhow.

If it weren't for the large 2716g 14' box low wall model, I may have gone with the Highwall 276.

Just thought I give some insight why someone like me would choose a low wall over a highwall when cost is so similar.

[Soft 17]

I decided on a 2716 for similar reasons. We have about 4000 miles and about 25 nights on ours and still love it. Only pain was a replaced roof under warranty.

[michigan_camper]

Good reasoning. You are right, the highwalls are tough to get into a garage. I have the 296 and it barely clears the closer.
I also put a premium on keeping mine in the garage. It really keeps them like new. Plus, I can't park it on the property, I'd have to pay to store it.
I don't use the oven.
I don't mind the high beds, but they are high!
I don't use the bathroom (although I might have if it were a cassette).

[jimmoore13]

First, you have to choose what works best for you.

But...
A solution to the high beds...for those with HW PUPS.

I bought these Rubbermaid steps and cut the back to fit the skimpy step built in. I cut the back so the back rests on the carpeted step built into the camper. Now we have 2 steps, and the top step is higher than the factory step. My wife is 5'0" tall and has no trouble getting into or out of the bed.

They are very sturdy. I'm 6'6" and 250#, and they are rock solid.

I made two. They are very light. They nest together upside down in the shower/toilet for travel, and I store all my toilet stuff in the upside down steps.

[Mike91]

Originally Posted by michigan_camper

Good reasoning. You are right, the highwalls are tough to get into a garage. I have the 296 and it barely clears the closer.
I also put a premium on keeping mine in the garage. It really keeps them like new. Plus, I can't park it on the property, I'd have to pay to store it.
I don't use the oven.
I don't mind the high beds, but they are high!
I don't use the bathroom (although I might have if it were a cassette).

Wow, I can't believe you can even fit it in a garage. That monster Pop Up is only 1' shorter than the Jayco Jay Flight 19BH I had. That's great as that is a very nice floorplan. I guess with the taller refrigerator (to the top of the cabinet), wider kitchen sink, and built in microwave, the 14' box is just to short to fit in a sofa. Your campers extra 2' allows the sofa and more storage. And is just as big as a lot of the hybrid (expandable) travel trailers.

[rfifer]

Just a quick comment on high wall beds. We had an HW277 until recently (moved up to a travel trailer). We had our HW277 for about 2 ½ years and thoroughly enjoyed it, but crawling up into the beds was almost an olympic feat! I made some steps contoured to the small step on the wall of the trailer. It was a 3-step assist that could be moved to either side of the pop-up (or out of the way). I have very little woodworking skills but found it easy to make. And it was a tremendous help in getting up to and out of the beds in that pop-up.

[Mike91]

Originally Posted by rfifer

Just a quick comment on high wall beds. We had an HW277 until recently (moved up to a travel trailer). We had our HW277 for about 2 ½ years and thoroughly enjoyed it, but crawling up into the beds was almost an olympic feat! I made some steps contoured to the small step on the wall of the trailer. It was a 3-step assist that could be moved to either side of the pop-up (or out of the way). I have very little woodworking skills but found it easy to make. And it was a tremendous help in getting up to and out of the beds in that pop-up.

Originally Posted by jimmoore13

First, you have to choose what works best for you.

But...
A solution to the high beds...for those with HW PUPS.

I bought these Rubbermaid steps and cut the back to fit the skimpy step built in. I cut the back so the back rests on the carpeted step built into the camper. Now we have 2 steps, and the top step is higher than the factory step. My wife is 5'0" tall and has no trouble getting into or out of the bed.

They are very sturdy. I'm 6'6" and 250#, and they are rock solid.

I made two. They are very light. They nest together upside down in the shower/toilet for travel, and I store all my toilet stuff in the upside down steps.

Actually, that's a great idea. If Forest River made a bunk wide 2 or 3 step staircase for each bunk, the bunk height would be a mute point. Would cost little and would be a major benefit and make it safer for kids and shorter adults.

The steps could be retractable, pull out when needed and push in when not.

To be fair, even Starcraft High Walls only offered a one step solution which got many complaints on the forums as well.

[Maxwell D Pratt]

I went with a 2014 Rockwood Freedom. Eqpt about like yours except don’t have slide on side. They are loaded from factory. I also added top racks but use th hold the Sloar panels from HF . An extra battery .mine didn’t come with a extra refer. So I added one just put in trick bed. Also a HF 3500 watt inverter gen Set. Also in back of truck.

[Maxwell D Pratt]

( is picture of mine.

[jimmoore13]

One more point on garaging.
Assuming you don't have an HOA breathing down your neck...

We don't have a garage. We have a large storage shed.
So I bought a cover.
To be sure, I don't install the cover between every trip. But for extended parking times...2 weeks or more...I put it on. It does a great job of protecting the camper from UV damage, and it's breathable so it doesn't cause any moisture or mold damage. I think I got it at Camping World on a sale...but I shop Amazon all the time, too, so I can't remember where it came from.
I also use tire covers. The Colorado sun is absolutely brutal, and even more so at our altitude of 8300'.

Again, not arguing with the OP's logic...which is solid. Instead, for those following the thread and deciding what to do about HW "issues", a cover is a great solution for parking outside and/or storage.

[Mike91]

Most homes in our area don't have an area for storage to meet city ordinance so garaging is the only way within city limits. If you can store behind the front face on your home with a visual barrier between properties, then you can store your camper in your yard.

Tent sheds are definitely against city ordinance as well as permanent metal/wood sheds large enough to store a camper.

I once used an expensive breathable camper cover on my camper. With it strapped down tightly, it wore off the paint on the roof from the wind blowing the cover back and forth. Found out that is common and why covers aren't recommended by some makers. There were many complaints on the rv forums of this as well.

Each to there own, what ever works best for you. My campers have always stayed outside in the elements without a cover.

[Mike91]

Originally Posted by Maxwell D Pratt

(Attachment 198217 is picture of mine.

Nice looking camper. What year and model is it?

[Maxwell D Pratt]

It is a 2014 / Rockwood Freedom 2080 LTD with everything you can get with it . Two tanks , heated bunks , AC with heat tape , screen room . Has optional shower and head. Bought second hand . Was just used two times in two years. Is like new.

[Mike91]

Nice, good find!

[Brandon0512]

Originally Posted by Mike91

Wow, I can't believe you can even fit it in a garage. That monster Pop Up is only 1' shorter than the Jayco Jay Flight 19BH I had. That's great as that is a very nice floorplan. I guess with the taller refrigerator (to the top of the cabinet), wider kitchen sink, and built in microwave, the 14' box is just to short to fit in a sofa. Your campers extra 2' allows the sofa and more storage. And is just as big as a lot of the hybrid (expandable) travel trailers.

Thanks Mike for making this post, it certainly makes us think. Since the highwalls come standard with A/C the specs list the height (6,7") with A/C. Since the premier doesn't standard come with A/C the height on spec sheets only list non A/C height. Do you know the measurement of yours with A/C so we can figure out how much clearance we actually save. I wonder if anyone knows the height of a highwall (277/276, not interested in the 296 monster either) minus the A/C as well.

I've heard of people just letting the air out of their tires on the highwall to get the 2 inches they need to clear the door.

Thanks for any replys.

[Mike91]

Originally Posted by Brandon0512

Thanks Mike for making this post, it certainly makes us think. Since the highwalls come standard with A/C the specs list the height (6,7") with A/C. Since the premier doesn't standard come with A/C the height on spec sheets only list non A/C height. Do you know the measurement of yours with A/C so we can figure out how much clearance we actually save. I wonder if anyone knows the height of a highwall (277/276, not interested in the 296 monster either) minus the A/C as well.

I've heard of people just letting the air out of their tires on the highwall to get the 2 inches they need to clear the door.

Thanks for any replys.

No problem but the High Wall models don't come with an air conditioner, it's optional but is installed at the factory. You have an option not to have it, to have a 13.5K BTU unit installed or an option for a 15K BTU to be installed. So the High Wall height is withOUT an air conditioner. The High Wall is 10" taller than a Premier Low Wall camper or 13" higher than a Freedom Low Wall camper.

You can read all the features and options here on page 14.

Without Air Conditioner, the Freedom models are 66" high, Premier models are 69" high, and the High Wall Models are 79". However when you add an air conditioner, the height of the AC won't add since all models now come with a cargo rack, the actual roof height is lower.

I measured my roof height where AC is installed (it's a dome roof) at 59" and the AC is an 14" for a total of 73" or 6'1". The low profile AC is 8.5" tall compared to the standard 14" tall.

If I measured at the tallest point in the roof and not where the AC is installed, it might measure around 61" tall. Then adding that cargo rail height probably brings it around the 69" height that Rockwood specs the Premier campers at.

I'm not sure about the High Walls but they could be around 6" taller with their low profile AC but it depends where on the roof it's mounted so it could be even taller. Best to measure one with the AC installed. I did measure my parents single wide garage door which is on a older home and it still had a 80" clearance which is tall enough for my camper. Not sure if it would be for a high wall with an AC and being to close for comfort IMO.

[smither]

On our HW29SC, we have to let the air out of all 4 tires down to 20 psi to get it into our 16x7 garage door. This is with the garage door lifted clear of the opening. Just clears. Driveway is level going into garage.

[Brandon0512]

Thanks for the response. I know the 296s are supposedly 2 inches taller with the dual axles than their 277/276 counterparts according to Forest river's spec sheets. I read on another forum they measured their roof tip over axle to be around 5 ft 9 inches for a 2015 276HW. It's entirely possible that the A/C does not get any higher than the roof racks if you have the low profile unit, but I agree that confirmation will be likely necessary. I also have the 80 inch garage opening and it would be nice to have options for high-walls since popups arent very abundantly sold in our area.

I am able to clear my door at 6 ft 7 but if that's without A/C Im certainly going to have to determine if the A/C is taller than the racks. Letting air out to gain a few inches is an option if need be but honestly the 2716 may be the better option regardless just for having extra sight lines while driving and backing. Even in my 1500 RAM it doesn't sound like I would even be able to see much more than about 6 inches over roof. I live on a main road which means every time I bring this home I will have to manually turn it around and move it into garage. I couldn't imagine having a camper that is taller than my wife who is my primary helper in all of this.

How does anyone even use the cargo racks easily if they are 6 ft 7. Id have to take a ladder camping just to unload bikes and gear.

[smither]

My camper has the low profile Dometic air conditioner. I am not sure of the exact height of it. I am 5'-7" and I cannot see the top of my camper when I stand next to it. To use a roof rack, you would need a ladder. We already bring a ladder with us anyway to use for the awning (if you had to take it down while camper is up, as in winds picking up, etc.).

[Brandon0512]

Originally Posted by smither

My camper has the low profile Dometic air conditioner. I am not sure of the exact height of it. I am 5'-7" and I cannot see the top of my camper when I stand next to it. To use a roof rack, you would need a ladder. We already bring a ladder with us anyway to use for the awning (if you had to take it down while camper is up, as in winds picking up, etc.).

What model camper do you have, and while you don't know the exact height, do you know if the A/C protrudes above the Roof rack height. Basically, which is taller, the Roof Rack or the A/C?