Quote:
Originally Posted by mofa
We have been thinking about this coach but with a booth.
Can I ask you what issues if any you have had? How does it drive? Many rattles? Is the kitchen design workable for prepping food.
What don't you like? How is the quality of the coach?
Kind regards
Stu
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Hi Stu!
We really love our Berk! Like any other new coach, however, there will be build issues. We are fortunate in that most of the ones we have had are minor & easily fixed.
We had decided on the dining table rather than a booth because Anne-Marie wanted the L-shaped couch (which is awesome BTW!). Our plans for the dining table are to remove it and build out the credenza into a workspace that will house Anne-Marie's sewing machine and our laptop computer, printer, and ScanSnap scanner. This will involve removing the cherry wood fascia and building out with plywood then rehanging the fascia to match the rest of the cabinetry in the coach.
Drivability: When we picked it up from the dealer we did not notice any issues with drivability. However, on the open road we were constantly correcting the track. We complained of this at our 6 month service and lo and behold we were severely out of alignment. We were told by Freightliner that this was due to the factory not checking the alignment prior to delivering the unit to the dealer. So, when you get yours, make sure that getting an alignment (and checking for the correct air ride levels) are part of your PDI. The dealer will most likely have to take the coach to a Freightliner facility to have this checked.
Driving down the road is smooth as can be! We got a tip from another Berkshire owner to put out and bring in the slides while on the airbags. Since we have been doing this, it is even a quieter ride with no rattles, or excessive slide out noise.
The Kitchen design is fine; I would not want to prepare a Thanksgiving feast, but even a semi-elaborate dinner for 2-4 is easily done. You can add more counter space by putting the cover on one of the sinks.
Coach Quality is very VERY good. In my opinion, the XLT rivals (and in some areas) surpasses the Newmar Ventana (which Berkshire is directly competing with; the Charleston will be gunning for the Dutch Star - both at a price point much lower than either Newmar products).
Things that Forest River could have done better on? 4 things stand out:
- Install a ceiling fan in the bedroom. We did this (with the help of Silver).
- Interestingly enough, a ceiling fan is now standard on the XLT - and perhaps across the rest of the line as well.
- The vent fan in the bathroom & the toilet are cheepo models one would expect to see in a base model popup camper
we will be replacing these with MaxxAire vents.
- NONE of the vents (bathroom, toilet, kitchen) have a remote control switch. This means my DW cannot reach the overhead - a HUGE PITA. The MaxxAirs come with remotes, and we can buy a Fantastic fan upgrade for the kitchen that includes a remote control. Still, this is something FR should have done
- (and I would not be surprised if this WAS done on the 2018 models).
- The bedroom slide screams for a second awning - so much that we have a Coleman popup canopy to cover that area when we long term camp.
- Once again FR listens...I see where a second awning is a option on the 2018 models! When we go to the factory next year we are going to see if they can retrofit our unit with the second awning.
As far as things we don't like? Other than the annoying things every new coach owner finds in the first year of ownership, nothing really. What we really like is Forest River Diesel Division's quick response to issues we have and their commitment to customer service.
We have had a chance to see the 2017 1/2 coach when it was still in build status this fall and it is obvious that FR listens to their customers because e lot of the items we had suggested were included on the new model.
Let us know if we can answer any other questions you might have.
When you are in the market, let us know as well - we can certainly recommend a Berkshire dealer (Total Value RV) we have had great service from them and would buy from them again!
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