Berkshire 390bh owners...thinking of buying one...suggestions?

FandRChambers · 07-01-2014, 03:09 PM

Hello,

I'm thinking of purchasing a Berkshire 390bh in the future. We are ready to switch to a motorhome, and we like this floor plan. I'm looking for any information good and bad as we continue to look at this unit and compare it to other units with bunks in this price range. Thanks in advance.

JJvike · 07-01-2014, 03:37 PM

When we went looking, this coach was a no-brainer. It took us a year to finally buy ours. All the items you find on high end coaches you can most of them on this one. From the mirrors to the water control area to the quality inside, we found that this was the best bang for the buck we could find. Comparable Tiffin and Winnebago models couldn't touch the price and didn't offer anything spectacular to sway us. Every time we take ours out, I become more certain of our choice. The price point allowed me to immediately add/upgrade some things we wanted.

Good luck in your search,

FandRChambers · 07-01-2014, 03:41 PM

Thanks JJ,

We are in the beginning stages of looking and will likely purchase a used one at the end of the year or next year. I agree with everything you said. The only other unit I considered was the Forza and the Legacy, but I like the Berkshire better. With kids the bunks are a must for us.

Is the engine a good fit for the coach? Enough power etc?

JJvike · 07-01-2014, 03:59 PM

When we started, my only experience with diesel power was in the military driving the occasional deuce and a half or 5 ton. I was always told that I would be impressed with the power. They were spot on. The combo of the Cummins and Allison Transmission is smooth and it feels like the power is neverending. We have the 340HP and tow a Ford Edge AWD. From the flat areas here in the southeast to the mountains of southwestern Virginia, it has not been challenged yet. Someone with the 360HP would have to speak to theirs. I don't think you will be disappointed.

I-RV · 07-01-2014, 04:03 PM

I have done a 10% grade with my 340hp MH. Granted, there are 500hp MHs out there but you will love the Berkshire when it gets 10 or 11 MPG. FR offers a 360hp Berkshire; while the 20hp isn't much, you get a much higher GCWR rating and you can carry more because of the higher OCCC (occupant, cargo, carrying, capacity) and 10,000 hitch. The 340 Berk uses an Allison 2500MH, while the 360 Berk uses the Allison 3000MH. I have the 340 hp.

FandRChambers · 07-01-2014, 04:04 PM

Awesome, thanks.

ernest917 · 07-01-2014, 06:40 PM

I have the 360 hp with the Allison 3000 transmission and I LOVE the combo... I can consistently count on 10 -12 mpg.... My Berkshire is absolutely everything I'd want in a coach...

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ceedog · 07-07-2014, 01:41 PM

We looked for 4 yrs before we found our 390BH. We test drove so called 'comparable' coaches made by Tiffin, Winnebago, Fleetwood, etc.

The other coaches could not compete.

The only down side to the Berkshire is...well when I find one, I'll post it.

I-RV · 07-07-2014, 03:12 PM

I can't stress enough to check out the OCCC (occupant, cargo, carrying, capacity) weight rating differences between the 390-40 and 390-60. While the Berkshire has tremendous cargo space, watch your weight. The Dry Weight specified is the MH and full diesel, but without propane, passengers, water, waste water and cargo.

You fill you 100 gallon water tank and you added 834 lbs. Say four passengers and you have another 600 lbs. You still need to added propane and cargo. Watch your weights!

Hank

boowho · 07-07-2014, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I-RV

I can't stress enough to check out the OCCC (occupant, cargo, carrying, capacity) weight rating differences between the 390-40 and 390-60. While the Berkshire has tremendous cargo space, watch your weight. The Dry Weight specified is the MH and full diesel, but without propane, passengers, water, waste water and cargo.

You fill you 100 gallon water tank and you added 834 lbs. Say four passengers and you have another 600 lbs. You still need to added propane and cargo. Watch your weights!

Hank

Can't agree more with you, Hank. Were I buying today, I'd demand to have the unit weighed at a truck stop and compare the real numbers with the phony "lets-throw-something-against-wall-and-see-if-anything-sticks" numbers that manufacturers like to publish.

Something like 80% of RV's on the road are badly overloaded. Not sure where I read that but on some safety-oriented web site I believe.

Boowho??

FandRChambers · 07-08-2014, 12:52 PM

Thanks for the info guys. I have paid attention to the weight because once I make that move I'll likely be towing something behind it (trailer with golf cart and motorcycle or vehicle).

dave-g · 07-19-2014, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I-RV

I have done a 10% grade with my 340hp MH. Granted, there are 500hp MHs out there but you will love the Berkshire when it gets 10 or 11 MPG. FR offers a 360hp Berkshire; while the 20hp isn't much, you get a much higher GCWR rating and you can carry more because of the higher OCCC (occupant, cargo, carrying, capacity) and 10,000 hitch. The 340 Berk uses an Allison 2500MH, while the 360 Berk uses the Allison 3000MH. I have the 340 hp.

The 20 hp is not what you feel it the 140 ft lb of torque increase. Thats a big difference.

Ericvr4 · 07-21-2014, 06:44 PM

I tow 2012 jeep liberty. I have 2011 390 bh with the 340hp. no problem and I don't really notice car I am pulling. also my MPG did not change when I started pulling car. I get 10 to 12 mpg depending mountains and head wind? Only a few mountain I have drove that drop to 55mph like a 6% to 7% grade. I did drive a 11% grade it did 35 mph but it was very curvy road I couldn't really do any more than that any way. great RV. love it . love it. you wont be disappointed no matter which Berkshire you get. a matter of fact I am selling mine now , as I want to upgrade to the 2015 Berkshire 400BH. a lot more $$ but I love the new floor plan . good luck

Ericvr4 · 07-21-2014, 07:03 PM

proof of my mpg. as I just sent to my friend that has a tiffin that get 7mpg, so sometimes 450hp just isn't worth it? but that depend s who you talk to.

dan-nickie · 07-21-2014, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ericvr4

proof of my mpg. as I just sent to my friend that has a tiffin that get 7mpg, so sometimes 450hp just isn't worth it? but that depend s who you talk to.

Dang! That's nice. I guess I just need to drive faster.

FandRChambers · 07-22-2014, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ericvr4

I tow 2012 jeep liberty. I have 2011 390 bh with the 340hp. no problem and I don't really notice car I am pulling. also my MPG did not change when I started pulling car. I get 10 to 12 mpg depending mountains and head wind? Only a few mountain I have drove that drop to 55mph like a 6% to 7% grade. I did drive a 11% grade it did 35 mph but it was very curvy road I couldn't really do any more than that any way. great RV. love it . love it. you wont be disappointed no matter which Berkshire you get. a matter of fact I am selling mine now , as I want to upgrade to the 2015 Berkshire 400BH. a lot more $$ but I love the new floor plan . good luck

Nice thanks for the info.

FandRChambers · 07-22-2014, 06:36 AM

Ericvr4,

I hit send too quick on my last message, but ref fuel mileage, I speak with a friend of mine all the time about fuel mileage. He has an American Eagle with a 400 Cummings and suggested I stay around 330-360hp if possible. He also tows a jeep behind his, and says he don't need that much hp. He only gets 6-7 mpg. He loves his coach, but wishes he could get 10 mpg.

ernest917 · 07-22-2014, 01:03 PM

On my trip to the FMCA rally in GA thus past March, I averaged 11.8 mpg..... My "sweet spot" is a speed between 58-62 MPH.... I tow a Mini Cooper also....

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tmmar · 07-22-2014, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ernest917

On my trip to the FMCA rally in GA thus past March, I averaged 11.8 mpg..... My "sweet spot" is a speed between 58-62 MPH.... I tow a Mini Cooper also....

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Damn, the best I have done is just under 10mpg. I keep it around 65 so I guess I need to slow down a bit. I guess you just need to balance fuel economy with reaching your destination a little earlier.

ernest917 · 07-22-2014, 01:25 PM

It took us a while to finally realize that by rushing to our next destination, we ended up missing the whole point of our trip - enjoying our great country as we drove through it ... Soooo - we now slow down, enjoy the sights and still get to our destination (plus the added bonus of better mpg)

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