Berkshire 390RB Yay or Nay ?

[5456Mich]

So we bought a 2014 Berkshire 390RB 340 hp from a dealer with 4000 miles on it. It's practically new. Starting to have 2nd thoughts, I've read a couple old threads on this forum about weight issues. Still have a couple of days to change my mind.

All you people that have Berkshires close to the same year , not sure if the floor plan make s a difference for this issue.

What's the run down ? Are you happy with them ? Would you buy again ?

My deal is 136,500.00 for the coach. I think the price is right but in a couple of years we plan to try and full time in it and just want to be sure it's a keeper. Don't want to be sorry later. Happy with the floor plan as it will just be the wife and I.

Thanks for your input.

Joe

[Campin Cajun]

Joe, I'm not sure but I think the weight issues were on the 2013 and younger models. What size tires are on that unit?

You could get the serial numbers and check with Randy Houser on if that unit has the upgraded front axle.

I think that's a great price on a 2014. I have the 390BH, DW and I disagreed on floorplan model. I wanted the RB. She won. I would not buy my unit again but only because of the floorplan.

[JTN8]

The 2014's have the beefed up suspension so weight should not be an issue. I have a 14 390BH and love it!!

Jason

[accumack]

Great price on a great floor plan for 2 people. Just check the weight capacity of the front axle or have them up grade it. The problem ones were 10400 lbs limit.

[Phil57]

Mitch first welcome to the Berkshire club. It's a great MH especially for the money. We have a 2011 340RB and we full time. Several on the forum do so also.
On the weight issue. If you have 275 tires on the MH you are good. If you have 255 do not sign the deal until the front axle and tires are upgraded. Also I will say again never ever buy a MH with out talking it across a scale. Compare the weight with the yellow sticker. Very important to do this.
I would not expect an issue with the weight as I believe all weight issues had been addressed by 2014 but you never know until you check.
I will also say that is a very good price on a great coach.
Let us know how it works out for you.

[I-RV]

Mitch - X2 to what Phil stated. With the larger tires, the front axle should have larger air bags. The Berk has great cargo volume, but watch the weight. You should get the CCC (Cargo Carrying Capacity) or OCCC (Occupant and Cargo Carrying Capacity). A full load of fresh water is 816 lbs.(more then four adults). Yes, yes, get it weighed.
Hank

[I-RV]

Mitch - Also note that fully loaded your max. with toad is 33,000lbs. Hope you do not have a heavy toad.

[5456Mich]

Originally Posted by I-RV

Mitch - Also note that fully loaded your max. with toad is 33,000lbs. Hope you do not have a heavy toad.

Well when the time comes after our present lease runs out we're thinking of getting a new Jeep Renegade. Hopefully that will come within the limits. What kind of fuel milage have you been getting with the 340 hp.?

[Phil57]

I have towed up to 5000 with my 340 with no issues.
At 60mph expect 11-12mpg at 65-70 9-10.

[5456Mich]

Originally Posted by Phil57

I have towed up to 5000 with my 340 with no issues.
At 60mph expect 11-12mpg at 65-70 9-10.

Well that sounds better than what I expected. Very good !

[Phil57]

Mitch do your homework but don't be afraid of the 340 hp thing. Sometimes I wished I had the 360 only because it comes with the 3000 Trans. In all honesty my 340 does everything I need it to do.

[tmmar]

Mitch,
First of all- Congrats on your new Berkshire and welcome to the Forums! Hope you have many fun, memorable and trouble free trips with it!!
Also, listen to what Phil has to say. As he said, he is full timing in his coach and has a lot of experience with it. He, and the others here, are a great source of information. I had a 2008 with the 340hp engine and while I didn't tow anything, it handled all of my needs perfectly. I think that once you get over your 'buyers remorse', you will love the coach. Also, as far as keeping your coach in great condition, just look at the posts about the work FR does on coaches at the International Rally and that should convince you that they really stand behind their product.
Tom

[5456Mich]

Originally Posted by tmmar

Mitch,
First of all- Congrats on your new Berkshire and welcome to the Forums! Hope you have many fun, memorable and trouble free trips with it!!
Also, listen to what Phil has to say. As he said, he is full timing in his coach and has a lot of experience with it. He, and the others here, are a great source of information. I had a 2008 with the 340hp engine and while I didn't tow anything, it handled all of my needs perfectly. I think that once you get over your 'buyers remorse', you will love the coach. Also, as far as keeping your coach in great condition, just look at the posts about the work FR does on coaches at the International Rally and that should convince you that they really stand behind their product.
Tom

Ahh yes Buyers Remorse, you hit the nail on the head. lol Thanks for your input. Would like to hear more about this International Rally and what FR does.

Joe

[5456Mich]

Originally Posted by Phil57

Mitch do your homework but don't be afraid of the 340 hp thing. Sometimes I wished I had the 360 only because it comes with the 3000 Trans. In all honesty my 340 does everything I need it to do.

Phil whats the big difference between the transmission that comes with the 340 vs. the 360 ?

Joe

[Phil57]

About 5000 lbs. Seriously that is it. The 3000 will handle a higher GCVW and a higher torque and HP. The 2500 is limited to 33000 GCVW and torque at 700 FP. The 2500 also has some diagnostics in board and the 2500 does not. Also with the 360hp and 3000 transmission you get a 19500 lb rear axle as opposed to a 17500 with the 2500. I'm sure there are other differences that others might share.

[CAT-RN]

I have the FL model 2014. Little over a year now. I do have the 360 motor. Don't let that be an issue. The 340 be just fine.

Handling -ride & drive great. No over weight issues. Always around 9.5 to 10 MPH
Couple small issues. Frig (fixed by Whirpool) water heater will be a learning curve. Getting that figured out ----

I'd say do good PDI and go for it. Quite happy here.

Russell

[Phil57]

The 3000 allows you to tow 10000 lbs and the 2500 is 5000.

[tmmar]

Joe,
As you can see from my signature area, I now have a 2014 Berkshire with the 360 hp engine. With the 340 hp engine, they put in an Allison 2500 transmission. With the 360 hp engine, it is an Allison 3000 transmission. The 3000 allows for a larger towing capacity. 5000 lbs for the 2500 and 10000 lbs for the 3000. I believe there is a sticker on the hitch that states the towing capacity but the hitches are all the same whether it says 5000 lbs or 10000 lbs.
Hope this helps.
Tom

I guess Phil and Russell type faster than I do! (LOL!!)

[boowho]

Originally Posted by Phil57

About 5000 lbs. Seriously that is it. The 3000 will handle a higher GCVW and a higher torque and HP. The 2500 is limited to 33000 GCVW and torque at 700 FP. The 2500 also has some diagnostics in board and the 2500 does not. Also with the 360hp and 3000 transmission you get a 19500 lb rear axle as opposed to a 17500 with the 2500. I'm sure there are other differences that others might share.

From what I've been told Phil, our units do indeed have a 19500 RA. Forest River purposely de-rates (on paper) to be able state 2K more lbs for the toad. The tranny should not "care" where the weight is located; F/A, R/A, toad.... makes no difference to the tranny so long as TOTAL of all three is under 33K lbs.

I know you've probably spent a lot more time researching this than I, so maybe the above is not correct, but the actual bill of materials for the R/A assembly on the 360 vs 340 are identical.

OBTW, a just plain FANTASTIC price for the unit. I would buy it myself RIGHT NOW, if I didn't already have a 2011. I purchase my 2011 on election day of 2012 for $125K. It had only the mileage to get it from Elkhart to Alvarado, TX (dealer) and then onto Salt Lake City. Purchased new and titled by another individual, but not taken out a single trip.

Finally, weigh it, weigh it, WEIGH IT. The sales man will not like that, but TOUGH!! If you still have the right to back out, and it is overweight, FORCE them to "make it right" or walk away. YMMV, but that's what I would think about. If you have to upgrade the unit yourself, I suspect about $6K would be the bill. Besides extra wear and tear by being overweight, you have the potential for legal issues if you're ever involved in an accident.


Boowho??

[Phil57]

Boo I stand corrected. My only knowledge on the rear axle is what I was told by the manufacturer so I would say you have it correct.