Hello,
Ive had a 30' Class C RV and looking to upgrade by spring to a 39-42' Class A Forest River Berkshire. Based on pricing, likely year built of 2011-2015 era. Am looking for input on this model about towing capacity, if its importwnt to have an upgraded engine and people's experience with them, good and bad.
Our Berkshire has a Allison 2500 Transmission and limited to 5,000 towing, if you get one with a Allison 3000 transmission then you go up to 10,000 towing. We have a Cummins 340 HP engine and tow a 3,000 car.
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2011: 54 days, 2012: 218 days, 2013: 175 days, 2014: 196 days
2015: 188 days, 2016: 72 days, 2017: 185 days: 2018 182 days
2019: 156 days (2009 Berkshire, 390QS, and toad)
I know the Raptor is there when getting on the highway- but once I'm at 65mph and set the cruise control - I have to keep reminding myself I'm now 65 feet long.
With out towing I get 9-11 mpg. towing 7-10mpg.
My only regret with the Berkshire-
I do not use it enough!
I have a 2014 390 bh with the 340hp. I have been cross country three times, with family of 5 towing a Jeep Wrangler. The only time you will notice the 20hp difference is the 30 minutes going up a mountain at 45mph. Out of the 49,000 miles I have put on it, that is a very minor amount of time and miles. I also averaged about 9-9.5 mpg.
Ours is a 2011 390RB. 360 hp. 10,000lb pulling power. We bought her 2 years ago and have driven her about 20,000 miles. She’s been mostly trouble free a new step, tailpipe. Some windows up front getting a big foggy, will need to replace those. Dream to drive. Loved adding color making her ours. Buffy.
We have a 2018 38A with the Allison 3000 6-speed and 360 hp Cummins. Both of these are significant upgrades from earlier models. Since this engine/tranny combo was added to the Berk line, there have been no substantial changes in this weight category. Later models have a little more glitz and glitter plus a digital instrument display, but they still retain the Freightliner, Allison, Cummins mix, which are the three big names in the RV business...IMHO. On 5% grade we run 50-55 mph and on 6% we run about 45. Mileage is 8.2-9.2 towing. The toad is on everywhere we go, so I can't tell you what the mileage is without it. Like others, we really love our Berk. Just got back from a 52 day tour of the west, and can't wait for the next trip. Snow is forecast for the morning here in OH. Sadly, I had to start the winterizing process.
Had 013 berk360 bunkhouse towed 012 Kia Soul 4 wheels down never know it
Was back there
Was a great coach never had any real problems with it other then a A.C. Compressed seized up broke the belt
With that being said went to the Hershey show just to look around and see what was new long story short seen the new Berkshire 45A XLT we now have one in the driveway.it can tow 15.000 pounds 450 HP have not towed the soul yet
Don't think it's going to be a problem
We had a 2016 Berkshire 38A with a 340 HP Cummins. Power was good.... towing was easy. Fast forward: we now own a 2018 Berkshire XL 40C with a 380HP Cummins. Power is even better towing is even easier! We love it! You will never hear someone say "gee I wish I had less power in this motorhome"...... Buy what you want but buy it once and don't drive around with regrets!!
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Karen and Rick
2020 Forester 2251SLE
Previous: 2018 Berkshire XL 40C
2011 Honda CR-V toad
Hello,
Ive had a 30' Class C RV and looking to upgrade by spring to a 39-42' Class A Forest River Berkshire. Based on pricing, likely year built of 2011-2015 era. Am looking for input on this model about towing capacity, if its importwnt to have an upgraded engine and people's experience with them, good and bad.
Thank you!!
We have a 2015 400QL Berkshire, (40'), with the 360 Cummins and Allison 3000 trans. Have had no issues towing. Rig doesn't even know if there is anything behind it. We have been well pleased.
I am curious why you are limiting yourself to just the Berk since there are so many nice units out there. When we decided to look at class a pushers we made a list of things we had to have and things we would like to have and started our search.
Some of the must haves were independent front suspension mainly for the sharper 60 deg wheel cut since we have a really tight gate to exit thru, driver and passenger seats directly across from one another and not set back, the main tv located to be easily seen and not over the drivers seat or having to look thru the kitchen to see it.
Anyway our search ended with an 2013 Itasca Ellipse 42QD. It had everything on our must have and want lists and only had 12k mileage and the price was right. I guess what I am saying is for us the search was really fun reviewing all the motorhome floor plans available.
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2013 Itasca Ellipse 42QD
-2012 Lexington 265 GTS- Sold
Tow Vehicle 2017 GMC Acadia
I am curious why you are limiting yourself to just the Berk since there are so many nice units out there. When we decided to look at class a pushers we made a list of things we had to have and things we would like to have and started our search.
Some of the must haves were independent front suspension mainly for the sharper 60 deg wheel cut since we have a really tight gate to exit thru, driver and passenger seats directly across from one another and not set back, the main tv located to be easily seen and not over the drivers seat or having to look thru the kitchen to see it.
Anyway our search ended with an 2013 Itasca Ellipse 42QD. It had everything on our must have and want lists and only had 12k mileage and the price was right. I guess what I am saying is for us the search was really fun reviewing all the motorhome floor plans available.
Maybe the OP has already narrowed it down to the Berkshire. Don't assume they don't know what they are doing or that they haven't done enough research.
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Karen and Rick
2020 Forester 2251SLE
Previous: 2018 Berkshire XL 40C
2011 Honda CR-V toad
Maybe the OP has already narrowed it down to the Berkshire. Don't assume they don't know what they are doing or that they haven't done enough research.
Maybe they have, don’t know just tossing out some thoughts just in case they could be helpful.
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2013 Itasca Ellipse 42QD
-2012 Lexington 265 GTS- Sold
Tow Vehicle 2017 GMC Acadia
I am curious why you are limiting yourself to just the Berk since there are so many nice units out there. When we decided to look at class a pushers we made a list of things we had to have and things we would like to have and started our search.
Some of the must haves were independent front suspension mainly for the sharper 60 deg wheel cut since we have a really tight gate to exit thru, driver and passenger seats directly across from one another and not set back, the main tv located to be easily seen and not over the drivers seat or having to look thru the kitchen to see it.
Anyway our search ended with an 2013 Itasca Ellipse 42QD. It had everything on our must have and want lists and only had 12k mileage and the price was right. I guess what I am saying is for us the search was really fun reviewing all the motorhome floor plans available.
Maybe he is asking the same question on other brand forums- But this is a Berkshire forum.
Before I bought my Berkshire- I looked at Tiffin and Newmar and some others very hard- I felt the quality/value per $$ was the best with Berkshire, and being a second owner- the factory will still help. Not so with other Brands.
Enjoy and 
Later RJD
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