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Old 06-26-2016, 09:44 PM   #1
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Ready to buy a new Berkshire XL 40 HB

We are almost ready to sign on the dotted line for a 2017 Berkshire XL 40 bunks with the 380 hp engine. I would appreciate any feedback from owners of recent XL's and their experience with reliability, factory support and even better if possible, experience with Southern California dealers.
We chose the 380hp vs. the 360hp, thinking that the extra torque will be needed around our hills. As an old motor head, my philosophy is that more torque is always better than less...

I also looked at Tiffin Allegro Red (bunk) and the Fleetwood Discovery 40 G (bunk also) but we like the layout of the Berkshire better. How does the XL stack up against the other two?

I will be grateful for any feedback you may be able to provide, as this is a very big decision that is keeping me up at night..

Cheers,

Jacques
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Old 06-26-2016, 09:54 PM   #2
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Well I don't have a shiny new one but I will say welcome to the forum. I do have a old 390 RB and if it means anything we love it. As for factory support I don't believe you can do better. The team at FR diesel is the best. If you are looking for a no problem Moho well don't buy one. They all have issues and concerns. If you are handy and it sounds like you are you will love it. I would certainly buy another one and it would definitely be a FR Moho.



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Old 06-26-2016, 10:09 PM   #3
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Thanks Phil!
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Old 06-26-2016, 10:09 PM   #4
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I'm kinda like Phil. Mine not new but it is shinny! Lol. Really happy with our 2014. Hard to beat FR equip.

Russell
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Old 06-26-2016, 10:18 PM   #5
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We bought the 2016 40XL RB, almost a year ago. Traded up from a 2009 Cross Country, 39 footer, with a full wall slide, & 340 hp diesel turbo.

In comparison, there is none! The Berk has it all. Was worried about giving up the full wall slide on the Cross Country (loved it) for the 4 slides on the Berk. Have found that the 4 slides are working so much better.


The 380hp is a no brainer. We took our winter vacation to the southwest, traveling from Arkansas. The 380 had NO problems handling the mountains. (we pull a 4 door Jeep Wrangler) Very smooth handling & very comfortable driving.


No problems with any of the workmanship. The only problems we had were with the airing up (Freightliner took care of the blown module), inside LED bulbs blowing (FR) replaced them, and water leaks at the water distribution center (valves are PLASTIC junk from China - I replaced the valves system with a copper system, my choice). Otherwise, everything works as they were designed to do. We have driven a little over 7,000 miles in the past 9 months.
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Old 06-26-2016, 10:22 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by zeelarry View Post
We bought the 2016 40XL RB, almost a year ago. Traded up from a 2009 Cross Country, 39 footer, with a full wall slide, & 340 hp diesel turbo.

In comparison, there is none! The Berk has it all. Was worried about giving up the full wall slide on the Cross Country (loved it) for the 4 slides on the Berk. Have found that the 4 slides are working so much better.


The 380hp is a no brainer. We took our winter vacation to the southwest, traveling from Arkansas. The 380 had NO problems handling the mountains. (we pull a 4 door Jeep Wrangler) Very smooth handling & very comfortable driving.


No problems with any of the workmanship. The only problems we had were with the airing up (Freightliner took care of the blown module), inside LED bulbs blowing (FR) replaced them, and water leaks at the water distribution center (valves are PLASTIC junk from China - I replaced the valves system with a copper system, my choice). Otherwise, everything works as they were designed to do. We have driven a little over 7,000 miles in the past 9 months.

I hate to hijack but I will. Would you mind posting (in a new post) pictures of your water mods. I'm sure many would love to see what you did. Not having a issue and haven't heard of many.



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Old 06-26-2016, 10:28 PM   #7
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Phil, I'll get a pic tomorrow. I'm not quite finished with it yet. Temps have been running in upper 90s with heat index of 105+, so I had put off the final stage
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Old 06-26-2016, 10:30 PM   #8
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Wow that's hot. No hurry. Thanks



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Old 06-27-2016, 10:30 AM   #9
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Hi Jgpapillon,
Our Berkshire isn't one of the XL models but it does have the bunks with the 340HP engine. We tow a Honda CR-V and never seem to have any problems climbing hills so I am sure more HP would be even easier.
When we were RV shopping we tested the Fleetwood and the Tiffin. Here is what we thought: The Tiffin felt very sluggish and heavy. To the point my husband asked the salesman if something was wrong with the engine. The RV couldn't seem to get out of its own way. I drove it too and had my foot all the way to the floor and didn't know if the rig was going to get up the incline to get on the highway. (and that is empty with no tow vehicle). We also looked at the Fleetwood. Although it was nice, the interior was no way as nice as the Berkshire interior. No, we didn't test drive the Fleetwood. If the interior wasn't what we wanted it really didn't matter how it drove.
This is our 3rd Forest River product. We started off with a travel trailer (a Cherokee) and loved it but wanted a MH. So we then went to a Georgetown which is gas. We loved the Georgetown but we wanted a diesel engine. Foolishly we bought another manufacturer's diesel MH. BIG MISTAKE!! After 7 times in the shop in 18 months we came to our senses and purchased our Forest River Berkshire. It is the best decision we have ever made! We love our Berkshire! It is very well made and sturdy and drives like a dream! I don't think you can go wrong if you choose the Berkshire and once you do you will also see that the group of other Berkshire owners is a great group of people. They are always willing to help with any problem or issue you may be having with your coach.
Best of luck with your RV shopping journey!
Karen
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Old 06-27-2016, 10:42 AM   #10
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we bought ours from MotorHome Specialists in Alvarado, Texas and we were very pleased with the dealership! We ordered our 38A so we were able to pick the exact interior/exterior color combination we wanted.
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Old 06-27-2016, 01:15 PM   #11
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We bought a 2012 Berkshire 390FL with 360 Diesel. It was absolutely a lemon. First trip out factory had put nail or screw in icemaker line and leaked all over. On the way home had motor problems kept losing power and messages and beeps coming on low voltage. Had all that repaired then the slide out got stuck out, here from the leak it warped all the wood. Since this was going to be our retirement purchase we were freaked out a little. FR did handle well and was sent back to be replaced. After we got it back I decided to trade in, we did get another 2014 Berkshire 390 FL and I couldn't be happier. This one was a 380 diesel and my husband is much happier. We love this RV.
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Old 06-27-2016, 01:45 PM   #12
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I will chime in with one thought regarding bunks. My wife and I don't have kids/grandkids but I get the "sales pitch" regarding bunks. However, that being said, I can't tell you how many bunk models I see on RV Trader with the owners saying we just never got out with the grand kids enough to justify keeping the RV. I also don't see the resale on the bunk models holding as high as the non-bunked models.

Therefore, I'd think hard about how many times you'll really be using the bunks vs having the extra space for nicer things (larger kitchen, etc). Maybe you can put the kids on the pullout/jackknife for the few times you'll have them along. They won't be small forever unless you have many kids that are cranking out more g-kids on a schedule :-)

Just my two cents from a happy Berkshire owner.
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Old 06-27-2016, 06:11 PM   #13
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Like RKNOLA did, we are thinking of upgrading our 2015 Georgetown 364 for a Berk BH. Could a couple of you tell me the going retail price (not MSRP). Retail price/"sale price" is the point from which we try to start negotiating.
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Old 06-27-2016, 06:28 PM   #14
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Ready to buy a new Berkshire XL 40 HB

We started with a 390 BH-60. As full timers it was an idea the bunks would be good to have the grandkids travel with us in the summer. Not too much. The floor plan really didn't work us so we went with a XL 40QL. Love this floor plan. Having the 360 has been great and can only imagine the 380 being great as well. We are right at 10 mpg with this rig. We don't think you will be disappointed with the XL.
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Old 06-27-2016, 09:30 PM   #15
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Thank you to all that have replied

I get the argument against the bunk beds but for us, they will be very useful. We have a 5 year old boy that will have a ball in his own stateroom. We also have an older big dog that will make herself a very nice dog bed in the lower bunk....

We are excited to get our new XL in a couple weeks. I will fly to Grand Rapids to pick it up and will enjoy the long drive back to Southern California....

Thank you all for the well wishes, I am sure I will have tons of questions and I thank you in advance for your assistance.

Jacques
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Old 06-28-2016, 08:06 AM   #16
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I'm in Grand Rapids and have a seasonally lot at Hidden Ridge 15 miles from Motorhome 2 go. I bought mine there. Let me know if you need help.



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Old 06-28-2016, 10:06 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smo99 View Post
I will chime in with one thought regarding bunks. My wife and I don't have kids/grandkids but I get the "sales pitch" regarding bunks. However, that being said, I can't tell you how many bunk models I see on RV Trader with the owners saying we just never got out with the grand kids enough to justify keeping the RV. I also don't see the resale on the bunk models holding as high as the non-bunked models.

Therefore, I'd think hard about how many times you'll really be using the bunks vs having the extra space for nicer things (larger kitchen, etc). Maybe you can put the kids on the pullout/jackknife for the few times you'll have them along. They won't be small forever unless you have many kids that are cranking out more g-kids on a schedule :-)

Just my two cents from a happy Berkshire owner.
We have no children and no grandchildren, we use the bunk area for storage. Top bunk (which has clothes rod) we use for coats and jackets. The bottom bunk we use for whatever we don't want to leave laying out when we leave the RV (laptops, papers, etc). It works great for us.
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Old 06-28-2016, 10:22 AM   #18
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Like RKNOLA did, we are thinking of upgrading our 2015 Georgetown 364 for a Berk BH. Could a couple of you tell me the going retail price (not MSRP). Retail price/"sale price" is the point from which we try to start negotiating.
The usual percentage off the MSRP could be anywhere from 20%-40% off depending on your dealer, when you buy, and what you buy. The bigger dealerships can usually give a higher % off because they carry a larger inventory. We ordered our Berkshire 38A from MotorHome Specialists in Alvarado, TX and we were very happy with the dealership and the deal we got. They beat the local dealership's prices in both trade in amount and sales price for the coach. Then when we got to the dealership to pick up the coach, the dealership gave us a loaner car to use for the 4 days we were there. That was a totally unexpected surprise! We are extremely happy with our Berkshire but if we ever did decide to upgrade (to another Berkshire, of course) we wouldn't hesitate to buy from MotorHome Specialists again.
The higher dollar coaches usually have a higher percentage off as an enticement to buy. And the "end of the year" sales will sometimes offer better prices.
Sites like RVTrader.com are great for comparing prices and inventory. And ordering our coach was important to us because we didn't want our coach in the general "test drive" population. Ordering also allowed us to get the exact color combination we wanted.
Good Luck with your RV search,
Karen
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Old 06-28-2016, 11:12 AM   #19
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Love my 2014 490BH-60! Both Forest River and Freightliner have done very well correcting any issues that I've had over the last three years very happy... Enjoy and safe travels!


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Old 06-28-2016, 11:59 AM   #20
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I'm in Grand Rapids and have a seasonally lot at Hidden Ridge 15 miles from Motorhome 2 go. I bought mine there. Let me know if you need help.
Hi Phil,

That is so nice of you to offer! I am flying in on the 12th (I think there is an hotel near the dealership), and I will be at the RV place bright and early on the 13th to pick up my unit. Were you happy with their delivery program? I imagine I will be there quite a few hours learning all the systems. If you happen to be in the area that morning, I would love to meet you and benefit from your experience.

Thank you again,

Jacques
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