Seriously Considering a 2014 Berkshire 390RB-60

[RKC02]

Hello All! I am not an owner (yet) but DW and I are seriously looking at a beautiful 2014 390RB-60 and will hopefully be new owners soon.

As such I would like to ask any advice from experienced owners on what options and/or required accessories I should get with a new Berkshire. The one I am looking at does not have the slide tray, but I don't know if that is a simple convenience or a necessity. I will have a surge protector hard-wired in and have already confirmed that the wheel alignment will be checked. Not sure about satellite TV (don't have it yet but may switch from cable soon). If we do switch, is it better to have dealer install the sat antenna or is it just as easy later?
Any other specific recommendations or things to look for?

Many, many questions as we get down to the wire and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[boowho]

Originally Posted by RKC02

The one I am looking at does not have the slide tray, but I don't know if that is a simple convenience or a necessity.

By all means, get the slide trays in the basement. I could not live without them. I have two but want to add the third one. I'm AM full timer, BTW.

Make sure they are NOT Ez-Glide. I have one and it is junk. Mor-Ryde is far superior.

I can slide a loaded Mor-ryde out with one finger. I have to tug like hell on an empty EZ-Glide. I'll be replacing the one EZ-Glide with a Mor-Ryde tray as $$$ permit.



Boowho??

[tmmar]

RK-
Welcome to the forums. I'm sure that you will be very happy with your Berkshire.

I would make sure to get air conditioners that are 15000 btu heat pumps. These will cool the coach better in the summer heat and help heat the coach in cool weather. I believe it comes with 13.5 btu air conditioners as standard.

[JTN8]

I agree with the A/C's, I just ordered a 2014 390BH and have forest river installing two 15K's. they will only put the heat pump up front though, not sure why. I also have my dealer adding the winegard traveler satellite dish on mine since I have direct tv. Can't wait to get mine!!!!

[NO3putt]

Pro and Cons on roof mounted dish. Roof mounted there may be times, may not be often that trees will block the dish. Cost for roof mounted dish? Ours works great 95% of time unless there is trees.
Tailgater (dish network) portable dish works good also to put outside for the 5% of the time trees are in the way.
Our unit came with roof mounted and then we puchased a tailgater later to cover the few times the roof dish is blocked.
As for the basement slides, we don't have any, we just get out what we need before opening the slides. Even have our full size bikes in the basement storage.

[RKC02]

Thanks for the quick replies and information!!

Regarding the air conditioners - larger units makes sense but I can imagine a hard-sell at the dealership. This is an in-stock unit, not an order. I'll certainly ask about it but can hear the crying already......

[JTN8]

It's actually a pretty easy swap and mine only added $500 to the price of my ordered coach. You'd be surprised what a dealer would do to make a sale..... You can actually get quite a bit of stuff thrown in for the right deal. Good luck with the purchase!

[NO3putt]

We purchased ours "in stock" so ordering anything from FR was not a option, however since we purchased an 2009 in 2010 the dealer wanted it gone. He installed the satellite antenna and washer/dryer combo as a bonus. Would really look at the cost they may charge you for the roof mounted satellite antenna vs. Getting a portable one like tailgater ($350) plus reciever ($150).

[Himcules]

agreed to all that was said above. also get them to add on the maxxair ii vents above the midcoach and bathroom vents. simple and only ~$100 in parts + 15mins labor each. imo, they should throw it in free if you ask for it.

i also have the EZ-Slide and do not like it...

if you are ordering, get the 275 tires vs the 255 size. you get more load capacity that way. otherwise just change to those tire sizes after you wear out the original set.

[JTN8]

Originally Posted by Himcules

agreed to all that was said above. also get them to add on the maxxair ii vents above the midcoach and bathroom vents. simple and only ~$100 in parts + 15mins labor each. imo, they should throw it in free if you ask for it.

i also have the EZ-Slide and do not like it...

if you are ordering, get the 275 tires vs the 255 size. you get more load capacity that way. otherwise just change to those tire sizes after you wear out the original set.

Actually found out from FR that all the 2014 chassis (340 hp) from freight liner come with the bigger tires, upgraded front axle and larger airbags that put the GVWR up to 32000 or 33000 lbs. still limited to 33000 gross combined due to the tranny... Called to find put what ,one was going to have....

[JTN8]

Sorry about the spelling, meant to say I called to find out which tires mine was going to have on it and that's when I found out about all the chassis....

[RKC02]

You guys are great!! Thanks for all of the info. Hopefully I'll be able to call myself an owner this time next week...

[Himcules]

Originally Posted by JTN8

Sorry about the spelling, meant to say I called to find out which tires mine was going to have on it and that's when I found out about all the chassis....

that's great news for 2014 owners and confirms for all previous year owners they can easily upgrade to 275 size tires...

[JTN8]

Originally Posted by RKC02

You guys are great!! Thanks for all of the info. Hopefully I'll be able to call myself an owner this time next week...

I hear ya!!! I'm currently deployed to Bahrain and my ordered unit comes off the line end of June but I don't get home until the end of July! That month knowing its at my dealer and not a my house is going to kill me!! But the wife and I plan to pick it up the first weekend I get back. Best of luck to you with the purchase!!

[boowho]

Originally Posted by JTN8

Actually found out from FR that all the 2014 chassis (340 hp) from freight liner come with the bigger tires, upgraded front axle and larger airbags that put the GVWR up to 32000 or 33000 lbs. still limited to 33000 gross combined due to the tranny... Called to find put what ,one was going to have....

I suspect that the bigger tires, etc are a result of so many of us having almost no carrying capacity and being EASILY over weight; in other words they may have learned their lesson.

All that stuff is done by the Gaffney, SC FL factory and may also be why the prices had to go up with the 2014 models.

With regard to the sat dish, somewhere in these forums (or maybe over on RV) a guy made 3 aluminum brackets that screwed into his roof. They exactly matched the footprint of the three legged "stool" that Winegard sells for the Carryout.

By just pulling three pins, he could take the Carryout off the roof and place it on the "stool" for when he was under tree cover. VOILA!! Best of both worlds. I'm going to do this mod myself if I ever get done fighting with my entry steps!!

Boowho??

[wbonnell]

How long does it take when you order a new coach from the factory?

[JTN8]

Originally Posted by wbonnell

How long does it take when you order a new coach from the factory?

I was told it all depends on the time of year you order it. I placed my order around 23 April and was told it will be off the assembly line 17 June. From what I have heard 6 to 8 weeks is the norm.