390 bh 340 hp vs 360 hp

happysoundman · 03-13-2011, 09:59 AM

We are in the process to change our rig for a berkshire and we really hesitate about the two choice of motor-transmission combo.

Our concern is , is it really good to have the big motor ,we are planning to be 50 % of the time with towing nothing.

is the fuel consumption between the to of them is very different ?

Also any news about the loveseat lack of confort and seat belt ?

How many seat belt are installed in the sofa bed ?

Feel free to comment any advise on option we should pick ,we are looking for the free standing dinette but questionning on the utility of that option during the travel time.

Sorry for my english mistake , we are from the french part of quebec !

tmmar · 03-13-2011, 10:15 AM

First of all - Welcome to the forums!!! There are a number of Berkshire owners here (mostly the 390BH model) but you should be able to get any questions you have answered.

I have the 340hp/Allison 2500 set up in my coach. I average between 9-10 mpg when travelling (I do not tow either). I have found that this is sufficient for my needs. Can't comment on the fuel usage of the newer, larger engine. As far as the love seat comfort goes, I have not heard any complaints from either of my sons or their wives about it. I don't think that there are seat belts for the love seat from the factory. I installed 2 seat belts there my self. The same for the sofa. We like the booth dinette better than the free standing one because we usually travel with our families (our grown children and their children) and like the booth dinette better because of the storage drawers under the seats and the seating while travelling/eating.
As I responded to another poster, I am not sure of what is standard on the new coaches. I opted for the double paned windows, side view cameras and Onan generator. I would also recommend that you get the larger, 15000btu air conditioner in the front.
Hope this is helpful and as I said earlier, there are a number of Berkshire owners here so don't hesitate to ask any question you may have.
Good luck (bon chance!).

wnytaxman · 03-13-2011, 10:16 AM

Bon jour and welcome to the forum. We have the 340 with the Allison 2500 transmission. Had I known that it was a tad underpowered I would have gone with the 360 and the Allison 3000. You'll be okay with the 340 and it's not like you'll be getting passed by a horse and buggy, but if you are going to tow a car, I would go with the 360. Your mileage may not suffer with the bigger engine as the engine will not have to work as hard.

happysoundman · 03-13-2011, 10:28 AM

thank you very much !

happysoundman · 03-13-2011, 10:37 AM

they ask About 11000.00 for aluminium wheel motor and transmission ,so i think you help me to invest more ! thank you, so you are quite happy with your rig !

tmmar · 03-13-2011, 10:39 AM

I have had mine almost 3 years and have been happy with the coach and with Forest Rivers customer service. Both have been very good.

wnytaxman · 03-13-2011, 10:51 AM

We've had ours just a little less than a year. We put almost 5,000 miles on it this past year with trips to Branson, MO, Boston, MA, Lake George, NY, and to Camp Freightliner in Gaffney, SC. It is a great rig. Several of our trips have been made with my wife, twin daughters, and my in-laws and we were quite comfortable sleeping six in the unit. This summer we will be heading up your way to New Bruswick, Nova Scotia, and PEI. In April we are headed to Hilton Head, SC. We plan on using ours as much as we can.

I plan on converting to aluminum wheels in a few weeks and the cost is going to be about $2000 to $2500. If memory serves me correctly t0 upgrade to the 360 was about a $15,000 option so you are doing well at $11,000 for the wheels and the bigger engine. Of course the Canadian Dollar is at a premium right now which doesn't hurt.

happysoundman · 03-13-2011, 01:56 PM

so if i understand well you have the 340 and if you know what you know now,
you would take the 360 ,and aluminium wheel package ?

tmmar · 03-13-2011, 02:03 PM

I would probably stay with what I have. The extra $11000 will pay for a lot of fuel and camping!!!

amarzano · 03-13-2011, 08:47 PM

My advice would be to see what you are going to tow and how much
It weighs. The 340/350hp motor with the 2500 Allison is rated to tow
5000lbs. If you are going to pull more than that - you will need the
Larger 360hp with the Allison 3000 transmission.

I doubt the bigger motor is much faster than the standard - so it is
Probably about how much you are going to pull.

I have the 360hp and get around 10 - 11 mpg. I think this might
Be more due to the DEF which was suppose to also help with mileage.

We have 2 seat belts is in the dinette and 3 o the sofa bed. There's are none on the love seat.

I would not say the sofa or love seat are comfy - but are acceptable.
Both seem a bit upright for me. I think I may be
Doing something wrong with the sofa back - but haven't figured out
What yet..

Good luck!

wnytaxman · 03-13-2011, 09:50 PM

The only difficulty we have had with the 340 is when we were going to Branson, MO. There are some pretty long hills to climb coming into Branson and I didn't get up enough speed coming down the one side and then had to slow down pretty well going up the other side. I don't think I would have had that problem with the 360. The aluminum wheels are intended to get rid of the wheel liners which can be a pain when checking air pressure on the tires and they can sometimes squeak which is annoying.

happysoundman · 03-14-2011, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amarzano

My advice would be to see what you are going to tow and how much
It weighs. The 340/350hp motor with the 2500 Allison is rated to tow
5000lbs. If you are going to pull more than that - you will need the
Larger 360hp with the Allison 3000 transmission.

I doubt the bigger motor is much faster than the standard - so it is
Probably about how much you are going to pull.

I have the 360hp and get around 10 - 11 mpg. I think this might
Be more due to the DEF which was suppose to also help with mileage.

We have 2 seat belts is in the dinette and 3 o the sofa bed. There's are none on the love seat.

I would not say the sofa or love seat are comfy - but are acceptable.
Both seem a bit upright for me. I think I may be
Doing something wrong with the sofa back - but haven't figured out
What yet..

Good luck!

Thank you very much , your milage is impressive , do you know what was the extra charge for that package (motor wheel and transmission)

thanks for your time !

amarzano · 03-15-2011, 12:42 AM

I believe the extra charge for the package was around $15k - but am not positive

This was for the 360hp motor, tranny and aluminum wheels.

I thin 9 - 11 mpg is about normal for the Berkshire. Really +/ a 1 or 2 mpg is not going to matter one way or another. How you drive is prba le going to influence this more than any other factor.

As for the comment on the power helping when loosing momentum - I woul stress that big RVs are all about momentum!! One thing I find annoying is getting cut off by a allow moving car going up hill and having to slow way down. You just can't make up the speed..

happysoundman · 03-16-2011, 08:01 PM

i agree with you , most of the people do not think than we have almost 10 time more weight than a regular car when the are in front of our rig !

Again ,great forum, great people, very useful info and tricks !!!
thank's all of you !!!

TexasTransplants · 03-16-2011, 08:36 PM

Good thread.

I'm looking at purchasing a 390BH but i'm concerned with the power difference there might be between the 340 and the 360.

Any 340 owners that feel there unit is not up to the task of say going over Loveland Pass outside of Denver?

Thanks for any feedback

Rick

happysoundman · 03-16-2011, 09:11 PM

you must choose the 360 ,with the help of my friends ,it is comming with bigger transmission and budwheel .
the consumption of fuel look the be the same !
you can read about all the answers i have receive from my friends !!!

06nighttrain · 03-18-2011, 01:30 AM

We have an "08" with the 350HP & 3000 Allison. It get's 8-9 MPG towing a 2600 LB. car.

tmmar · 03-18-2011, 10:19 AM

Not sure what Loveland Pass is like but have not had a problem with the 340 so far but we do not tow.

BamaCorner · 03-19-2011, 09:06 AM

We have the 340/2500 trans and tow a crv weighing about 3000. Get 9.6 mpg and have had not power problems.

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