Berkshire Diesel 38A Bunkhouse Owners?

[CalifRvLawyer]

I am seriously considering upgrading from Georgetown 351 Gas Bunkhouse to Diesel Berkshire 38A Bunkhouse. Love the floorpan, but I have to be honest, I have been less than impressed with workmanship with Georgetown. I have looked at Tiffin and Fleetwood bunkhouse and I am not as thrilled with their floorpan. Well, Fleetwood Discovery is great but a bit longer than I would prefer. FR 38A's floor plan is just perfect for us.

Anyone have a recent model? Any opinions?

[nathantoensing]

Bouts our 2016 38a the last week in June. Went full time Sep 1. No major issues after 7,500miles. Stopped by Forest River Diesel on our inaugural run and they adjusted, tweaked and replaced a few minor items i.e., light fixture, drawer slide, baggage door shock..... Major re-selling point for us (having no had the experience) is FR's willingness to fix any issues. A fantastic group of guys working hard to make a great coach! Bottom line they absolutely stand behind their products. Unless we're completely broke down we'll always have them work on the coach!


--Nathan
2016 38a

[nathantoensing]

Sorry for all the typos.... Big fingers, little phone.... lots of auto correct...

[CalifRvLawyer]

No worries re spelling...and thanks for your feedback. Good to know, because their floorplan and price is really attractive

[nathantoensing]

FYI.... I Shopped for 3 years looking for a bath 1/2, bunk, res refer, King bed, tankless water heater.... my list went on forever! If we had a king bed, fridge with bottom freezer, "L" couch and table/chairs dinette (so we can have side desk) this coach would be utopian... the list of features keeps getting better and better..... A/C's are a little loud and have a hard time keeping up here in Tucson, AZ. Biggest win for heat is getting the MagneShade.com shades... AMAZING difference in comfort... highly recommend ordering that before you order your coach.. Took 7 weeks to build the coach and 6.5 weeks to make our windshield shade
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...uot-94588.html

[CalifRvLawyer]

I haven't seen any make with bunk and L Shape...I wish they did...been thinking of getting those shades for my georgetown ... but been reluctant because I am talking myself into trading to a Diesel like 38A lol

[lefaivre]

I owed a Fleetwood discovery before my Berk 390BH60. The workmanship of the Discovery is much better but I am not sure that is justifies the huge price differential.

Although we have had a few challanges.with our Berk we are extremely happy with the product. For our family the Floorplan and price point to of the Berk works very well.

[Fkaske]

We are going to buy a Berkshire XL 40BH soon. We just have to decide if it will be a 360 HP or a 380 Hp. My advise to CalifRvLawyer is to take a look at one of those. We are trading in a 2008 Georgetown 350 DS with bunks. We never had any issues with our Georgetown, it is just time to upgrade and one of the reason we are staying with a Forest River product.

[Hashimshony]

Originally Posted by Fkaske

We are going to buy a Berkshire XL 40BH soon. We just have to decide if it will be a 360 HP or a 380 Hp. My advise to CalifRvLawyer is to take a look at one of those. We are trading in a 2008 Georgetown 350 DS with bunks. We never had any issues with our Georgetown, it is just time to upgrade and one of the reason we are staying with a Forest River product.

what the price difference between the 360 and the 380 ???

[ccupton]

We have owned our 2016 38A since August 28th and love everything about it. The floor plan, the ride , . Much better than our 2013 Excursion 35B.


Chris & Carol
2016 Berkshire 38A
2014 Honda CRV

[CalifRvLawyer]

Well I have looked around a lot and taking into account t the floorplan, size, and price it beats everything else out there.

I really like fleetwood discovery but this for 38a with 100k less and the extra bathroom ... Below 40'.. Can't be beat... I have a feeling I will end up with the 38A


Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums

[CalifRvLawyer]

Ccupton, beautiful coach


Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums

[tnbendr]

We bought our 2015 38A in May. We bought it absolutely for the floorplan. Now we have had some issues which had us broke down on the road, but as Nathan mentioned, FR customer support does everything to help get you fixed (such as getting head of line service at Lazy Day when it could have been a 2 week wait just to get in). We just visited the factory in Elkhart and they took care of all the things that needed to be addressed. The price point and all the extras that are normally on the more expensive coaches can't be beat and if you don't need a "home" dealer to rely on, I suggest you look at MHSRV in Alvarado, TX. We flew from CA to buy there bcause their pricing cant be beat. Good luck with your decision!

[secfan90]

Recently traded our 09 Georgetown 350TS for a 16 Berk 38A. Bought at MHSRV in Alvarado, TX. Enjoyed every minute of it so far. We have had zero issues so far and have traveled several thousand miles. I would recommend the Berk and MHSRV as well. Good luck.

Regards, Sam

[Fkaske]

I was asked by Hashimshony the price difference between the Berk 40 BH 360 hp and the 380 hp. Depending on where you buy it will be between $7000 and $20000. It looks like the best prices I have found so far will be at MHSRV in Texas or MH2GO in Mich.

[Hashimshony]

Thank's
I have a 2015 40XL with the 360 + Jeep Commander.

Recently I returned from a trip of about 10,000 miles including the US Rockies and Canada.
There was no problem along the way including driving in the mountains.

The simple math shows = $ 7,000 (minimum difference) / 3.0 $ (average price per gallon) = 2,333 gallons
Relaxed driving fuel consumption is abut 8.5 miles per gallon, that means nearly 20,000 miles !!!!

If you ask me,,,,, I would have stayed with the 360.

p.s. This is exactly what I need for the next trip begins in New Orleans,, West Coast to Alaska and back

[dave-g]

Originally Posted by Hashimshony

Thank's
I have a 2015 40XL with the 360 + Jeep Commander.

Recently I returned from a trip of about 10,000 miles including the US Rockies and Canada.
There was no problem along the way including driving in the mountains.

The simple math shows = $ 7,000 (minimum difference) / 3.0 $ (average price per gallon) = 2,333 gallons
Relaxed driving fuel consumption is abut 8.5 miles per gallon, that means nearly 20,000 miles !!!!

If you ask me,,,,, I would have stayed with the 360.

p.s. This is exactly what I need for the next trip begins in New Orleans,, West Coast to Alaska and back

You have my dream set up- in the mountains- is 65 mph still possible?

[Hashimshony]

Originally Posted by dave-g

You have my dream set up- in the mountains- is 65 mph still possible?

on long stretch,, no problem.

as an oldtimer ,i watch the r.p.m. as a rule i keep it between 1800 -2100 rpm.

remember . it's not a rented one it's yours!!!!!!

[tvj]

We have a 2015 40BH put 8k miles on it Spent a few days with a bunch of Tiffin owners all with 2015 models. I think the cabinetry in the FR looks better even though it's not hand made at factory. Hearing their problems I don't feel as bad as I did for my issues. Too many to elaborate on. One maybe obviously thing about the BH is the bunk folds up when not in use to give u aton of extra storage. Don't love the floor plan as there is not a great place to sleep other than the master. Nothing folds open to a real bed except the bunks. All of the convertibles are for real short people and I'm 5'7 on a good day.

[Campin Cajun]

Welcome tvj, another new owner, man this place is getting crowded......hahaha