Berkshire Wish List

[jcowles3]

More insulation, it's hot out here in AZ!


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[I-RV]

Originally Posted by jcowles3

Drawers under dinette seats, hate having to kick the kids out and lift up the seat


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My 2012 390BH has drawers under the dinette seats. I also enlarged the depth of the forward drawer o its max.

[BamaBob]

• Offer the Lippert WasteMaster sewer system (like the Vengeance TH does)
• Keyless Door Entry
• 3 digit Combination locks on the outside storage doos - FINALLY freedom from keys!
• Doug's idea of a Tech Cabinet: here is where all the WiFi, 4G cell boosters, and routers would live. Would be nice to provide a 12x12" compartment for a Network drive)
• Prewire for TOAD brake light indicator (how hard could this be?)
• If not already installed upgrade cheesy plastic toilet seat to the available wooden one
• Second Fire Extinguisher in the bedroom

[tkdavis]

Originally Posted by Phil57

I would love to be rid of the trap door style pass through for the electric cord. A cut out in the bay with a rubber lined place to put the cord like Newmar does would be very nice.

X2

After trading in our 2004 Newmar for a 2015 Berk, this is my biggest gripe with the Berk. I hate having to thread the cord in and out of the little trap door!

I would also add quieter ACs to the wish list.

Terry


Terry & Kim
Dallas, Texas
2015 Berkshire 38RB
2007 Jeep Wrangler JKU

[Phil57]

Bamma Bob nailed it.

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by Phil57

Bamma Bob nailed it.

Tanks keep them coming folks. My plan is, O/A 7 Nov I am going to consolidate this list and poll everyone to rank order the requests.

When Anne-Marie tour the Berkshire factory on 11 NOV, I will make sure the wish list gets into Berkshire management's hands

[BamaBob]

Here is Doug's thoughts for a Tech Cabinet (I made some minor changes to incorporate my thoughts) - anything else need to be added?


The tech cabinet should have:

• 2 x 12v cigarette outlets (possibly with 1 on an easy to reach on/off switch depending on where the tech cabinet is)
• 4 x 12v USB charging outlets
• 4 x 120v outlets (wired on 2 seperate circuits)
• Conduit or direct wiring to the entertainment center. Thought here is a way to store a mediaserver (a hard drive that has video and audio files stored on it) and be able to wire to the entertainment AUX in or HDMI ports.
• 12x12" shelf to store a media server
• 8x8" wall space to mount WiFi Router and 4G Booster

For conduit, I'd like to have some kind of roof to cabinet access with a chaseline to help pulling the cables. The conduit would mostly be used for running wires between roof top antennas and this cabinet (e.g. WiFi booster and cell booster.)

[fredhardy]

The "tech cabinet" is called a Data Closet in the industry. It can be almost any ,
shape and size, and anywhere in the rig, as long as all of the data, voice, and video connections arrive and depart from this point. Power is normally multiple 120V outlets (or a power strip). An oversized conduit to a protected/sealed roof point of presence is a great idea for future add-ons. The pull line is easily added with a string, a wad of cotton, and a vacuum cleaner to suck it thru the short distance.

[BamaBob]

OK folks here is what I have consolidated so far. Additions, comments and rewording welcome

Forest River Forums Berkshire owners and prospective owners

Options and Enhancements Recommendations.

We recommend the following items be included as either standard equipment or a factory installed option. Most of the suggestions are targeted for the Berkshire XLT since it is the top of the line model.

1. We request that a member of the Berkshire management team join the Forest River Forums:
http://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f112
2. All Berkshires should have a Data Closet. It should be centrally located in the Coach and will be the nexus for all of the data, voice, and video connections arrive and depart from this point. Consider incorporating all other Coach monitors in the Data Closet (Fresh/grey/black tank monitor, battery monitor and rocker switches for the slides).

• 2 x 12v cigarette outlets (possibly with 1 on an easy to reach on/off switch depending on where the tech cabinet is)
• 4 x 12v USB charging outlets
• 4-6 x 120v outlets (wired on 2 separate circuits)
• Conduit or direct wiring to the entertainment center.
  • Thought here is a way to store a media server (a hard drive that has video and audio files stored on it) and be able to wire to the entertainment AUX in and/or HDMI ports.
• 12x12x12” deep shelf to store a media server
• 8x8" wall space inside the Data Closet to mount WiFi Router and 4G Booster

· An oversized conduit to a protected/sealed roof point of presence.
o The conduit should have a pull line to assist in cable routing.
o The conduit would be used for running wires between roof top antennas and this cabinet (e.g. WiFi booster and cell booster.)


3. Other recommendations:

• Reusable Emergency Exit Door in lieu of the Emergency Exit Window
• Smart Wheel
• Offer the Lippert WasteMaster sewer system (like Vengeance does)
• Keyless Door Entry
• Offer factory installed WiFi Ranger Elite Pack FM
• Offer factory installed 4G Cell booster WeBoost Drive 5G-X
• 3 digit Combination locks on all exterior doors including the entertainment center. FINALLY freedom from keys!
• Prewire for TOAD brake light indicator (how hard could this be?)
• Upgrade plastic toilet seat to a wooden toilet seat
• Offer a macerator toilet option.
• Change the trap door style pass through for the electric cord.
  • A cut out in the bay with a rubber lined place to put the cord like Newmar does would be very nice.
• Second Fire Extinguisher in the bedroom
• More insulation, it's hot in AZ and cold in Minnesota!
• Change HDTV Antenna to Wineguard Rayzar Automatic
• Switch the current tankless water to the Aqua-Hot 600D
• Larger captain and passenger seats
• Reusable Emergency Exit Door in lieu of the Emergency Exit Window
• Smart Wheel
• Power reels for power cord and water hose
• Upgraded driver/passenger audio system
• DEF tank fill on left side.
• Fluid level indicator in the water manifold bay
• Redesign the kitchen cabinets.
  • None of the cabinets around sink are wide enough for plates.
• Cabinets under sink need dividers.
• Wall to wall shower cabinet with towel rack.
• Reinforced area on wall and slides for placement of slide locks
• Larger fresh, gray and black water tanks (fresh water tank that actually holds a full tank of usable water). We get put to shame by lowly toy haulers. We can only boondock for 3 days. Not good!
• Drawers under dinette seats, hate having to kick the kids out and lift up the seat.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by BamaBob

[*]Offer factory installed WiFi Ranger Elite Pack FM[*]Offer factory installed 4G Cell booster WeBoost Drive 5G-X

I'm not sure that I'd want specific booster products being installed. For instance, there are limitations to the weBoost 4G-X with regards to its boosting area and where your phone has to be (within 1'-2' of the indoor antenna). Or, for instance, there are other products that are just (or almost) as good as the WifiRanger but for less money. Give me the setup to install these things, but let the end user choose which to install.

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by ependydad

I'm not sure that I'd want specific booster products being installed. For instance, there are limitations to the weBoost 4G-X with regards to its boosting area and where your phone has to be (within 1'-2' of the indoor antenna). Or, for instance, there are other products that are just (or almost) as good as the WifiRanger but for less money. Give me the setup to install these things, but let the end user choose which to install.

I can change that but my rationale - especially on the XLT with the fiberglass roof - was the chance of water intrusion if installed incorrectly (I'd rather let FR be responsible )

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by BamaBob

I can change that but my rationale - especially on the XLT with the fiberglass roof - was the chance of water intrusion if installed incorrectly

Agreed, but that's where I'd much rather have conduit and pull lines installed. Make it easy for me to install these and that worry goes away.

[tmmar]

Just remember. All these wish list items add to the bottom line MSRP. The more that gets added, the bigger the price.

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by ependydad

Agreed, but that's where I'd much rather have conduit and pull lines installed. Make it easy for me to install these and that worry goes away.

BFO!
Got It Doug! how does this sound:

An oversized conduit to a protected/sealed roof point of presence.
Roof Point of Presence has a 12"x12" raised metal baseplace to mount WiFi Booster and 4G Cell Phone Antennas

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by tmmar

Just remember. All these wish list items add to the bottom line MSRP. The more that gets added, the bigger the price.

Agreed Tom. I would hope the spendy items would be factory installed options. Things like prewiring TOAD brake light LED or DEF Tank fill on left side of coach should cost so little to do that the MSRP would not be affected. (one can only hope )

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by BamaBob

BFO!
Got It Doug! how does this sound:

An oversized conduit to a protected/sealed roof point of presence.
Roof Point of Presence has a 12"x12" raised metal baseplace to mount WiFi Booster and 4G Cell Phone Antennas

So, the WiFi Booster gets installed to a TV antenna if you have the raising kind or something else if you don't. I don't recall if there needs to be separation between the two or not.

I honestly wouldn't worry about the metal baseplate. That can be installed without screws by "gluing" it down with Dicor.

[BamaBob]

Question to the group:

Anyone iinterested in adding solar panel prep to the wish list?

[Phil57]

Originally Posted by BamaBob

Question to the group:

Anyone iinterested in adding solar panel prep to the wish list?

The way I use mine it's not important to me. I do know many have installed solar and I'm certain that they would have liked to have an easy path to install.

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by Phil57

The way I use mine it's not important to me. I do know many have installed solar and I'm certain that they would have liked to have an easy path to install.

Understand Phil. I'll add it to the list anyway recommeded as a option.

I wonder though if Berkshire - especially the XLT - is trying to minimize the number of options?

[Phil57]

Bob as long as I have been looking at Berkshire it seems like they do. The option list is alway very short.