looking for advice on purchase of Berkshire 45 A xlt

[Gusman]

My head is spinning with all the info on the Berkshire 45a xlt. I have searched for 2 years and know I want I was looking at used but there are not that many. We plan to travel 20K a year so I am looking at 2020 and newer as I like the new dash, independent front suspension, and other upgrades over 2019. What do you think? Any suggestions on best place to purchase? I live in Mass but travel to Florida 2 times a year. Thanks Mark

[Nightshifter]

Guzman
We own a 2019 45A Xlt and are very happy with it. I did a bunch of modifications to it and enjoy traveling in it. We will have it 2 years this coming April 25th. It now has almost 23,000 miles.

[Gusman]

Great to hear thanks.

[dave-g]

So I have a 2012, I bought used- saved a bunch over new- ( was 4 year old when I bought)


I really enjoy the ride- I can not image how great they ride with IFS, tag axle, 6 more feet and 90 more HP! That aqua hot is also great.



All new coaches seem to have some problems- I would look around for a good dealer. Or If time permits, do a factory delivery ( if they do them any more) you take delivery at the factory on a Monday- camp in it for a few days then go back to factory on Thursday to have any issues fixed.



Any way good look finding a camper- the rv industry had a record 1st qt 2021, and last year they broke sales records.

[Lincman983]

The BERK 45A is a great coach, in my opinion it is the Flagship of the Berkshire line. I would advise to purchase local if you can just for the sake of warrantable issues and items. Good luck on your search

[zb39]

I love mine!!

[Joe-Barb]

Check with motorhome speacialists in Alvarado Texas. They are a super hugh dealer that deals with new, used, consignment sales. We live in So cal and drove their to pick up our Dynamax DX3 super c that we bought on consignment. Call them maybe they have what you are looking for. They handle all different manufactors including forest river.

[Gusman]

Thanks for the replies. I hope to fine a used 2020 because I plan to travel a bunch and like the idea of independent front suspension. Is there a way to see options added or changed by year?

[Gusman]

Any suggestions. No luck on rvtrader

[Eric B FR Diesel]

I don't know about you, but when I buy something used I view the market as a give and take. Right now inventory is a premium for any dealer... you can visually see that when you drive buy and do a comparison between how many units they may have had on the lot in the spring of 2019, and compare it to what they have available this spring. If you are set on what you want I would tell you to be patient. The Berkshire 45A has been one of the best selling since we released it, and it seems like owners are holding on to them.

When it comes to the changes made between model years you are always welcome to ask. As a manufacture we try not to complete re-invent the product every year. typically what you will find is there will be a year that does have some big changes and the following few years will have more minor upgrades in-between similar to what you would find in the Automotive world. When most people are looking for a new coach they do start with floorplans and figure out what would work best for them, then they get down into the features that they are looking for. For example it looks like from what I read that you would like IFS. any digital dash 2020, and the model year 2021 which was short, and this 2021.5 will have these changes. but on the flip side these coaches are still new enough for the original owner that they are not read to trade in. Feel free to send me a PM with any questions.

[Dijoeboss]

Originally Posted by Gusman

Any suggestions. No luck on rvtrader

I will keep you in mind after my trip in June, we may possibly decide to sell our 2018 Berk 39A and have a pool built at the house, we haven’t travelled a lot this past year for several reasons, my 2018 has just over 14K miles on it.

May not be what your looking for, but may be another option.

[tvj]

I have exactly that model and year 2020 Berkshire 45A XLT. I love it to death, but out of the 7,000 mi on it 4k was me the rest was transport to and from factory
Not a Berkshire issue that the fuel rail went bad at 2,000 mi and the alternator went bad at 6,000 mi. I just picked it up an hour ago with the dealer I believe I have all of the coach issues sorted out. Feel free to reach out. Just like any RV this is my third they're all a pain in the butt until you get most of the stuff worked out.

Originally Posted by Gusman

My head is spinning with all the info on the Berkshire 45a xlt. I have searched for 2 years and know I want I was looking at used but there are not that many. We plan to travel 20K a year so I am looking at 2020 and newer as I like the new dash, independent front suspension, and other upgrades over 2019. What do you think? Any suggestions on best place to purchase? I live in Mass but travel to Florida 2 times a year. Thanks Mark

[Gusman]

Thanks to all who replied. My wife and I bought out 2021 Berkshire 45a XLT AND LOVE IT

[dave-g]

Congratulations !

[cybertiger]

Where did you buy yours? We are in our 2nd Berk. 2012 XL, currently have 2016 43b, looking at 2022 45ca. Both previous were used light miles. Concerned with all I see about new rig issues.

[Gusman]

I bought ours in Mineola TX last week. Yes it has some minor issues but all were fixed before we left. Lost alternator and belt on way home just miles before CT line. Freightliner is taking care of that. Love ours so far.

[Eric B FR Diesel]

Originally Posted by cybertiger

Where did you buy yours? We are in our 2nd Berk. 2012 XL, currently have 2016 43b, looking at 2022 45ca. Both previous were used light miles. Concerned with all I see about new rig issues.

What issues are you concerned about?

[Dijoeboss]

Anyone interested in purchasing a 2018 39a - let me know, mines fixing to go on the market!
Wife wants a new in ground pool! Unit has roughly 15K miles on it.

[omahagirl]

Originally Posted by Gusman

I bought ours in Mineola TX last week. Yes it has some minor issues but all were fixed before we left. Lost alternator and belt on way home just miles before CT line. Freightliner is taking care of that. Love ours so far.

Maybe we’ll see you on a future trip up North My hubby is a NH boy has a brother that lives in Woburn MA. We’ve taken our Berkshire Buffy up a few times. 1st time with paper plates

[Gusman]

I was asked if we had issues. Yes dont they all but here are a few

cracked bedroom drawer
bedroom door fell apart and I had to reglue it
Headlilghts pointed to the ground had to adjust on the road as we had left the dealer 10 hours before it was dark. could only see 25 feet
tire pressure alarms added air and Freightliner is working with us for correct pressure
rain comes in AC return. Dealer near us will look at it
Inverter keeps overheating. working on power management and other options
Lots of minor scrapes and dings in interior woodwork. Dealer touched up with paint
front stabilizer leaking Dealer fixed the day we left and now the other side is leaking
Locking cabinet not locking. Dealer found missing modules 2 in fuse area 6 hr delay leaving dealer
Damaged door entry and missing sage Dealer is sending us parts
Slide seals not working well. Have to manually flip them out to seal.
Fan belt screaming on way home. Cummins installed new one after 24 hour delay in finding belt. Fell off 4 miles later Mobil service came and fixed same

I sure it is normal I just wish I could get better service at the dealers I contacted. But we do love the unit and are looking forward to future travels.