Looks like I am going to get a Berkshire 38A...

[mikeborny]

I just went through mountains in West Virginia with my 340hp 390bh loaded to the max towing a 4 door Wrangler. 40-45 mph going up 5% grade. Not great but it is not my daily commute! Averaged 9.4 mpg for entire trip and i drive with cruise control set to 68.


Mike & Amy + 3 and the dogs!
2014 berkshire 390bh-40

[tnbendr]

I believe some of the answer to this question has to do with the ability of the wallet. I would love to have been able to go with one of the XLT models for payload and power, but could not afford it. Having said that though, I also think the 38A has by far the best floorplan of everything we looked at and has a lot of goodies you won't get unless you spend well over 200k.
I to have been across I70 through Colorado and dropped down just below 50 on some of the grades...not bad!

[I-RV]

Originally Posted by accumack

As long as you can stay below the weight limit on the 340 with the Allison 2500 it's fine. If you have concerns get the 360 with the Allison 3000. I'm happy with the 340 and love my fuel milage. I don't know if the fuel milage is affected by the 360 or not. Cost was also a factor.

X2 "As long as you can stay below the weight limit". I have a 340hp and weigh in loaded (with two people) at 11,100 front, and 18,200 rear. I have had a tire and axle air bag upgrade. I no longer have to run the tires at 110 psi; the tire maximum (running 84 psi on the rears).

Lot of posters to this thread talk about power and mileage. Yes, I made a couple trips around the U.S. and the mountains. Yes, the 340hp can hack it. The big plus of the 360hp is the Allison 3000MH tranny (a beast) and the increased axle weight ratings.

You will note that in the 38A specifications, the CCC and UVW are mentioned in the fine print, but not with any specs.

jpcamper
Weight consideration and safety of your tires is very important. Do not make your decision on the dealers words. Do your homework and get the moho weighed before purchase.
Hank

[RKNOLA]

We have the 38A and it does fine towing a Honda CR-V but it doesn't race up hills. When you (as Rick tells me) "drive it like a Motorhome and not like a Ferarri it does just fine". Yes, I have a slightly heavy foot when I drive ours........ I am impatient......... What can I say????
The storage space in the 38A is outstanding! Especially in the master bath. And the 38A comes with a lot of features usually only found in the higher dollar coaches. When you do get yours don't forget: the steering column telescopes. (Some owners didn't even realize theirs did that).
Yes, I-RV is right, do your research BEFORE you buy! But I think the 38A is a very good choice!
Good Luck!
Karen

[osu65bob]

Have logged 19,500 miles on our '14 RB 360 and love it. No regrets at all and the 1/2 bath feature has worked out great--also love the rear bath layout (double closet) better than the newer layouts.
Would buy this unit again.
GREAT factory service helps as well----the best in the industry as far as I'm concerned.

[I-RV]

Originally Posted by RKNOLA

We have the 38A and it does fine towing a Honda CR-V but it doesn't race up hills. When you (as Rick tells me) "drive it like a Motorhome and not like a Ferarri it does just fine". Yes, I have a slightly heavy foot when I drive ours........ I am impatient......... What can I say????
The storage space in the 38A is outstanding! Especially in the master bath. And the 38A comes with a lot of features usually only found in the higher dollar coaches. When you do get yours don't forget: the steering column telescopes. (Some owners didn't even realize theirs did that).
Yes, I-RV is right, do your research BEFORE you buy! But I think the 38A is a very good choice!
Good Luck!
Karen

Yes, plenty of storage space, but you can't load it up, LOL

[tkdavis]

We have the 38RB with the 340hp and Alison 2500, we have no problems with the power.

A recent trip through the San Jaun mountains in Colorado went fine towing a 4 door Jeep Wrangler.

As long as you are not the type that has to be the first one up the hills the 340/2500 will do fine!


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

[ernest917]

I have a 2008 with a 330 hp Mercedes and an Allison 3000 tranny and absolutely love it... Great power, super torque and fantastic mileage....

You will be truly a "happy camper" with your Berk !!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[ccupton]

We love our 2016 38A. The floor plan and ride are great.


Chris & Carol
2016 Berkshire 38A
2014 Honda CRV

[81redbug]

I was worried about power too, but the 340 is fine. Not going to set you back in the seat on acceleration, but our '15 RB is great. We tow a '10 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited very comfortably. PA to California last summer. Had to pull hard out of Death Valley, but it managed the passes.

[Blacknchromehd]

Well I do have the 340 HP in a lighter Legacy...my coach is a max of 33,000 lbs but with the trailer i pull and the Harley's I do not get any heavier than 5000 lbs tow....but hills are not a problem at all in Western PA or northern NY where we travel...but I believe the Berkshire is much heavier than mine ....total length is 40 ft...with the trailer 58 ft...

[TroutVictor]

2011 390RB with the 340 here. Been full timing for 2 months. Love the layout.

However ...

check where and how the DEF is added. On my 2011 the DEF is on the passenger side and incredibly awkward to refill. I would not buy a motorhome, of any brand, unless the DEF was on the driver's side and also easy to fill not only from a pump at a truck plaza but also easy to fill with the jugs you buy in the store. Seriously, that big a deal. Am already looking to replace the Berkshire due to this issue.

[accumack]

I think you will find anything built on the same freightliner chassis will have the def in the same location. It gets filled every couple of tanks of fuel I use a pump to put def in the tank and use a separate container to fill at the pumps. No big deal. Do I wish they put the fill on the driver side hell yes. Is it a reason to get rid of the coach no way. I hear the the Berk with the tag axle may have the def fill on the left side.

[Campin Cajun]

I have the same set up for DEF, I do not think it's a big deal or decision maker as to own a Moho that is set up like this.

2016 Newmars have it on the DS so does some Tiffin models but not all.

It's really not that big of a deal.

[Phil57]

You would sell a Moho because of the DEF tank? Man that's the definition of disposable income.
I wish mine was a little more user friendly but as others have said its not a deal breaker.

[dan-nickie]

There is always compromises. The DEF tank is a small one in my opinion.

[Paulie Boy]

Originally Posted by TroutVictor

2011 390RB with the 340 here. Been full timing for 2 months. Love the layout.



However ...



check where and how the DEF is added. On my 2011 the DEF is on the passenger side and incredibly awkward to refill. I would not buy a motorhome, of any brand, unless the DEF was on the driver's side and also easy to fill not only from a pump at a truck plaza but also easy to fill with the jugs you buy in the store. Seriously, that big a deal. Am already looking to replace the Berkshire due to this issue.

Have you never driven through a Pilot or Flying J the wrong way? It's easy, fuel fill on both sides. Easy breezy. The new Freightliner tag chassis has the tank on the curb side but dual side fill.


Paul
2014 390 BH-60
2015 Jeep Wrangler Unltd. Sahara
Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums

[Campin Cajun]

You can also use the DEF pump from the next lane over. I've done this a couple of times. The hose is plenty long enough to reach the DEF tank.

[tmmar]

As long as there is no one using the pumps in the next lane (LOL!!)

[TroutVictor]

I'm not running out tomorrow to buy a new RV.

I have the portable pump for filling the DEF. I have pulled thru the Flying J pumps backwards, I have used the DEF pump one lane over.

Everyone has their own list of priorities about an RV. For some it's the layout, for others the engine size or color scheme or TV placement.

I like my Berkshire but ease of filling the DEF will be a very important factor in my next purchase.

To each their own.