New Georgetown XL or Used Bershire

jskelton83 · 04-15-2015, 02:54 PM

Prices are pretty equal and floorplans real similiar. I am in the market for a bunkhouse and keep flip flopping on which would be the better deal. I have found a couple of 2011 Berks for close to the same price as a 2015 Georgetown XL. What are your opinions, please.
1st Motorhome

mcomer · 04-15-2015, 03:14 PM

Drive them both and you will pick the Berk. I've had two gassers but won't have a third. If its in good shape work on the price. Are the tires new on the Berk?

Mike

jskelton83 · 04-15-2015, 03:17 PM

No, I'm pretty sure they will have to be replaced.

uralman · 04-15-2015, 03:18 PM

The immediate difference will be the smooth ride of the Berkshire.

NO3putt · 04-15-2015, 03:23 PM

Have driven both, Berkshire by far has better ride. If your planning on long trips, Berkshire for sure. If your only going on short weekend trips then the Georgetown may be your best bet. We purchased our 2009 Berkshire in 2010 and now have almost 42,000 miles on it.

boowho · 04-15-2015, 04:35 PM

There ain't nuthin' like a Diesel!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They'll take mine away when they pry my cold dead fingers from around the steering wheel.

Boowho!!!

mcomer · 04-15-2015, 06:21 PM

You're looking at about four to five grand on tires, so consider that in the price. We love our Berk! The ride and the brakes for hilly driving are no comparison to a gasser. I think the Berk will hold value better.

Mike

silver · 04-15-2015, 07:15 PM

Berk tires should be good for 8 to 10 years unless they show side wall cracks or are warn. Should not have that much mileage on it to have tires warn out.

You can talk to your copilot in the Berkshire. Must yell at copilot in Georgetown.

Georetown will get into state campgrounds easier if you like to go there.

I have had both. Have Berkshire now and will not go back.

ernest917 · 04-15-2015, 08:03 PM

I take my Berk into state parks with no trouble.... Planning a 8 week trip this summer and will be staying in numerous SP's...

I also had a gasser before my Berk and I'll never go back after having this diesel.... Just too many plus's for a diesel....

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NO3putt · 04-15-2015, 08:44 PM

Ordered new tires for our Berkshire thru FMCA program, $3600 including mounting and balance. Forgot to mention, buying a used Berkshire the first owner all ready took the new unit loss when they took it off the lot. Hopefully who ever had it took good care of it.

gasman94 · 04-16-2015, 02:04 PM

Have driven both and IMO there is no comparison. The Georgetown is a great coach, but quiet, smoothness of ride, BRAKING, towing capacity and a host of other things go to the Berk...unless you're not putting on many miles. I love mine thoroughly. Good luck!

Rich

Vince and Charlette · 04-16-2015, 09:31 PM

On the other hand, we went with the Georgetown. Just got it in January and put a few thousand miles on it in the first month...OH to FL and back. I would do anything to have a Berk, but we got a very good deal on a 2015 Georgetown at $99K. Several years ago, my DW and I made a commitment not to go into debt ever again. So, the $70k difference was out of our range. Main problems with Georgetown are noisy engine, less power and an awful problem with sway. The suspension on the Ford chassis just isn't a good match for a motorhome. I've spent almost $2K on tracbar, steering stabilizer, alignment (which FR paid for) etc. and several trips to the dealer. We really like the bunkhouse layout with two full baths. No more knock on the bathroom door while you're in the shower, "Daddy, I gotta go to the bathroom real bad". Maybe, some day, we'll break into our TSP and grab one.

outloud · 04-17-2015, 01:29 PM

My Copilot and I have a berk and are looking forward to are new Berkshire. We looking to get XL bath / & half. No gas for us!

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jcowles3 · 04-17-2015, 06:38 PM

Love ours, 2.5 years and still happy!

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DBsRedVett · 04-18-2015, 07:23 AM

I have a Georgetown XL and just started looking at Berks and a few other diesels out there. Torn as I have a few friends with new Berks and they had some big problems. I have no issues at all with my unit, but did add 10,000.00 worth of upgrades to my standards.

tmmar · 04-18-2015, 08:13 AM

When you say 'big problems', what are you talking about?

DBsRedVett · 04-18-2015, 09:40 AM

When driving down 95 through NJ big double door Frig was fall out, no place to park she was holding it up with all her might till he found a section to pull over and try to fix. Took lasydays weeks to get it ready. Another person had all her tiles floor popping up, and a few other people with issues. I have not problems with my Georgetown, but am upgrading to diesel. Many friends in the Dog Agility community, all different brands out there they are using, most are all saying go for the Allegro you won't be sorry, we got rid of our Berkshire

mcomer · 04-18-2015, 11:21 AM

The only problem I have had was the reading light above the burnt out. I just put an 1156 bulb in it, and that's it. I do all my own maint on it. I crawled all over the Berkshire before I got one and felt like it was for me. I did the same with the Tiffin, and my buddy has, and it wasn't for me. The big thing was the unsupported wiring. Twenty dollars worth of Ty-wraps goes a long way and the Berk had it. Tiffin no. By the way my buddies Pheaton has been back to the factory 13 times for major issues.

Mike

JTN8 · 04-18-2015, 12:02 PM

I love my Berkshire and only had minor issues that were taken care of right after purchase. I did need to bring it to FR for the slide alignment but they took care of it. A friend of mine sells the Tiffins and he said their support and customer service is no where near FR. For the money and the amenities you can't go wrong with the Berkshire in my opinion.

Jason

gasman94 · 04-18-2015, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcomer

The only problem I have had was the reading light above the burnt out. I just put an 1156 bulb in it, and that's it. I do all my own maint on it. I crawled all over the Berkshire before I got one and felt like it was for me. I did the same with the Tiffin, and my buddy has, and it wasn't for me. The big thing was the unsupported wiring. Twenty dollars worth of Ty-wraps goes a long way and the Berk had it. Tiffin no. By the way my buddies Pheaton has been back to the factory 13 times for major issues.

Mike

Mine went out as well and replaced both with a LED's...brighter, less power usage and not as hot.

Rich

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