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05-02-2013, 09:42 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 30
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Water Bay Panel - Berkshire
As many of you, I have been confused about not having a handle or gas pistons on the water bay door of the Berkshire. I just talked with the parts department at the factory and was ordering the gas pistons so at least the door would stay open when I am working on winterizing, etc. They will not sell the parts for this purpose. The reason is they do not want customers to have easy access to the water bay so they won't store stuff in there and cause damage. They have apparently had customers do so and try to get the warranty to cover the damage caused.
At least the mystery is solved!
By the way, the parts department at Forest River has been more than helpful on the several transactions I have had with them. Found all kinds of parts for me and very fast turnaround time. Kudos!
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05-02-2013, 10:00 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 160
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Parts Department
I agree, their Parts Department has always been helpful.
Good Luck
AREA51
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05-02-2013, 10:46 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 319
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my 2013 390bh has the gas struts on the water panel door...
in fact, all my doors have gas struts on them... maybe a standards change sometime after your model year?
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himcules (10x stronger than hercules)
2013 Forest River Berkshire 390BH-60
ex 2007 Jayco Greyhawk 31SS
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05-02-2013, 10:50 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Long Island (Nassau County), NY
Posts: 4,352
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Him-
I believe that trtt is talking about the compartment door where the fresh water tank and the water pump is located. Mine is on the passenger side near the rear wheel well.
__________________
Tom and Margaret
2014 Berkshire 390bh-60
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05-02-2013, 10:51 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 319
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oh i see... yes, i do not have struts on that door either...
__________________
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himcules (10x stronger than hercules)
2013 Forest River Berkshire 390BH-60
ex 2007 Jayco Greyhawk 31SS
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05-02-2013, 02:37 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Home is where I park it
Posts: 1,503
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trttrving
As many of you, I have been confused about not having a handle or gas pistons on the water bay door of the Berkshire. I just talked with the parts department at the factory and was ordering the gas pistons so at least the door would stay open when I am working on winterizing, etc. They will not sell the parts for this purpose. The reason is they do not want customers to have easy access to the water bay so they won't store stuff in there and cause damage. They have apparently had customers do so and try to get the warranty to cover the damage caused.
At least the mystery is solved!
By the way, the parts department at Forest River has been more than helpful on the several transactions I have had with them. Found all kinds of parts for me and very fast turnaround time. Kudos!
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Yep, I thought about storing a few flat things in there. Found that with the water tank empty, it bulges inward quite a lot. So backed off that idea quickly.
If you need to support the door for working on the water pump, etc I used a canvas strap that went behind the power awning slide and then down and completely around the door. Works well, just make sure there is no wind so the awning doesn't self retract. Run the awning about about half way first though.
Boowho??
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05-02-2013, 03:56 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Long Island (Nassau County), NY
Posts: 4,352
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I went to the Dollar store and bought a sponge mop. I put the sponge end under the lip of the bay door and stand it up on the handle. Works well for me.
__________________
Tom and Margaret
2014 Berkshire 390bh-60
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05-02-2013, 04:07 PM
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#8
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Berkshire 390QS
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,489
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Do the same here as tmmar, works fine
__________________
2011: 54 days, 2012: 218 days, 2013: 175 days, 2014: 196 days
2015: 188 days, 2016: 72 days, 2017: 185 days: 2018 182 days
2019: 156 days (2009 Berkshire, 390QS, and toad)
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05-02-2013, 04:17 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 160
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Water Pump Compartment
Same here, broomstick, mops, cleaning brush, they all work to hold up the hatch. I store the long handled things like the squeege, window cleaning brush, a couple of buckets and small things like that in there. There is plenty of room for stuff that will not interfere with the tanks.
Good Luck
AREA51
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05-04-2013, 08:50 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 192
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Broken shovel handle has found new life as door prop.
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05-04-2013, 09:47 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 160
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trttrving,
Being serious about the lack of gas pistons, when communicating with Forest River did you specify the plumbing bay not the water pump compartment? I've never seen a Berkshire without the pistons on the plumbing bay. It would not make sense as they limit the height the hatch can be raised to avoid interference with the slide.
Good Luck
AREA51
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05-04-2013, 10:13 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 376
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I would like easier acess to this compartment also. Easier to check and maintain tanks. Has anyone changed out the latches as well? If so what works the best. I want to change the latch and add gas struts. Thanks ken
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05-04-2013, 04:29 PM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 30
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To clarify, the plumbing bay does have gas pistons. The water pump bay does not. I am deliberating whether it is worth the effort to install pistons. I'll probably take a few trips before deciding.
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05-04-2013, 04:56 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 376
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trttrving
To clarify, the plumbing bay does have gas pistons. The water pump bay does not. I am deliberating whether it is worth the effort to install pistons. I'll probably take a few trips before deciding.
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Correct. The bay with the water pump and those latches are a pain as well. I am going to change them and add the pistons. I had the bay open on me last summer in the interstate. I had to zip tie the latches closed. Not the best design.
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05-04-2013, 09:13 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: West Michigan/Fort Myers
Posts: 3,927
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Quote:
Originally Posted by klucas
Correct. The bay with the water pump and those latches are a pain as well. I am going to change them and add the pistons. I had the bay open on me last summer in the interstate. I had to zip tie the latches closed. Not the best design.
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There should be wire cotter key to secure the latch. I know they are not cotter keys I just can't Think what you call them. Anyway the latch will not stay closed without them.
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05-04-2013, 09:27 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 376
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil57
There should be wire cotter key to secure the latch. I know they are not cotter keys I just can't Think what you call them. Anyway the latch will not stay closed without them.
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Mine actually opened with them in place. There was enough movement that the end of latch popped off. It opened going about 60 luckily I saw it in the mirror moving. I had to bend the latches tighter re install cotter pins and then zip tie. I am going to change to a better latch just curious if anyone else as done that yet and if so what kind.
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05-04-2013, 09:39 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: West Michigan/Fort Myers
Posts: 3,927
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I better look at mine. Thanks for the warning.
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05-04-2013, 11:36 PM
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#18
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Berkshire 390QS
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,489
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pop up camper latches
Put these on ours.
Attachment 29621
__________________
2011: 54 days, 2012: 218 days, 2013: 175 days, 2014: 196 days
2015: 188 days, 2016: 72 days, 2017: 185 days: 2018 182 days
2019: 156 days (2009 Berkshire, 390QS, and toad)
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