Cindy and I picked up a new Charleston during the FROG Rally, moved into it over Labor Day weekend, and are now on our second extended trip in it.
The first trip was to a series of rallies in Gulf Shores, Grapevine (TX), Durango, Albuquerque, and OK City, then back to Middlebury. We left last weekend for Thanksgiving with family, then will be heading to a rally in Charleston, Tampa RV Show, rally in New Orleans, and more.
Quick synopsis: This thing drives like a dream, with the same engine and transmission -- Cummins 450 HP and Allison 6-speed with economy and power modes -- as the several Berkshire XLT models that we've had. Given that this is 37 feet vs 45 on the XLT, and about 7,300 pounds lighter on GVWR, the power is amazing. We're flat towing a Chevy Silverado 1500 and can't even feel it back there.
Some of the new collision avoidance systems -- adaptive cruise control, which slows you if it detects you gaining on a vehicle ahead within a certain distance; warning if you are too close to someone or if someone pulls in within certain stopping distances ahead of you; out-of-lane warning -- are great safety features. I particularly love the adaptive cruise control, which slows you as I mentioned, then brings your back up to set speed if you move out to pass or if the vehicle ahead speeds up sufficiently.
The ride is like driving your living room.
The bedroom has two floor-to-ceiling sliding door closets -- one across the the back about six feet wide, and another on the side about three feet wide along with a six drawer dresser, stacked washer and dryer, and a king bed that rises into a reclining position to allow for the full-length slide on the door side.
There's a full bathroom just ahead of the bedroom, with a huge and beautiful full tile shower. The galley includes a huge residential refrigerator / freezer, convection microwave, induction cooktop, huge sink, and dishwasher. Directly across from the sink is a huge floor to ceiling pantry, only about eight inches wide but with five adjustable drawers about three feet deep on rollers.
This unit, like the XLT, has no propane on board. The kitchen is entirely electric, and the Aqua Hot system, powered by diesel or propane, operates the furnace, water heater, and heated floors. There are two AC zones, both with electric heat pumps.
The dash is fully electronic, with options for some supplemental gauges that you might want to have visible. Controls include three-stage exhaust brake, adjustable pedals, and more. There's extensive underneath storage, including full pass through compartments, one two-way sliding tray, and a supplemental freezer on its own tray. The unit has keyless starting, keyless entry, and keyless electronic compartments locks, the latter two supplemented by key systems. The house DC system is provided by a lithium battery bank supplemented by solar.
There have been a few minor suggestions that we've sent over to the plant for review, which is part of what we do when we receive a new "company car."
If you think you might be in the market, are are just curious, take a look at your Forest River Charleston dealer or at an RV show near you.
For more information, click on the article that Eric linked above.
like I said a rumor
