Community Forums

RVBulldog · 08-08-2011, 06:25 PM

I am interested to know how 2011 Berkshire owners are satisfied with their coach. Specifically, I wanted to know if anyone has had any problems and how they were addressed.

Roll · 08-13-2011, 02:58 PM

Numerous issues some triffleing, some serious, all annoying. So far the dealer has handled all complaints to my satisfaction with a smile. I have no issues with the dealer at all. (The service manager is a prince and goes out of his way to keep me happy. Arbogast in Dayton Ohio if you are interested) .

In my opinion, FR has not developed their quality control function. When seat controls are wired backwards as are electric sun screens no one is checking these coaches before they leave the factory. Of my issues the reversed seat controls falls into the annoying group and a broken gas fitting in the oven falls into the hazardous group. Everything else is somewhere in between.

Glad to discuss if you like. I can give you some things to check based on my experience.

Roll

bobw103 · 12-25-2011, 11:46 AM

We just purchased a 2011 Berkshire 390QS but have not yet taken possesion of it. I too was wondering about the above. I do know however that all have their own set of problems and we are thinking that as long as the engine and basic make up is sound we are good to go...or not?
BTW-Merry Christmas

RVBulldog · 12-26-2011, 05:37 PM

I have had a few problems with my coach probably a few more then normal but i must say that forest river has been great with resolving the problems i hope they continue time will tell

Roll · 01-07-2012, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobw103

We just purchased a 2011 Berkshire 390QS but have not yet taken possesion of it. I too was wondering about the above. I do know however that all have their own set of problems and we are thinking that as long as the engine and basic make up is sound we are good to go...or not?
BTW-Merry Christmas

As you pointed out, expect issues, I have read that every coach, regardless of the builder, has problems or quirks that need fixed. They are complex vehicles.

The service manager at your dealer can make or break your experience. Get to know him/her as soon as you can and spend some time letting them get to know you. Hang out for a while if you can manage it.

I do recommend some weekend outings close to home to shake down the problems. Try everything several times. Then, have some fun.

wnytaxman · 01-23-2012, 01:30 PM

We have a 2011 Berkshire 390bh. We're on our second year with the coach and have had no major problems with the unit at all. We tend to use the rig on long distance trips mostly and find it is a great unit, comfortable to drive and to use. We travel with our 14 year old twins and sometimes with my in-laws along with us. Again, we have had no issues other than minor annoyances. When I look at some much more expensive rigs than ours and see issues like cracked roof radiuses, delaminating sidewalls, and cracked end caps, I am really happy with our decision to buy the Berkshire. We purchased from Buffalo RV (RVOne or RVDirect) and they have been super to deal with.

Disneyfix · 03-04-2012, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wnytaxman

We have a 2011 Berkshire 390bh. We're on our second year with the coach and have had no major problems with the unit at all. We tend to use the rig on long distance trips mostly and find it is a great unit, comfortable to drive and to use. We travel with our 14 year old twins and sometimes with my in-laws along with us. Again, we have had no issues other than minor annoyances. When I look at some much more expensive rigs than ours and see issues like cracked roof radiuses, delaminating sidewalls, and cracked end caps, I am really happy with our decision to buy the Berkshire. We purchased from Buffalo RV (RVOne or RVDirect) and they have been super to deal with.

Tell me more......, please. This unit is on our list to check out. What kind of aeting are do you have in it? Bunks comfortable? Too small?....

wnytaxman · 03-05-2012, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disneyfix

Tell me more......, please. This unit is on our list to check out. What kind of aeting are do you have in it? Bunks comfortable? Too small?....

The bunks in the Berkshire are larger than the other rigs we looked at. When we travel with just our kids we use the master bedroom and the kids are in the bunks. When my wife's parents come with us we let them have the bedroom and we fold out the air mattress on the couch and use that. Last summer we did two weeks in Maine and the Maritimes with the six of us travelling together. All was well other than my father in law has weird political leanings!

jponyboyace · 03-20-2012, 10:55 AM

wow just picked up my 36fws 3/2 seems great ...full wall slide the motor is a ISB 340 hmmm is this a good motor...cummings is the best deisel I believe but I was suprised to hear it comes with a 3 yr 75k not the 5 yr 100k hmmmm ..milage is great so far...13/14 mpg ....suprised to see the bedroom has no heat ducks...and only one a/c has a heat strip....pleanty of ducks in the ceiling for th a/c.....the dealer is the best as we have some small issues I expect will be fixed sooon...the 5k rebate has to be filed by the owners not the dealer...suprised to hear that....overall the unit drives like a dream ***ok power ....really seems fine however I will report after my fla trip as i am out of jersey and have to drive more!!.. mistyvalleyacres@aol.com jim/lorraine

jponyboyace · 03-20-2012, 10:57 AM

Taxman what motor do you have??...has this ISB 6.7 been in the rigs for long???..340

wnytaxman · 03-20-2012, 06:42 PM

Jpony, I've got the 340. It's adequate for the most part. When we first got the rig we went to Branson, MO and there are some real rolling hills out there. They were a straight shot so you could roll pretty fast going down but the climb would slow us down pretty quickly. This is the only time it has bothered me. If you have ever come up I-77 north from Charlotte up over Fancy Gap you'll know what that climb is like and we stayed over 50 mph coming up that long rise so it does have enough guts to do what we would want it to. I haven't tried it with a toad yet. We may equip our MKX to tow and I'll see how that works for power but I don't anticipate any problems.

Disneyfix · 03-21-2012, 02:25 AM

Can anyone tell me what the curb weight on the 340hp model. There is only 5k of weight left from the gross and combined.
27,910 lbs. gross
32,910 lbs. combined.

Thanks,
Chris

Roll · 03-21-2012, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disneyfix

Can anyone tell me what the curb weight on the 340hp model. There is only 5k of weight left from the gross and combined.
27,910 lbs. gross
32,910 lbs. combined.

Thanks,
Chris

Different models have different cargo carrying capacity and Berkshire uses the 340 HP as the base engine in all their models, (though you can get an upgrade to the 360 HP engine).

I think I can help though because in a conversation with Berkshire about CCC I was told that none of their models left the factory with less than 3400 lbs of CCC. One or more models actually had more. So I think you can be comfortable that if its a 2012 model Berkshire diesel, you have 3400 pounds of cargo carrying capacity.

Gary