pjmccarthy
Ohio
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Over the next year or so as the used market cools off I'll be looking for a solid 2019/2020 33-35' diesel pusher. I have narrowed my focus to the Tiffin Allegro 33, Newmar Ventana LE/Kountry Star 3412 and the Forest River Berkshire 34QS.
I have owned a Newmar diesel and have heard good things about Tiffin but I'm not familiar with the FR Berkshire model. The Berkshire seems to built on the same solid Freightliner XCR platform with a good engine/transmission setup.
I would appreciate any insight and opinions on the Forest River Berkshire's quality, fit & finish, customer service, etc. as compared to a similar '19 or '20 Tiffin or Newmar.
Thanks very much.
Pete
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way2roll
Wilmington NC
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Bear in mind that any '20 model was built right around the start of Covid. Lots of stories about diminished quality and it wasn't great to start with. Labor and supply chain shortages came pretty quick. Some other considerations; 2019 Winnebago bought Newmar and in 2020 Tiffin sold to Thor. If your focus is to get a model immediately before all that , then it's probably a good idea. That said, I would look at units in the order of Newmar, Tiffin and put the FR lowest on the totem pole (not the lowest of all manufacturers, just the lowest of the 3 you mentioned). I'm pretty happy with the quality of our FR Rv, but some folks don't share my experience. Seen some threads on here on about major issues with their newer Thor-made Tiffins. You rarely see any complaints about Newmar even post-Winnebago acquisition.
On a 3 or 4 year old model, most of the bugs should be worked out though. At some point the condition and care of a used RV takes precedence over brand.
I would also take a look at the forest river forum and do some homework there.
* This post was
edited 08/10/22 06:14am by way2roll *
2023 FR Sunseeker 2400B MBS
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rr2254545
Central Minnesota
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Last time I checked the covid hit in 2020 - I do not consider Berkshire in the same league as the other choices
2012 Winnebago Journey 36M Cummins 360
2014 Jeep Cherokee
447 Campgrounds,99K miles driven in our Winnebago motor homes and 2221 nights camping since we retired in July 2009, 41 National Parks
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LouLawrence
Traveling the US fulltime since 2000.
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Tiffin and Newmar would be my #1 and 2 choices but I am not that familiar with the FR products. I just know that the owners tend to be huge supporters of those products and their support.
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way2roll
Wilmington NC
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rr2254545 wrote:Last time I checked the covid hit in 2020 - I do not consider Berkshire in the same league as the other choices
Interesting that it's called the 2019 novel coronavirus. But you are right, first confirmed cases hit the US Jan 2020 although data suggests there were cases in 2019.
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dodge guy
Bartlett IL
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I’m on my 3rd Forest River product. No issues to speak of except for a bad radio. And they sent me a new one that I installed.
I definitely wouldn’t buy a model buoy during Covid march 2020 until around earlier this year because finding workers is hard and the ones they were getting are probably just as questionable as what they had.
The Berkshire is on my list of DP’s. I would avoid anything owned by Thor.
Whatever you consider, be sure to go over it with a fine tooth comb! Look at every little detail.
Wife Kim
Son Brandon 17yrs
Daughter Marissa 16yrs
Dog Bailey
12 Forest River Georgetown 350TS Hellwig sway bars, BlueOx TrueCenter stabilizer
13 Ford Explorer Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP Tow>
A bad day camping is
better than a good day at work!
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Tom/Barb
Oak Harbor, Wa
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If I were buying a coach these days I'd go with this.
https://bellingham.craigslist.org/rvs/d/blaine-2006-country-coach-allure-430/7518842875.html
I'd stay away from anything with Emissions systems
country coach is one of the better built coaches, EVER.
this 2006 was built during the time that industry was building the best products they ever produced.
and priced at the same of a new couch that you were looking at.
2000 Newmar mountain aire 4081 DP, ISC/350 Allison 6 speed, Wrangler JL toad.
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Lwiddis
Southern California :(
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I agree with dodge guy…”Whatever you consider, be sure to go over it with a fine tooth comb! Look at every little detail.” I should have posted that earlier.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad
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Blaster Man
USA
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rr2254545 wrote:Last time I checked the covid hit in 2020 - I do not consider Berkshire in the same league as the other choices
Agree, Berkshire is an 'entry' level coach.
2014 American Eagle
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chuckftboy
Fleming Island, Florida
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2019 coaches were built in 2018 (pre-covid) and 2020's also the year before,2019,
for the most part. The economy was still good and people were still willing to work so the "during covid" thing doesn't hold water.
I say, buy the coach you like and can afford, then take it out and enjoy it.
2019 Horizon 42Q Maxum Chassis w/tag
Cummins L-9 450 HP / Allison 3000
2006 Jeep TJ and 2011 Chevy Traverse Tows
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