6 Forest River Berkshire RV Problems To Be Aware Of

Designed with luxury and comfort, Berkshire motorhomes are Forest River’s most popular diesel Class A RVs. These upscale motorhomes deliver stylish amenities, plenty of power, and lots of room to entertain your family and guests. If you’re wondering if there are any Forest River Berkshire RV Problems to be aware of, the answer is that while this Berkshire motor coach has good reviews and excels in many departments, it’s not perfect. Even so, this brand has a high customer satisfaction score.

Read on to find out the main Forest River Berkshire RV problems to help you know what to look out for when making a purchase. We will also highlight some recalls associated with this brand, as well as some minor issues. Here’s everything you need to know.

Forest River Berkshire History

Berkshire RVs are a Forest River product that debuted in 2008; it’s headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana. Its parent company, Forest River, Inc., was founded in 1996 and has grown to become the second-largest RV manufacturer in North America. In 2005, Forest River was acquired by Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. Three years later, it launched a new line of luxury Class As —the Berkshire model.

Forest River Berkshire Models

Berkshire Class As are available in 3 sizes — standard, XL (extra large), and XLT (extra-large tall). The Berkshire standard models are top-tier diesel pushers measuring between 35 and 41 feet long and have a Cummins ISB turbo diesel 6.7 liter 360 HP engine. The Berkshire XL are higher-end coaches measuring 38 and 41 feet long and have Cummins ISL turbo diesel 380 HP engines. Lastly, the Berkshire XLT are super luxurious tag axle motorhomes measuring 44 feet long with a Cummins ISL 450HP.

All three models are built on a Freightliner XCR Raised Rail Chassis that handles like a dream, rides smooth, and is powerful enough to haul huge loads, tow a toad (secondary vehicle), and climb steep sections. These rigs have a GVWR of between 32,000 and 47,000 lbs. Compared to other luxury Class A coaches, they have a modest starting price point of $250,000. However, the Berkshire XLT models can cost more than $500,000.

Forest River Berkshire Floor Plans and Features

Berkshire revamps its floor plans each year. For each of the three 2023 models (standard, XL, and XLT), buyers can choose from 3 floor plans. The inside of Berkshire RVs convey elegance with sophisticated décor and a layout that delivers exceptional livability. You can opt for a layout with 3 to 5 slides, a bath and a half, a bunkhouse, a booth/stand alone dinette, and/or theater seats.

Owners will appreciate features like private bedrooms, a fireplace, a large kitchen, stainless steel appliances, a tilt-a-view king bed, hide-a-bed sofa, porcelain tile flooring, beautiful hardwood cabinetry, a central vacuum system, solar system, dishwasher, and washer/dryer. The attention to detail also stands out with features such as drawers with full extension metal guides and ball bearings, a pull-out countertop, a workstation table, decorative window valances, a bedroom ceiling fan, a WiFi booster, keyless entry, a heated floor option, a satellite dish option, TPS system, and multiple entry door assist grab handles.

The gorgeous exteriors will definitely turn heads, and you have several full-body paint designs to select from.

6 Forest River Berkshire RV Problems

Despite being a high-end brand, Berkshire RV has a few build quality issues. In this section, we will discuss the major complaints around Berkshire RV:

Roof Leaks

One of the Forest River Berkshire RV problems is leaking roofs. A few owners have complained about leaks from different areas. In many cases, the leaks ended up damaging the ceiling and roof insulation and even causing black mold growth up there.

Cause: Upon close inspection, one owner noticed that the leaking sections lacked sealant/caulking. In another thread, the dealer found cracks in the fiberglass roof. Forest River has acknowledged these leaks are caused by manufacturer defects and has agreed to replace the roof and ceiling of affected coaches.

Solution: If your RV is under warranty, Forest River will have the problem fixed. RV owners who are out of warranty need to find a reputable place to find the leak and repair it ASAP before it damages the ceiling. In addition, you should apply a sealant to your Berkshire RV roof annually to avoid leaks or damage.

Electrical Issues

Another one on the list of Berkshire RV problems are electrical issues. They range from lights, TVs and outlets on slides not working. Other owners claim that the exterior headlights and tail lights flash randomly while parked and connected to 50 amp shore power. For others, the horn blows on its own when driving or parked.

Causes: Manufacturer defects are the reason behind the electrical issues. In fact, Forest River recalled some Berkshire models in 2021 because they were equipped with 3000W power inverters which may supply too much current, increasing the risk of fire. When some components work and others don’t, it could be a sign of a dying battery. Also, wires in the AC breaker panel could be burned or fuses in your converter may have blown.

Solution: Defects are covered by the warranty. Find authorized RV electrical specialists to troubleshoot and handle the warranty work.

Brake Problem

Forest River Berkshire coaches model year 2019 to 2020 were recalled because of faulty air disc brakes. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the brake caliper mounting bolts on these rigs may have been insufficiently tightened. This reduced the effectiveness of the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash. The issue was also present in Sportscoach Motorhomes.

Cause: Manufacturer defect caused by faulty workmanship.

Solution: The good news is that all affected coaches were recalled, and repairs were done free of charge.

Whirlpool Washer Machine Issues

While the washer machine in Berkshire recreational vehicles is a nice add on, it can be a hassle to operate. Top owner complaints include washers not starting, not spinning, making unusual noises, shaking wildly, controls not responding, and displaying error codes.

Cause: Poor quality control and incorrect assembly by Whirlpool.

Solution: Call Whirlpool directly, and they will send trained service people to repair the washer under warranty. If it keeps failing afterwards, the best way to deal with the problem for good is to get a better quality washer.

Slide Not Working

S lideout issues are also one of the Berkshire RV problems. Common issues include slides not retracting or opening, or jamming halfway. Each Berkshire floor plan has multi-slides, so it can be pretty frustrating when most of your slide-outs are problematic.

Causes: Power supply is usually the main issue. Your battery may not be charged or there could be a connection problem between the battery and chassis. You could also have a damaged slide-out switch or an obstruction on the slide’s path. For older RVs, motor wires could have gotten loose over time, causing it to fail.

Solution: You’ll need to do read your manual and do some testing to find the exact cause. Make sure the battery is fully charged and properly connected, remove any debris and lubricate the path, and double-check all of your fuses and breakers to confirm nothing is blown or tripped.

Plumbing Leak

Like many other RV brands, Berkshire motorhomes have several plumbing issues. Some owners have found leaks around the hot water heater and water pump. Others have noticed water dripping under the bottom of RV. Notably, only a few owners of new Berkshire RVs have reported major issues around the plumbing.

Causes: For water heater leaks, the problem seems to be owner error. The RV was probably hooked up to a city water connection without a pressure reducer, so the high pressure damaged the drain and pressure relief valve. For water drips, you’ll need to have your plumbing system inspected by an RV specialist if you can’t find the source of the leak.

Solution: Replace the water heater relief valve with a new valve.

Here are some more major Berkshire RV problems that Berkshire owners have witnessed.

AC freezes up, causing the interior to heat up. Can be dangerous if you leave your pet inside the RV.
Some Berkshire motorhomes have been recalled because the awning may deploy during transit.
The inner wheel’s tire valve stem extension may come in contact with the outer wheel rim opening. This may damage the valve, and cause the inner wheel to lose tire pressure, increasing the risk of an accident.

Minor and Cosmetic Forest River Berkshire RV Problems

Here are other less frequent or smaller problems that often affect a Berkshire diesel motorhome.

Glass panel and slider window trim falling off on their own.
The brake lights may not adequately reflect light.
The hot water system may require a manual reset every couple of days.
The residential refrigerator door magnets may not be powerful enough to keep the doors shut.

FAQs

Her are some of the most frequently asked questions about Berkshire RVs.

Who Makes Berkshire RVs?

Berkshire RV is made by Forest River Inc. Apart from Class A RVs, FR also builds travel trailers, fifth wheels, tent campers, toy haulers, destination trailers, park models. cargo trailers, utility trailers, and pontoon boats. Forest River itself is owned by Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

Is Berkshire RV a Good Brand?

Among all Forest River brands, Berkshire RV is known to have one of the highest build quality. These RVs not only deliver elegance and supreme style, but they are also built with sturdy materials that last many years.

Berkshire Class A RV: The Epitome of Luxury

The RV community agrees there are no perfect RVs. But the Berkshire is one of those diesel pusher motorhomes that have significantly fewer problems. Owners love the refined interior touches, huge living space, and decent build quality. No wonder they give it impressive ratings and recommend is as a good “bang-for-the-buck” coach.

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Cynthia Measom

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Cynthia Measom is the founder and main content creator of RV Top Tips. Not just a writer, she’s a dedicated RV owner and enthusiast, alongside her husband, Joe, who is an experienced RV tech. With their joint knowledge, the two are up on the latest trends and technologies in the RV industry, as well as practical camping and lifestyle tips.

The couple own a 2020 Coachmen Chaparral fifth-wheel that they absolutely love. Their secret to being so satisfied? They purchased the model after a solid year of researching different fifth-wheel campers in person and online to find the perfect fit for their family of three.