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

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.

Last time I checked the covid hit in 2020 - I do not consider Berkshire in the same league as the other choices

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.

rr2254545 wrote:Last time I checked the covid hit in 2020 - I do not consider Berkshire in the same league as the other choicesInteresting 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.

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.

Opinion on Forest River Berkshire Quality | Good Sam Community

dodge_guy
Explorer II
Aug 10, 2022
Blaster Man wrote:
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.

Th Berkshire is far from entry level!
Land_Yachters
Explorer
Aug 10, 2022
We have the 2018 Tiffin 33aa bought with 9K miles on it in the Fall of 2019. Have put another 22K miles on it in past year and love it. It was exactly what we were looking for. Short enough to be easy to drive, but still a good DP w/360 Cummins and 10000 Towing. We did have 2 breakdowns this year, but they were all on the Freightliner side. Have no idea what they sell for now, we paid $185 in October of 2019. Pull a Jeep GC with it easily.

Just my 2 cents.
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Aug 10, 2022
Aways watch this prior to buying a coach.. The cheap will wear off quicker than quality every time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImrX2mgaJTg

The newer coaches don't have the quality built in that the older coaches do.
chuckftboy
Explorer
Aug 10, 2022
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.
Blaster_Man
Explorer
Aug 09, 2022
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.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Aug 09, 2022
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.
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Aug 09, 2022
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.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Aug 09, 2022
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.
way2roll
Navigator II
Aug 09, 2022
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.
LouLawrence
Explorer
Aug 09, 2022
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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