Community Forums

FlyingDiver · 02-19-2014, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sky_Boss

Personally, I am not a huge proponent of making Comfort Drive a major issue in the tag axle MH comparison. It is nice but I don't think it should be an excessively weighted point in the Newmar vs Entegra comparisons. According to the Newmar sales guy, both FL and Spartan have picked up an exclusive agreement with Newmar for CD that will expire in May of either 2014 or 2015 but I don't remember which. After that point, we will see if CD systems will become more widespread...assuming another agreement isn't reached. BTW, in non-tag MHs, CD might be more important but for now, Entegra is exclusively tag axle oriented unless they have something up their sleeve that I haven't heard of.

Neither Spartan nor FL ever had an exclusive agreement with TRW for the Comfort Drive. Newmar did, and they had both Spartan and FL incorporate it into the chassis for Newmar. That exclusive has expired, and anyone can license Column Drive (the real name for the TRW product). Only Newmar (Comfort Drive) and Newell (EZ-Steer) currently do so.

Route 66 · 02-19-2014, 01:08 PM

I agree that is correct.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingDiver

Neither Spartan nor FL ever had an exclusive agreement with TRW for the Comfort Drive. Newmar did, and they had both Spartan and FL incorporate it into the chassis for Newmar. That exclusive has expired, and anyone can license Column Drive (the real name for the TRW product). Only Newmar (Comfort Drive) and Newell (EZ-Steer) currently do so.

Sky_Boss · 02-19-2014, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingDiver

Neither Spartan nor FL ever had an exclusive agreement with TRW for the Comfort Drive. Newmar did, and they had both Spartan and FL incorporate it into the chassis for Newmar. That exclusive has expired, and anyone can license Column Drive (the real name for the TRW product). Only Newmar (Comfort Drive) and Newell (EZ-Steer) currently do so.

Please re-read what I said earlier...

OK...let me repeat what I said in a different way...

The TRW agreement with Newmar has expired. According to the Newmar sales executive, Newmar has an exclusive agreement with Spartan and FL (Not TRW) that Spartan and FL would not put CD (Comfort or Column Drive) on chassis for other competitors for an additional 2 years after the TRW deal expired. I suppose that could be renegotiated but that is not something being talked about yet.

So...if a MH has a Spartan or FL chassis, it will only have CD if is being used with a Newmar product. It would appear, as you alluded to, that since this is not an agreement with TRW that others that make or obtain non Spartan or FL chassis might very well have Column Drive on them. I just didn't address that factor since this thread was about Entegra and Newmar thus not a factor for this thread.

At least, that is what I thought I said.

FlyingDiver · 02-19-2014, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sky_Boss

Please re-read what I said earlier...

OK, I did.

Your clarification is a much better way to say what you wanted to say....

DSL417 · 02-19-2014, 01:52 PM

I don't know that I've seen a lot of "Entegra is a better coach" from Entegra folks. I've seen some "Newmar is a better coach than Entegra" with most of the discussion being the availability of comfort drive and customization. I've been to the factories, and, as Cruzer says, the build process is similar. Quality of materials and appointments are similar. When I shopped, I compared Duch Star to aspire and Mountain Aire (all electric) and Anthem. In both cases, the coaches were similarly equipped, with the exception of Comfort Drive. In Sep 2012 (note the date), at that time, Newmar was about $50k more. I chose Anthem, but if I'd have chosen ANY other coach, it would have been Newmar. I had eliminated Tiffin, Winnebago, Monaco, Itasca, American Coach etc for various reasons, mostly revolving around taste, cost, and/or what I viewed as lesser quality (JHMO).

This year at Tampa, I compared Essex closely to Cornerstone (felt that there were sufficient differences with King Aire in appointments and fit/finish that a comparison wasn't fair beyond chassis, power plant, etc). Honestly, I don't understand Essex pricing at MSRP, it was $125K for similar appointments to Cornerstone, yet less HP, torque...and IMHO, the interiors were dark, and dated with where the public seems to want interiors, me included. So as I look at potentially upgrading, I went back to American Coach, Zephyr, and Cornerstone, and believe, JMHO and hands down, Cornerstone offers more for the money. Given the choice, I'd buy King Aire, but I'm not sure there is $300k worth of difference.

Yes, Entegra pricing is creeping up. They definitely need work on floor plans. If full wall slides are considered structurally sound, then they need to add this across their product line. If they don't, it is going to start affecting their sales numbers, IMHO.

From this quarter, I don't have a sword drawn for Newmar. I just don't understand their pricing structure. Going to a cheaper chassis, but not passing on those savings to the consumer. JMHO

dfunde01 · 02-19-2014, 01:56 PM

I am curious as to why American Coach is not in this discussion. I know of one Gentleman than flew into the Tampa Super Show from CA just to look at Newmar and Entegra. He stopped at the American Coach display and bought an 2014 Eagle 45B.

DSL417 · 02-19-2014, 02:01 PM

And I know an American Eagle owner (2013) that just traded for an Entegra because he was cold all the time in his AC. AC does have some snappy floor plans.

Had to laugh though at one of the AC salesmen at Tampa...he told me that they had passed on some suggestions to the Entegra management that would make their coaches "...more competitive..." seriously???!!!!

dfunde01 · 02-19-2014, 04:36 PM

I apologize for my comments. Everyone knows that Enterga Coaches have no flaws in design or construction. My comment was not negative towards any brand. I simply stated that i knew someone that looked at all three brands and selected an Eagle.

Dave

MRUSA14 · 02-19-2014, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfunde01

I am curious as to why American Coach is not in this discussion. I know of one Gentleman than flew into the Tampa Super Show from CA just to look at Newmar and Entegra. He stopped at the American Coach display and bought an 2014 Eagle 45B.

I also think AC belongs in this discussion. Their coach is comparable in many ways and has great looks, some lovely floor plans and other fine features. If I were in the market to buy I would be looking at these three (AC, Entegra, Newmar).

DSL417 · 02-19-2014, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfunde01

I apologize for my comments. Everyone knows that Enterga Coaches have no flaws in design or construction. My comment was not negative towards any brand. I simply stated that i knew someone that looked at all three brands and selected an Eagle.

Dave

Didn't know I was offended; however, I do recognize sarcasm and I'm sorry i offended you. Didn't suggest that Entegra Coaches don't have flaws. Quite the contrary, complimented AC floor plans (and knocked Entegra's among other things). Not the first time we haven't communicated well, but I hold no issue with AC. Given a choice, I would choose Entegra or Newmar rather than AC, but also stated that was personal preference and JMHO.

I am sorry if my comment about the AC salesman's comment hit you the wrong way...just thought it an amusing anecdote. Peace.

Green D · 02-19-2014, 06:06 PM

I will drag an Entegra and Newmar behind my AC until they both fall apart!!!
You guys are to much

Enjoying every minute of it.

Eric

nforus · 02-19-2014, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green D

I will drag an Entegra and Newmar behind my AC until they both fall apart!!!
You guys are to much

Enjoying every minute of it.

Eric

LOL, great sense of humor!! So you're one of the "lucky"ones with the Tradition!! We're still hoping for one, but the stock market is really going to have to go our way

DSL417 · 02-19-2014, 06:29 PM

I do have a sense of humor, but i can't use the quotes from Full Metal Jacket ... let's see, Well, you eat the peanuts out of my ... nononnono. Never mind. That AC has a hellacious pulling power....can the Allison really handle that much torque...wow, two 50k coaches

Green D · 02-19-2014, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nforus

LOL, great sense of humor!! So you're one of the "lucky"ones with the Tradition!! We're still hoping for one, but the stock market is really going to have to go our way

Ya see guys this is how ya suppose to play ! Hes looking down on me in my Ole Tradition and making me feel good about it.

Eric