2015 Entegra Anthem Saga begins......

[Wade and Ann]

We have found iRV2 community to be a valuable resource of information to make MH decisions and answer questions .

Just about every decision we made so far in the MH & 5th wheel shopping and buying process has been touched by iRV2 input .

We have not asked many questions in threads hardly, just massive reading of threads , most of our questions had already been asked .

So as long as we have things to share we are going to record our MH Saga and hope it helps others with some data points. We know we are just a sliver of the MH data iRV2 has to offer, but the input from all of you was what we valued in the hours spent reading threads and searching for answers.

1> We have RV shopped for three years. After tent camping, truck Lance camper and 2 boats, 99 Aluma-Lite 5th wheel (99-F250 XLT), and 2008 NuWa Champaign 5th wheel (2008 F350 King Ranch); we were trying to decide 5th wheel or motor home. Finally got down to http://www.horizonsrv.com/majestic 5th wheel or http://www.entegracoach.com/products/anthem motor home. In the end, being retired, and not getting any younger; we decided motor home was better and more manageable. Especially if we end up going full time. NH 45ft Majestic and F450 KR crew make for a very long RIG on the road! Even my NuWa and F-350 KR were longer than Entegra Anthem 42DEQ. I did have to give up my full size bath tub in NH Majestic 5thW and the DW wanted another 5th wheel and compromised. We got there together . Both have plus’s and minuses’. Just comes down to preference’s and fitting multiple options on forward retirement plans for us. MH is more expensive to buy and maintain overall from our calculations. We looked at each other and said we can RV longer as we get older with motor home. DW never liked driving F-350 KR crew cab, but she does the 2014 Jeep Cherokee J .

2> Kept coming back to MHSRV in Alvarado, TX. No sales pressure. Willing to deal against LD, CW, Dixie RV, and others. Only negative during MHSRV shopping was not being able to take a test drive when we wanted to, guess they did not think we were ready or serious (asked the second year of shopping). We ended up taking Entegra test drive at CW of Longmont, Colorado later that year. So we got a good MHSRV price on an inbound 2015 Anthem order, and expect to take delivery this month of May 2014. Oh almost forgot, we live in Houston Texas and our daughter lives in Colorado Springs; we pass MHSRV twice a year, every year J .

3> Aspire or Anthem? ; you have to stay with your budget. But we did want IFS, 150gal tanks, all electric, 450 Aqua-Hot diesel, and 17k front axle. Floor plan was easy, 42DEQ > L-sofa across from 50in TV, no ½ bath – more space. 43ft length not 45ft. Those are the big ones for us.

4> To be legal in Texas with RV over 26,001#, you are required to have DPS CDL-2 RV exempt CDL A/B license http://www.dps.texas.gov/internetforms/Forms/CDL-2.pdf . You must take a written exam (section 14 only) and pass driver test. The iRV2 threads are very correct, not all Texas DPS offices are clear on license requirements on this subject http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/internetforms/Forms/DL-7.pdf (Chapter 1 page 3 “3. A recreational vehicle driven for personal use.”). But our insurance company like all others clearly state their coverage requires you to be licensed legally in your state of residence by current laws for the vehicle that is to be insured. Very clear!!

5> We still need to make decisions on flat towing 2014 Jeep Cherokee or dolly tow 2008 Honda Accord. That’s a sharing for later. Many issues for us there, still processing them and reading iRV2 threads.

6> iRV2 threads on MH serious problems for PDI post issues, dealers, and warranty work, microwaves, 4 corner weights, ride height, leveling, electrical, refrigerator, slide outs, roof leaks, etc.; can make for some scary reading . Best to be informed and iRV2 does that! Entegra looks to be customer focused after the sale, hope we don’t need them but only time will tell.

Well this is the start of our MH RV Saga, MHSRV PDI and delivery next! Looks like I got carried away here , long winded.

Thanks again to all iRV2 thread participant’s, the iRV2 community, and a special shout out to Entegra http://www.irv2.com/forums/f278/ forum folks out there!! You all have been a strong aid for us on http://www.entegracoach.com/products/anthem.

Newmar http://www.newmarcorp.com/motor-coaches/luxury/mountain-aire/overview was a close second, hard to rationalize additional dollars.

Entegra and Newmar appear to have the best loyal MH owners.

Drive and travel safe to you all!!

[BigTone]

Wade and Ann, congratulations on your decision. I wish you all the best on your new Anthem DEQ and hope you have a smooth delivery and many happy years of safe travels.

I am in the middle of the investigative process and have gone through a lot of the same thought processes as you. I also have found iRV2 to be a great source of information with great people willing to share and assist! I also, have come to your same conclusion, Entegra Anthem (44B, Midnight Illusion is my preference though) with Newmar coming in a very close 2nd place. I am probably a year or so away from pulling the trigger though. I still have 2 kids finishing up college, with 1 having already completed.

Anyway, all the best to you and make sure you post some nice pictures once you take delivery of your new coach!! God bless!!

[DSL417]

Congrats on your future coach and welcome to the Entegra family...you certainly don't go into the selection without a lot of research. You've seen the good and the bad (and it seems all coaches have some element of issues early on). That said, there are over a thousand folks driving Entegras that are pretty darn happy with their selection. But more important...you'll find no better than Joyce and her CS crew. Look forward to seeing you at a future Entegra event or on the road.

[ravens2012]

Wade and Ann. Congratulations. We too have a Anthem DEQ on order and are waiting not too patiently for it's arrival which will most likely be late June. I think we both made the right decision to go with Entegra. This will be our first motorhome and we wanted to do it right the first time. Be sure to post pictures when it gets here.

Roy

[MS DELTA]

Congrats to you!!! We just picked our Aspire up at MHSRV. Spent 2 days going over it and unloading our old coach. We have had so few problems!! They will try and rush you a little on the PBI, but they don't complain when you slow them down. Work at your own pace. Go in as informed as you can and it will go easy!!!
Lovin our new coach, know you will too!!!

[brobox]

Congratulations on a great purchase. My delivery was one of the very rare ones that I contribute to the coach being built when it was 30 below zero. All of that aside, Entegra has bent over backwards making our coach fantastic. I couldn't have asked for a better company when it came time to make it right. We are sitting at Entegra now and the service is nothing short of perfect. I think you will be very pleased with your decision.

[Bill in FL]

We just picked up our Anthem a couple of days ago. Everything was in great shape and the biggest part of our delivery was moving our stuff into the new one. Still putting stuff away! I think it would be difficult to find a better choice than Entegra. Our coach is fantastic!

[C310]

I've owned two other brands since we traded in our 2010 Jayco Greyhawk and it didn't take long to figure out we had the best first. Happy to be back with the best! Steve

[what next]

Congrats Oh by the way I flat tow my 09 Accord. Ya I know Honda does not certify it, but it tows just like a CRV. 20,000 miles ok so far. No pulling fuses no dead battery hook up and go. Just make sure that last shift is forward to neutral.

[Whitewater18]

We have a Anthem 42 DEQ on order. It's complete waiting for transport to the dealer. See pic that our regional rep sent.

We priced MHSRV, CW of Longmont, & Lazydays of Tucson. LD, and CW beat MHSRVs price and then LD really stepped up and beat CW price. LD impressed me as having the best service and customer service after the sale. They earned our business.

We could take delivery at the end of this month, however will put it off till June due to a scheduled raft trip 1st week of June.
Good luck on your new adventure!! Hope to see you out there soon!

[Whitewater18]

Originally Posted by Whitewater18

We have a Anthem 42 DEQ on order. It's complete waiting for transport to the dealer. See pic that our regional rep sent.

We priced MHSRV, CW of Longmont, & Lazydays of Tucson. LD, and CW beat MHSRVs price and then LD really stepped up and beat CW price. LD impressed me as having the best service and customer service after the sale. They earned our business.

We could take delivery at the end of this month, however will put it off till June due to a scheduled raft trip 1st week of June.
Good luck on your new adventure!! Hope to see you out there soon!

Seems picture didn't attach......

[DSL417]

Very nice....the DEQs are really nice.

[MRUSA14]

Originally Posted by brobox

Congratulations on a great purchase. My delivery was one of the very rare ones that I contribute to the coach being built when it was 30 below zero. All of that aside, Entegra has bent over backwards making our coach fantastic. I couldn't have asked for a better company when it came time to make it right. We are sitting at Entegra now and the service is nothing short of perfect. I think you will be very pleased with your decision.

Chuck, I have a big smile on my face hearing your good reports from Middlebury. I am thrilled but not surprised that Joyce and her gang took good care of you. Another happy Entegra owner. I love it! Looking forward to meeting up with you one of these days.

Wade and Ann, welcome to the family. You have done your homework and that attitude will serve you well as you adjust to your new home on wheels. There is a lot to learn but between the manuals that come with your coach, (and which you should spend a lot of time on) and this group, you will be having fun with your new rig in no time.

[Steve HCI]

Joe is that one of the new 2015 colors ?