Cozy Nook on a Cold Night

[DSL417]

Riscky,

Kinda why I started this thread. I think we all wonder how our coaches will stand up to cold weather, particularly the basement and pipes.

Your post reinforces that we have a good heating system up and down, and that if we end up in a situation we hadn't planned we can trust the systems.

This, plus being able to handle this monster in a big crosswind day, were my two biggest fears...faced both this last three weeks.

For me as a first timer, this has been big...and reaffirms my happiness with not only my choice of Entegra, but the satisfaction with full timing.

[Cruzer]

Entegra's excellent insulation is one of the things that separates them from the rest. I've done a number of mods to our Allegro Bus just to kep the basement from freezing. I do have AquaHot but it can't keep the bbasement water from freezing once the temperature drops into the low teens. Since then I've added electric fresh water tank heaters, a pair of auxiliary basement heaters and the necessary thermostat controls to operate them, plus added a thick 8.5' by 3' foam insulation panel and custom sheet metal retaining panel beneath the wet bay floor. Now my wet bay doesn't freeze. But that doesn't help the upstairs any so just have to wait for things to heat up. And to think some fellow Tiffin owners can't understand why I like Entegra.

For your reference - the diesel burner on the AquaHot puts out 50,000 BTUs of heat. The AquaHot's electric heating element only puts out 10,500 BTUs. That's the reason why it can't keep up once the temps fall below 50 degrees. Running them both at the same time will minimize the time that the diesel burner runs though so it will save you some fuel.

[tnrzryd]

Originally Posted by Cruzer

Entegra's excellent insulation is one of the things that separates them from the rest. I've done a number of mods to our Allegro Bus just to kep the basement from freezing. I do have AquaHot but it can't keep the bbasement water from freezing once the temperature drops into the low teens. Since then I've added electric fresh water tank heaters, a pair of auxiliary basement heaters and the necessary thermostat controls to operate them, plus added a thick 8.5' by 3' foam insulation panel and custom sheet metal retaining panel beneath the wet bay floor. Now my wet bay doesn't freeze. But that doesn't help the upstairs any so just have to wait for things to heat up. And to think some fellow Tiffin owners can't understand why I like Entegra.

For your reference - the diesel burner on the AquaHot puts out 50,000 BTUs of heat. The AquaHot's electric heating element only puts out 10,500 BTUs. That's the reason why it can't keep up once the temps fall below 50 degrees. Running them both at the same time will minimize the time that the diesel burner runs though so it will save you some fuel.

So Mark... is a new Entegra in your future? I would think Entegra would give you a fabulous discount given how much your articles and encouragement to others, has furthered the Entegra brand. Sure wish your plans could change and you could stop by the Summerfest.

[KSCRUDE]

We would like a new DP someday. I am somewhat torn between Entegra and Newmar. That being said our 2013 Newmar is not what I would consider a cozy nook on a cold windy night. It does have duel pane glass, but no heated floors. Furnace seems to run a lot on nights when temps are in the teens to lower teens. But the wet bay never gets below 40 as I have a remote temp sender in there (thanks to PDR John). I do have double shag carpet on the wet bay floor for insulation. Never having to fill propane would be a big plus in my books, but don't use much in the warmer months. Out local dealer only sells Newmar and Jayco, and hasn't picked up the Jayco owned Entegra line yet for some reason. I would like 500 or 600 HP if we ever pull the trigger on a new rig, and it seems you can get that kind of HP cheaper in a Entegra. Although 450 would probably be enough, but you never can have too much HP.

[Cruzer]

The timing isn't right for us at this point in time.

But, I'll be frank. Buying a new RV is finding the right combination of manufacturer support, a quality product and engineering, the floorplan, and overall appearance. I can tweak a few things myself so if a certain brand doesn't have the surge protector I want, the SeeLevel sensors, the inverter brand and model I want, and other items - I can add that myself so that's not a deal breaker. But, above all I want a product that will hold up and has good, solid engineering in the main areas. That's the part that really counts. Every brand will have issues and if an air conditioner or other component fails it's understandable. But when the basic construction is lacking, that's another story. Plus, no matter how well built something is, the floorplan is always the key item because that's the part you live with every day.

Entegra as the construction and engineering down solid. That's a no brainer. The only thing I've seen that was better was the Newell and that's like comparing a DC-3 to the space shuttle, and priced accordingly.

Customer support is excellent with Entegra. The only thing to match them is Tiffin. But the difference is that with Tiffin you have a reater chance of needing to use that support wheras with Entegra it's there if you need it but most likely won't need it in such large doses.

Entegra's appearance is excellent and among the best so that's not an issue.

That leaves us with floorplans. In my opinion that's the one area where Entegra is behind a bit. However, they are aggressively pursuing changes in this area and I firmly believe they will have that in place by the time I'm ready. At that time it would be hard not to move Entegra to the top of the list.

Naturally, after spending a week at Newell I would love to have one of those. The engineering and customization they do is amazing. Most people notice the level of luxury in Newells and Prevost conversions but I was imptressed by the engineering they put into their product and the detailed craftsmanship put into areas that the customer rarley sees. Also, the storage and functionality put into their designs means they aren't just "lookers". Unfortunately, at $1.7 million they are well above my pay grade.