Photos during build

[Ricci]

Hi - If all goes according to plan our new Anthem should start the build on October 5th. Is there a way to get photos during the build, either from a person at the plant or are owners allowed in at any time during the build? We feel like we are flying blind.
Second part of the questions is - does Entegra have any overnight camping facility on grounds should we be able to go up to Indiana for a day or two during the build?
Thanks. We are new to the Entegra system of doing things and trying to learn.


Tom

[buddy110]

Originally Posted by Ricci

Hi - If all goes according to plan our new Anthem should start the build on October 5th. Is there a way to get photos during the build, either from a person at the plant or are owners allowed in at any time during the build? We feel like we are flying blind.
Second part of the questions is - does Entegra have any overnight camping facility on grounds should we be able to go up to Indiana for a day or two during the build?
Thanks. We are new to the Entegra system of doing things and trying to learn.


Tom

If you call Entegra and ask Ted to send progress pictures, he will send them for you.

[brobox]

Recommended to go up during the build. There are electric hookup at the plant, but normally full with those in for service. Shipshewana South RV Park just 6 miles away is a perfect place to stay. Lots to do in the area as well. Perfect time to ask questions regarding your build.

[Ricci]

Hi Bruce - Thanks for the information. We did meet with Todd Hahn from sales before ordering but I assume that you mean Ted Cook? Is that a correct assumption?
Thanks again.


Tom

[Ricci]

Hi Chuck - Didn't realize that was an option. Who is the contact for scheduling so that we would know what dates might make sense. Don't want to be in the way but would like to see it part way through the build. Thanks for the response.


Tom

[brobox]

Originally Posted by Ricci

Hi Chuck - Didn't realize that was an option. Who is the contact for scheduling so that we would know what dates might make sense. Don't want to be in the way but would like to see it part way through the build. Thanks for the response.


Tom

Not sure who the contract is now after the Covid changes. A call to the office should get the answers needed.

[Gary.Jones]

You probably will not be able to park right beside the factory as almost all of those are occupied by coaches in for service or waiting to be picked up after service. But you can ask and see what you re told. There is a Hampton Inn right across the street from the plant and about two blocks away from the service center.

As Chuck says, there are several nice RV parks in Shipshewana, IN (which is an interesting city all by itself)also. If you will be visiting in a coach, that is probably where you should look. We always enjoy visiting Middlebury since it is a heavily Amish area and the differing lifestyle is always fascinating. Drive all through the surrounding countryside to see a unique version of social integration.

Gary

[777 Driver]

I was fortunate to schedule a plant tour during our build and got to see our '18 Anthem under construction. IIRC, I coordinated with my salesperson to confirm that my build had commenced and just called the Customer Service number to confirm availability of a tour. I flew into Chicago and rented a car for the drive down to Middlebury. As it turned out, I was the only person on the tour (it WAS late November and snowing outside).

I don't recall who my tour guide was, but, he didn't seem too impressed that I had a coach on the assembly line. It was far enough along the line that he wouldn't give me direct, close access to it. There was a parts storage elevated platform adjacent to the line that allowed an overlook of the assembly line and he let me take a few pictures from there.



I really got the impression that, for safety reasons, they did not want me poking around my coach while it was on their assembly line.

We took a Newmar tour a couple of summers ago. Included in that tour group was a couple whose coach was in production. When the tour group arrived at the location on the assembly line where their coach was being worked on, the tour guide temporarily suspended the tour and escorted the couple onto their coach where they were given the opportunity so autograph their coach in some obscure location with a Sharpie marker, known only to them and the tour guide. That seemed like kind of a "fun" touch.

I did spend one night in Middlebury and found a better rate at the Essenhaus Inn & Convention Center (https://essenhaus.com/rooms-amenities/), less than 3 miles from Entegra.

Good luck getting a chance to get a look at your coach under construction.

Take care,
Stu

P.S. I recall, some time ago, seeing a thread on the Tiffin forum showing time-lapse photos of their coach construction. They were able to attach a GoPro camera on their coach throughout the assembly. Kinda fun to watch that. IIRC, at that time, Tiffin was quite accommodating to their coach purchasers.

[Tim Fox]

Ted Cook may or may not be the sales rep for the dealer you purchased from. Your salesperson at your dealership will hopefully make arrangements for your tour or put you in touch with their Entegra rep for photos.

[Ricci]

Hi - Some background that may explain why I think seeing the build is a worthwhile endeavor. We had 4 Tiffin coaches and attended the build of 3 of them. I have an hour long video of each of those coaches being built. Sort of like seeing the kids grow up in retrospect. We have since had two Newmar coaches and were able to see them twice each day during the build and were again able to photograph it's coming together. BTW- those photos are invaluable when something breaks later as they give an obscured view of where and how things were built.

Covid has changed so much about access to the workspace along with insurance companies placing restrictions on the builders. The old rules don't seem to apply.

Thanks for the helpful suggestions and I have written to my salesperson to see who the correct contact might be. We ordered through Las Vegas but will take delivery on the east coast so not sure who is the correct person at Entegra.


Tom

[777 Driver]

Originally Posted by Ricci

Thanks for the helpful suggestions and I have written to my salesperson to see who the correct contact might be. We ordered through Las Vegas but will take delivery on the east coast so not sure who is the correct person at Entegra.


Tom

Hi Tom,

For me, it was my salesperson. I had a good relationship with her. She fixed me up with some reference materials (Comprehensive User Guide & Owner's Manual) that I was able to review extensively BEFORE we took delivery. That made out delivery walkthrough much more meaningful. As our delivery person walked us through things (about a 5 hour process over two days), my review of those materials made the delivery a much more meaningful experience. She had the numbers for the right people at Entegra to contact regarding when the build would start.

Start with your salesperson and they should be able to get you on the right track.

You're exactly right that having some photos of the "insides" can be very, very helpful.

Take care,
Stu

[buddy110]

Originally Posted by Ricci

Hi Bruce - Thanks for the information. We did meet with Todd Hahn from sales before ordering but I assume that you mean Ted Cook? Is that a correct assumption?
Thanks again.


Tom

Yessir. Ted sent me progress pictures during our entire build.. One tip for you, if you want wheels that never need polishing ask your salesman to order Alcoa Dura Bright Evo wheels. That's what I did. Newmar DS and up come standard with them. I think I paid ~500 for mine. Greatest mod I have done yet! Wash and rinse with soap and water and they look awesome!

[bevandtomH]

If you decide to stay at the Hampton, you can ask for the EC corp. Rate. During COVID last year, staying in the coach was on the fence, so they were offering that up to everyone.

[Gary.Jones]

Yes, when we were there last, we got corporate rate but my memory is that corporate rate was not that much of a discount, but you take what you can get

Gary