2016 Entegra Cornerstone 45A

An In-Depth Review of Entegra Coach's Flagship Motorhome
Article Date: January, 2016

Article and Photography by Mark Quasius

Driving Impressions

Driving the Cornerstone is a real treat. Entegra promotes their coaches as "The Quietest Riding, Best Handling Coach on the Market Today. Period." That's a tall claim but after spending some seat time in the coach we found that to be 100% true. We expected to be impressed but never would have guessed it would have been as impressive as it was. Obviously the first thing that anyone thinks about is that 600hp Cummins ISX engine. With 1,950 lb-ft of torque, losing speed when climbing a grade is a thing of the past and the 600 HP really does make a difference when attempting to safely merge onto a busy freeway where you need to get up to speed fast.

But the horsepower was only part of the lure of the Spartan K3 chassis. Braking was equally impressive. The six wheel disc brakes brought the Cornerstone down to a stop in short order. Having discs on the rear axles instead of drums also helped to eliminate the brake fade common to drum brakes when they get hot. When stuck in stop and go traffic where progress was a few feet at a time the brakes just continued to stop as if new without any fade. Also, when descending the 10% grade Teton Pass the combination of the three speed engine compression brake and the six wheel disc brakes made it an effortless descent down this steep grade and switchbacks.

Handling was equally impressive. It seems like all Entegra coaches handle just a bit better than the typical coach. The addition of their X frame bracing and structural upgrades just allow the suspension to do its job that much better, while still offering the smooth ride one would expect from a coach of this caliber. The combination of the K3 chassis, Entegra's additional bracing, 62mm Bilstein shocks and those fat 365 series front tires made this coach handle and drive like a dream. It didn't' seem to mind what was underneath the tires. Typically, road artifacts, such as a construction zone with lane shifting, and ridges or pavement breaks will nudge or shove the coach off to one side because the coach or its tires just don't want to ride on anything that isn't nice and flat. But the Cornerstone didn't seem to care. It just drove wherever I aimed it and was the most stable ride I've ever experienced. It imparted a real feeling of security and safety. I've often commented that this was the biggest sports car I've ever driven. However it also combined a smooth and quiet ride, which is something you don't find in your typical sports car.

Lastly, there is Entegra's forward control cab design. Entegra coaches all use the largest front windshield available in a class A motorhome. This windshield runs lower than the typical windshield and Entegra's forward seating position gives the driver the ability to see right in front of the coach without the blind spots typical to a higher windshield base. This is a huge benefit when maneuvering into a tight area or negotiating a tight turn because you can see how much room you have at the front and corners of the coach. Another benefit is that the lower windshield allows the mirrors to be mounted lower than usual. This allows the driver to see over the top of them to eliminate any blind spots, especially at intersections, which can be a safety concern. The lower mirror location also allows a better angle of view so that you can see back farther down the road while still retaining a view of the rear tires, unlike the eye-in-the-sky view common to mirrors that are mounted higher. The combination of the driver's position, comfortable seat, instrument panel arrangement and windshield made the driver's position perfect for those long drives with no fatigue.

Living in the coach was another surprise. The coach is so well insulated and free of drafts that you might be in for a shock when you step outside and find out what it's really like out there. We stepped outside to the strong odor of a nearby forest fire but never knew it was there from inside the coach. Any outside noise just seems to go away once you enter the coach and the coach's heating and cooling systems work quietly and effortlessly to keep you comfortable in any weather. Entegra's attention to detail when insulating this coach have really paid off. All in all Entegra has really hit a home run with this coach.

Cornerstone 45A Floorplan

Specifications

2016 Entegra Coach Cornerstone 45A

Standard Features:

• Quartz countertops
• Topaz full body paint
• Mocha interior with leather furniture and natural cherry woodwork
• MCD power roller shades, privacy and sun screen
• Winegard Rayzar Automatic TV antenna
• Dual Girard Multi-Angle power patio side awning
• Girard power entry door awning
• Girard window awnings
• Sanicon Turbo system
• Power cord and hose reels
• Basement freezer and slide tray
• Dual full width power cargo slide trays
• Three 15,000 BTU AC units with heat pumps
• 22 cubic inch residential refrigerator with ice and water dispenser
• 50" Ultra-HD LED Smart TV with power lift
• 32" front overhead LED TV
• Bose Surround Sound System with Blu-Ray Player
• 40" LED bedroom TV with Blu-Ray player and Bose sound bar
• 40" exterior LED TV and JB Lansing sound system in galley slide
• Six way heated power cockpit seats with integral lap and shoulder belts
• Two burner electric glass cooktop with convection microwave oven
• Dual 2800 and 2000 watt pure sine wave inverters with 8 AGM batteries
• Winegard Trav'ler automatic satellite dish
• In-dash entertainment system with Rand McNally TripMaker GPS navigation system
• Hadley SLS air leveling system
• Equalizer Systems dual acting leveling jacks
• Aqua-Hot hydronic heating system
• Onan 12,500 watt diesel generator
• Fisher-Paykel dishwasher drawer
• Stackable washer/dryer
• Built-in central vacuum system with dust pan
• King bed with Tempurpedic Cloud Mattress

Price as Tested $630,997 (MSRP)

Specifications:

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): 54,000 lbs.
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR): 74,000 lbs.
Net Cargo Carrying Capacity (NCC): 9,300 lbs.
Trailer Hitch Capacity: 20,000 lbs.
Wheelbase: 320 inches
Overall Length: 44' - 11"
Overall Width: 101 inches
Overall Height: 12 feet 9 inches
Fresh Water: 100 gallons
Gray Water: 63 gallons
Black Water: 42 gallons
Chassis: Spartan K3 rear engine diesel
Front Axle: 20,000 lb IFS, Air-ride
Drive Axle: 20,000 lb Air-ride
Tag Axle: 14,000 lb Air-ride Brakes: Six wheel anti-lock disc brakes
Fuel Tank Capacity: 150 gallons
DEF Tank Capacity: 15 gallons
Engine: Cummins ISX15 with 3 speed compression brake
Horsepower: 600 HP at 1,800 RPM
Torque: 1,950 lb-ft at 1,200 RPM
Transmission: Allison 4000 series 6 speed automatic

Source

Entegra Coach
(800) 517-9137
www.entegracoach.com

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