2018 Entegra Coach Anthem 44F

An In-Depth Review of Entegra's new 44F Anthem floorplan
Article Date: May, 2017

Article and Photography by Mark Quasius

Entegra Coach is well established as a high end motorcoach manufacturer and their Anthem is one of the standards in their lineup. 2018 offers the usual assortment of upgraded features and a new 44F floorplan has been added to the lineup. The new features that stand out in ther 44F include a spacious rear wardrobe and bath area and a patio side dinette. Filled with the usual high end features and amenities the 2018 Anthem is a great coach in any floorplan. Let's take a look at just what this coach all has to offer.

Exterior

This coach was finished in the Gold Ribbon exterior decor, one of four available exterior graphics selections. The coach is built on a Spartan K2 tag axle raised rail chassis with a side radiator and independent front suspension (IFS) with Bilstein 60mm shocks. The coach is equipped with dual acting hydraulic leveling jacks by Equalizer Systems. In addition the air-ride suspension features Hadley automatic leveling, which can be a benefit when it is not desirable to use the leveling jacks when parked. Power is supplied by a 9 liter Cummins ISL engine with 450 HP and 1,250 lb-ft of torque and automatic traction control. A six speed Allison 3000MH series automatic transmission delivers the power to the ground while the 150 gallon fuel tank with dual fuel fills is supplemented by a 15 gallon DEF tank with both driver-side and curb-side fill locations. The GVWR rating is 49,000 lbs and the GCWR is 64,000 lbs with a trailer hitch capacity of 15,000 lbs. A massive Cargo Carrying capacity of 12,488 lbs. is generally unheard of for a coach of this size so you'll never have to worry about being overweight with this coach unless you've been spending too much time at the Cracker Barrel lately.

The Anthem is equipped with LED high and low beam headlights and fog lights, LED docking lights, LED accent lighting and a pulsing third brake light. Keyless entry, dual pane frameless windows and roof mounted Girard power awnings adorn the exterior. Girard window awnings and a Girard power entry door awning are also standard. A power lift engine access door allows effortless access to the engine compartment. The stylish front and rear caps, which bowed in the 2016 model year, include backlit Entegra accents embedded in stainless steel trim. An En-telligent Blind Spot Monitoring system is tuned to detect objects within the lane of traffic on either side of the vehicle. A security system is tied into the keyless entry system and includes glass shatter sensors.

Basement storage is plentiful with two large pass-through compartments and a number of side compartments.
 

The front-most patio-side compartment holds space for an optional Dometic freezer/refrigerator that is mount on a slide tray.
 

One of the basement compartments is equipped with a cargo slide tray that extends the width of the coach. This dual acting cargo tray can be extended from either side of the coach for cargo access from either side.
 

The Anthem is fitted with a 40" LED TV in an enclosed patio side compartment. A Bose sound bar and entertainment system is also included as standard equipment.
 

The rear-most compartment on the patio side holds the engine starting batteries, air dryer, fuel filters and other chassis service features. It also holds the 15 gallon DEF tank, which can also be easily filled with pump DEF at truck stops via the handy driver-side second DEF fill port. The driver-side offers access to the pass-through storage bays as well as a large side compartment immediately behind the front axle. Just forward of the rear drive axle is the utility bay that holds all of the plumbing features. This panel includes a fresh water hose reel, an outside faucet with slinky hose and garden hose nozzle, paper towel holder and the usual selection of controls for operating the fresh water system as well as the switches for the electric dump valves. The holding tanks can be dumped via a Sanicon Turbo macerator, which has cam-lock couplers and a hose storage bin next to the utility bay. The system can also be dumped via a standard 3" slinky sewer hose if desired. Water filters and a black tank flush system are also standard. A second compartment holds the Aqua-Hot hydronic heating system boiler as well as a power 50 amp cord reel and cable TV connections. The TRC 40350-RVC automatic transfer switch affords complete surge protection coverage as well as protection against low or high voltage.
 

The 12.5 KW Onan Quiet Diesel Generator is mounted on a pneumatic power slide that extends the generator out the front of the coach for easy access for service.
 

Interior

The interior of the Anthem is impressive. From the backlit ceiling feature to the porcelain tile floors every aspect exudes a look and feel of quality. Ultra-leather furniture, solid surface countertops and dinette and residential grade appliances and fixtures make this coach well appointed. The edge of each fixed counter-top is equipped with backlit dimmable LED lighting. This particuylar coach was finished in the Butterscotch interior decor, which is one of four available interiors, and natural cherry hardwood cabinetry and woodwork.
 

The patio-side super slide holds the couch, dinette, large residential refrigerator and pantry. The slideout features a flush floor when extended and a small partition separates this slide from the bedroom vanity slide. This gives the look of a full wall slide without compromising the structural integrity of the coach. The dinette faces your patio rather than looking at your sewer hookup while dining. The driver-side slideout holds a hide-a-bed sofa with air mattress. A 50" 4K LED Smart TV is located behind the couch on a power lift. The TV can be raised for viewing or lowered to afford a view out the large window. The galley is also located in this slideout.
 

The galley features an angled stainless steel dual basin sink to afford more counter space. A Whirlpool convection microwave oven is located in the overhead cabinetry while a Fisher-Paykel dishwasher drawer is located in the lower portion. A Furion induction cooktop is fitted into the solid surface countertop and a pull-out extension offers additional work space when extended.
 

The dinette features an innovative design. The pull-out dinette table extends to afford additional dining space when parked and retracts to allow more aisle room when traveling. However, Entegra added a new feature which is an additional extension that folds down and stores beneath the table to make it even more compact, yet has a mechanism that allows the extension to pull out and snap into place for even more dining space.
 

The Anthem is equipped with the VegaTouch multiplexed system. This system can control virtually all of the coach's major systems, such as lighting, shades, power control, entertainment center, HVAC and plumbing systems. A touch screen menu is replete with on-demand help displays to make this a very user-friendly interface. The HVAC sub-menu allows you to set the temperature and forget it. The system can be used in auto mode so that the system will automatically change between heating and cooling as the day transpires. This system also includes an app for an iPhone or iPad so that you can remotely access the system.
 

The bedroom holds a king bed with a Sleep Number mattress. The bed is mounted on gas struts to allow easy access to the storage area beneath the bed. Solid surface nightstands and hardwood overhead cabinets are also standard as is a ceiling fan.
 

The slideout opposite the bed is shared with the rear bath vanity. The bedroom are contains a larger dresser with plenty of storage and overhead cabinets that also contain a 32" LED bedroom TV. The TV is hinged to allow access to the storage and additional entertainment systems equipment, such as the standard Blu-Ray player.
 

The rear bath vanity features a solid surface countertop with a pair of recessed sinks. A large medicine cabinet has fold out mirrors that help to give a three dimensional view when primping.
 

The rear bath vanity features a solid surface countertop with a pair of recessed sinks. A large medicine cabinet has fold out mirrors that help to give a three dimensional view when primping.
 

Cockpit Area

The Anthem's instrument panel features an easy to read gauge cluster that provides the necessary information. The Spartan Message Center at the top provides warnings and additional information and can be programmed by the driver to display a selection of user-selectable screens. Warning information from the En-telligent lane sensors is displayed on the dash as well as on the side mirrors.
 

The driver's left side console includes the usual array of switches for the engine compression brake, automatic traction control, etc. Switches for the cockpit shades re also provided as is the control pad for the Hadley automatic air leveling system. On the left side of the instrument panel are controls for the vehicle lights as well as the control panel for the Equalizer Systems hydraulic leveling jacks.
 

Over the entry door is another control center. This cabinet holds one of the G6A controllers for the multiplex electrical systems. It also houses the charge controller display for the solar panels, slideout controls, the control for the Winegard Rayzar Automatic off-air TV antenna and set of emergency air conditioner activation switches to bypass the multiplex wiring system.
 

The center dash console holds the Xite infotainment center. This single glass screen holds dual monitors. The lower screen displays the view from the rear and side cameras. The upper screen display the touch screen controls for the in-dash entertainment system and also the Rand McNally GPS software, which is specifically designed for large RVs. a 12 volt receptacle and a pair if USB ports are also mounted in the dash below the HVAC controls.
 

Final Impressions

Entegra Coach has always been known for produ7cing the best riding, best handling and quietest motorhomes and the Anthem is no exception. It's a real driver's coach, with seating and positioning that make a long day behind the wheel a joy rather than tedious. The huge windshield is the largest in the industry and the cab forward design is a real benefit when maneuvering in tight quarters. The coach is amazingly quiet and rides like a dream while still providing the crispest handling around. Entegra goes to great lengths in insulating their coaches (one typical example is the R33 insulation in the floor) and I've found that the heat and air conditioning doesn't run as much as in many other brands and the coach is just more comfortable to live in. The fit and finish is extraordinary and Entegra's commitment to quality control is evident. And Entegra backs their products with a two year bumper to bumper warranty and encourages owners to return to the factory just prior to the two years to have a PDI (Post Delivery Inspection) performed on their coach to take care of anything that isn't right and minimize any future issues from occurring after the two years is up.

This new floorplan pays special attention to the wardrobe and rear bath areas. For a full-time RV owner, this extra storage will be a welcome addition. The entertainment system is top notch with four LED TVs located throughout the coach and controllable by your iPad if desired. The VegaTouch system makes it easy to access the various systems within the coach and everything is brought to the touch screen display. MCD power daytime solar shades and nighttime privacy shades are placed throughout the coach.

The aisle space of the 44F floorplan allows for easy access to the rear of the coach when the slides are retracted during travel. The new dinette table design further enhances this while still providing plenty of dining space for four persons. Entegra's policy of making everything standard helps to improve resale value and makes it easy to order a coach. In fact, the only real options chosen for this particular coach were the Winegard Trav'ler satellite dish for DirecTV, the 2.8 cubic foot basement freezer, solar panels, and the wi-fi extender system. A booth dinette is available for those who don't want the table and chairs and a Theatre Seating option with power recliners and center console is also available for those who prefer that. The 2018 Entegra Anthem Anthem is definitely a class act.

Specifications

2018 Entegra Coach Anthem 44F

Base Price: $509,738

Standard Features:

• Solid surface countertops
• Gold Ribbon full body paint
• Butterscotch interior with Natural Cherry Hardwood woodwork
• MCD Power roller shades, privacy and sun screen
• Dual Acting Automatic hydraulic leveling jacks
• Hadley Automatic air leveling system
• Girard power patio awning with LED lighting
• Girard power entry door awning with LED lighting
• Girard manual window awnings
• 50 amp power cord
• Onan 12,500 watt Quiet Diesel generator with Automatic Transfer Switch
• Automatic generator start
• Four L16 deep cycle house batteries
• Dual Magnum 2,800 watt modified sine wave inverters
• Three 15,000 BTU low profile air conditioners with heat pumps
• 21 cubic inch residential refrigerator
• VegaTouch system
• 40" LED TV in overhead compartment
• 6 way power cockpit seating
• Bose Surround Sound System with Blu-Ray Player
• 32" LED bedroom TV
• 40" exterior LED TV and sound system
• 50" 4K LED TV with power lift behind UltraLeather sofa
• Heated rear view mirrors with integrated side cameras
• 2 burner Furion induction cooktop
• Whirlpool convection microwave oven
• Ultra Leather Hide-a-bed sofa
• In-dash entertainment system with Rand McNally GPS
• Aqua-Hot 450D hydronic heating system
• Full width dual access basement cargo storage tray
• King bed with Sleep Number air mattress
• Whirlpool stackable washer/dryer
• En-telligent blind spot monitoring system

Options:

• Trav'ler satellite dish for DirecTV - $1,342.00
• Winegard Wi-fi Extender - $1,124.00
• Dual 100 watt solar panels and charge controller - $2,774.00
• 2.8 cu ft basement freezer - $1,499.00

Price as Tested $515,477 (MSRP)

Specifications:

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): 49,000 lbs.
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR): 64,000 lbs.
Net Cargo Carrying Capacity (NCC): 12,488 lbs.
Trailer Hitch Capacity: 15,000 lbs.
Wheelbase: 320 inches
Overall Length: 44' - 11"
Overall Width: 101 inches
Overall Height: 12 feet 8 inches
Fresh Water: 100 gallons
Gray Water: 62 gallons
Black Water: 41 gallons
Chassis: Spartan K2 rear engine diesel
Side Radiator, Hydraulic Fan Motor
Front Suspension: Reyco-Granning IFS
Air-Ride Suspension with Hadley Auto Leveling
Front Axle GAWR: 17,000 lbs.
Drive Axle GAWR: 20,000 lbs.
Tag Axle GAWR: 12,000 lbs.
Tires: Michelin XZA 315/80R22.5 LRH Front/295/80R22.5 LRH Rear on polished aluminum wheels
Brakes: Anti-lock front disc/rear drum brakes
Fuel Tank Capacity: 150 gallons
DEF Tank Capacity: 15 gallons
Engine: Cummins ISL9 with engine compression brake
Horsepower: 450 HP at 2,100 RPM
Torque: 1,250 lb-ft at 1,400 RPM
Transmission: Allison 3000MH series 6 speed automatic

Source

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

If you enjoyed this article be sure to recommend RVtechMag.com to your friends, like us on Facebook or Twitter or subscribe to our RSS feed.