Entegra Cornerstone 45B

New designs and enhancements for the 2023 model year take this manufacturer’s top-of-the-line luxury diesel pusher to an even higher plateau.

By Mark Quasius, F333630
September 2022

Entegra Coach was established in 2008 when Jayco Inc. purchased the assets of Travel Supreme, a company known for high-end quality-built motorhomes. The first major upgrade to Entegra’s models occurred in 2016 when the original-design front and rear caps were updated. Another major change has been implemented in the 2023 model year: replacing the original Travel Supreme dash style with a new version. This dash redesign has been incorporated in the Anthem, Aspire, and Cornerstone models.

I chose Entegra’s flagship motorhome, the Cornerstone, for this review. The popular 45B floor plan described is one of five available.

 

Construction

Entegra builds its motorhomes with an emphasis on strength, durability, and ample insulation. This aligns with the company’s goal of creating the quietest-riding, best-handling motorhome possible. Construction begins with X-Bridge bracing welded between the steel chassis framing to produce a rigid platform that supports the coach structure. This stiffens the framework to minimize flex, allowing the suspension to deliver a smooth ride and crisp handling.

The next step is to add the floor. This starts with 2-inch-by-4-inch wood trusses, followed by 5/8-inch 7-ply plywood decking screwed to the top of the 2x4s, plus backer panels applied at every joint to eliminate squeaks. The 4-inch-deep floor structure is filled with acoustic-grade fiberglass batt insulation that has an R-33 rating, as well as FlexFoil reflective insulation.

The 2½-inch-thick sidewalls feature hung wall construction, similar to that used in residential builds. Plywood interior sheathing boards are fastened to the aluminum framing studs, and FlexFoil radiant barrier insulation is applied to the interior. The walls are lifted into place and bolted to the floor. Fiberglass batt insulation is then applied before the heavy, high-gloss gelcoat fiberglass exterior sheet is fastened, completing the wall assembly and resulting in an insulation factor of R-16.

The one-piece fiberglass roof is supported by aluminum trusses with a 4-inch arch and covered with 3/8-inch plywood. More FlexFoil insulation is applied, and the cavity is stuffed with R-24 fiberglass batts. Both the front and rear caps are also stuffed with R-24 fiberglass insulation, which contributes to the Entegra’s quiet operation when motoring down the road.

 

Chassis

The Cornerstone is built on a Spartan K3 chassis. This big boy is powered by a 605-horsepower Cummins X15 engine, which cranks out 1,950 pound-feet of torque. A three-stage engine compression brake and six-wheel antilock air disc brakes stop the coach in short order. A six-speed Allison 4000 MH transmission; automatic traction control; and a host of driver aids, such as adaptive cruise control, electronic stability control, and collision mitigation, come standard. The 150-gallon diesel fuel tank with dual fuel fills and a 15-gallon DEF tank that also can be filled from either side of the coach will keep the engine happy.

New for 2023 is a redesigned Spartan Premier Drive system with an all-new independent front suspension system by Meritor. Spartan upgraded the previous independent front suspension for improved handling and a smoother ride. A new antisway bar minimizes body roll, while custom-tuned Koni shocks enhance control and ride. Redesigned control arms also have been implemented to provide less unsprung weight, making it easier for the Koni shocks to control jounce and rebound. The front axle continues to be rated at 20,000 pounds.

The drive axle remains rated at 20,000 pounds also and the steerable tag axle at 14,000 pounds. The Spartan Safe Haul towing brake setup allows for easy connection of a pneumatic towed vehicle braking system. Valid air leveling is standard on the Cornerstone, as are Equalizer hydraulic automatic leveling jacks, which can be controlled from the dash area or via smartphone using a wireless Bluetooth connection.

 

Exterior

The Cornerstone is finished in a five-color full-body paint scheme using high-end Sikkens paint and five layers of clear coat. Painting is a three-week process. A 3M protective shield is applied to the front of the coach to help prevent chips; attractive 10-inch stainless-steel ribbed molding protects the rocker panels and adds an upscale appearance. A pair of Girard Vision awnings are mounted to the roof to protect the patio area; a Girard entry-door awning and power window awnings provide additional shade. Both the patio and door awnings are fitted with LED lighting, as is the bottom of the main slideout in the patio area.

Power door locks and a keyless entry system provide secure access to the Cornerstone’s door and basement compartments. The basement compartments utilize push-button electric door latches rather than handles, although a keyed lock can also be used for manual access. An alarm system detects glass breakage from anyone trying to gain access through a window.

A 43-inch QLED TV is located in a patio-side compartment and is accompanied by a sound-bar entertainment system. Tinted dual-pane frameless windows finish off the look.

 

Cockpit

The huge one-piece windshield has always been a staple in Entegra motorhomes. The cab-forward design enables the driver to look down and see closer to the front of the vehicle, a big help when maneuvering in tight quarters. Mirrors are positioned lower than on many other manufacturers’ coaches. This eliminates blind spots at intersections, as the driver can see over the top of the mirror. The mirror location also enables more of the sidewalls to be displayed, which makes it easier to see the fog line or rear wheels.

As noted, the new dash area, dubbed the Safe View Dash, features a total redesign for 2023. The instrument panel has been raised and narrowed. A digital glass dash allows custom displays of whatever information the driver chooses; options include speedometer and tachometer with other ancillary gauges; small speedometer and tachometer gauges with a sizable GPS display; or a large view of the 360-degree camera system. This 15-inch landscape-mode digital dash also can be raised or lowered depending on the driver’s sightlines.

To its right is the 15-inch portrait-mode LED screen center-stack console. This display also is raised and kept fairly narrow so that the GPS or camera monitors are at the very top. From the driver’s seat, you can easily see the left-side mirror, as before. When you swing your view slightly to the right, you’ll see the instrument panel. Swinging farther to the right, you’ll view the top of the center stack. Just a bit farther right is the passenger-side mirror, which appears right next to the camera monitor on the center stack. All four of these important views are in a single horizontal line, so you don’t have to take your eyes off the road to look down at the instrument panel, camera monitors, or GPS.

A new six-camera Aidars Active 360° Surround System fuses radar and camera technology to create a 360-degree view of the coach on the split-screen monitor. The system can alert the driver to vehicles or objects in the blind zones, and the camera view allows the driver to see exactly what is there. This is a benefit when backing into a campsite as well as when driving.

The former rotary control for the digital dash is now replaced by a third control pod on the steering wheel near the bottom. In addition, the engine brake controls have been relocated to paddle switches on the wheel, so you don’t have to remove your hands from the wheel when negotiating a downgrade on a curvy mountain road.

The center stack also includes a 15-inch portrait touch screen that controls a number of features in the coach. Beneath that are manual controls for the dual-zone dash heating and air-conditioning system, which has been upgraded for 2023. Separately controlled driver and passenger zones allow each person to tailor the settings to their own preferences. A 4.2-inch LED control panel is provided on the passenger’s side console for easy access to the HVAC controls and other functions.

The new Bergstrom dual-zone heating and A/C system has almost doubled the output. Instead of 800 cubic feet per minute (CFM) of airflow, the new system is rated at 1,500 CFM. Larger rectangular dash air ducts are now used, and larger windshield defroster ducts are spaced to distribute warm air more efficiently across the entire windshield and provide greater defroster capability.

 

Main Living Area

For 2023, the Cornerstone’s A/C ceiling duct louvers have been relocated farther inboard to create better airflow when the slideouts are retracted for travel. The three 15,000-Btu air conditioners are equipped with heat pumps. They are controlled by the HVAC panel on the 10-inch Vegatouch screen in the central living area; the Vegatouch handles most every other system as well. Heating needs are met by the Aqua-Hot 450D hydronic heating system, which also provides domestic hot water and warms the tile floor.

Premium Italian leather furniture in three color choices is used throughout the motorhome. The porcelain tile floor comes in either a gloss, matte, or wood finish. Attractive Amish-built hardwood woodwork and cabinets are offered in four finishes. Solid-surface countertops are located throughout; the large galley includes a pull-out section for additional workspace.

The galley is fitted with a Blanco white sink, flush-mount induction cooktop, 1.9-cubic-foot overhead convection-microwave oven, drawer-style dishwasher, and a large residential refrigerator. The single-basin sink is paired with a high-rise faucet.

The 45B includes two bathrooms. The rear bath contains a porcelain-bowl Tecma macerator toilet, a pair of sink basins, and a large porcelain-tiled shower with a glass surround and a fold-down teak seat. The shower valve is equipped with an Aqua View Showermi$er water-saving system, which returns tank water to the fresh-water tank until the water is warm enough. A large medicine cabinet features three-way hinged surround mirrors. This area also holds a stackable washer and dryer.

The second bath, in the coach’s midsection, is equipped with an Aria II porcelain-bowl toilet and a vanity with a single sink basin. Powered exhaust and intake vent fans are found in each bath, as well as in the galley.

A 50-inch QLED 4K smart TV is located in the main salon, with a 32-inch QLED 4K TV in the front overhead and a 32-inch QLED 4K smart TV in the bedroom. A Blu-ray player is installed in the bedroom and another in the main entertainment center, where it and other input sources can be sent to every TV. The Cornerstone includes a roof-mounted Winegard Trav’ler automatic satellite dish antenna for DirecTV, a Winegard WiFiRanger for internet access, and a Winegard Rayzar Automatic over-the-air broadcast TV antenna. (A Winegard Trav’ler satellite dish for Dish Network is optional.) An LED-lit, 5,000-Btu fireplace in the entertainment center provides a bit of ambience as well as some heat on cool evenings.

 

Utilities

The Cornerstone receives shore power via a 50-amp cord that stores on a power-retractable reel. The Onan 12,500-watt diesel generator feeds through a Surge Guard automatic transfer switch with high- or low-voltage and surge protection. A 3,000-watt pure sine wave inverter charger supplies 120-volt power from the house batteries when external power is not present. The battery bank is composed of four L-16 AGM batteries (6 volts/390 amp-hours each), giving a total capacity of 780 amp-hours at 12 volts. Two 190-watt solar panels provide some battery charging power on sunny days.

The Cornerstone’s fresh-water capacity is 100 gallons; gray- and black-water tanks hold 62 gallons and 41 gallons, respectively. A power hose reel is provided for the fresh-water system. Wastewater can be dumped through a standard 3-inch slinky hose or run through the Sanicon Macerator Turbo’s 1½-inch hose. Electric dump valves can be controlled via switches on the wet-bay control panel, which also includes a SeeLevel digital tank level display and controls for the water pump and fill/run valve.

Basement storage space is substantial. The large Spartan K3 frame rails allow for nice, tall compartments. Two large full-width compartments come with power cargo slide trays that extend out either side of the coach. The forwardmost curbside compartment is half depth because of the fuel tank location, but it holds a 2.8-cubic-foot Dometic freezer on a slide-out tray. A chassis service center compartment near the rear of the coach contains the chassis batteries and miscellaneous fuses, filters, switches, etc. A carpeted storage area above the fresh-water tank can be used to store DEF jugs or other cargo.

 

Final Impressions

The Cornerstone, Entegra Coach’s flagship model, appears to live up to the company’s pledge to produce the quietest-riding, best-handling motorhomes in the high-line category. Spartan’s recent improvements to the chassis’ front suspension raise the bar further. The new Safe View Dash helps to keep the driver’s eyes on where he or she is going; the new digital technology, 360-view camera, and improved HVAC and defroster technology contribute even more to safety. A choice of floor plans and decors plus a huge number of features will put the Cornerstone at the top of many RVers’ lists.

 

SPECS | 2023 Entegra Cornerstone 45B

MANUFACTURER
Entegra Coach, 903 S. Main St., Middlebury, IN 46540; (800) 517-9137; www.entegracoach.com

MODEL
2023 Cornerstone

FLOOR PLAN
45B

CHASSIS
Spartan K3; raised rail, side radiator

ENGINE
15-liter Cummins X15; 605 horsepower; 1,950 pound-feet torque at 1,150 rpm

TRANSMISSION
Allison 4000 MH Series, 6-speed automatic

AXLE RATIO
4.30 to 1

TIRES
front — Michelin 365/70R 22.5; rear — Michelin 315/80R 22.5

WHEELS
polished aluminum

WHEELBASE
320 inches

BRAKES
6-wheel antilock disc air

SUSPENSION
Meritor independent front suspension, 55-degree wheel cut, Koni shocks

ALTERNATOR
210 amps

BATTERIES
chassis — (2) 12-volt; house — (4) L-16 AGM, 6 volts/390 amp-hours each

ELECTRICAL SERVICE
50 amps

AUXILIARY GENERATOR
Onan 12,500-watt diesel with automatic start

EXTERIOR LENGTH
44 feet 11 inches

EXTERIOR WIDTH
101 inches

EXTERIOR HEIGHT
12 feet 11 inches with A/C

INTERIOR HEIGHT
7 feet

GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR)
54,000 pounds

GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR)
front — 20,000 pounds; rear — 20,000 pounds; tag — 14,000 pounds

GROSS COMBINATION WEIGHT RATING (GCWR)
74,000 pounds

FRESH WATER CAPACITY
100 gallons

HOLDING TANK CAPACITIES
gray water — 62 gallons; black water — 41 gallons

FUEL CAPACITY
150 gallons; 15 gallons DEF

FUEL REQUIREMENTS
diesel

WATER HEATER
Aqua-Hot 450D hydronic heating system

HEATING SYSTEM
Aqua-Hot 450D hydronic heating system; 65,600-Btu output

AIR CONDITIONING
(3) 15,000 Btu with heat pumps

REFRIGERATOR
22-cubic-foot residential

TOILET
(2) porcelain; one with macerator

WARRANTY
2 years/24,000 miles, limited; 5 years structural, limited

BASE SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE
$888,480

PRICE AS REVIEWED
$896,326

 

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Source: https://familyrvingmag.com/2022/09/01/entegra-cornerstone-45b/