Sabre’s Flexible Fifth Wheels

With several decades in the industry, Steve Troyer, national product/sales manager for the Sabre Fifth Wheel division of Forest River, has a deep understanding of what type of trailer does what and, according to him, “contrary to popular belief, [fifth wheels] are easier to tow, making them more versatile.”

It’s that versatility, coupled with what he describes as “the right product at the right price point, supported by superior service,” that he says makes Sabre fifth wheels appeal to all ages and demographics, “from the weekend camper to the remote worker” – the latter being a market that has exploded since the start of the pandemic.

“We offer a wide variety of flex-room options, from a small cubby to a separate room for an office, which means the kids can do their thing while you work, just like at home, but with the ability to also enjoy the outdoors,” Troyer says.

Three units are specifically designed with this in mind. The smallest, the 350BH, offers a rectangular area marked “massive storage” on the floorplan. It’s located behind a tri-fold sofa and has room to tuck in a small desk. In that same location, the larger 36BHQ has a square space marked “storage/bunk loft,” which offers space for a desk and a bit of elbow room. The 38DBQ offers the largest space, marked “loft area with bunks” on the floorplan. This is an L-shaped space with room for a desk and space for a lot more than just elbows, with two cabinets for putting things away and out of sight.

The Sabre is outfitted with “real wood products [not particle board] for the cabinetry and tongue-and-groove plywood flooring over a fully enclosed heated belly.”

Once you’re in there, the “Colossal” 16-cubic-foot, 12-volt refrigerator has French doors for easy access and the Sure Seal closing mechanism seals tightly to protect cold items during travel. There is also a 30-inch microwave, accent lighting under the kitchen island and above the crown molding to avoid middle-of-the-night stubbed toes, a space-saving barn door on the wardrobe, a built-in shower seat, solid surface kitchen countertops and smart TV.

The OneControl ConnectAnywhere is an electronic control system that allows worldwide remote control of LCI OneControl-compatible Controller Area Network (CAN) controllers. It also controls a 128-degree, wide-angle, rear-view backup/security camera with adjustable angle, pan and zoom options.

OneControl also allows owners to stream to mobile devices or Lippert Insight LCD display; control slide-outs, awnings and lighting; receive custom notifications regarding overall maintenance and care as well as real-time diagnostic information on any of its systems, such as low-battery voltage.

Each Sabre is equipped with a Juice Pack for off-grid support. It includes a 100-watt roof-mount solar panel (expandable with additional panels), Series 27 battery, battery box, battery disconnect, voltmeter and 30-amp solar charger.

To keep everyone warm and cool when it’s needed, Sabre fifth wheels are equipped with a standard Polar Shield Climate Protection Package, which includes floor and roof protection. The insulated underbelly is thermal foil wrapped, serviceable and heated, and the roof is wrapped in reflective thermal foil for additional protection.

Other features include a tankless water heater, 38/76-gallon black water capacity tank, 76-gallon grey water capacity tank, 8-lug wheels, 7,000-pound axles, axle-driven slides, auto-leveling, full walk-on roof with a lifetime warranty, telescoping roof ladder prep, and solar reflective windows.

Most important, according to Troyer, is the way the brand works with dealers to help them acquire good products and then move them off the lot.

“One of the main things we do is put out a good product at a good price point and back that up with great support,” Troyer says.

In service of that goal, the Sabre team, “works with dealers individually to help them acquire the floorplans and models most likely to sell in their area and then move them off the lot as quickly as possible.”

With that in mind, each of their seven sales regions in the United States and Canada is small enough that the sales manager can get to each state regularly to meet with dealers to see what they need and conduct on-site trainings for their sales staff. Sales managers are collaborating with dealers in these ways, while also fielding phone calls and emails as quickly as possible so dealers never have to worry about losing a sale over information a customer needs right now.

“Of course, we have a dealer locator tab on our website, and lots of other information for consumers who want to research online before going to the dealership,” Troyer says. “But the most important thing is getting out and doing in-person classes and trainings at dealerships and retail shows.”

Time and again, Troyer comes back to the essential thing being “producing the right product at the right price, so it’s easy to sell and easy to service. We can do this because of the streamlining of our whole operation. This plays a major role in production, service, sales, and thus profitability for dealers. And it’s all a backed up by our fantastic service team.”