A new 35-foot fifth-wheel entry for living the high life within a moderate budget.
By Bruce W. Smith
March 2024
Sabre fifth-wheels have a stellar reputation, with 40-foot-plus models that are both moderately priced and luxuriously appointed. When you are living in a Sabre, the spaciousness and quality of the furnishings gives the sense one is living large, which is why Sabre towables are a popular choice among full-timer RVers.
The Sabre’s opposing slideouts help create a spacious interior with numerous work and storage areas.
While the largest Sabre fivers appeal to those who like elbowroom and the ambience of living the high life, a significant percentage of today’s RV buyers are shopping for trailers in the 32- to 36-foot range, because they are easier to tow, and it’s easier to find campsites large enough to accommodate them.
So, to expand the Sabre brand’s appeal, Forest River just unveiled the 2024 32GKS — a beautiful, moderately priced, 34-foot-10-inch fifth-wheel. With an unloaded vehicle weight (UVW) of 9,973 pounds and an MSRP of $93,285, the shortest of the four new Sabre floor plans should attract a lot of interest. It did mine. I had the opportunity to check out the 32GKS at Gib’s RV Superstore in Coos Bay, Oregon.
SHORTER, MORE APPEALING
“What’s nice about this Sabre is it still retains that luxury feel of a full-size fifth-wheel,” said James Hammons, a sales specialist at Gib’s RV Superstore, who walked me through a 32GKS on their massive lot.
“Not only that, with this Sabre being well under 40 feet, an RVer, be they full-time or part-time, can now get in most of the national parks, state parks, and local campgrounds, which is a big concern these days among our shoppers,” Hammons said. “And with the shorter length comes a smaller price tag while still providing that luxury feel. It’s a win-win.”
BIG ON STANDARD FEATURES
Hammons pointed out several things that set the Sabre 32GKSapart from other similarly priced fivers. For example, the new floor plan includes a BAL electric LS 4.4 automatic leveling system, vacuum-bonded-and-sealed sidewalls and slideouts, solar-reflective mirrored windows, dual A/Cs up top, and opposing slideouts that really open up the living area.
The tri-fold sofa at right makes into a bed for guests.
Another standard feature on the 2024 32GKS is a 100-watt solar system the company calls the “Juice Pack,” which includes a 30-amp charge controller. This package helps keep the Group 27 deep-cycle battery in the front compartment charged when camping off-grid. The 30-amp controller also means the rooftop solar array can be expanded to 500 watts if needed.
Speaking of standard features, no true options are offered for the 32GKS. A close look at the MSRP sheet shows a “base price” of $74,435 and then lists four “mandatory options” that describe all the fiver’s features: The Convenience Package ($9,258); Bistro Kitchen Package ($5,075); Ultimate Comfort Package ($3,625); and the aforementioned Juice Pack ($892). So, the true MSRP is $93,285.
SPACIOUS, WARM INTERIOR
The first thing that hit me when entering the 32GKS was its warmth and spaciousness. The opposing slideouts, island counter, decorative ceiling lights, abundance of wood cabinetry, and flush slideout floors provide a great deal of richness and head space within the living area. I also liked the look of the vinyl flooring throughout, which is much easier to maintain than carpet and gives the entire unit that cozy country-home feel.
The free-standing dinette adds a nice residential touch.
There’s also plenty of work space in the kitchen between the island sink setup, the big four-burner range, and the French-door 12-volt fridge with twin pull-out freezer drawers below. The 32GKS also has a floor-to-ceiling pantry with motion-sensing lighting, a hutch, and numerous overhead cabinets in which to store items. The residential-sized 30-inch microwave-convection oven is also a nice touch for anyone who is going to spend a lot of time prepping meals.
Opposite the kitchen is the off-street slideout, which holds dual recliners and a free-standing wall-mounted dinette. With the theater seating, the matching tri-fold sofa along the rear wall, and the big TV with an electronic fireplace below, this area offers plenty of room to entertain or to serve as a second bedroom for overnight guests.
COMFY BED AND BATH
The mid-bathroom and rear bedroom are just as comfortable. The 32GKS is set up with a king-size bed in the street-side slideout and a big wardrobe spanning the nose of the RV. By the way, the bed sits atop a big open storage compartment that’s perfect for stowing bedding and other bulky items.
In lieu of nightstands, a shelf is installed above the head of the king-size bed.
The interior designers did a nice job keeping the farmhouse feel in the bedroom by using Craftsman-style mirrored barn doors for the wardrobe. Not only do they look cool, but when open, they also provide a tiny bit more space between the bed and the wardrobe. The curb side of the wardrobe is also prepped for a washer-dryer combo.
Hammons pointed out another nice feature in the bedroom: a shelf over the head of the bed. “It’s designed to hold small items, as there are no nightstands. But more importantly, this shelf is a convenient place to hold a CPAP machine.”
The adjacent bathroom is typical of today’s midsize fifth-wheels. The shower is close to standard residential size, topped with a big skylight and a powerful exhaust fan. The toilet is porcelain; the sink and vanity are very similar to those found in other RVs of this size.
The bath includes a roomy shower with a skylight.
BUILT FOR THE LONG HAUL
Sabre fifth-wheels are built for the long haul — both literally and figuratively. The NXG frame is custom built by BAL, a division of Norco Industries, and said to be one of the strongest on the market. The aluminum body is framed with fiberglass and utilizes a high-gloss gel-coat front cap with LED lighting, a PVC roof membrane, and an underbelly with enclosed gate valves and forced-air heat.
The electric auto-leveling system facilitates setup, and the adjustable power awning with LED lighting creates an inviting outdoor living space. Plus, the Sabre 32GKS has a large pass-through storage compartment with a small outdoor fridge to keep refreshments within easy reach when the party is outdoors.
Like the other Sabres, the “little” 32GKS includes a universal docking station with a black tank flush and an outside shower, and it is outfitted with high-quality detachable and adjustable entry steps.
Overall, my take on the 2024 Sabre 32GKS fifth-wheel is that it’s a quality trailer that’s well designed and nicely appointed. Its size and price place it squarely in the heart of a very competitive market. I consider it a must-see for anyone looking for a midsize fifth-wheel as a long-term investment for part-time or full-time use.
SPECIFICATIONS | SABRE 32GKS
MANUFACTURER
Forest River Inc., 2577 E. Kercher Road, Goshen, IN 46528; forestriverinc.com/sabre; (574) 642-3697
MODEL
2024 Sabre
FLOOR PLAN
32GKS
EXTERIOR LENGTH
34 feet 10 inches
EXTERIOR WIDTH
96 inches
EXTERIOR HEIGHT
13 feet 5 inches
INTERIOR HEIGHT
8 feet 6 inches
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR)
11,760 pounds
UNLOADED VEHICLE WEIGHT (UVW)
9,973 pounds
HITCH WEIGHT
1,815 pounds
AXLE CAPACITY
6,000 pounds (2)
CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY (CCC)
2,836 pounds
TIRES
radial
BRAKES
drum
HOLDING TANKS
fresh water — 49 gallons;
black water — 30 gallons;
gray water — 60 gallons
PROPANE CAPACITY
(2) 20-pound tanks
WATER HEATER
tankless
ELECTRICAL SERVICE
50 amps
HEATING SYSTEM
35,000-Btu furnace
AIR CONDITIONING
(2) 15,000-Btu units
REFRIGERATOR
16-cubic-foot French door; 12-volt
WARRANTY
1 year limited
MANUFACTURER’S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE
$93,285