Salute Caravans Sabre 2019 Review

Back in mid-2017 we took a close look at one of the big, rough-road luxury caravans from boutique dealer Melbourne City Caravans.

Fast forward close to two years, and the Somerton-Victoria-based retail outlet has a new range of Salute-badged ‘Signature Series’ models for 2019, built by the same Melbourne factory (Salute Caravans) as the Grand Salute range.

While built to a similar formula, the new Salute vans offer a few minor differences, including the option of sharp-edge frontal styling, or more retro rounded look.

So far, the new Salute range extends to three main models, covering family and couples’ layouts.

For this review we took out the current entry-level 20ft 6in Sabre model, which delivers a long list of standard inclusions for its $68,990 drive-away price.

Built for comfort

Classified as a “semi off-road” van, this 20ft 6in Sabre rides on a 4in (100mm) Duragal steel chassis (with 6in/150mm A-frame), along with ARV 4X 3500kg-rated trailing arm independent coil suspension, Cruisemaster DO35 coupling, 12in electric drum brakes, and 16in alloy wheels with chunky mud terrain tyres.

The Salute Sabre is built with a timber frame and smooth aluminium composite walls and roof and a marine ply floor, and features lots of black checker plate cladding on all sides.

Our review van featured a sharper-edge angled profile, which possibly offers a bit more space above the bed for overhead lockers than the more rounded family bunk Salute Avalon that Melbourne City Caravans also currently has in stock.

Other than that, the Sabre is loaded with all the external features (plus a few more) expected on any large Campbellfield-built luxury caravan these days, including large roll-out awning, double pull-out entry step and illuminated grab handle, external speakers, gas bayonet, drop-down picnic table, entertainment locker with TV and electrical connections, two 9kg gas bottles, hot/cold external shower, and A-frame tap.

At the rear two spare wheels are mounted on the three-arm bumper bar, below a reversing camera.

Storage wise, the Sabre is well equipped with a large checker plate toolbox on the drawbar, big LED-lit tunnel boot with access from both sides, and another good-sized vertical, gal-lined storage locker at the offside rear.

Two checker plate-protected boxes for twin 120Ah batteries are also located low down externally, which are connected to two 150W roof-mounted solar panels controlled by a 30amp solar regulator.

Water storage is also generous, with the two gal-protected 95 litre fresh water tanks located forward of the axle, and another 95 litre grey water tank located further back. There’s also a couple of jerry can holders on the rear bar to carry more water or fuel.

Looking underneath, there's plenty of exposed hoses and wiring, but most of it’s neatly tucked away and should be out harm’s way on the touring dirt roads this rig's designed for.

Buyers will have to keep an eye on weight distribution, to avoid a 'nose-heavy' van with the two front tanks filled and front storage areas packed with heavy gear, although a generous 900kg payload allows a few options. The 200kg (unladen) ball weight should also provide some flexibility when it comes to trying to achieve a balanced rig.

Room to move

It's clear that the new Salute Sabre is aimed at grey nomads seeking plenty of space and comfort features. To that end it adopts a very familiar floorplan of front north-south queen bed, central kitchen and lounge/dinette and full width rear ensuite including separate shower, toilet and washing machine.

It’s a popular layout chosen by many Australian caravanners, but the Salute's is particularly appealing due to a few thoughtful features like the extra walkway space past the slightly angled kitchen bench, and a club lounge/dinette than easily converts to another single bed.

The black/grey décor in this particular caravan delivers a sombre but upmarket feel, highlighted by matt black tapware, super-gloss cabinet fascias, marble-look roll-formed benchtops, cloth curtains and white-stitched black leatherette trim on the dinette, bedhead and wall-mounted magazine pouches.

There’s not much missing in the kitchen for those who like to cook up a storm, with excellent benchspace and storage areas above and below, including a couple of options for larger pots and pans, plus a large slide-out pantry.

Appliances include a filtered water tap, 184-litre three-way fridge/freezer, microwave, rangehood, four burner cooktop, grille and oven, with the stereo unit, hooked up to two more internal speakers, also located in the kitchen area.

The club lounge/dinette is also generally well conceived, with cushy bases and backrests and enough room for four adults. The fixed table adjusts in multiple directions, including downwards to form a base for another bed, using the extra cushion supplied.

Much of the under-seat storage space is taken up by the hot water heater and battery chargers, although there's some handy storage space accessible via two slide-out drawers.

Moving to the rear of the van, there's a nice solid sliding privacy door to block off the ensuite, which is a good size and includes a swivel ceramic toilet on the left, and a large central vanity unit with ceramic basin, mirror and 3.3kg top loader washing machine (neatly hidden away when not in use).

The separate fibregalss shower is also well equipped with a frosted glass door, chrome flick mixer shower head and 12V fan hatch.

There’s also some good storage options in the bathroom, including a large linen closet along with the usual under- and above-bench drawers and cupboards.

In fact, given the close to one tonne payload on this particular van, interior storage options overall are excellent, including a few you don’t always see in similar-sized rivals like a small cupboard with shelves close to the floor, as you enter the caravan.

Other items that adventurous couples who like to go away for extended periods will appreciate include a roof-mounted air-conditioner, rain-sensing roof hatch and dirt-repelling 'scupper' vent, 24in TV with interior and exterior mounts and connection points, AL-KO trailer sway control, and lots of LED lighting and various powerpoints inside and out.

Summing up

The Salute Sabre might be a new name in the Australian caravan market, but it’s built by a Melbourne manufacturer with a track record for delivering solidly built, well-equipped and value-for-money caravans.

As long as you’ve got a suitably heavy-duty tow vehicle to match this van's 3500kg ATM, the 20ft 6in Sabre at $68,990 drive-away is worth a closer look.

Salute Sabre Signature Series 20ft 6in

Travel length: 8600mm
External body length: 6250mm
External body width: 2350mm
Travel height: 3100mm
Interior height: 1985mm
Nominated Tare weight: 2666kg
ATM: 3500kg
Ball weight (Tare): 202kg
Body: Meranti wall framing with 3mm aluminium composite cladding, plus checker-plate on lower sides
Chassis: ARV Duragal steel , 150mm x 50mm A-frame (100x50 chassis)
Suspension: ARV 4X tandem independent coil-spring with twin shocks
Brakes: 12-inch electric drum
ESC: Al-Ko
Wheels: 16in alloy with 265/75R16 MT tyres
Fresh water: 2 x 95L
Grey water: 1 x 95L
Battery: 2 x 120Ah AGM and monitor
Solar: 2 x 150W panel with regulator
Gas: 2 x 9kg
TV: 24in Furrion HD LED/DVD with Dometic AntennaTeK aerial
Audio: Furrion DVD/CD unit with internal and external speakers
Cooking: Swift 500 3+1 electric/gas cooktop, grill, oven and Sphere rangehood
Fridge: Thetford 184-litre three-way
Air conditioning: Dometic Harrier reverse-cycle
Hot water: Gas/electric
Microwave: Sphere
Toilet/Shower: Separate shower and Thetford swivel toilet
Washing machine: Sphere 3.3kg top loader
Lighting: LED
Base price $68,990 (drive-away Vic)
Supplied by: Melbourne City Caravans, Somerton, Victoria
More info: Salute Caravans, Campbellfield, Victoria