Louisville 2009 Part 3: Chalet RV TS116 |
| Angela White | Wednesday, 02 December, 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||
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It's time to step into the 2010 Chalet TS116 triple slide. If we didn't know any better, we might conclude that the TS stands for Texas Size. This is one spacious feeling camper.  While it’s not a completely new floor plan for a triple-slide truck camper, it’s evident that the Chalet RV team started with a fresh sheet of paper with the TS116. Little touches like the curved bathroom wall and the crown moulding really make a statement and set this design apart.
At one point we had five adults in the TS116 sitting and walking around. We were all comfortable and no one was in another’s personal space. It’s difficult to convey the sense of space in this camper, even with our wide angle lens photography. You’ll have to trust us when we say that the TS116 is one very open feeling truck camper.
The kitchen sink choice in the TS116 is highly unusual for an RV, much less a truck camper. It really gives the kitchen a domestic feel. Another nice touch in the kitchen was the microwave under the range top. For most, a microwave is a much more useful and functional item than an oven. Having the microwave under the range also allows the kitchen to have more over the counter storage.
The slide-out medicine cabinet in the bathroom is clever. It offers a lot of storage for toiletries in the bathroom but doesn’t protrude into the bathroom area when it’s recessed behind the shower. And we’ve seen bathrooms in homes that are smaller than the bathroom in the TS116. Everything about this camper feels spacious.
The storage provided by the full wall wardrobe in the cabover bedroom is impressive. Leaving cabinetry out of the driver’s side, along with the mirrors on the full wall wardrobe, adds to the sense of open space in the bedroom. A Heki skylight could really add to the sense of space and will hopefully be an available option in the production model. The crown moulding continues into the bedroom giving just one more clue that this is a domestic feeling camper.
There is a huge basement for storage under the rear of the camper that opens with double doors. There is also a long rectangular storage area under the dinette slide. Naturally, all these observations were made with the prototype TS116 at Louisville. Gary Hubbard of Chalet RV commented that he wants to make many small, but important tweaks to the camper before they begin production. We look forward to seeing a final production version of the TS116 and getting it onto a set of certified scales. If what we’ve seen at Louisville is any indication, this is one camper to watch. For more information about Chalet RV, visit their website at www.chaletrv.com. |
