What is that, you ask? It’s Chevy’s take on the venerable American RV, of course: The Blazer Chalet. Also known as the Casa Grande under the GMC Jimmy family, the Chalet was a strange, one-off creation spurred by Chevy’s failed foray into the world of miniature RV camping.
The Blazer took many forms during its production years (1969 to 1999), but even with over a dozen models produced, the Blazer Chalet broke the mold of what many would consider acceptably eccentric. The Chalet may look quirky at first glance, but we found it to be a sound concept on paper – very utilitarian, almost like it makes perfect sense. Almost.
Chevy took the K5 Blazer truck, built on a half-ton frame, and slapped a large, stand- and sleep-in camping shell to the bed and top of the cab. If that sounds crude, Chevy didn’t go it alone. Although on the outside the Chalet may look not so intuitive, the automaker worked closely with RV maker Chinook Mobilodge Inc. to produce a very comfortable and capable 4×4 truck-RV hybrid.
The Blazer’s 350 and 400 motor options were more than capable of hauling the added weight of the camping shell, of which there was very little. The camper itself was constructed of lightweight but rigid fiberglass body with a steel frame. Although they appear separated on the outside, the cabin of the truck and the living space of the camper were joined, providing a spacious feeling inside.
Adding to that open air was an extendable roof, capable of raising high enough that a 6’5” outdoorsman could comfortably stand inside. The Chalet came well-appointed with home accouterments, too. Inside one would find a kitchen sink, dinner table, seating for four, sleeping for two, potable water tank, and gas stove. An icebox provided storage for food and drink during excursions. Optional upgrades included a refrigerator and increased sleeping capacity (from two to four) with a pair of overhead bunks.
For added space, the tabletop was made removable. Shelves and closet space provided accommodations for room-temperature foods, clothing, and equipment. Although the small RV-truck wasn’t necessarily suitable for long camping trips, it provided a homely feel with all the creature comforts one needed for a 3- or 4-night stint on the lake or mountain.
To be sure, the accommodations and appliances inside the Chalet were not simple, economy gimmicks. The Chalet, by all measures of a proper RV, truly was a reliable and capable truck and camper. Although equipped with a large fiberglass hull on its bed, the K5 Blazer still provided plenty of performance thanks to its four-barrel carbureted motor and 4×4 drivetrain.
For all its innovative camping tech and comfort, the Chalet was a niche vehicle by every measure. Less than 1,200 were made between 1976 and 1977, and few can be found today for the eccentric outdoors-going car collector. If you’re the very specific type of person who appreciates classic trucks of the 70’s and you’re looking for a convenient vehicle to taking RVing (sans the large land boats and full-size fiberglass campers on the market today), the Chalet may just be a surprisingly likely, albeit head-turning, option.
