2016 Forest River Work and Play Catalyst 40BTS Review
Forest River has come out with a new toy hauler that’s guaranteed to be your catalyst for adventure. The Work and Play Catalyst will bring out the adventurous spirit in you and all of your family members.
Out of three floorplans to choose from, we decided to explore the 40BTS. It has a gross vehicle weight rating of 2,400 lbs, hitch weight of 4,094 lbs, unloaded vehicle weight of 16,588 lbs, and cargo carrying capacity of 7,412 lbs. It has an exterior length of 43’11”, exterior height of 12’11”, and exterior width of 102”. For liquids, the fresh water tank capacity is 110 gallons, gray water tank capacity is 76 gallons, and black water tank capacity is 76 gallons. The Work and Play 40BTS has an awning size of 21 ft.
COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2016 Keystone Fuzion 420
The Catalyst is built with a heavy duty frame and steel beams. Equipped with Dexter 7,000 lb. axles with ultra lube, the Catalyst is strong and durable. Eight-lug 16” aluminum rims come with 8,160-pound load range G-rated tires. F.R.P. sidewalls have a gel coat with fiberglass-reinforced plywood. To keep the fifth wheel insulated, the Catalyst is equipped with reflective foil technology insulation. The convenience center hook-up features water heater bypass and the 5.5 kW Onan generator is equipped with 50-amp service. Control the slides, awning, generator, and tank monitor with the Linc Tablet Remote System. To top it off, the Level Up Six-Point Hydraulic Levelling System makes it quick and easy to level your toy hauler anywhere and any time.
When you walk into the Catalyst, you’ll find yourself in the kitchen. A solid surface countertop (located on the kitchen island) has a molded sink large enough for rinsing vegetables and storing dirty dishes. The island provides ample space to prepare food, and it’s easy to keep clean. If you want to hide your dirty dishes from guests, you can cover the sink with the solid surface covers. The recessed cooktop also comes with surface covers. You can store food in the stainless steel residential refrigerator, which also provides you with ice and water, and you can reheat your food in the 30” over-the-range convection oven.
COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2016 CrossRoads Altitude AF-3712
Both the kitchen and living room share the same space. If you want to eat dinner or relax in front of the TV, you can get comfortable on one of three Lauren Ashley residential reclining sofa chairs. Chairs are located in front of the kitchen island, and right beside the entertainment center, which features a 46” LED TV. If you’d rather read a book instead of watch a movie, turn on your electric fireplace and enjoy. For an intense entertainment experience, the Catalyst also comes with a sound bar, sub-woofer and Bluetooth stereo with HDMI output.
When you’re finally ready to go to sleep, you can get comfortable on your king bed, fully equipped with an upgraded residential Serta memory foam top mattress. It also features upgraded bedspread and pillow shams. If you’re napping during the day, you can roll down your M.C.D. night shades to block sunlight from getting into the bedroom. In fact, all of Catalyst’s windows are equipped with M.C.D. nightshades, making sure you and your guests have privacy.
COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2015 Heartland Cyclone CY 4150
You won’t have to fight with your family members over the washroom. The Forest River Work and Play Catalyst is equipped with two washrooms; one has a toilet and sink, while the other has a large bath shower, toilet, linen closet and sink. Both bathrooms have solid surface countertops with a molded sink bowl.
Storage space seems unlimited in the Catalyst. Other than a 12” cargo area, equipped with a remote controlled MAX air vent, there is also an overhead compartment above the theatre seating, and cabinetry above the television and microwave. A stunning wood closet is found in the bedroom, perfect for hanging blouses and dress shirts. The bedroom also comes with a large dresser that can store your socks, pants and t-shirts, along with an overhead compartment above the bed that can store your cables or seasonal wear.
The 2016 Forest River Work and Play Catalyst 40BTS sells for around $25,000. Visit ForestRiverInc.com for information.
