Opinions on Alto Safari Condo and Vehicle

[NYCgrrl]

I decided to put our summer tenting to the side, buy a small modified tear drop and tour the US for several months as a retirement present. It'll just be 2 of us and because we live in NYC this will be the first time we will own a car since..the mid '70's. As such we'll be buying not only a TT but a car at the same time. Strange how life goes isn't it?...content being car-less for decades and then BAM,change up LOL.

So this is the style we are prolly going to buy:

ALTO CONDO SAFARI R1723

Dry weight: 1725

I'm thinking a car with a towing capacity of 3000-3500 lbs would be about right. Haven't picked a car yet though I know of someone with a similar model that uses a Golf.

Anyway back to the TT.....any deficiencies noted in the layout or specs? Do the solar panels seem to provide a nice amt of power for infrequent TV use(maybe once a wk) and constant radio as well as charging smartphones and a tablet? I've done a lot of reading on te subject but I'm sure there are areas I've missed.

TIA!:)

[westend]

Forget about towing that Alto with a VW Golf, they aren't a good match. Moreover the Golf is a poor towing-anything vehicle, no matter who tries it. If your towing considerations revolve around getting good gas mileage like a passenger car delivers, you should do some more research before you finalize a decision.

That Alto is very cool but the price is too much for what it offers. A pop-up camper of even bigger size will be cheaper than the Alto.

[NYCgrrl]

All who say this isn't a true teardrop- yer right....it's got the shape which is certainly as useful today as it was mid century:).Good question about whether the windows open...I believe they do but really need to double check...I'VE looked at sooo many lil trailers the specs get 'blobbed' in my head. As far as window treatments they are included in the purchase price which doesn't mean I can't make new ones if the style is not utilitarian enough.

As to price....did note that this is more expensive than many similar sized TTs yet feel some of the advantages justify the price. I live in a city where parking is at a premium and most bldgs don't have indoor parking.Getting a TT that can fit in a standard garage is important and the retractable roof helps a lot w/ that. As well this TT seems to do better than average re: depreciation and resale price. We may decide at the end of our cross country trip to just sell it. On the other hand if we decide to keep it it still needs to fit in an average parking area. I also looked into just renting one but for the cost might as well just buy it, LOL.

I've tent camped (alright glamped:D) for several years now and really only want to use the TT's shower if we are boondocking or the campground's bathroom facilities are undesirable. Same for the kitchen sink. Also wonder how much cooking I'll actually do on the kitchen stove; I like grilling and have learned how to make a Weber act like a basic oven. Time will tell on that end.

I'm reading your posts carefully regarding vehicle suggestions.

[NC_Hauler]

Do yourself a favor, though in this case, weights are light...dry weight of 1683 with a loading capacity of another 1017#...so you could have weight at 2700#...again, still light, but I'd use a loaded weight as opposed to a "dry" or "empty" weight. I towed a pop up (weight approx. 3,000# with a Jeep Patriot fairly easily... Don't know how much "room" you would want with the two of you, but I'd opt for a 4 wheel drive SUV capable of towing in the 3500-5000# range just to make your trip more enjoyable and have room in the SUV to haul some "stuff" you might not be able to load into the rv, and have 4 wheel drive, "just in case":)


Jim

[NYCgrrl]

For any one who canna read the link here is the specs and some of the info on the unit:


Standard Equipment

T.O.P.S (Electric Roof with Rigid Side Walls)
Electric brakes
Flexiride suspension
13" aluminium wheels with radial tires
60" X 76" King size bed
36" X 81" front single bed
Two-burner LPG flush mount stove
LPG tank with gauge
Propane and CO detectors
Smoke detector
Front portable table
Cabinet with sliding shelves
Front roof storage cabinet
Fridge 3,1 ft³ built-in LPG and 120 V
30 A 120 V electrical inlet
Converter with 3 step charger 45 A
LED lighting
Exterior light
Two interior duplex ground fault protected 120 V outlets
One exterior duplex ground fault protected 120 V outlet



One auxiliary-battery-powered 12 V outlet (car lighter type)
Fresh water inlet
12 V water pump
60 L fresh water tank
60 L grey water tank
46 L Black water tank
Monitor panel: tanks, LPG and batteries
Fixed flush toilet
Interior shower with curtain
Exterior shower outlet
Toilet wash down spay
Sliding step
Variable speed roof vent
Rear window screen
Door screen
Lateral window screen
Curtains
Rock screen
Fire extinguisher



A revolutionary roof

Its aluminium skin is made from a single sheet, without any joints. It is opened or closed with electric actuators. Its crescent-shaped windows are made from tinted tempered glass. Once closed, the retractable roof creates an aerodynamic shape, which gives the Alto a drag ratio 75% lowerthat a traditional travel trailer.

When the roof is closed the Alto has an exterior height of only 2,10m (83") and can therefore fit nicely inside a garage. Once the roof is opened, the Alto offers highly comfortable living space with an interior height of 2,08m (82"). Its front dinette is usable even when the rear bed is set up. The beds, fridge, storage and toilet are all usable when the roof is down. Two distinct dining areas are available by simply moving the table.

U.S. Patent 7,488,030
CDN Patent 2,580,172



Ultra light, the Alto is entirely constructed from composite materials and aluminium.

The walls and roof are a sandwich construction of a honeycomb core laminated with an aluminium skin on one side and an aluminium or Alufiber skin on the other. Alufiber combines the light weight properties of aluminium with the resistance of fiberglass. The Alto is built exclusively from materials that are water resistant such as aluminium, Alufiber, plastic, Formica and glass.

On the road: With its Flexiride independent suspension system and its very low centre of gravity the Alto is very stable. Its aluminium frame is constructed without any welding, and it supports stream-lined holding tanks designed to optimize the aerodynamics. Equipped standard with electric brakes.

[Bumpyroad]

bikendan wrote:
i've read that though these are very cool and unique, but very expensive for what it offers.

i've seen no one, on any of the RV forums i frequent, that actually bought and owns one.

where were the prices given? I would think that unless you can leave those curtains pulled over the windows when the top is down it would be a royal pain to have to shut them all the time. must be horrific heat gain in the summer/loss in the winter on those windows.
bumpy

[bikendan]

i've read that though these are very cool and unique, but very expensive for what it offers.

i've seen no one, on any of the RV forums i frequent, that actually bought and owns one.

[bukhrn]

I agree with Bumpy, this is not what one thinks of when hearing the term "tear drop", it looks twice the size of the normal tear drop, which is usually nothing but a mattress in a box.
It is however quite unique, & a nice looking unit.
Also agree about the vehicle, get one with some room in it, you're going to need it.

[Bumpyroad]

do any of those side windows open/screened for ventilation?
bumpy

[Bumpyroad]

4monkeys wrote:

Do you think you'll try to use that shower in the RV, or mostly use campground showers? Because that shower curtain might get annoying after a while.

sort of reminds me of a Hi-Lo shower. perhaps asking those folks about them?
bumpy

[4monkeys]

Those Alto Condo Safaris look sharp! I visited their website when we were looking, but then saw the price tag and they marked them off our list! Ha!
I agree w/ donn0128, go a little bigger on the tow vehicle if you can, for storage. Especially if you're going to be on the road for a few months at a time and go all over the US.
We were tent campers, too, before buying an RV (Livin Lite VRV) a couple years ago.
Do you think you'll try to use that shower in the RV, or mostly use campground showers? Because that shower curtain might get annoying after a while.

[Bumpyroad]

sort of misleading to call this a teardrop. nice looking however. I would look at a Highlander to tow it.
bumpy

[the_bear_II]

Is definitely a nice looking TT....very unique design.

I've read blogs of folks who fulltime in smaller teardrops so it can be done.

As you consider what to get, please keep in mind most RV'ers start out using tents, move up to a small TT, van or MH and then upgrade to a 25 foot to 30 foot RV with a 35 to 40 foot RV (MH, TH or 5th wheel) as a final choice. They go through 3-4 RVs until they get to one that really fits. Why not skip the small ones and go for true comfort.

[donn0128]

Personally I would forget cars, get a minivan or one of the mid sized SUV's as your TV. You will find that space is at a premium and you will want every inch of it for extended travels. Now to the small trailer idea, where are you going to bathe? Wash clothes? Most of us full timers, or extended travelers can find 350 square ft rather cramped for two let alone 100 square ft. While it. Might be adequate for weekend use extended use I think you will find it very difficult. But that's just me. Due to my connection speed I could not access your link, so I have to assume it is a tear drop type of trailer?