Alto

[glamourpets]

One of the more interesting trailers at the Toronto RV show was the Alto trailer. Its a sort of hybrid clamshell popup. Interesting concept. Has anyone seen one of these? Thoughts? Experiences?

Alto Technology

Derek

[theresa p]

we actually checked these units out last year in quebec city. they really are nice!!
i was quite taken by the huge windows and how much light they let in.

not molded fiberglass...but quite intriguing nonetheless.

[Donna D.]

There have been some terrific lightweight trailers out there, but, I'm not into lifting or sliding anything. I prefer to open the door... and be done. YMMV

[cpaharley2008]

Too bad they will not import to US, I asked them last year.

[Glenn Baglo]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

There have been some terrific lightweight trailers out there, but, I'm not into lifting or sliding anything. I prefer to open the door... and be done. YMMV

At our family reunion last summer, a relative and his young family spent the night crawling over top of furniture and fixtures to get to the bathroom when the slide on their stick RV wouldn't open. Spent a good part of the next day waiting for a repairman.

[D Davis]

WOW!, Innovative! Like all the windows especially.

[Robin G]

I get that they will have a niche market. Fit's in a garage, that's huge for a lot of people. The windows are awesome. But what about 1635 pounds is "feather weight" I don't see it! That's a lot of weight for no bathroom and such a small compact space that you have to open up to even be able to sit in. Just my opinion!




And what's this about? I am sure I am reading it correct.... But I don't get it! It's in the options section of the web page.

" Optional intelligent brake controller can be installed inside the Alto"


Ummmmm, who needs brakes inside the trailer? Crazy Aunt Betty who you let travel inside the trailer? Walkie talkies telling her, down grade coming, hit the brakes! LOL.........

[Mike Magee]

I've eyed the Alto for several years. No export to USA, that's the biggest drawback for us folks south of the north border. They can be entered and used without raising the top. The top is raised by pushing a button, no strain.... but it moves verrrry slowly and takes a couple of minutes to reach full height. Hydraulics, I think, but not positive.

IIRC it's about as spacious, roughly, as a 16-17 foot egg, but with even better aerodynamics. And the windows are bound to give it a more open feel. Of course, more seams and more windows mean more leak opportunities after while.

[WildBirder]

Good news from their website,
"Now available for sale to the US through the manufacturer."

[Dennis Schultz]

The Alto is definitely interesting but what I found even more amazing is that it was pulled by a Fiat 500 2 door. The dealer told us that they brought it from London at 100 km per hr. Not bad! looks like you can have your cake and eat it too - great mileage when not towing and you don,t need to change to a larger vehicle to tow it.

[Thomas G.]

I was amazed by the claim of 75% reduced aerodynamic drag. I'd love to see how that was calculated and verified (show me the data).

[honda03842]

When these first appeared I contacted Alto about their towing efficiency. He responded with a mpg figure that was not nearly as good as we were experiencing with our Scamp or Casita.

It does have a large frontal area. It is almost 7 feet high and 7 feet wide in the closed position.

Two years ago we were in a Prov Park in PEI with one. Ginny's feeling was that there was to much glass. In part meaning a lot of light coming thru non opening windows and a lot of glass that's a poor insulator in heat and cold.

[Cam A]

I have not seen the construction techniques, but I wonder about the long term consequences of not having a permanent roof to tie the top of the walls together.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by WildBirder

Good news from their website,
"Now available for sale to the US through the manufacturer."

Its a funny thing but just about every trailer manufacture out of Quebec has some issues to start with in regards to exporting to the US. Suspect it may be due to the province of Quebec having different requirements in regards to DOT etc compliance stickers than the rest of Canada. The compliance stickers needed/used in other provinces seem to work for export to the US. It always seems to take the trailer manufactures in Quebec a year or so before they get it together and meet the compliance sticker requirements needed to export to the US. A bit of a head scratcher for sure.

[Bill in Pittsburgh]

Camped next to one in Maine last summer. Nice people from Quebec owned it and gave us a tour in "French". Very Nice! Very High Tech! Very expensive!
Could imagine maintenance issues down the road when all the pumps, motors, and gadgets decide to go south.

[Ken C]

I like the new fixed Roof model better
unveiled at the Toronto RV Show

Safari Condo

scroll down for more photos here http://www.safaricondo.com/nouvelles.php

[Mike Magee]

The fixed roof model makes me think of R-Pod. Not as elegant looking to me.