Alto Trailer-Not a FGRV, but Wow!

[Gilda]

Hi Everyone,
While I am certainly a FGRV lover I could not help but be "awed" by the Alto trailer parked next to us at Joshua Tree National Park last week. Read about them on their website Alto Travel trailers by Safari Condo. I commented to our neighbor, "How do you like your Alto?" and he replied "'Love it!" and invited me to look inside! 'Took me no longer than a second to say "yes"! Turns out he and his wife are from Montreal, Canada where the Alto is built! The trailer looks like a large tear drop from the outside but that's where the similarity ends. The roof raises to reveal panorama windows on 3 sides and a roomy interior that houses a king-size bed, toilet cubicle, microwave, sink and burners! It's loaded with storage nooks and crannies. Get this, it is all quite modern and stylish.
Frankly, three years ago when we researched trailers this is the one we wanted until we found, as Americans, it would be prohibitive to import.
I'm happy with our 13' Scamp, but a girl can dream, can't she?

[mary and bob]

We have seen one too at a teardrop rally we attend with our teardrop. Nice camper. And nice tongue mount bike rack.

[blodn1]

w it on the web, and it looked too good to be true. I'd love to see one in person.

[MC1]

Originally Posted by Gilda

[SIZE=3]Hi Everyone,
While I am certainly a FGRV lover I could not help but be "awed" by the Alto trailer parked next to us at Joshua Tree National Park last week.

Gilda, thnxs for posting the info about the Alto.

We too saw, and luved the Alto. We saw them for the first time at the Toronto RV show a few years ago. We talked with the designer/builder for over an hour. The fellow from Quebec was one of the most impressive guys I have ever talked with and his product reflects his nature and sense for innovation and a quality built product. I understand some of the more precision parts are built and shipped to Canada from France.
If it was only a bit larger and had a can we would be in their market.

[Raz]

Originally Posted by Gilda

[SIZE=3]
Frankly, three years ago when we researched trailers this is the one we wanted until we found, as Americans, it would be prohibitive to import.

Why ? I thought NAFTA eliminated import duties. Raz

[Bob Miller]

Ya, considering how many vehicles are built in Canada and sold here, I don't think that there is any real import duties. But the builder would have to certify compliance with DOT standards.

Robert (Ra-bert)

[rabbit]

HILOs are like sliders in that one's enthusiasm for either should be tempered with a healthy skepticism concerning reliability, durability, convenience in use, and cost to maintain. Gotta KISS a lotta good looking frogs!

jack

[J Mac]

does anyone know the cost of these travel trailers?

[Gilda]

The costs of the Alto trailers are on their website. I believe they are in the range of $20,000. In retrospect I believe cost was the biggest factor for us to not purchase one as we were able to get a new 13' Scamp for about half the price. By the way, there are other threads on FGRV regarding the Alto. Simply look up "Alto trailer" in the Google section of the Search button to access them.

[Bob Miller]

Originally Posted by rabbit

HILOs are like sliders in that one's enthusiasm for either should be tempered with a healthy skepticism concerning reliability, durability, convenience in use, and cost to maintain. Gotta KISS a lotta good looking frogs!

jack

The Alto trailers post a very respectable low dry weight, due in part to a lot of aluminum construction I suspect.

"HiLo" trailers, the brand name, are heavy, heavy, heavy and did I mention that they are heavy. In my opinion, that extra weight more than negates the touted fuel savings from a not all that much lower profile when towing.

BTW: They have been around for quite a while: http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...bec-31933.html

[cpaharley2008]

The price maybe in Canadian which is about 110% US$ and I believe they are now importing into the US.

[MC1]

The American dollar is also 110% of the Canadian dollar so it's a bit of a wash as far as price is concerned.

[cpaharley2008]

Not really, $20,000 canadian be be had for $18,000 US, that is a 10% differential. enough to pay for the sales tax and gas to pick it up.

[MC1]

A good point Jim. Cdn sales tax....

[Glenn Baglo]

I believe you pay the sales tax in whatever State you come from. You don't pay the Canadian tax on an Escape because it it "exported". If you did, you can apply to be reimbursed. But you will pay your State taxes.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

I believe you pay the sales tax in whatever State you come from. You don't pay the Canadian tax on an Escape because it it "exported". If you did, you can apply to be reimbursed. But you will pay your State taxes.

This is true in Canada too, you only pay the taxes applicable in your home province.

[MC1]

Guys, I believe you are right about the taxes. You can tell we don't spend a lot of time importing/exporting. lol

[Ken C]

[tartosuc]

Someone i know bought the first ever produced alto.
Because of that, they have all upgrades, modification that safari condo come up with for free.

So far they had zero problems and are very happy with it.

[MC1]

Originally Posted by tartosuc

Because of that, they have all upgrades, modification that safari condo come up with for free.

So far they had zero problems and are very happy with it.

That is impressive and I am not surprised. Like I said earlier the top people from Alto that I talked with made a very good impression on me.