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Jim's experiences with his Alto
We discovered the Alto way back in 2009. At that time we were looking for a different way to travel and explore. Our tent camping days were long over, and we had grown tired of using bed & breakfasts and hotels for accommodations. We soon started the search for a small, easy to tow trailer that would satisfy the desire to have a few extra comforts while out exploring.
In early 2009 we went to the Ottawa RV Show, and it was there we first laid eyes on the Alto. It was unlike anything we had seen before. The unique design, the elevating roof, those amazing windows…even at first glance we knew it was perfect for us. We learned that our salesperson rented his own Alto, and knowing that we had a two week travel commitment to Cape Cod that summer, we thought this would be a great opportunity to get to know what trailer camping would be like. The vacation went very well indeed. The first week we spent learning all about the Alto and camping with a trailer, the second week we spent picking the options we wanted to order for our very own Alto. We waited a whole two months for Alto #80 to be built…and then the adventures began.
For the next ten years while still working, weekends and vacation travel with our Alto became a huge part of our lives. Cold, snowy winters were so much easier to endure when we were planning our summer Alto adventures. Our routine became camping every second weekend, rain or shine. We found that even on the rainy weekends, the huge side walls of windows made us feel like we were outside, so being stuck inside our cozy Alto was never a problem. We towed our Alto all over Canada and the eastern seaboard of the States, travelling as far as our vacation time would allow.
While we, and many others were enjoying their Altos, Safari Condo was busy growing their Alto side of the business. When sales expanded to the United States, so did the size of the owner community. Soon a FaceBook group, ‘Altoistes’, was created, and then owners had a way to communicate and share. It did not take long for the Alto rallies to start happening. It is so much fun meeting fellow owners, everyone sharing ideas and chatting about their adventures. Quite the treat to see so many Altos together in one place.
Retirement arrived for us in 2018. A long dreamed of trip finally happened…three solid months exploring the American SouthWest. Did we have any concerns travelling in the Alto for that long?…absolutely none. By this time we were well seasoned Alto owners, and we were just itching for an extended road trip.
We like travelling well off the big interstates and major highways. The best way to see the sights and experience how folks live is to slow down and enjoy the countrysides and small towns. Watching the landscape change as we drove across Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona was fascinating. Texas presented varying landscapes, the forests of the northeast, then as we moved further west, the trees gradually disappeared and the land became more arid and desert like. Then the mesas and buttes took over the horizons, cacti made an appearance, and the horizon became an endless thin line barely distinguishable from the big sky. Simply amazing!
Oliver Lee Memorial State Park in New Mexico stands out as one of our favourites. Imagine stepping out of your Alto and looking at this view…spectacular.
So much to see, so many little towns to wander, so many wonderful people to talk to. Hard to top the joys of travelling and exploring.
Eventually we reached our furthest point west…Joshua Tree National Park. Yet another favourite. Three parks in one. At the lower elevations you are surrounded by gorgeous expanses of wildflower fields. The mid elevations are covered by acres of Joshua trees and cholla cacti. The campground at the highest elevation, Jumbo Rocks, was completely unlike anything we had ever seen before. Massive formations of granite rock, shaped over hundreds of millions of years, dominated the landscape of the Park. Campsites are nestled in these formations, and hiking across the rocks is an adventure right outside your door.
Right from the very start we have written a blog that chronicles our travels. We also have included details of the mods and maintenance that has been done to our Alto over the years.
Our blog, Route Alto 80, can be accessed here:
https://routealto80.blogspot.com/
Why is the Alto so special to us?…because it makes us smile every time we see it…even fifteen years later. It provides an incredibly comfortable haven for any weather we may encounter while travelling. After all these years we have yet to have an issue with any aspect of the Alto. We attribute this to the superb design, the materials used, and the incredible attention to detail while the trailer was being hand assembled. The quality has been second to none!
As well, being a bit of a mechanical guy, I found that the Alto is an excellent platform that can be maintained by an owner. It is also easy to customize with little mods that will truly personalize the Alto to suit your camping needs. Technology in the RV industry has evolved since we took delivery, and so to take advantage of these new features, we had Safari Condo retrofit the Truma heating system into our Alto. What a game changer that has been in the cooler shoulder seasons. We also have completely updated the 12 volt system to support the newer lithium battery technology. We now have a fifteen year old Alto that is virtually identical to what is being built and sold today. How awesome is that…and great for product longevity!
This cute little trailer remains a huge part of our lives. From the wonderful family run company that builds this gem, the amazing community of owners, of whom many have become good friends, to the absolutely wonderful travels we have been able to experience and enjoy…the Alto makes it all so very special.