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Full-time living in an Alto
When I ordered my Alto 1743 in February 2015, I had no idea that this little trailer would change my life. Ten years later - more than eight of which I've spent living in it full-time - I'm amazed at how things have turned out. Summarizing everything that's happened, the places I've seen, the people I've met, the adventures I've had seems impossible, so I'll settle for the highlights... and a few tips for my fellow travelers.
From beginner to full-time nomad
First of all, I was a total beginner: RV life, trailers, towing... everything was unknown to me. But I was lucky: I bought an Alto ! A reliable road companion, that endured red dirt roads, highways and potholed back roads.
I put over 76,000 miles (122,000 km) on my Alto and never thought of buying another model, a van or a larger RV. My Alto was well designed, with an efficient interior layout: toilet, shower, dining area separate from the bed. Even during a winter cold snap in New Mexico, where I spent five days frozen inside, I never felt cramped. Although many owners customize their Alto (myself included), I didn't make any modifications for the first two years: that's how well thought-out it was for camping, full-time or otherwise. And even though Denis had warned me that theAlto wasn't designed for year-round living, I've never regretted my choice. A sturdy little trailer that survived a few flat tires and a swerving accident that led me into a field in Texas (and yes, I drove theAlto to the campsite after that; it was the Subaru that took the brunt of the impact, being in front).
The 1743 model is very small, which has enabled me to set up in campsites inaccessible to larger RVs. Like here, at Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State and National Park:
It took a bit of maneuvering to get off the road, but the view was worth the effort:
I've traveled with my Alto to 47 of the 48 contiguous U.S. states and five Canadian provinces. I've visited Utah's " Big Five " national parks, camped on the shores of the five Great Lakes, and cruised the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, from Nova Scotia to Florida, and from Vancouver Island to Southern California. More than 650 campsites, from wilderness camping in the deserts of the Southwest to East Coast KOAs, provincial parks, private lots and a few driveways in the homes of friends and family.
Community Alto owners
On my first night on the road with my brand-new Alto , twoAlto couples welcomed me near Ottawa with dinner, drinks and a lovely evening. A little later, a couple from Minnesota taught me lots of tips on how to use theAlto. There was always someone ready to help, share a story or encourage me in difficult times. I've made valuable friendships through theAlto, relationships that I value enormously. Thank you, Alissa, for creating this group 12 years ago - the knowledge shared has been invaluable in my learning curve.
I've attended several Alto gatherings, from Oregon to North Carolina, via New York and Quebec. I met some wonderful people, ready to answer my many questions. When I replaced my sink, two owners helped me with endless patience (thanks Rich and Jim!). And after seven years, when I wanted to change my taillights, two others helped me all day with the installation.
The Safari Condo team has always been great, from the initial order to maintenance and upgrades. Participating in the 2018 and 2023 Grand Rassemblies in Quebec was a real pleasure.
Tips for travelers
Tip 1: Buy a large road atlas and follow your route.
A Canadian couple I met during my first month on the road showed me theirs. I bought one, with two highlighters: green for roads, orange for campsites. It's become a precious souvenir, full of landmarks from my travels.
Tip#2: Every campsite is different.
Sometimes your neighbors are way too close. Sometimes, someone is in your shoes. And other times, you wonder why you chose this place.
[Photo: small Alto surrounded by large RVs at Seacliff State Park, California]
But after installation, you open the curtains and see this:
And the magic of camping returns.
Tip 3: You're never too far from a Walmart.
At first, I was stressing about what to buy. An experienced friend reassured me: you're never as far from a store as you think. Even in Zion, there was a Walmart an hour away and a hardware store 30 minutes.
Tip 4: Don't be afraid to change your mind.
Need another tow vehicle? Need a bigger Alto ? Do what's right for you. After my accident, I sold my (repaired) Subaru for a Honda Ridgeline. Heavier, more space, better for towing. With the Subaru, I could always feel the trailer; with the Ridgeline, sometimes I almost forgot I was towing.
Tip 5: Drive at the speed you feel safe. (Thanks to Jim Gauvreau)
Large RVs will pass you at 130 km/h. Some will tailgate, but they'll eventually pass you. Some will stick with you, but they'll eventually overtake. I rarely went faster than 90 km/h, often around 85.
And finally, remember that life is an adventure, so...
"The most important reason to travel from one place to another is to see what's in between, and they took immense pleasure in doing so."
- Norton Juster