If you haven’t seen the Alto Safari Condo yet then you’re in for a treat. Especially if you like teardrop campers.
This RV is like a high tech luxury teardrop trailer that you can still pull with your car!
Alto Safari Condo’s Unique Features
- It’s expandable so you can stand up inside
- When it expands you get more windows
- It has a fully featured kitchenette
- There’s plenty of room for dining
And most importantly it’s really easy to tow. In fact, it can be pulled with most cars.
The Benefits of Having a Safari Condo Alto
- Fits in your garage
- Has flexible solar panels
- Electric powered expandable roof
- Aerodynamic
- Toilet
- Optional shower
If you’ve ever wanted a cross over between a teardrop and a more standard trailer this is a neat option with lots of available accessories.
Photos Courtesy of Safari Condo
Available Accessories
There are a bunch of different accessories you can add on to the three different models that are available.
- Bunk bed
- 15″ LCD TV with built in DVD player
- Microwave with oven built in
- Removable awnings
- Screened in stand up tent that attaches to Alto
- Extra storage cabinets
- Auxiliary battery
- Exterior shower outlets
- Air conditioner
- Bicycle rack
More Details and Pricing
Unfortunately right now the Alto is priced quite high because it’s made out of aluminum and it is being manufactured in small numbers. It starts at about $24,900.
It is very lightweight at around 1,600 lbs so you can tow it with your car and sleep up to four inside.
For a better idea of what it’s like to stay in it check out this Safari Condo Alto review by Howard J Elmer.
Videos of the Alto in Action :)
By action I mean the roof expanding. Nothing else really.
For more information and photos on this high tech teardrop trailer visit SafariCondo.com.
Alex
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I really like the bed in this trailer!
Great post Alex!
Thanks,
Thanks PIT! :)
The only sad thing is that the website seems to be in French. I wanted even more details. The cost is very high now so I will save the website and stalk them to see if costs go down!
The site is in English and French – you just hit the English or French tab and it changes.
Actually, the site is in French and English NOW. A year ago it was not.
Seems comparable to a pop-up–but if so, how does it compare in terms of price, space, etc.?
http://www.safaricondo.com/alto/indexeng.php
I think it is cool. It gives more room when open and reduces drag when closed. I think it is a clever twist on the pop-up. :)
Thanks BWG for providing the english link. You can read better there, Margaret :D
Cannot be purchased by US citizens and cannot be moved permanently to US from Canada.
Ed~ Why can’t it be purchased by US citezens and can not be moved permanently to US from Canada? I contacted their sales office and got the same response, but no explination…..I simply can’t understand why not!?!
That is sad news. :(
That’s pretty weird..
Sure there’s a way though. If you really wanted to.
I received an email back from Cheryl Lynn Lapointe at Safaricondo, cheryl.lapointe@safaricondo.ca
The explination is: “The problem is not so much as to import the Alto as it is to license the Alto. To license it, it must be approved by the DOT and we have not yet received this approval. In some states the trailer must also meet the ANSI criteria and we have not as yet obtained this certification either. These are some of the things we are currently working on as well as the legal implications for our company to sell our product in the states. Please do not hesitate to call me if you have any other questions.”
Does anyone have any advice about this. I’m totally inpressed with this product and have really set my sights on getting one.. :-/
Thanks Frank I appreciate you getting that info and posting it here. It sounds like they are int he process of getting it all approved. I wonder how long that sort of thing takes.
I am also interested in Alto, the one with the shower. It says that it has a US patent, so I guess it won’t be too long for approval in the US? Also, do you think that my 2007 2.0 L 4Cyl Turbo would have a problem towing it?
I also really like the design and look of the Alto. It has been one of many inspiration sources while designing my own teardrop trailer. Also, it is manufactured in Québec, an hour from where I live. The company is much more known for their class B van called the safari condo, we see much of them around.
It would be cool to see your design for a teardrop camper.
you can check it in the article written by Alex in this blog:
http://www.tinyhousetalk.com/how-to-build-your-own-ultra-lightweight-micro-camper-teardrop-trailer/
Thanks!
Until they get all the dot certification etc. It should be easy enough for any America citizen to purchase one and strip all badges and plate it as a ”homemade” trailer.
It will probably take them a while before they export as I saw a feature of their shop and it is small. Going to the USA now is probably a very risky venture for a small family operated shop.
Great idea, Sunny, thanks!
Another interesting small one is the Livin Lite Camplites. I really like the bunk bed model.
http://www.livinlite.com/
They are light, mostly aluminum, can be pulled by all sorts of smaller cars.
Sad to know can’t go to Canada, buy it and drive home to the USA.
Thanks for that link Carolyn- I hadn’t seen these before- I’ll do a post on them soon to feature and help spread the word on them. Thanks again!
If they had a kit version, would this make it be able to be sent to the USA? Would making it ‘home assembled’ be the same as ‘home built’?
I’m confused about the weight and towing. They claim that the alto can be towed by a family car or small SUV. My 4-cyl RAV4 has a max towing capacity of 1500 pounds and the alto is ~1600. Can my RAV4 tow this? How does a car tow it?
I’m sure your RAV4 can tow it but it would probably be smart to upgrade the suspension to be able to handle it better. Hope this helps and thanks!
I feel about Smart Camper as you do about the Livin Lite camper.
http://www.smart-camper.com/
It is in Sweden. It can be towed by a Smart car. It would be neat if it can be imported into the USA.
Thanks, Tom, I didn’t know about this one so glad you shared the link. I’ll see about featuring it here real soon! Thanks again!
You are welcome. There is a neat video on the site. :) It shows Smart cars towing the Smart camper.
You CAN import the Alto if its registered as a Used Trailer. The ANSI and DOT approvals are only for NEW built trailers. Buy it in Canada, drive it around for a while, now its used!
Alto must of course, for legal reasons, disavow any knowledge of this information.
Great insight, thanks so much Mark! Makes sense.
I think that is a good idea. I will do a Schultz and ‘know nothing’ if any one asks. :)
Just spent the weekend in one. It was amazing.
Aw, how cool Jessica! I wish I could hear more about it. Thanks for stopping by!
Sometimes home built came as simple as installing the wheels.
Saw one at the pumps the other day, looks ok, does have all the bells and whistles. You would have to be a tree huger to spend that kind of money! I bought a Forest River R-Pod and brought it up from MN. It was almost $10k cheaper than to buy it in Wpg. Has a lot more room with the slide out. I tow it with my Honda Ridgeline.
I’ve been looking at the R-Pod and also have a Honda Ridgeline. How did you find your gas mileage when towing the R-Pod? Was it fairly flat terrain or did you take it to the mountains at all? Any problems importing the R-Pod into Canada?
I contacted the dealer in Canada and they told me the Alto can now relocate to the USA. Denis Messier (US sales rep)told me they have about 250 in the US now. I’m really interested in one ! Perfect for my mid-life crisis !
This is great news. Looking around of how to contact the US sales rep and cannot find out any information. Do you have this to share?
It is nice!Good!
Could i tow the alto with my jetta sportswagon–automatic transmission??
Linda
I’m also very interested in the Alto & would like to purchase in the U.S. If anyone has any contacts for a U.S. Sales Rep. please please let me know! Thanks.
Kim
Here are the details if you wish to buy in the US …
I emailed him and he sent me a bunch of information and was very helpful.
Denis Messier
US Sales representative
Safari Condo
1378, Chemin Filteau
St-Nicolas(Qc)G7A 2N4
Canada
Toll free 866-836-6664
denis.messier@safaricondo.ca
Their website now says “Now available for sale to the US through the manufacturer.” Yea!
Can-Am in London, Ontario is an Alto dealer and has exported many Altos to the USA. Folks have traveled from as far away as CAlifornia to purchase one. Can-Am is located 1 hour east of Port Huron, Michigan.
please contact me for new alto
see the new one Alto F1743
http://www.safaricondo.com/PDF_2/ALTO_ANG_2013.pdf
Has anyone in the US been able to finance in the US? I’ve called all the RV places and none will finance it for me, neither will my bank. Something to do with Federal Rules. If anyone has information on how to finance then pick up in Canada I would appreciate it.