Safari Condo Alto F1743 tour

Welcome to our Safari Condo Alto F1743. This small, light weight travel trailer is perfect for our family. Come take a tour and see the features we are most excited about. We are looking forward to lots of family camping adventures in this trailer!
You can find a blog post on our website with a lot more detail about the features we added as well as the ordering and pick up process and some pros and cons of the Alto.
www.outdoorsma...

[@Katste73]

I REALLY appreciate ALL the info you have provided! You have really helped me in my searching! Thank you!

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

Glad it was helpful! What camper did you end up choosing?

[@MrPchubare]

WOW what a nice trailer!!! Its amazing that small organic manufacturers are still able to produce such beauty!!!

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

Thanks! There is a 2 year wait for these now so I think the company is doing well. Safari Condo does an amazing job of focusing on quality control. That was one of the things we really liked about it.

[@timtse1966]

Best video ever watched for this model, thx

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@christinemeleg4535]

Terrific tour and equally terrific tour guide! NICE TRAILER!!!!!

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

Thank you!

[@kimhollenbeck6954]

Thank you for the tour of your alto tear drop camper,really beautiful

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kimhollenbeck6954]

I love your teardrop camper,nice exterior and beautiful interior and it would be a relaxing quiet camping travel to go camping during the summer months with pets or with out pets

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

It really is amazing to camp in! Thanks for watching!

[@farstrider79]

Nice presentation! I'm at a campground right now and saw one of these a few minutes ago. The Altos look like they're well built. I do wish the sink was a little bit bigger though 🤷‍♂️.

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

Awesome to see one "in the wild"! I'm always excited to see Alto's on the road. So far we are really happy with the build quality and they have a good reputation. The sink is one of the most common modifications people do after purchase, there is a mod to install a deeper one. We are still on the fence about whether it is worth it to us to swap them. We've cooked and cleaned inside more than we are used to because we have camped in a lot of bad weather and it seems fine so far. Thanks for watching!

[@rextilian]

Thanks for the tour. Still enjoying it?

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

Yes we still love it! We average about 45 days a year camping including some 2+ week trips and it has been awesome.

[@micheldube5542]

Hello, you have the same model as us but ours dates from 2018 with the same modifications to the door and the porthole moved from the latter to the front right part, I modified ours really a lot, until I installed 4 drawers and I'm very proud of it.

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

Awesome! I'm so impressed with how handy some of the Alto owners are! I was really glad they switched to drawers in the kitchen area from the previous sliding shelves. We love that feature. We haven't used ours enough to know if we will want to make any modifications but definitely love getting ideas from others!

[@micheldube5542]

@@outdoorsmadesimple , so it is impossible to send my modifacations here , sorry !

[@carlosaraiza2217]

Your trailer looks awesome If I could ask, what model subaru do you have. I have been looking for a small trailer to pull with our 2020 outback base model. How does yours feel like towing the trailer, does it strugle? Any info you can give me would be helpful. Thanks and happy camping!

[@breem9982]

We have a 2020 XT Outback, so the bigger engine model, with a higher tow capacity. There are people who tow these with the base model but you will be close to the tow limit and want to watch your weight. We’ve had no issues so far including a trip to Utah over some decent mountain passes. My aunt just bought the Happier camper HC1 studio and she is towing with a 2023 base model Outback. She has driven from the west coast to the Midwest so far and had no issues. The happier camper is basically the same weight as the Alto but it is several feet shorter. Thanks for watching!

[@carlosaraiza2217]

Thanks so much for the info That gives me the information I was looking for. thanks for the reply. Happy camping.

[@powersprouter]

nice video, thank you for sharing. Do you know if this is meaningfully taller overall inside than the T@B 320s? I am 5'11" which means I have to duck my head in the TAB, a non-starter for me.

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

Thanks for watching. The alto is quite a bit taller than the tab 320 (I believe the interior of that one is 5’9”). My husband is 6 ft and has no trouble standing in the trailer. The bathroom is up a couple of inches so that is a little bit tight. Otherwise it’s a great fit for us both.

[@shawnhill4779]

That is an awesome travel trailer. I had never heard of the Alto before. We've been looking for small / lightweight travel trailers that we can pull behind our Ford Escape and this looks like it has almost all of the features that we are looking for in a weight and size that should be do-able. Are you towing this with a Subaru Outback? Are you happy with how the vehicle handles with this trailer behind it? Do you just have a class II or class III hitch on the tow vehicle? Great videos. I've watched most of your videos already and can't wait to see more. That 4th bed option was pretty darn amazing.

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

Thanks so much! Yes we tow with a Subaru Outback XT which has a 3500 lb tow capacity. We have a class III hitch and use weight distribution bars. It tows very well with our set up.

[@shawnhill4779]

@@outdoorsmadesimple Fantastic. I figured that they weight would be no problem for the Subbie, just good to know that aerodynamics of the trailer doesn't bother the vehicle.

[@suzannedyck5169]

Your video was great! We have just purchased one of these. I am wondering where you purchased the closet organizer (4-drawer set) where you store your clothes. It fits so well in the closet. Thanks!

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

Thanks! We got that from the Container Store. It is an Elfa freestanding cabinet. There are a bunch of ways to install those, check out the Facebook Altoistes group for more. I just used industrial strength Velcro along the back and that has held really well. Enjoy the planning during your wait! It will go faster than you think!

[@TTTT-rc4fv]

Hi there, I am looking at a 2020 version of this trailer. I am also looking at intech and the Pleasant Valley Nucamp 400. I am wondering why you went with this trailer over the others?

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

Those are all great. We picked the alto for tow weight which allows us to tow with our current car and the bunk which allows us to sleep 3 and still keep the dinette set up.

[@ProdigiousReturn]

With the bunk, you can’t use the stove correct ? I couldn’t tell what black part was covered

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

Yes it covers the stove. You can use the sink. For us that is only an issue when we are camping in the cold or are doing a quick overnight. Otherwise we usually cook outside so we don’t have to take the bed down every day.

[@michaelwan2315]

May I know how did the camper do in winter time. Did you make some trips during the snowy time. Because I love winter travelling. Love to know how it held it for the weather. Best

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

The Alto is not truly designed for very cold weather camping, though people do it. The bottom is not enclosed and the walls are very thin to keep the camper light weight. We have camped in late fall and early spring and been very comfortable. The coldest we have camped has been ~26 degrees F. In that case the camper did great. You need to keep a window cracked to keep the condensation down but we stay very warm at those temperatures. If you are winterized you can camp at colder temperatures but we have not camped in true winter. There is a video from another Alto owner who has done this, check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaPZf6yHrb-igNk

[@stevepowsinger733]

I was comparing this to the Tab S 320. I don’t know about the price comparison or the availability of Alto in my area of Florida. Tabs are everywhere and they are well-made but this is interesting too. I would be towing with a Subaru Outback XT rated at 3,500 lbs.

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

Tabs are great! They are definitely easier to find with much shorter wait times. Tab didn’t work for us because there are 3 of us and the larger tab 400 at that time did not have a bunk bed (it does now!) and it weighs quite a bit more than the alto so we were not comfortable pulling it with out Outback. The 320 series should work well though.

[@dhubbard9728]

That is exactly what I am looking for. I require windows! Lol since it's just me and a corgi, there is plenty of room. I've been looking at many teardrops for the last year, some very good ones out there, but this fills all the requirements. One question, what about awnings? And is it possible to get a roof rack on it? Thanks!

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

Windows are a big deal! Yes this has an awning. There is a railing along the front (called a keder rail) that you can slide an awning on. We will take a video of that process next time we do it. We also have one on the back so we could add an awning on that side too to shade the fridge side of the camper. I don't think you can get a roof rack because the roof is not flat but there is lots of creativity out there so maybe there is a solution I haven't seen. I highly recommend joining the Altoistes facebook group if you want more information. There are lots of Alto owners on that page and they can tell you what they do with their extra gear (kayaks for example).

[@dhubbard9728]

@@outdoorsmadesimple Thanks for quick reply! I prefer a more traditional roll out awning, but it is not a deal breaker, just preferable, one reason I am still looking after seeing the Tab 320 and400 I spend a lot of time camping (180+days)I will definitely look into the groups also. Casita and Scamp are still an option because of the awning availability. But, I REALLY like the 1743 lol. Perfection......with an awning. Keder rails can be a bit of a pain for just overnights. On the driverside it would be great also when you're at your destination. Nice to know that's available!

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

I agree - I would rather have a simpler awning for sure. I love the Tabs also. We will be doing a comparison of the Tab 400 and Alto 1743 in the next month. I got a chance to look at the Tabs in more detail while I was helping my aunt look for a camper and there are a lot of similarities.

[@dhubbard9728]

@@outdoorsmadesimple I really like the 400, but pushing my weight limit, like the 320 css but concerned about cooking outside with the flies, mosquitos and no-see'ms on a 5 month trip to Alaska. Not worried about that in the lower 48 though. The 1743 just about covers everything! Always trade offs.

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

For sure! We always cook outside with a portable set up so that is why I love the idea of an outdoor kitchen that is always ready. We also camp mostly on the west coast where there are fewer bugs. Have you looked at the little guy trailers? We will have a video series of those in a bit but the Mini Max is really similar to the TAB 320 S (Little Guy was started by someone who worked at nuCamp). I like the layout of that one a lot. It is still heavier than the Alto (almost everything is!) but it has an inside kitchen and is kind of in between the TAB 400 and 320 size wise.

[@powhattanst]

Nice presentation - and I especially like that your cabinets and drawers have real stuff in them. That way, it's easier to imagine how I might use it. I see they're sold in Canada - are they available to purchase in the US?

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

Thanks! You can purchase these in the US but you have to do it either direct from the manufacturer (in Quebec) or from one of 2 dealers in Canada. We live on the west coast of the US so we bought ours from the dealer in British Columbia. I go into it in more detail about the ordering process in a blog post here: www.outdoorsmadesimple.com/post/alto-f1743-review

[@dqsimpson5331]

Oh wow. Great video!!!! what do these cost in 2022?

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

The starting cost for the f1743 is ~48k Canadian. We paid close to $50k in US dollars for ours in 2021 because we added a lot of optional things like solar and lithium batteries. They are pricy for sure! But the build quality is good and they hold their value.

[@duckieash5732]

Hi. Great video. What size is your fridge?

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

4.1 cut ft. We got the larger option that runs on electricity only. It is bigger than I thought it would be! Fits at least a weeks worth of food.

[@duckieash5732]

@@outdoorsmadesimple Thanks!

[@samrutster]

Finally the camper of my dreams! Where are these built? How did you order?

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

These are built in Canada. You order either directly from the factory or from one of a handful of dealers in Canada, depending on where you live. We live on the west coast of the US so we ordered from the dealer in BC to avoid having to drive to Quebec to pick up the trailer. I talk a lot more about our ordering experience on our blog post review www.outdoorsmadesimple.com/post/alto-f1743-review

[@OriginalCelticFreckles]

Oh my goodness, even my jeep can pull this puppy! How long is the dinette twin bed? I'm traling with my son and he's 5'11".

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

It is 36 x 81 inches - basically a long twin (normal twin is 38 x 76). It is the same length as a queen bed.

[@OriginalCelticFreckles]

@@outdoorsmadesimple oh that's perfect. I love the design. They really nailed it by including everything and even a bike rack? I was looking for the cost and if I read it correctly it starts around $48k? That's a bit much for most people.

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

@CelticFreckles True, these are expensive trailers! The cost is in Canadian dollars so if you are in the US, you will pay ~20% less depending on the exchange rate. Regardless, this is a big purchase. Alto's are among the brands that have a strong reputation for quality which means you pay more up front. On the flipside, if you want to sell, you can pretty much sell an Alto for what you bought it for, an almost unheard of situation for an RV! There are less expensive options for sure, check out our latest video about the Braxton Creek Freesolo for a less expensive option in a similar size. The beds are a tad shorter but still would probably work for you. www.outdoorsmadesimple.com/post/braxton-creek-freesolo

[@OriginalCelticFreckles]

@@outdoorsmadesimple yes, I've been looking around for something light enough that my jeep latitude can pull. I do have the tow hitch that allows me to pull more than a typical jeep can pull though. It's so hard to find something light and with two beds that fits two tall adults. I love the Little Guy Max but they are too heavy.

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

@CelticFreckles - I love the Little Guy max too but it was too heavy for us too! Check out our blog post on the other ones we looked at, our tow capacity was 3500 lbs so everything in this comparison is

[@impulsestar6431]

I would like to have panoramic window in the bedroom, like one in the dining area

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

Me too! Best panorama is with the raised roof models of the Alto but that one didn't quite have all the features we wanted. I do find that the window along the side where our heads are is quite nice and you can see out very well. However, you can't see up which would be nice. Maybe they will add a skylight someday :).

[@jennytung4339]

What is the weight capacity for the bunk?

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

150 pounds. Thanks for watching!

[@jasonl7887]

It looks like you are towing this with a Subaru Outback? Is it the 2.5 L one? Do you have any trouble towing? 🙏 thanks~

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

Hi Jason. We tow with the Subaru Outback XT (3.6 L) which has a tow capacity of 3500 lbs. I know there are people who tow Altos with the regular Subaru as well but at that point you are pretty much maxing out your tow capacity.

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

Hi Jason. Correction we tow with the Subaru Outback XT (2.5L turbo), which does have the 3500lbs tow capacity.

[@SM-gj9nd]

Can it fit into the garage? Thanks!

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

This model cannot fit in a standard garage - the total height is just shy of 8 ft and a normal garage door is about 7 ft. Safari Condo has 2 models that have raising roofs that do fit in a garage. If that is key for your criteria, check out the Alto R1713 or R1723.

[@SM-gj9nd]

@@outdoorsmadesimple Thank you！

[@Jezidka]

The solar wattage?

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

We have 200 W of solar on the roof. At the time we ordered the options were 200 or 440W. We choose 200 because we might get a suitcase solar panel to add the option of being able to move the panels to where the sun is vs being limited to what can reach the roof panels. Adding a suitcase panel will be significantly less expensive than getting the larger roof panels. We are on our way to Utah today and will have no hookups for 2 weeks so this is the first time we are truly testing the solar charging. Will report back on how well it works! Note options are changing all the time so the options today for solar might be different from when we ordered.

[@Jay-hr3rh]

Something tells me she really likes her camper.

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

I do 😂! You would think my enthusiasm would dim a bit over time but 6 months of use and I’m still as giddy as I was in this video when we get to use it.

[@Jay-hr3rh]

@@outdoorsmadesimple😊

[@malanalan1]

Now you have to cook inside the camper stinking up your bed , cloths and the whole camper.

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

We actually don't cook inside very often both because we don't want a lot of cooking smells in the camper and we just prefer to be outside. We have an outdoor kitchen set up that we really like. The inside cook top is good for boiling water or doing simple things. We haven't had the camper long enough to camp in the spring/fall much but we expect that there will be times it makes sense to cook inside those times as well. There is a fan right over the cook top inside and with the windows cracked, you can get the air out pretty quickly.

[@artfarnsworth6890]

Where is the Factory in the U S where you can buy these?

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

These are sold direct from the factory in Canada to the US, or depending on your location from a dealer in Canada (that is how we bought ours). They have a program to match you with an owner so you can see one in person or you can join the Altoistes Facebook group and find someone in or near your town who will give you a tour. You do have to pick them up in Canada.

[@artfarnsworth6890]

@@outdoorsmadesimple IS THE TRAILER WORTH IT?

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

For us, yes. I have not seen anything else that has the combination of features that this has which are exactly what we wanted. Light weight, windows, bunk bed option that lets us keep the table up, etc. I think it comes down to what features you must have. You can defiantly get something less expensive in a similar weight class. But you make some trade offs.

[@artfarnsworth6890]

Thanks for the info. They have over a 2 and a half year wait to get one.

[@leonstarrksantiago3507]

Nice 👍

[@outdoorsmadesimple]

Thanks ✌