PRODUCTWATCH
PRODUCT WATCH
PopUp Times is always on the lookout for new products, product updates or anything cool we can bring to you. This issue we have the Safari Condo Alto and The Fan-Tastic Vent models
800 and 900 non powered vents.
Introducing the Alto by Safari Condo
When Daniel Nadeau created Safari Condo more than 11 years ago, his first goal was to build a compact and fuel efficient class B camper designed for people who loved to travel. His creative mind and strong ideals led to numerous innovations and a diverse line of vehicles. This Canadian company’ s greatest technological risk and most innovative design, however, is its newest product: the Alto travel trailer.
This teardrop trailer was born out of the same ideals that founded the company. Once again, the goal was to make a truly fuel efficient trailer, that would be designed for travelers who wish to explore their environment. In order to do this, Safari Condo set out to create an ultra light travel trailer with the lowest possible drag ratio.
The Alto is designed from aluminium to give it light weight and a modern look. The roof, walls, floor, chassis, cabinet units and wheels are all made out of aluminium. In order to make the aluminium construction even lighter, the Alto’ s roof, walls and floor are made from a“ sandwich” construction which consists of laminating sheets of aluminium to a plastic honeycomb core. This makes the structure of the panels strong and light
while providing a good insulation. Thanks to all the efforts of the designers of the Alto, this 17’ travel trailer is only 1,635 pounds, dry weight.
The Alto’ s light weight, however, was not enough to make it as easy to tow as Safari Condo wanted. In order for a four cylinder car to be able to tow it with ease, it had to glide through the air and offer as little wind resistance as possible. Safari Condo put their design in a virtual wind tunnel and tweaked it to improve the aerodynamic properties as much as possible. The final wind tunnel tests revealed that the Alto produces 75 % less aerodynamic drag than a conventional 16’ travel trailer. Even then, Safari Condo still wanted its trailer to offer a highly comfortable and spacious interior. The company therefore had to push its design one step further and invent a unique mobile
20 Autumn 2009 |