This has been a windy Spring for me, and the past week has certainly not disappointed in that regard. From the cold northerly winds to the warmer southerlies, it seems wind is the one constant on the mid-Atlantic coast. It’s is one reason why the Wright Brothers picked Kitty Hawk as their base; they learned to pilot gliders well before trying powered aircraft. This was one of many things I learned at the Wright Brothers National Memorial last week.
Friday and Saturday nights, I enjoyed the company of fellow Alto owners from Quebec, and we traded tips about trailers and camping spots each evening. Saturday was warm enough I wore shorts when we went to see the Bodie Island Lighthouse.
Sunday, we bid our farewells and they headed south while I turned north to keep creeping up towards Canada. I’m in Virginia now, on the edge of the Chesapeake Bay, and it’s a beautiful thing in stormy weather.
I’m here for a few more days, doing some camping with fellow Alto owners, then a couple of short hops, mostly sticking to the coast. I’m definitely enjoying the exploration of the Atlantic coastline!
Watching a coast as it slips by the ship is like thinking about an enigma. There it is before you, smiling, frowning, inviting, grand, mean, insipid, or savage, and always mute with an air of whispering, “Come and find out”.
Joseph Conrad (in Heart of Darkness)
Hi, Steven and Teri, and thanks for reading my post! My Subaru (2015 Outback 6 cylinder) has a 3000 pound tow capacity, the newer models are 2700 pounds. It has worked for me just fine. The tow vehicle question, though, is personal to the owner – where will you be camping (mountains of Colorado or the flat coastline of Florida?) and what model Alto you will have (they each weigh differently) and how many option you get (each adds to the weight) and how long you will travel (weekend trips vs. 6 month journeys, which require more stuff). So I cannot say what will work for you. I suggest joining the Altoiste group on Facebook and then searching through that group for Subaru and tow vehicle discussions (there is a lot of information there).
Is it OK to ask you about your Alto here? My wife and I have been thinking about buying a Safari Condo. We have read your review and found it helpful. Safari recently told us that they recommend a vehicle with 3000 to 3500 lbs towing capacity. It appears that your Subaru Outback has a 2700 lbs towing capacity. Do you feel that it’s been adequate? Are you still satisfied with the performance of your Safari Condo? On your travels, have you seen any other small trailers that you liked? Your advice and recommendations are greatly appreciated. Steven & Teri