Nifty little house on wheels

CANADIAN company Safari Condo has recently released the Alto R 1713 and R 1723 recreational campers.

At 763 kg and 782 kg respectively, the teardrop caravans expand to comfortably house three to four people, thanks to a seamless aluminium roof that raises on pair rails, powered by an electric motor to open crescent-shaped windows made from tinted, tempered glass.

The aerodynamic shape of the Alto was developed in a virtual wind tunnel and creates 75% less drag than a traditional travel trailer with the hood down.

This factor, along with its light weight, makes the Alto readily towable by most compact cars and small SUVs. When raised, the room is 2,08 metre at its highest point.

Both caravans feature two sleeping areas; an extendable dining area which can be in use even when the bedding is set up; a smart kitchen complete with mini fridge, two-burner gas stove and sink; fixed flush toilet and lots of storage space.

The R1723 Alto has an interior shower with curtain.

Both versions have the option of adding rooftop solar panels, a heat pump and air conditioning.

Overseas, these caravans cost from about R247 000 to R318 000, depending on extras and options. For this kind of money, one can buy two of KZN’s own rugged little teardrop caravans that have been specced to the hilt.

• As first reported in Witness Wheels in October last year, the Jestreams are built in Pinetown, and a Classic starts at R82 700 and the XT costs R89 900.

The staff of boat builder Brenden Keating cast the monocoque hulls of the Jestream trailers using the same techniques that render high-speed boats almost indestructible on open water.

“These teardrops may be small, but they are very tough,” said Keating.

As for weight, his parner Barry Olivier said a 1,3 hatchback easily tows their teardrop caravans, which will be on display at the 4x4 Expo in Pretoria at month end.

“We have two models, the Classic weighs less than 500 kg and easily goes over the central hump of a jeep track, the XT weighs 560 kg and can go fully offroad. This will allow a whole new generation to start caravanning,” Oliv­ier added.