Road Test: East to West RV – Alta 2810KIK
2023 East to West RV – Alta 2810KIK
Affordable Elegance in a Mid-Size Trailer
Text and photos by Norm Rosen
In an era of rapid expansion and high demand, it is refreshing to review a product from an RV company whose corporate philosophy focuses on sustainable manufacturing, corporate and social responsibility, quality, and value for the customers.
East To West RV, a division of Forest River Inc., is a young company with generations of experience. Led by Lisa Liegl Rees, daughter of Forest River founder Pete Liegl, the company has built a team of RV experts and a North American dealer network that includes some of the most respected people in the industry.
We had the pleasure of visiting Heidi’s RV Superstore, located in Oro-Medonte, Ontario, just a few minutes north of Barrie, to review the 2023 East to West RV Alta 2810KIK travel trailer – a well-equipped mid-range model that embodies the latest in RV technology and innovations in a trailer that is a delight to tow and a very comfortable vacation residence. East to West RV is committed to exceeding the expectations of their customers… the Alta 2810KIK certainly delivers on that goal, and more.
The floorplan features two opposing slide-out sections to expand your living area.
The 81” interior ceiling height contributes to a very “residential” environment in the central and rear section of the trailer. Interior space is very well managed, with lots of storage.
Construction
The sleek exterior of the Alta 2810KIK features a 2” laminated sidewall “sandwich” with an easy to maintain exterior surface, R15 insulation, and Azdel® composite material that is resistant to weather, insects, and a range of factors that degrade the typical RV construction. The wall structure has an aluminum double welded frame for strength, and durability. We were impressed by the tinted safety glass windows throughout the trailer.
No doubt about it, the Alta trailers are built by serious RV engineers who know what you need to produce a trailer that will stand the test of time.
High density block foam insulation and laminated walls and roof make this a very comfortable “three-season” trailer in Canada, or a “four-season” trailer throughout the warmer areas in North America.
The Alta features an aluminum trussed 5” vacuum-bonded roof, finished with one-piece Dicor II ® roof membrane that carries a 12-year limited warranty. The roof is insulated to deliver R15 weather protection.
The Alta has what the industry refers to as a “drop frame” chassis, which facilitates all of the tanks, plumbing, heat and ventilation ducts, LP gas and electric components being enclosed within the forced-air heated underbelly of the trailer. The aluminum double welded floor joists, 16” on centre, provide a very solid foundation for the 5/8” “glued and screwed” tongue and groove plywood floor, which has a layer of Thermofoil insulation. The interior surface of the floor is finished with one-piece linoleum flooring throughout the trailer. There are many advantages to this method of construction – among these are the ability to have the slide-out floors very close to the level of the interior trailer floor – no step to trip over, no carpet to damage… all in all, a better way to build a trailer with slide-out sections. The aluminum framed insulated fibreglass front cap has automotive industry paint for long life and excellent wear characteristics, and there is a diamond plate rock guard to protect the trailer from road debris. We like the “curb appeal” of the LED marker lights – it’s a real help on the road, and a nice touch at the campsite.
On The Road
The Alta 2810KIK is the ideal size and weight for towing with a half-ton or three-quarter ton pickup, or a full size SUV. The chassis features aluminum wheels with nitrogen filled Goodyear tires.
Airflow around the molded fibreglass front cap contributes to a smooth and fuel efficient towing experience. The lower portion of the front cap has a rugged protective panel to resist stone chips.
At The Campsite
Pull into your campsite and you will immediately appreciate the thought and engineering that the East to West RV engineering team have applied to this trailer. We like the optional back-up camera system – the trailer comes with back-up camera wiring standard – you should consider adding the optional camera for easier manoeuvring.
As you go about the process of setting up the trailer, you will be impressed with the optional tool box incorporated into the solid entry step.
For hitching and unhitching convenience, the electric power tongue jack features a very convenient LED light.
Your main entry to the trailer is via an aluminum tread triple entry step. There is an entry railing that folds back against the side of the trailer when not in use. The design of this railing is very clever – you can easily reach it from the ground, and from the doorway of the trailer.
We like the use of stabilizer jack switches placed exactly where you want to stand to control the levelling process.
Once the trailer is levelled and stabilized, and the water, sewer and electric hookups are connected, it’s a simple matter of touching the controls to extend the three slide-out sections, and then extending the 15’ automatic power awning.
For an experienced camper, working at an efficient but leisurely pace, it takes five to ten minutes to get the trailer ready for use at the campsite.
When it comes to camping, nothing beats the experience of dining in the open air, and the Alta has your dinner preparation tasks covered thanks to a very well designed and fully equipped outside kitchen.
For active RV families, there is an exterior shower port with hot and cold taps that serves many purposes.
From a practical perspective, you always want to have easy access to your camping gear and supplies, but you don’t want them to be in your way as you enjoy your daily vacation routine.
There is plenty of exterior storage in the Alta 2810KIK, with heavy duty slam-latch baggage doors with magnetic holding devices for safe and hands-free use of the storage compartments.
The drop frame provides a very generous front storage compartment featuring nicely finished pass through storage convenience. We were impressed with the RV systems panels contained within the storage areas – water, sewer, electrical and entertainment hookups and controls are well positioned in a universal docking station within the exterior storage compartment – ideally placed within convenient reach of the common campsite hookups.
Comfort and Convenience
The Alta 2810KIK has a 35,000 BTU furnace and 15,000 BTU ducted A/C. The trailer has twin 20 lb. LP bottles with auto switch over and an easy access cover.
Entertainment features abound in this cable/satellite ready trailer. There are USB charging stations placed conveniently throughout the floorplan, and there is an amplified TV antenna with Wi-Fi prep in addition to the cable ready hookup.
The Alta 2810KIK comes with a Bluetooth / HDMI soundbar with two zones to fill the unit with your favourite music.
For pet lovers, East to West RV has provided a pet drawer for food and water bowls.
In the Galley
The galley is very well planned, with designer solid surface countertops, a 3-burner range, and sink covers that increase your food preparation area.
The Alta has a 10.7 cubic foot 12 Volt residential refrigerator.
In the Bedroom
While the bedroom may seem to be relatively basic, there are a number of hidden features that reveal the ingenuity of the interior designers. We really like the organization of the under-bed storage system – it’s much more convenient than the typical RV design.
The king-size bed is placed within the floorplan so that you have reasonable access to walk around it to make the bed, and you have convenient side table storage and connections for your chargers and devices.
In the Bathroom
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With a skylight over the shower, and LED lighting throughout the bathroom area, you will enjoy a bright, spacious, and convenient area. The vanity has a sink, medicine cabinet, and under-sink storage.
Your shower and galley water needs are well taken care of thanks to a high output on-demand tankless water heater.
The Bottom Line
The East to West RV Alta 2810KIK is a very impressive travel trailer, built with top quality materials and components and styled to deliver an exceptional RV vacation experience.
Warranty and other coverage
24/7 Emergency Roadside Assistance with vehicle purchase (valid for 1 year from date of purchase). This coverage includes towing, jump-starts, tire changes, fluid delivery, lockout service, winch-out, mobile mechanic, technical support, and dealer locator services.
You can be a FROG!
Your purchase includes membership in the Forest River Owners Group – a very friendly and vivacious ensemble of RV enthusiasts who share your love for Forest River RV products.
SPECIFICATIONS
East to West RV Alta 2810KIK (King bed, Island Kitchen)
Exterior height: 11’ 2”
“Box” length: 29’ 2”
Overall length: 33’ 8”
Dry weight (UVW): 7,228 lbs.
Hitch weight: 797 lbs.
Cargo carrying capacity: 2,369 lbs.
GVWR: 9,597 lbs.
Fresh water tank: 53 gal.
Black water tank: 30 gal.
Gray water tank: 60 gal.
MSRP (FOB Oro-Medonte, Ontario, Canada): $60,000 CDN
For more information on this and other travel trailer and fifth wheel models from East top West RV, please visit: www.easttowestrv.com
Many thanks to the team at Heidi’s RV Superstore in Oro-Medonte, Ontario, for their assistance with this road test feature.
To view their new and used RV models, and see the campground, please visit: www.heidisrv.com
