Carthago Compactline 141: scooter in the garage or tow bar?

[Pocket Rocket]

We’re off to look at a Carthago compact line 141, but although it’s obviously quite narrow and short, it still might be a bit large for some of the tiny alpine climbs. So we are considering getting a scooter.

Does anyone know if this motorhome could accommodate a scooter in the garage - taking account of size and weight? Or on a tow bar mount at the rear? We really do not want to tow anything!

Thanks in advance

 

[Vansflyer]

First question is what chassis is it on and what is it plated to and what can't go to? Do you have a C1? Rear axle and overall weight will be the issue. Some scooters are long so maybe tight on a compactline, our Honda Sh350 just fits into the garage on our c-tourer, the previous KTM790 was shorter by quite a bit. Payload is everything so well worth checking. If you don't have the payload for one in the garage it is very unlikely you will have the availability on a tow bar, further back so effectively more weight on the rear axle.

 

[Vic]

Also check whether tha van is sealed from the garage. Ours isn't and we got petrol fumes rising into the bed area.

 

[WESTY66]

First question is what chassis is it on and what is it plated to and what can't go to? Do you have a C1? Rear axle and overall weight will be the issue. Some scooters are long so maybe tight on a compactline, our Honda Sh350 just fits into the garage on our c-tourer, the previous KTM790 was shorter by quite a bit. Payload is everything so well worth checking. If you don't have the payload for one in the garage it is very unlikely you will have the availability on a tow bar, further back so effectively more weight on the rear axle.

How much clearance do you have with the Honda?
I have around 8-10mm on the chic c line

 

[Vansflyer]

How much clearance do you have with the Honda?
I have around 8-10mm on the chic c line

Probably about the same as you, it is the duck tail at the back that sticks out. Also needed a longer ramp for the scooter or it bottomed out over the lip.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[KUSKUS]

What weight is the Carthago if its on a 3500 kg chassis you will overload the rear axle
( 2000kg).

 

[Ridgeway]

Which Alpine climbs would the 141 be too large for ? Pretty sure it can get any where a car could do and i haven’t found one we couldn’t do in any of our vans so far.

 

[MichaelT]

Lenny HB has one.

I've got the 143 and got XL bike in ok.

On the 2.2 180hp it will go anywhere.

 

[stevewagner]

I too have a 143 and carry a Peugeot 100cc scooter and two e-bikes in the garage. We manage to just stay under the GVW of 3850kg and 2000kg rear axle limit.

 

[Lenny HB]

I too have a 143 and carry a Peugeot 100cc scooter and two e-bikes in the garage. We manage to just stay under the GVW of 3850kg and 2000kg rear axle limit.

How do you manage that, on our 141 with 2 e bikes & spare wheel, tables & chairs in the garage we are 2200kg on the rear.

Problem with the Compactline line is the water tank is behind the rear axle.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[stevewagner]

How do you manage that, on our 141 with 2 e bikes & spare wheel, tables & chairs in the garage we are 2200kg on the rear.

Problem with the Compactline line is the water tank is behind the rear axle.

Weighed it at Ripleys in Hailsham fully laden, front axle 1800kg and rear axle 1920kg. Scooter weighs 95kg, bikes 58kg and around 40kg of other stuff. It’s marked as a ‘Super Lightweight’ if that makes a difference.

 

[Lenny HB]

Weighed it at Ripleys in Hailsham fully laden, front axle 1800kg and rear axle 1920kg. Scooter weighs 95kg, bikes 58kg and around 40kg of other stuff. It’s marked as a ‘Super Lightweight’ if that makes a difference.

1800 is heavy on the front we are only 1590kg.

Did you have a full tank of water?

 

[stevewagner]

1800 is heavy on the front we are only 1590kg.

Did you have a full tank of water?

Full everything

 

[MichaelT]

How do you manage that, on our 141 with 2 e bikes & spare wheel, tables & chairs in the garage we are 2200kg on the rear.

Problem with the Compactline line is the water tank is behind the rear axle.

Yep I went last week 4000 overall but heavy on rear, can't make it out as no more stuff than old van except 1 battery and less overhang but heavier. Do have rear air I suppose so I'm going to have a sort out and try to move some stuff.

 

[cyberyacht]

My 138 is 1700kg on the front fully loaded. When you consider that I have the lockers instead of the drop-down bed, I'm surprised that Lenny HB is only 1590Kg. I haven't got that much stuff in the lockers, probably less than 10-12Kg

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lenny HB]

My 138 is 1700kg on the front fully loaded. When you consider that I have the lockers instead of the drop-down bed, I'm surprised that Lenny HB is only 1590Kg. I haven't got that much stuff in the lockers, probably less than 10-12Kg

I've got more than that on top of the bed.

 

[cyberyacht]

Do you crouch in the garage when it's on the weigh bridge?

 

[Lenny HB]

Perhaps I'd better try a different weighbridge.

 

[Rollingwheels]

Perhaps I'd better try a different weighbridge.

My old van was 3700kg on the weighbridge, the guy who bought it had it weighed and it was 4100kg turns out his local weighbridge was miles out

 

[Pocket Rocket]

Thanks all for the useful information, although the answer seems to be “maybe”!

Not much info on the motor home dealer advert, just that it is currently 3500 (not sure if this could be increased?), no info on the chassis (I’m guessing this might be either a “light” or “heavy” chassis?) It’s a 2019 Carthago, with a 6 speed auto gearbox.

We both have C1 licence, so vehicle weight isn’t a limiting factor for us. Although we hope we could get a compact Carthago to most places, we have driven in a car up to the start of several remote alpine hikes where it would be difficult to get this van, hence enquiring about a scooter.

Any suggestions about what make / model of scooter would physically fit in the Carthago Compactline garage would also be appreciated

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lenny HB]

Not much info on the motor home dealer advert, just that it is currently 3500 (not sure if this could be increased?), no info on the chassis (I’m guessing this might be either a “light” or “heavy” chassis?) It’s a 2019 Carthago, with a 6 speed auto gearbox.

If its currently registered at 3500kg it will be on the light chassis. You should be able to go to 3850 but the rear axle is limited to 2000kg, so you wouldn't be able to carry a scooter.
If you fit rear semi air about £3000, the axle can go to 2240kg & overall to 4000kg.

 

[Ridgeway]

Plan B an decent e-bike or a pair ?

 

[Pocket Rocket]

We love cycling, but prefer our standard road racing bikes, so don’t want to get e-bikes. We’ll see if we can come up with a “Plan C”!

 

[Minxy]

Thanks all for the useful information, although the answer seems to be “maybe”!

Not much info on the motor home dealer advert, just that it is currently 3500 (not sure if this could be increased?), no info on the chassis (I’m guessing this might be either a “light” or “heavy” chassis?) It’s a 2019 Carthago, with a 6 speed auto gearbox.

We have a 2019 138 with 6 speed auto - if it doesn't say otherwise it'll be the light chassis with a max 2000kg rear axle limit. You'll be hard pushed to have sufficient capacity for your chattels, water etc and a bike however adding semi-air on the rear will allow that to go to 2240kg and you can then replate to 3850kg (front axle stays the same). You can go to 4000kg if you also uprate the front suspension but as it's virtually impossible to make use of the existing 1850kg allowance, never mind the extra 150kg, there's not much point.

If its currently registered at 3500kg it will be on the light chassis. You should be able to go to 3850 but the rear axle is limited to 2000kg, so you wouldn't be able to carry a scooter.
If you fit rear semi air about £3000, the axle can go to 2240kg & overall to 4000kg.

Only if the front is uprated too otherwise it's max is 3850kg - that's what I was informed by SVTech when we did ours.

 

[G1969]

Perhaps I'd better try a different weighbridge.

Check when the weigh bridge was last calibrated, should be annually, but even with this, they sometimes do have faulty load cells.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Russell's Dad]

Suzuki address 110 fits nicely in the i138 garage with the mirrors removed.

Towbar fitting consists of extensions being fitted onto the Alko chassis, an alloy plate being fitted on the floor inside the garage and bolting of the towbar through the garage floor.

 

[Pocket Rocket]

Thanks again all - your advice and knowledge is really valuable and much appreciated. We will have a look at the motorhome and take into consideration the option (and cost) of adding semi-air to the rear if needed.

Minxy - could I ask how you get on with the 6 speed auto gearbox? It sound the same as on the motorhome we are going to look at (6 speed, 2019, 150bhp)

Russell's Dad - thank you for the advice about the scooter that fits in your garage. Do you think it would be sufficient to go a sort distance of about 10 miles, including up steep alpine hills carrying 2 people (combined weight 140kg … although I’m only 50kg, so maybe I should put my other half on a diet )

 

[Lenny HB]

@Minxy - could I ask how you get on with the 6 speed auto gearbox? It sound the same as on the motorhome we are going to look at (6 speed, 2019, 150bhp)

My last van was a 7.5m, 4.5t Hymer with the the 2.3 150hp with Comformatic.
No problems with power or gearbox but changes are a bit sluggish and when it throws the odd wobbly you need the brown trousers.

No comparrishion to the 2.2 180 with the 9 speed that Carthago now fit as standard, a dream to drive. If you can find one it's well worth the effort.

 

[Russell's Dad]

@Russell's Dad - thank you for the advice about the scooter that fits in your garage. Do you think it would be sufficient to go a sort distance of about 10 miles, including up steep alpine hills carrying 2 people (combined weight 140kg … although I’m only 50kg, so maybe I should put my other half on a diet )

10 miles with two on board is easily do-able, but uphill is a bit of a struggle. You'll get there, but not quickly. To get more power your gonna need a bigger bike!

 

[Steve and Denise]

Suzuki address 110 fits nicely in the i138 garage with the mirrors removed.

Towbar fitting consists of extensions being fitted onto the Alko chassis, an alloy plate being fitted on the floor inside the garage and bolting of the towbar through the garage floor.

A tow bar should never be bolted through the garage floor tread plate or not as the floor is not a structural support and if the chassis extensions flex will rip the garage floor away from the body.