Carthago Compactline.

[NorfolkRed]

Hi Peeps,

Was on here a few weeks ago introducing myself back (Was a member on here a few years back), and at that time was wanting to get back into the motorhome world.
We were not in a position to purchase at that time but we are now.
So a question too the learned folk that you are, we at the moment have narrowed our search down to the above motorhome (We think lol).
Can anyone who might own one or who has, give us any tips, information good or bad on the above please. The only thing that is a small worry at this present time is the payload.
Seriously would appreciate any info good or bad please. Must add I am currently driving on a non C1 licence and do not want to do the medical etc unless I really had to.

Cheers,

Mark & Jill

 

[DerryW]

I visited a weighbridge last week having changed vans. The results were fine with sufficient headroom:
Front Axle: 1640Kg Plated 2100Kg
Rear Axle: 1900Kg 2500Kg
Full Vehicle: 3660Kg 4500Kg

Incidentally the Carthago 145 can be specified at 3500kg albeit with reduced capacity tankage, however I think this would be struggle given the temptation of the large rear garage.

Out of interest, I took the opportunity to weigh the items in the old van and also added items that some folks carry and others don’t in an attempt to make a comprehensive list.

Thought this might be useful given the context of the questions raised.

Weights April 2024	Kg. Full	Kg. Reduced
Passenger	75	75
Bikes with batteries	46	46
Panniers bike locks	6	6
Bike Gear 2 people	10	10
Water (Full)	150	75
Electric Box cables etc.	12.7	12.7
Water Box hoses etc.	7.85	7.85
Waste water carrier	3.1	3.1
Equipment tyre inflator, tow rope etc.	9.35	9.35
Maint.Box small tools etc.	2.5	2.5
Clothes / shoes 2 people	24	24
Technology ipads chargers etc.	4	4
Pots & Pans	4.8	4.8
Microwave	11
Air Fryer	5.15	5.15
Instant pot	4.4
Misc. kitchen stuff	9.5	9.5
Induction hob	2.35
Food & condiments	8	8
BBQ	4.2	4.2
Kettle Toaster	1.5	1.5
Glasses & Cups	5	5
Cutlery Utensils	5.25	5.25
Drinks	6.5	6.5
Toilet Chemicals	3.8	3.8
Kitchen Sink Box	5.15	5.15
Bathroom/ Toilet	3.3	3.3
Towels	5	5
Bedding pillows	14	14
Outdoor table	6.75	6.75
Outdoor chars	11.1	11.1
Awning	23
Wind break	8.7
Misc. 10	10	10
Gas cylinders	22	22
	530.95	406.5

Very useful and handy. Thanks

 

[cyberyacht]

Food & condiments

8

8

8Kgs for food. My OH takes enough to stock a medium sized Tesco.

 

[Minxy]

8Kgs for food. My OH takes enough to stock a medium sized Tesco.

Hyper Tesco for my hubby!

 

[cyberyacht]

Hyper Tesco? Mine stocks enough for the whole MOD NAAFI network.

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[f6c]

Mine 2

 

[NorfolkRed]

Update as promised re the C1 application.
Had my medical on the 18th of May and posted doctors report and application off on the 19th of May. Had my licence returned today with the C1 on it.
So all good. Guess as there we're no problems with the medical it all went through quickly or I was just lucky.
Thankyou to the people who nudged me with doing it especially Lenny HB.
And to all who are waiting, hang in there.

Mark & Jill

 

[Lenny HB]

8Kgs for food. My OH takes enough to stock a medium sized Tesco.

8kg wouldn't even cover the wine then there is the beer, cider, gin & tonic, got to be the best part of 20 kg.

 

[Broadway]

8kg wouldn't even cover the wine then there is the beer, cider, gin & tonic, got to be the best part of 20 kg.

You’re right, thinking about it we came back with that weight in Champagne alone on the last trip!!

 

[Hippychippy]

We have had a i 141 LE on order for nearly 2 years hoping to get it next month.
Unless you travel very light not really possible to run at 3500kg.

A friend has a i138 LE the smallest one he got a shock when he weighed it, at the time had hardly anything on board some food, spare wheel, enough clothes for the weekend, table and chairs the garage was almost empty they didn't have their bikes with them and they were about 30kg over. He only weighs around 60kg & her 50kg.

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[Lenny HB]

Hippychippy who tried to post quoting my post above is my mate and he is not very good with forums, but he did tell me I probably over estimated his weight and Sue his other half is heaver than him, I'm safe she don't look at the forum

 

[Dutch 68]

8kg wouldn't even cover the wine then there is the beer, cider, gin & tonic, got to be the best part of 20 kg.

Is yours not at the dealer yet Lenny?

 

[Lenny HB]

Is yours not at the dealer yet Lenny?

At the transport company supposed to on route to dealer tomorrow so may arrive at dealers Tuesday.

 

[WESTY66]

At the transport company supposed to on route to dealer tomorrow so may arrive at dealers Tuesday.

Shocking delivery times, don’t you have Amazon prime??

 

[motolife]

Thanks for that Lenny. Sounds like the "Dream" is disappearing on the Carthago already. Really like the van, but also do not really want to do the C1 medical etc being as I am no longer holding a C1 having just turned 70.

Has anyone actually been weighed? I ran a Laika Ecovip for many years which was capable of 4.5 tons but was registered at 3.5 and never had a problem. Over a period of around 15 years we travelled extensively in France and Italy and never got stopped once.

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[Dutch 68]

At the transport company supposed to on route to dealer tomorrow so may arrive at dealers Tuesday.

Exciting, hope they bolted it together properly

 

[Darling]

Thanks for that Lenny. Sounds like the "Dream" is disappearing on the Carthago already. Really like the van, but also do not really want to do the C1 medical etc being as I am no longer holding a C1 having just turned 70.

Keeping the C1 on your licence is really easy and straightforward you don’t have a full medical there a couple of sites on line that I’ve used twice to keep my C1. Once I went to a hotel where the doctor only ask me health questions and the only test he gave me was an eye test. The second time was a mobile doctor and again only asked me questions whilst she completed the form and then an eye test. Both times licence came back in less than two weeks. Hope this helps you.

 

[NorfolkRed]

Keeping the C1 on your licence is really easy and straightforward you don’t have a full medical there a couple of sites on line that I’ve used twice to keep my C1. Once I went to a hotel where the doctor only ask me health questions and the only test he gave me was an eye test. The second time was a mobile doctor and again only asked me questions whilst she completed the form and then an eye test. Both times licence came back in less than two weeks. Hope this helps you.

Thanks for that, if you read my update it says I got it through OK in a little over 2 weeks. Appreciate your thoughts on it.

 

[MichaelT]

I'm putting off visiting the weighbridge in our 143 till I get the E&P refitted and the uprated front springs and rear semi air fitted so I can get plated at 4t so bikes staying at home for now.

 

[Pausim]

Keeping the C1 on your licence is really easy and straightforward you don’t have a full medical there a couple of sites on line that I’ve used twice to keep my C1. Once I went to a hotel where the doctor only ask me health questions and the only test he gave me was an eye test. The second time was a mobile doctor and again only asked me questions whilst she completed the form and then an eye test. Both times licence came back in less than two weeks. Hope this helps you.

It is straightforward until you develop health issues at which point it can become more complicated. It is also worth remembering that if you have a C1 license the list of medical conditions you must tell the DVLA about is longer than for the basic B license (e.g. heart attack/stent). It is your responsibility to report these conditions to the DVLA not the Doctor’s.

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[Dancers]

Hi Peeps,

Was on here a few weeks ago introducing myself back (Was a member on here a few years back), and at that time was wanting to get back into the motorhome world.
We were not in a position to purchase at that time but we are now.
So a question too the learned folk that you are, we at the moment have narrowed our search down to the above motorhome (We think lol).
Can anyone who might own one or who has, give us any tips, information good or bad on the above please. The only thing that is a small worry at this present time is the payload.
Seriously would appreciate any info good or bad please. Must add I am currently driving on a non C1 licence and do not want to do the medical etc unless I really had to.

Cheers,

Mark & Jill

Hi. Carthagos are lovely and we have found people who make them their own to address the weight issue.
We have removed our shower screens and now use a curtain, some take off cupboard doors and make a lip to stop things falling out. We don’t travel with lots of water or fuel - there’s no shortage of fill up places in Europe….. some remove the doors separating the living and bedroom areas - we have found it’s well worth accommodating the weight problem. We like a challange! Good luck

 

[Pausim]

Hi. Carthagos are lovely and we have found people who make them their own to address the weight issue.
We have removed our shower screens and now use a curtain, some take off cupboard doors and make a lip to stop things falling out. We don’t travel with lots of water or fuel - there’s no shortage of fill up places in Europe….. some remove the doors separating the living and bedroom areas - we have found it’s well worth accommodating the weight problem. We like a challange! Good luck

The first thing to change is the Gel battery. An 80Ah Gel weighs in at 28kg, you can buy a 105Ah LiFePO4 that weighs only 11.5kg. You will have to remove a lot of internal doors to save 16.5kg. Lightweight refillable gas cylinders like Safefill can also save several kg. If you never carry rear passengers then I wonder how much the large steel structure for the rear seat belts weighs, might be a big task getting it out.

 

[Lenny HB]

It’s on a light chassis so will be limited to 3850kg even after an upgrade. So you still have to be careful with add-ons.

Nope, with rear air & uprated front springs or full air you can go upto 4200kg.

 

[Lenny HB]

The first thing to change is the Gel battery. An 80Ah Gel weighs in at 28kg, you can buy a 105Ah LiFePO4 that weighs only 11.5kg. You will have to remove a lot of internal doors to save 16.5kg. Lightweight refillable gas cylinders like Safefill can also save several kg. If you never carry rear passengers then I wonder how much the large steel structure for the rear seat belts weighs, might be a big task getting it out.

Might as well take all the cabinet work out and throw a mattress on the floor.

 

[cyberyacht]

I've wondered about the seatbelts too. Not sure how much the framework adds to the furniture stiffness as well. Probably have to hacksaw it to get it out in bits and probably only save 12-15 Kg. Anyone know how much that stuff actually weighs?

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[Bailey58]

I've wondered about the seatbelts too. Not sure how much the framework adds to the furniture stiffness as well. Probably have to hacksaw it to get it out in bits and probably only save 12-15 Kg. Anyone know how much that stuff actually weighs?

That'll take some explaining when you come to sell it.

 

[G-RMPS]

Nope, with rear air & uprated front springs or full air you can go upto 4200kg.

Why can I not do that on a Hymer with a light Alko chassis then?

 

[Lenny HB]

Why can I not do that on a Hymer with a light Alko chassis then?

You can, might need to change tyres as well.

 

[NorfolkRed]

Well fellow Funsters, time for another update. We bought the Carthago Compactline that I originally linked to on a earlier post.
Have not said a lot as wanted to get a few things sorted like my C1 and the possibility of up plating it.
Well as I said in a previous post the C1 went well and all sorted and had a reply from SV Tech and all good on up plating the Cathargo. So things moving along nicely.
Loading it up this weekend for a trip to Wales then up to Scotland for a shake down run as I call it lol, next week.
Been 4 years since my last motorhome so have to learn again how it all works.
Just want to say a big thank you to everyone who has commented or liked my previous posts and we are looking forward to our new adventures and cock ups wish us luck.
Hopefully we might meet up with some fellow funsters on our travels, please come and say hello if you do and we will likewise, the kettle is always on just bring the biscuits.

Mark & Jill.

 

[Lenny HB]

We pick up our Compactline i141 next Tuesday it arrived at the dealers yesterday.

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[NorfolkRed]

We pick up our Compactline i141 next Tuesday it arrived at the dealers yesterday.

That is really good news Lenny, you have waited a long time for it to arrive. I hope it does not have too many teething problems and you can get out and enjoy it.
All the best,
Mark & Jill.