Habitation Gas Strut?

[Hellski]

I've recently purchased a new to us Carthago C-Tourer I 149, I'm delighted with our new holiday home on wheels and looking forward to our maiden voyage

The build quality noted so far is fantastic but I'm a little concerned with the gas strut fitted to the habitation door as it doesn't appear to be very strong and certainly doesn't feel like it will hold the door open, even in a slight breeze!

Not knowing how effective the gas strut should be, I would be very grateful if fellow Carthago owners could advise before I contact the dealer?

 

[MikeD]

Cant really help as not a carthago owner but somewhere on the strut should be a "strength" reading usually in kn.

It should have a reasonable amount of push depending on that.

They are not usually very expensive.

https://www.sgs-engineering.com/gas-struts

 

[Stealaway]

Don't get one too strong - it can break the door hinges.

 

[f6c]

Take the MH back to the dealer.
I have a 143 same problem on the Garage Door nsr waiting for a replacement strut from Carthago

 

[Simon Richardson]

Took mine off and fitted a door retainer the same as the type on the Gas locker, now it opens all the way and stays flat to the side of the van.

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[BobtheBass]

Our 148 has a door hinge with two open positions. It's hard to explain but when you open the door then pull it back a little bit further the hinge "opens" for want of a better word holding the door in place. The strut isn't strong and the hinge isn't fantastic at holding the door open in a wind but it's not too bad. The build quality is really fantastic though isn't it? I'm a bit worried that the new Hymer we collect next week isn't going to be quite as good.

 

[Simon Richardson]

Yea, we full time which really takes it out on a MH, however it does seem to be holding up well - tightened the odd screw here and there, but nothing has broken or fallen off yet.

Have had to strengthen the bed base as it had started to sag over the garage due to us being in it every night tho!

 

[wiljoy]

I replaced several door struts but eventually fitted an old favourite straight forward door stay. Female onto the lower sill and male side on the door frame. Job sorted and no issues in 18 months.

 

[DavidG58]

as suggested above SGS offer an excellent service, I am sure their struts will be as good and probably better then the original

We have had to change all of ours over the years, some after only 3 years use

But our habitation doesn't have a gas strut, but doesn't stay open if we only have a slight breeze in the wrong direction, but my fix is a bungy, always works, very cheap and easy to fit when needed

 

[Lenny HB]

The build quality is really fantastic though isn't it? I'm a bit worried that the new Hymer we collect next week isn't going to be quite as good.

At least you are prepared. On out 3rd Hymer OK for a mid range van nothing special. Not in the same league as Carthago.

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[BobtheBass]

After using our new Hymer 668 for a while now we are very happy with the layout and facilities of the van and the build quality is generally good. There are however areas where our last Carthago was significantly better built with much neater electrical installations, no need to repair stripped out and wonky screws in doors and drawers, far fewer noises whilst driving, better quality fittings, better fitting and sealing external doors and a hail proof roof as standard. Nothing too bad but it's a shame Carthago don't have a similar layout to the 668 and most importantly a better quality dealer network otherwise we would have stuck with them.

 

[Lenny HB]

We really wanted a Carthago but didn't like the cramped lounges & poor showers/washrooms.

 

[BobtheBass]

They could do with copying a few of their competitors designs as apart from the recent Liner For Two (which they nicked from Hymer) they haven't come up with a really new design for ages.

 

[two]

I'm not sure that it is a gas strut, more of a simple stay with a slight detent to keep it open when fully 'stretched'. You're right that a good blast of wind is likely to close it, in which case be sure that the fly screen is not in its way. If reported to Carthago, I'll bet you get the "This is Normal" response...