How much AL-KO is in Carthago motorhomes?

Enhanced driving comfort, driving dynamics, and safety: The AL-KO Motor Chassis (AMC) has become indispensable for motorhomes in the high-end segment – and is therefore first choice for Carthago motorhomes on Fiat and Mercedes-Benz bases as well as for the Malibu series on the Mercedes-Benz base.

The low-frame chassis forms an ideal base for motorhomes with a raised floor, creating additional space between the chassis and the floor. This can be used for tanks, heaters or as storage space. The particularly high level of driving comfort is achieved by the independent wheel suspension with corresponding torsion bar suspension, as this absorbs any jolts and bumps from the ground more gently.

The AL-KO chassis is currently part of the following Carthago model ranges:

• Carthago motorhomes on Fiat base
• Carthago motorhomes on Mercedes-Benz base
• Malibu model ranges on Mercedes-Benz base

Support systems, whether mechanical or hydraulic, offer the added value of being able to set up camp on challenging ground conditions. Soft surfaces, gravel or uneven surfaces are no problem with the right supports. “We want to offer our retailers and end customers an even easier way to find the right products with the right features for them,” says Oliver Drinkwater, responsible for the entire levelling business at AL-KO.

Level M from E&P Hydraulics enables the heavy Carthago motorhomes on Iveco Daily bases to stand securely on various surfaces and compensates for any unevenness and slopes. The cylinders make contact with the ground at the touch of a button and lift the vehicle into a horizontal position. Levelling is carried out precisely and is completed within a few minutes. You can also control the system manually, for example to set a comfortable sleeping position or to empty the waste water tank completely.

The HY4 levelling support system compensates for any unevenness and slopes to enable a secure stance on various surfaces. The control system works electronically: The cylinders make contact with the ground at the touch of a button and lift the vehicle over the axles into a horizontal position. Levelling is carried out precisely to the millimeter and is completed within a few minutes. In addition, the HY4 system’s built-in weighing function protects against overloading by displaying the current weight.

The hydraulic components are installed directly on the chassis and are approved for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of up to six tons. Once installed, AL-KO hydraulic steady legs are extremely durable and maintenance-free – and if you ever decide to change your campervan or motorhome, the system can be removed and installed in your new vehicle with minimum effort.

Besides the HY4 hydraulic support system, there are also the mechanical ClickFix supports, which can be used comfortably on grass, asphalt and gravel. A little muscle power is required here, as the ClickFix supports are raised and lowered using a crank – but this is completed in just half a turn, by which time the support will have already reached a stable support position. The supports are mounted on the frame or on the frame extensions.

The HY4 and ClickFix systems are optional extras for the Malibu series from Carthago.

For Malibu vehicles mounted on an original Fiat chassis, SAWIKO supplies the appropriate towbars, depending on the vehicle model.

Also for motorhomes on Iveco Daily base: Appropriate towbars tailored to the vehicle are used here, as well as chassis extensions and reinforcements from SAWIKO. Experts from both companies are in constant contact with each other. This is necessary to determine exactly which reinforcement parts are required for the installation of a towbar coupling or load-carrier.

Iveco models must be fitted with load-bearing chassis extensions. For some vehicles, it is necessary to reinforce the floor of the rear garage with additional aluminum plates. The chassis extension is then screwed completely through the floor and the checker plate to achieve the required stability. It may also be necessary to subsequently reinforce the longitudinal member profiles under the rear garage in order to fit an appropriate towbar or load-carrier.

If you already own a Carthago motorhome and would like to retrofit a towbar or load-carrier, please e-mail info@sawiko.de and state the following vehicle data: manufacturer, model designation, year of manufacture, chassis number. Our specialists can use this data as a basis to recommend the right towbar for your motorhome or campervan.

The SAWIKO towbars and some reinforcements are currently part of the following Carthago model ranges:

• Malibu model ranges on Fiat original chassis
• Iveco Daily vehicles

Air suspension systems are a great tool: They offer smooth, comfortable suspension that is individually tailored to your motorhome, which means you can count on greater driving comfort and safer road holding – fully automatically. The Air Premium X2 is installed in your Malibu motorhome on the rear axle, while the Air Premium X4 suspends the front and rear axles.

Air suspension advantages:

• Improved driving comfort thanks to better absorption of shocks and vibrations
• More stable road holding thanks to adaptation to variable load conditions
• Higher ground clearance and improved gradient angle.

Manual access also provides a few little extras in terms of comfort. This includes raising the rear axle for comfortable driving onto ferries and, with the X4, easier emptying of the waste and fresh water tanks, as you can raise your motorhome on one long side. The motorhome can also be loaded in a relaxed way that protects the user’s back by lowering the front and rear axles.

The Aguti brand stands for expertise in driver and passenger seating as well as everything that connects seats and belts to the chassis. Aguti manufactures the seats in the desired design of the body manufacturer, in this case Carthago, with the brand’s fabric and leather designs. They are thus delivered to the assembly line completely finished – matching the entire interior of the motorhome and ready for direct installation.

The matching swivel consoles for the respective chassis base (Fiat, Mercedes-Benz, Iveco) are also included in the scope of delivery, as are other systems for the second row of seats – including mounting kits for attaching the belt frames in the vehicle (chassis connection). These accessories are selected according to customer requirements and floor plans and are not tailored to specific model ranges. Aguti can supply a fifth seat as an optional extra if required.

“We are a reliable partner for Carthago, and we have been working closely and successfully with them for many years. Our shared customers benefit from this over and again thanks to well thought-out, future-proof and stable solutions,” says Jörn von Ahlen, Head of Marketing at AL-KO Vehicle Technology, adding: “And of course we also present our new products to them straight away, from the LevelM Pro levelling support system to the semi-active COMFORT DRIVE chassis.”

“As a manufacturer of premium motorhomes, we have very high standards, both for the quality of our own products and those of our partners. AL-KO’s decades of experience and expertise enrich our complex vehicle technology and contribute significantly to its great popularity among our customers. What we particularly value about our partnership with AL-KO is exchanging ideas on an equal footing and our shared goal of continuously improving the end product,” adds Alexander Wehrmann, Head of Marketing, Communication and PR at Carthago.