How much AL-KO VT is in Carthago motorhomes?

More driving comfort, improved handling and greater safety: The AL-KO VT Motor Chassis (AMC) is indispensable in premium-segment motorhomes – serving as the basis for Carthago motorhomes based on Fiat and Mercedes-Benz, as well as for the Malibu range on Mercedes-Benz base vehicles.

The low-frame chassis provide an ideal base for motorhomes with a double floor, offering extra space between the chassis and living area floor. This space can be used for tanks, heating systems or as additional storage. The excellent driving comfort is achieved by independent wheel suspension with torsion bar suspension, as this absorbs the profile of roads and surfaces more softly.

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

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

Support systems, whether mechanical or hydraulic, offer the added benefit that you can set up camp even on pitches with challenging ground. Soft surfaces, gravel or uneven ground are no problem with the right steadies. “We want to offer our dealers and end customers an even easier way to find the right products with the features they need,” says Oliver Drinkwater, responsible for the entire levelling business at AL-KO VT.

LevelM enables even the largest and heaviest Carthago motorhomes on Iveco Daily base vehicles to stand securely on different surfaces, levelling out uneven ground and slopes. The cylinders extend to the ground at the touch of a button and raise the vehicle to level. Levelling is precise and completed within a few minutes. In addition, the system can be operated manually, for example, to create a comfortable sleeping position or to fully empty the waste water tank.

The HY4 hydraulic levelling system compensates for uneven ground and slopes, ensuring a secure stand on a wide range of surfaces. It is electronically controlled, the cylinders extend to the ground at the touch of a button, and raise the vehicle evenly over the axles. Levelling is millimetre-precise and completed within a few minutes. The integrated weighing function of the HY4 system also protects against overloading by displaying the current weight.

The hydraulic components are installed directly on the chassis and are approved for vehicles with a total permissible weight of up to six tonnes. Once installed, the hydraulic AL-KO VT steady legs are extremely durable and maintenance-free. If you should ever change your panel van or motorhome, the system can be dismantled and transferred to a new vehicle with little effort.

In addition to the HY4 hydraulic support system, there are also mechanical ClickFix supports, which can be used conveniently on grass, asphalt and gravel. Here, you will need a little muscle power, as the ClickFix supports are raised and lowered using a crank – but this is done after just half a turn, as the steady is already in a stable position at that point. The supports are mounted on the chassis or on frame extensions.

The HY4 and ClickFix systems are special optional extras for the Malibu model ranges from Carthago.

For Malibu vehicles on a genuine Fiat chassis, AL-KO Vehicle Technology provides the matching towbars depending on the vehicle model.

The same applies for motorhomes based on the Iveco Daily: here, compatible, vehicle-specific towbars as well as chassis extensions and reinforcements are fitted. Our experts maintain a close dialogue to precisely determine which reinforcement parts are necessary for fitting a towbar or load-carrier.

For the Iveco models, robust chassis extensions must be fitted. In some vehicles, it is necessary to reinforce the floor of the rear garage with additional aluminium plates. The chassis extension is then bolted right through the floor and chequer plate for the necessary stability. In some cases, it may also be necessary to reinforce the longitudinal profiles under the rear garage subsequently to fit a suitable towbar or load-carrier.

If you already own a Carthago motorhome and would like to retrofit a towbar or load-carrier, simply send an email with your vehicle data to info@sawiko.de and provide the following vehicle information: manufacturer, model designation, year of construction, chassis number. With this data, our specialists can recommend the right towbar for your motorhome or panel van.

The towbars and, in some cases, reinforcements are currently included in the following Carthago ranges:

• Malibu ranges on Fiat original chassis
• Iveco Daily vehicles

Air suspension really is something special: it offers soft, comfortable cushioning tailor-made for your motorhome, giving you greater driving comfort and a more secure road-holding – all fully automatic. The Air Premium X2 is fitted to the rear axle of your Malibu motorhome, while the Air Premium X4 cushions both the front and rear axles.

These are the advantages of air suspension:

• improved driving comfort thanks to better absorption of shocks and vibration
• greater driving stability by adapting to varying load conditions
• increased ground clearance and a better breakover angle

Manual operation also provides some extra comfort. This includes raising the rear axle for easier boarding of ferries; with X4, you can also more easily empty waste-water and fresh-water tanks by lifting one side of your motorhome. Lowering the front and rear axle will make loading and unloading the motorhome more relaxed and back-friendly.

The Aguti brand stands for expertise in driver and passenger seats, and everything that connects seats and seat belts to the chassis. Aguti manufactures the seats in the design requested by the body manufacturer, in this case Carthago, with the brand’s upholstery and leather options. The seats are delivered ready for installation – matching the interior of the motorhome and ready for immediate fitting.

The right swivel bases for each chassis base (Fiat, Mercedes-Benz, Iveco) are also included, as well as other systems for the second seat row – including mounting kits to secure seat belt frames in the vehicle (also known as chassis connection). These accessories are selected according to customer wishes and vehicle layout and are not tied to specific model ranges. If needed, Aguti also offers a fifth seat as a special option.

"We are a reliable partner for Carthago, working closely and successfully together for many years. Our mutual customers benefit time and again from well-designed, future-proof and robust solutions," says Jörn von Ahlen, Head of Marketing at AL-KO Vehicle Technology, adding: "And of course, we immediately present them with our latest innovations, whether it’s the LevelM Pro hydraulic levelling system or the semi-active COMFORT DRIVE suspension."

"As a manufacturer of premium motorhomes, we have very high expectations, both for the quality of our own products and those of our partners. The decades of experience and expertise at AL-KO enhance our complex vehicle technology and make a decisive contribution to the strong popularity among our customers. What we value most in our partnership with AL-KO is the open exchange as equals, and the shared goal of continuously improving the finished product," adds Alexander Wehrmann, Head of Marketing, Communications, and PR at Carthago.