Compact doesn’t have to mean basic. Take a step up from a campervan and enjoy the space and comfort of Carado T135. At just 5.9m long, it is an easy-to-drive motorhome - the perfect way to venture even further off the beaten track. The clever bathroom design means a dry change area. Plenty of cupboard space and a full-length wardrobe next to the comfortable French (corner) bed will take all your essentials. Access to the garage storage from under the bed adds to your convenience.
Actual vehicle may vary slightly from images.
Dimensions | L 5.95m, W 2.32, H 2.90m, internal height 1.95m |
Weight | 3500kg (gross), 2860kg (tare) |
Engine | 2019 Fiat Ducato 2.3L 96kw/130HP, Diesel |
Transmission | 6-speed |
Garage internal dimensions | H 93 × W 71cm and H 60 × W 56cm |
Safety | Dual airbags, ABS (Anti Lock Braking System), ESP (Electronic Stability Program) and hill holder |
Berth | 2 (4 seatbelts) |
Beds | Permanent french bed (200 x 135/115cm) |
Cooking | 3 gas hob, oven, extractor fan |
Fridge/freezer | 113L Fridge/ 14L freezer (runs on 240V, 12V and gas) |
Heating | Truma Combi 6E (runs on 240V, 12V and gas) |
Power | 240V mains, 2 x 12V house batteries, 12V to 240V inverter 1000W |
Gas bottles | 1 x 9kg, 1 x 4kg |
Water | 122L fresh water, 92L grey water, 10L hot water |
Toilet/shower | Combined toilet and shower |
Freedom camping certified | Yes |
Optional extras | Speak to our sales team to see what extras are available |
Here’s what’s included when you purchase a second-hand premium German motorhome from us:
Buying an ex-rental motorhome is a budget-saving strategy that’s even more effective if the motorhome in question is of a compact design intentionally aimed at couples. Paul Owen checks out the Carado T135 from the Wilderness fleet.
Way back in 2002, Consumer Magazine stirred controversy by advising readers that buying a secondhand car was more fiscally sensible than purchasing a new one. They argued that a well-maintained used car, having already depreciated significantly, offered better value for money. The new car advocacy group, the Motor Industry Association (MIA), was quick to issue a rebuttal, emphasising the excellent value of purchasing a new car.
So, who’s right when it comes to finding the best value for money? The motor industry autocrat or the long-serving defender of the ordinary household budget? This ex-rental Carado T135 motorhome proves that both points are valid.
Purchasing a more budget-friendly ex-rental motorhome must be balanced against the possibility of missing out on the latest technology from the newest releases. This T135 is based on the seventh generation Fiat Ducato cab chassis, whereas the latest version of the six-metre-long compact Carado two berth gets the new eighth generation, which sports a much-revised powertrain — including a 2.2L engine and a state-of-the-art nine speed automatic gearbox.
With its clever compact design, the T135 model represents a mobile offering perfectly poised between the motorhome and campervan sectors — with a semi-integrated cabin mounted atop a complete van cab chassis.
You can also be confident that an ex-rental gets ushered into the private sector while still in the peak of condition. The rental motorhomes of Wilderness are thoroughly checked and serviced between each hire and are then completely refurbished before their final exit from the rental fleet. So be assured that in addition to cost savings, this ex-rental T135 comes with little compromise to serviceability and reliability.
While the van cab chassis it’s based on has recently undergone a mechanical and electronic upgrade, the domestic part of the new T135 is relatively unchanged from what you see here. That’s probably because Carado knows that it hit a sweet spot with this model for couples seeking an owner-friendly motorhome that’s ridiculously easy to drive and park. Why change a winning formula?
Carado, as the affordable brand of the Erwin Hymer Group (EHG) portfolio, uses the T135 to reinforce the budget-friendly nature of its range. As the shortest model in Carado’s semi-integrated motorhome lineup (at 5.95 metres long) consider the T135 to be the foot soldier leading the charge towards greater cost-effectiveness.
Any signs of cost cutting are hard to spot with the T135. The only sign is the retention of the van chassis that ensures that the cabin of the Carado rides higher than other models in the range.
However, there are a couple of pluses with this. The floor of the cabin is the same height as that of the cab, meaning there’s no opportunity to acquire that commonly felt pain of multi-level motorhomes — the Ducato stubbed toe.
Also, that extra ride height sure comes in handy when confronted with an obstacle like, for example, the concrete ford leading to the popular White Horse Hill Campground at the foot of the Hooker Valley near Aoraki Mount Cook in NZ. With its shorter overhangs and extra ride height, the T135 is the rough roader of the Carado lineup, as scrapes with terra firma will be far fewer. A set of all-terrain tyres would further enhance its potential for wild camping.
But what about accessing that higher floor? Fortunately, a powered Thule two-step access ladder folds out and away at the push of a button, making cabin access and egress no sweat. The ceiling-to-floor measurement is a generous 1.95m.
Personally, I consider the retention of the van chassis and the high-riding floor to be desirable features. There’s also lots of other clever stuff in the T135.
This maximises space within a comparatively short motorhome footprint. By putting the slat-based bed on one side at the rear of the T135, the shortest Carado feels more spacious upon initial encounter with the cabin than many of its larger 7.4m siblings. There’s no cramped aisle between the living area and the rest of the motorhome to impede the longitudinal view, allowing natural light from the windows and skylights to reach every little nook and cranny of the cabin.
The bed is generously long at two metres, and the rearmost width of 1.35m allows room for shoulders and breathing space between partners. However, it tapers down to 1.15m wide at the most forward part — so foot space may be slightly compromised.
Another nice design feature is the location of the control for the Truma Combi 6E gas cabin water heater within reach of the bed. On a winter’s night, there’s no need to get up and turn down the cabin heat setting.
Adjacent to the bed is perhaps the cleverest bathroom ever fitted to a motorhome of modest length. An internal wall and a hinged wash basin allow this area to be tailored to the needs of the moment. The wash basin swings out of the way of the toilet when not required — and then can be swung back again should the internal folding wall of the shower cubicle need to be deployed to splashproof the rest of the bathroom.
If you loathe having to wipe down entire motorhome bathrooms after a shower, this Carado limits the task to just the shower cubicle.
A sliding slatted screen nestled between the overhead lockers on the passenger side of the T135 can be slid back to reveal a TV mount that can then be pulled into the middle of the motorhome cabin. This features a hinged mount which rotates 180 degrees so the television can be viewed either from the French bed or the rotated captain’s chairs of the cab.
Naturally, Carado didn’t have the opportunity to provide the humongous garage of a 7.4m motorhome for the T135 — but the exterior storage at the rear is still quite cavernous and useful. There’s room for outdoor furniture and at least one bicycle. Two rows of adjustable tie-down points help secure the load.
The French bed is hinged and can be raised with the help of a pair of gas struts to reach the garage during inclement weather. Lifting the bed also accesses a couple of hidden extra storage compartments — which are handy for stashing away valuables.
As mentioned, Carado designed the T135 to be a semi-integrated motorhome alternative to a campervan that offers a less cramped living room than the more restrictive steel body of a converted commercial van.
The size of the water tanks and the gas bottle locker reinforces this. There’s a 122L freshwater tank on board the T135 and a 92L reservoir collects the drain water from the sinks and the shower. The gas locker is designed to house two of the 11kg bottles that are popular in Europe — so it easily accommodates two of the 9kg bottles most commonly used in New Zealand.
Carado may be the entry level brand in a prestigious group, but the quality of this T135 is still there to be savoured — even after 120,000km of rental fleet use. It’s apparent in the flush-fit windows, the aluminium sheet metal cladding on the side walls, the smooth slide of the top of the adjustable lounge table and the cosy comfort of the main bed.
Given the instant access that buying an ex-rental motorhome provides and the long lead time between placing an order for a new one and finally receiving the keys, investing in this compact and clever Carado is well worth your consideration.
This review was written by Paul Owen and originally published in the Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations (MCD) magazine on 3 July 2024. We're republishing the review with the magazine's permission.
Wilderness is the exclusive importer of several premium German motorhome brands under the renowned Erwin Hymer Group. These brands were chosen for their suitability in New Zealand conditions — so you can adventure off-the-beaten-track in absolute comfort.
A Carado motorhome means great value at an affordable price — while also offering the comfort and high quality you expect from a top European motorhome brand. The brand doesn’t compromise on design, reliability or functionality. Step inside a Carado and you’ll find quality mattresses, a practical kitchen, central heating, thorough insulation, and plenty of storage space.
If you’re looking for a premium motorhome at superb value, choose Carado.
Bürstner motorhomes are well known for their innovative designs and top quality. They’re created with Bürstner’s guiding design principle in mind — Wohnfühlen meaning comfortable living in German. The global popularity of Bürstner motorhomes — and their high resale value — speak volumes for the brand’s outstanding reputation.
Built to maximise comfort any season you feel like travelling, Bürstner are genuine premium motorhomes.
HYMER sets the global standard for stylish luxury motorhomes. Since 1957, they've led the market in innovation and quality. Their unique HYMER PUAL body shell — designed in 1978 — formed a benchmark for motorhome durability and stability. These days, HYMER is well renowned for building smart motorhomes with timeless designs.
Why not begin your search by taking a close look at a truly elegant and luxurious motorhome — HYMER.
Motorhoming is the ideal way to explore New Zealand in comfort. You can get off-the-beaten-track, spend nights under the stars, and wake up to the sound of water lapping on the sand — all from the comfort of your own vehicle.
To find out whether motorhome ownership is worth it, you’ll need to think about your own unique situation. You should consider the initial purchase price as well as ongoing ownership costs.
Motorhome ownership is best suited to those who like to take multiple trips a year and enjoy the flexibility of being able to head off anytime. If this doesn’t sound like you, renting a motorhome may be your best option.
Motorhomes vary in price depending on age, size, make and model, base vehicle, and specifications. You can buy a motorhome in New Zealand for anything from $70,000 to $700,000.
For more details on what motorhome you might get in each price bracket, check out our buyer's guide to working out a budget.
The resale value of a motorhome depends on its condition, what brand it is, any aftermarket additions, and the market. Premium motorhomes tend to depreciate less than budget motorhomes because of their reputation for providing many years of trouble-free touring.
In the current New Zealand market, new motorhomes will most likely see zero percent depreciation in their first year of ownership — due to a limited number of new motorhomes being supplied to the market. This has resulted in high demand for used motorhomes and high resale values.
Owning a motorhome comes with various ongoing costs. These include registration, CoF or WoF compliance, insurance, road user charges, annual servicing, water tightness tests, replacement parts such as tyres, depreciation and storage.
You can calculate the cost of ownership of your preferred new motorhome by using our motorhome cost of ownership calculator.
The most reliable motorhome is one that will give you many years of trouble-free touring. This means that the base vehicle needs to perform and the interior fit needs to withstand years of use. Most premium motorhomes built on a European base vehicle such as Fiat or Mercedes Benz will still perform well after plenty of years and many miles. Unlike a lot of cars, these truck bases are designed to go the distance even with several hundred thousand kilometres on the clock.
The reliability of the motorhome fitout is dependent on the quality of the build. This includes materials, construction methods, and quality assurance processes. German motorhome brands have built their reputations on quality. For example, Carado motorhomes are designed with a high price to value ratio meaning that quality is not sacrificed even though they're designed for a price conscious market.
Many locally manufactured motorhomes that are hand-built to high quality standards will also stand the test of time. The best way to get a quick indication of reliability is to check the warranties that a manufacturer offers. Longer warranties indicate that the manufacturer has a high degree of confidence in the reliability of its products.
Motorhoming is so popular in New Zealand that there are plenty to choose from. No one brand suits all so it’s best to think about your needs and wishes. If you’re new to the market, it’s worth trying before you buy and renting a few different types of motorhomes to work out what you like.
Before you settle on any particular brand or motorhome model, make sure you carefully consider both your needs and what your perfect motorhome looks like.
The best used motorhome to purchase is the one that suits your requirements and budget — as well as being resalable. Purchasing from a reputable licensed dealer can be a great option as the motorhome will have a service history, detailed specification information and a warranty.
Always do your due diligence and check that the motorhome is sound and compliant before purchasing — no matter where you're buying from.
You don't need a special licence to drive most motorhomes in New Zealand. Your standard Class 1 car licence allows you to drive a motorhome with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of up to 6000kg.
When buying a motorhome, you’ll want to insure it against any accidental damage. Many car insurers do not cover motorhomes. Most owners choose to insure their motorhomes with specialists who focus solely on motorhome owner's insurance.
The two motorhome specialist insurers in New Zealand are Covi and Star Insurance. When choosing an insurance company, be sure to shop around and read insurance policies carefully to see if they cover what you require.
Visit our sales centres in the North and South Islands to see for yourself why our brands are in a class of their own. Both our locations are handy to the airport and close to motorway access.
Our Auckland sales centre is located at 11 Pavilion Drive, Airport Oaks. This is just ten minutes from Auckland Airport, a short drive from State Highway 1, and 25km from the CBD.
Our Christchurch sales centre is conveniently located at 3 Export Ave, Harewood. This is less than ten minutes from Christchurch Airport, a quick drive from State Highway 1, and just 12km from the CBD.