A Trailer for Our Next Chapter - Part III: Houston we have a chassis

The foundation of any structure is the least glamorous, but arguably the most important, part of a build. This is particularly true for a trailer intended for off road use. This last week, all the elements of our chassis build (wheels, tires, suspension, frame, tanks, flooring) came together.

After being "polished" the frame was finished with galvanized compatible paint and prepped for the CruiseMaster ATX suspension installation.

The on board air compressor will be used to tune the suspension ride, level the trailer in camp, and air up tires as needed.

The ENTIRE underside of the frame will eventually be covered with a 10 gauge insulated aluminum skid plate to protect all the plumbing, wiring, tanks, and suspension equipment from road debris/dust. It will also give us a first line of defense against freezing weather.

The taller and wider (285/R17) wheels and rims are looking like a nice fit. The Maxxis RAZR AT tires are mean looking and very capable. We'll have a 12,800lb total load rating on a 9,820lb GVWR trailer.

After the suspension, wheels, and tires are assembled, it's time for the oversized fresh water (100 gallons) and gray water (80 gallons) tanks to be snugged in. Both tanks will have 12V heating pads and See Level fluid sensors. The areas in the frame that carry tanks and plumbing will have vented heat to them. All of this together with the insulated skid plate, should be enough to prevent any freeze issues.

Don't forget the metal reinforcement under the tanks.

Tank fill level monitor.

Between the corner jacks and the tongue jack, we'll have 11,500lbs of lifting capacity.

We've eliminated the black tank by opting for a Separett dry toilet. No black tank means less water use, less maintenance, less clutter between the frame, and reduced freeze concerns. The only dump point will be from the gray tank. It's located between the frame and above insulated skid plates. No need to worry about dragging that plumbing on the low points of the nastier arroyo crossings. We particularly like the rough/rustic looking finish of the galvanization process on the frame.

Insulated sub flooring and high traffic finished flooring complete the chassis. No wood is used. Everything is water and mold resistant polymers and composites. The way the chassis is built and sealed from the skid plates through to the finished flooring would probably allow us to float if needed.😀

The upcoming week will bring us the first above the floor construction including aluminum wall framing and cabinets. We moved into our New Horizons on April 1, 2012. So far, we're shooting to move into our Kingdom Camping Caravan XL by April 1, 2023.