Depending on the vehicle category and conditions, the floor plans are built up. Conceptually, the motorhomes have a step on the low-frame chassis unless they have a double floor. On the high-frame chassis, on the other hand, the running floor and the transition into the driver's cab are step-free.
What are their advantages and disadvantages for motorhome use? And is there the same choice of chassis variants for all base vehicles? There are different chassis or frame variants, each of which has its advantages and disadvantages. The following types of chassis are mainly used for motorhomes:
- Factory ladder frame: This frame is very stable and rigid due to the double U-profiles. Disadvantages: high floor level, higher weight.
- Factory flat floor or platform frame: This frame is practically the floor assembly of a panel van. It consists of a half-height frame profile and a welded-on sheet metal plate.
- Factory flat or low frame: This variant consists of a half-height frame and sheet metal strips welded on top. It has replaced the flat floor frame because its sheet metal floor often gets in the way of on-board equipment installations. Other advantages: low floor level and lower weight. However, the superstructure must be designed to be co-supporting; for this purpose, the base plate is often glued on.
- Alko low frame: This frame, including the rear axle, is flanged to a powerhead. The Alko rear axle has an independent suspension with torsion bar springs instead of the original rigid axle with leaf springs. This axle design is particularly space-saving. The frame geometry is also very flexible in terms of wheelbase, track width and cranking. There are versions that are lowered to different depths, but the ground clearance is reduced accordingly. There are also weight-optimised versions of the Alko frame, where the superstructure must be designed to be load-bearing.