Travel trailer chassis

• US RE37,351 E1
• Filed: 08/30/1999
• Issued: 09/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alfa Leisure Inc
• Original Assignee: Alfa Leisure Inc
• Inventors: Crean, Johnnie
• Primary Examiner(s): PAPE, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US09/385,002
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 296/181, 296/168, 296/29.1, 296/178, 296/182, 296/208, 296/37.1, 296/37.6, 296/156, 280/433, 280/423.1, 280/424
• US Class Current: 296/168
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 15/00 Arrangements or adaptations of sanitation devices

Abstract

An improved travel trailer chassis that has a main section, which is connected to the axles of the wheels, a first elevated section that is connected to a forward end of the main section and is elevated above the main section and a second elevated section that is connected to a forward end of the first elevated section and is elevated above the first elevated section. The first elevated section is configured to receive a floor and fixtures to support a bathroom. A trunk space for storage is defined by a floor that extends forward from the main section of the chassis underneath the first elevated section of the chassis. One or more sewage tanks are mounted to the first elevated section of the chassis immediately beneath and substantially adjacent the floor of the bathroom supporting the fixtures. A drain assembly extends through the trunk space to an exhaust positioned outside of the trailer. The controls of the drain assembly are advantageously located within the trunk space at an elevated position above the ground.

Claims

1. An improved fifth wheel travel trailer having a set of trailer wheels and a chassis overlying said trailer wheels, wherein the chassis has a raised floor and defines a bathroom sitting on said raised floor, whereby at least one plumbing drainage control is located above the bottom of said chassis, and at least one sewage holding tank is located immediately beneath said raised floor, said fifth wheel trailer comprising;

a main chassis section that is coupled to said wheels to allow for rolling motion of said trailer and so that said main chassis section is positioned at a first height above said ground wherein said main chassis section is configured to support a main section of said trailer;

a first elevated chassis section beneath said bathroom, said first elevated section having one end coupled to a first end of said main chassis section so that said chassis section is positioned at a second height above said ground;

one or more of said sewage holding tanks mounted to said first elevated section of said chassis;

a second elevated chassis section beneath the bedroom of said travel trailer, said second chassis section having an end connected to said first elevated chassis section;

a fifth wheel hitch attached to the bottom of said second elevated chassis section;

a storage compartment located below said first elevated section, the bottom of said storage compartment being located approximately in the plane of the bottom of said main chassis section; and

said plumbing drainage controls connected to said sewage holding tanks so that the user can drain said sewage tanks into an external sewage receptacle, said plumbing drainage controls being located within said storage compartment above the plane of the bottom of said main chassis section.

2. An improved fifth wheel travel trailer having a raised floor that defines a bathroom sitting on the raised floor, whereby at least one sewage holding tank is located immediately beneath said raised floor, said fifth wheel trailer comprising;

a main chassis section that is coupled to wheels to allow for rolling motion of said trailer and so that a main chassis section is positioned at a first height above said ground wherein said main chassis section is configured to support a main section of said trailer;

a first elevated chassis section beneath said bathroom, said first elevated section having one end coupled to a first end of said main chassis section so that said chassis section is positioned at a second height above said ground;

one or more of said sewage holding tanks mounted to said first elevated section of said chassis;

a second elevated chassis section beneath a bedroom of said travel trailer, said second chassis section having an end connected to said first elevated chassis section;

a fifth wheel hitch attached to the bottom of said second elevated chassis section; and

a storage compartment located below said first elevated section, the bottom of said storage compartment being located approximately in the plane of the bottom of said main chassis section.

3. An improved fifth wheel travel trailer having a set of trailer wheels and a chassis overlying said trailer wheels, wherein the chassis has at least one plumbing drainage control is located above the bottom of said chassis, said fifth wheel trailer comprising;

a main chassis section that is coupled to said wheels to allow for rolling motion of said trailer and so that said main chassis section is positioned at a first height above said ground wherein said main chassis section is configured to support a main section of said trailer;

a first elevated chassis section beneath a bathroom, said first elevated section having one end coupled to a first end of said main chassis section so that said chassis section is positioned at a second height above said ground;

a second elevated chassis section beneath a bedroom of said travel trailer, said second chassis section having an end connected to said first elevated chassis section;

a fifth wheel hitch attached to the bottom of said second elevated chassis section;

a storage compartment located below said first elevated section, the bottom of said storage compartment being located approximately in the plane of the bottom of said main chassis section; and

said plumbing drainage controls being located within said storage compartment above the plane of the bottom of said main chassis section.

4. A chassis for a trailer that is mounted on at least a pair of wheels comprising:

a main chassis section that is coupled to said wheels to allow for rolling motion of said trailer and so that said main chassis section is positioned at a first height above said ground wherein said main chassis section is configured to support a main section of said trailer;

a first elevated section that is configured to support a bathroom and is coupled to a first end of said main chassis section so that said first elevated section is elevated above said main chassis section so as to be positioned at a second height above said ground wherein a trunk space is defined within the space immediately beneath said first elevated section;

one or more sewage tanks mounted on said first elevated section of said chassis adjacent said trunk space; and

a drain assembly connected to said sewage tanks which allows a user to drain said sewage tanks into an external sewage receptacle, wherein said drain assembly includes one or more control valves which are located within said trunk space that said user manipulates to drain said sewage tanks.

5. The chassis of claim 4, wherein said first elevated section is configured to support a floor and one or more fixtures of a bathroom in said trailer.

6. The chassis of claim 5, wherein said first elevated section is configured to support a toilet and a shower positioned on said floor.

7. The chassis of claim 6, wherein said one or more sewage tanks comprises a black water tank that is mounted on said chassis so as to be immediately beneath and substantially adjacent a position where said toilet is to be mounted on said floor built on said chassis.

8. The chassis of claim 7, wherein said one or more sewage tanks also comprises a grey water tank that is mounted on said chassis so as to be immediately beneath and substantially adjacent a position wherein said shower is to be mounted on said floor built on said chassis.

9. The chassis of claim 4, wherein said first elevated section of said chassis includes two spaced apart elevated chassis members that extend longitudinally along said chassis and are interconnected by one or more transverse floor support struts which extend transversely across said chassis between said two elevated chassis members.

10. The chassis of claim 9, wherein said elevated chassis members are respectively connected, at a first end, to two first vertical chassis members that interconnect said elevated chassis members and said main chassis section.

11. The chassis of claim 10, wherein said first elevated section also includes two second vertical chassis members that are respectively connected to a second end of said elevated chassis members and extend downward to substantially said first height of said main chassis section.

12. The chassis of claim 11, wherein two longitudinal trunk support members are respectively connected between said ends of said first and said second vertical chassis members at substantially said first height of said main chassis section.

13. The chassis of claim 12, wherein said trunk space is defined by said elevated chassis members, said first and said second vertical chassis members and said longitudinal trunk support members.

14. The chassis of claim 13, wherein said one or more tanks extend transversely across said chassis between said elevated chassis members so as to be supported at substantially said second height.

15. The chassis of claim 14, wherein said one or more tanks are configured to have one or more lips and said elevated section includes one or more support brackets which extend transversely between said elevated chassis members so that said one or more lips on said tanks rest on said one or more support brackets to retain said one or more tanks in a position adjacent said second height.

16. The chassis of claim 4, wherein said first height is approximately 20 inches above said ground and said second height is approximately 50 inches above the ground and said one or more control valves of said drain assembly are approximately 30 inches of said ground.

17. A chassis for a trailer that is configured to be towed behind a vehicle comprising:

an axle assembly interconnecting a pair of wheels;

a main chassis section having a first and a second end wherein the main chassis section is supported by said axle assembly at a first height above the ground;

a first elevated section having a first and a second end wherein said first end is connected to said second end of said main chassis section so as to be supported at a second height above the ground wherein said second height is elevated above said first height and wherein a trunk space is defined in the space immediately beneath said first elevated section;

one or more sewage tanks mounted on said first elevated section of said chassis adjacent said trunk space; and

a drain assembly connected to said sewage tanks and extending downward therefrom, wherein said drain assembly includes control valves that are mounted within said space immediately beneath the first elevated section of the chassis.

18. The chassis of claim 17, further comprising a second elevated section attached to a second end of said first elevated section so as to be supported at a third height above said ground wherein said third height is greater than said second height.

19. The chassis of claim 18, wherein said second elevated section is comprised of a pair of spaced second vertical chassis members having a first and a second end and a top and bottom edge.

20. The chassis of claim 19, wherein said pair of spaced second elevated chassis members are interconnected by one or more struts which extend transversely across said chassis and a hitch assembly can be connected to said struts so as to be positioned at said second end of said second elevated section substantially underneath said second elevated section.

21. The chassis of claim 20, wherein a lip is attached to both of said second elevated chassis members substantially adjacent said bottom edge of said second elevated members wherein said lip is configured to receive a floor for a bedroom to be built on said second elevated section of said chassis.

22. The chassis of claim 21, wherein said first elevated section of said chassis includes two spaced apart elevated chassis members that extend longitudinally along said chassis and are interconnected by one or more transverse floor support struts which extend transversely across said chassis between said two elevated chassis members.

23. The chassis of claim 22, wherein said elevated chassis members are respectively connected, at a first end, to two first vertical chassis members that interconnect said elevated chassis members and said main chassis section.

24. The chassis of claim 23, wherein said first elevated section also includes two second vertical chassis members that are respectively connected to a second end of said elevated chassis members and extend downward to substantially said first height of said main chassis section.

25. The chassis of claim 24, wherein two longitudinal trunk support members are respectively connected between said ends of said first and said second vertical chassis members at substantially said first height of said main chassis section.

26. The chassis of claim 25, wherein said trunk space is defined by said elevated chassis members, said first and said second vertical chassis members and said longitudinal trunk support members.

27. The chassis of claim 26, wherein said one or more tanks extend transversely across said chassis between said elevated chassis members so as to be supported at substantially said second height.

28. The chassis of claim 27, wherein said one or more tanks are configured to have one or more lips and said elevated section includes one or more support brackets which extend transversely between said elevated chassis members so that said one or more lips on said tanks rest on said one or more support brackets to retain said one or more tanks in a position adjacent said second height.

29. The chassis of claim 17, wherein said first height is approximately 20 inches above said ground and said second height is approximately 50 inches above the ground and said one or more control valves of said drain assembly are approximately 30 inches of said ground.

30. A chassis for a trailer that is configured to be towed behind a vehicle comprising:

an axle assembly interconnecting a pair of wheels;

a main chassis section having a first and a second end wherein said main chassis section is supported by said axle assembly at a first height above the ground;

a first elevated section having a first and a second end wherein a first end is connected to said second end of said main chassis section so as to be supported at a second height above the ground wherein said second height is elevated above the first height and wherein the space immediately beneath said first elevated section defines a trunk space;

a second elevated section attached to a second end of said first elevated section so as to be supported at a third height above said ground wherein said third height is greater than said second height;

one or more sewage tanks mounted on said first elevated section of said chassis so as to extend transversely across said chassis; and

a drain assembly connected to said sewage tanks and extending downward therefrom, through said trunk space, wherein said drain assembly includes control valves that are mounted within said trunk space.

31. The chassis of claim 30, wherein said first elevated section of said chassis includes two spaced apart elevated chassis members that extend longitudinally along said chassis and are interconnected by one or more transverse floor support struts which extend transversely across said chassis between said two elevated chassis members.

32. The chassis of claim 31, wherein said elevated chassis members are respectively connected, at a first end, to two first vertical chassis members that interconnect said elevated chassis members and said main chassis section.

33. The chassis of claim 32, wherein said first elevated section also includes two second vertical chassis members that are respectively connected to a second end of said elevated chassis members and extend downward to substantially said first height of said main chassis section.

34. The chassis of claim 33, wherein two longitudinal trunk support members are respectively connected between said ends of said first and said second vertical chassis members at substantially said first height of said main chassis section.

35. The chassis of claim 34, wherein said trunk space is defined by said elevated chassis members, said first and said second vertical chassis members and said longitudinal trunk support members.

36. The chassis of claim 35, wherein said one or more tanks extend transversely across said chassis between said elevated chassis members so as to be supported at substantially said second height.

37. The chassis of claim 36, wherein said one or more tanks are configured to have one or more lips and said elevated section includes one or more support brackets which extend transversely between said elevated chassis members so that said one or more lips on said tanks rest on said one or more support brackets to retain said one or more tanks in a position adjacent said second height.

38. A chassis for a trailer that is mounted on at least a pair of wheels comprising:

39. The chassis of claim 38, wherein the first elevated section is configured to support a floor and one or more fixtures of a bathroom in said trailer.

40. The chassis of claim 39, wherein said first elevated section is configured to support a toilet and a shower positioned on said floor.

41. The chassis of claim 40, wherein said one or more sewage tanks comprise a black water tank that is mounted on said chassis so as to be immediately beneath and substantially adjacent a position wherein said toilet is to be mounted on said floor built on said chassis.

42. The chassis of claim 41, wherein said one or more sewage tanks also comprises a gray water tank that is mounted on said chassis so as to be immediately beneath and substantially adjacent a position wherein said shower is to be mounted on said floor built on said chassis.

43. The chassis of claim 38, wherein said first elevated section of said chassis includes two spaced apart elevated chassis members that extend longitudinally along said chassis and are interconnected by one or more transverse floor support struts which extend transversely across said chassis between said two elevated chassis members.

44. The chassis of claim 43, wherein said first elevated chassis members are respectively connected at a first end, to two first vertical chassis members that interconnect said elevated chassis members and said main chassis section.

45. The chassis of claim 44, wherein said first elevated section also includes two second vertical chassis members that are respectively connected to a second end of said elevated chassis members and extend downward to substantially said first height of said main chassis section.

46. The chassis of claim 45, wherein two longitudinal trunk support members are respectively connected between said ends of said first and said second vertical chassis members at substantially said first height of said main chassis section.

47. The chassis of claim 46, wherein said trunk space is defined by said elevated chassis members, said first and said second vertical chassis members and said longitudinal trunk support members.

48. The chassis of claim 47, wherein said one or more tanks extend transversely across said chassis between said elevated chassis members so as to be supported at substantially said second height.

49. The chassis of claim 48, wherein said one or more tanks are configured to have one or more lips and said elevated section includes one or more support brackets which extend transversely between said elevated chassis members so that said one or more lips on said tank rest on said one or more support brackets to retain said one or more tanks in a positioned adjacent said second height.

50. The chassis of claim 38, wherein said first height is approximately 20 inches above said ground and said second height is approximately 30 inches above said ground.

51. The chassis of claim 38, wherein said drain assembly includes one or more control valves.

52. The chassis of claim 51, wherein said one or more control valves that a user manipulates to drain said sewage tanks are located within said trunk space.

53. A chassis for a trailer that is configured to be towed behind a vehicle comprising:

54. The chassis of claim 53, further comprising a second elevated section attached to a second end of said first elevated section so as to be supported at a third height above said ground wherein said third height is greater than said second height.

55. The chassis of claim 54, wherein said second elevated section is comprised of a pair of spaced second vertical chassis members having a first and a second end and a top and a bottom edge.

56. The chassis of claim 55, wherein said pair of spaced second elevated chassis members are interconnected by one or more struts which extend transversely across said chassis and a hitch assembly can be connected to said struts so as to be positioned at a second end of said second elevated section substantially underneath said second elevated section.

57. The chassis of claim 56, wherein a lip is attached to both of said second elevated chassis members substantially adjacent said bottom edge of said second elevated members wherein said lip is configured to receive a floor for a bedroom to be built on said second elevated section of said chassis.

58. The chassis of claim 57, wherein said first elevated section of said chassis includes two spaced apart elevated chassis members that extend longitudinally along said chassis and are interconnected by one or more transverse floor support struts which extend transversely across said chassis between said two elevated chassis members.

59. The chassis of claim 58, wherein said first elevated chassis members are respectively connected at a first end, to two first vertical chassis members that interconnect said elevated chassis members and said main chassis section.

60. The chassis of claim 59, wherein said first elevated section also includes two second vertical chassis members that are respectively connected to a second end of said elevated chassis members and extend downward to substantially said first height of said main chassis section.

61. The chassis of claim 60, wherein two longitudinal trunk support members are respectively connected between said ends of said first and said second vertical chassis members at substantially said first height of said main chassis section.

62. The chassis of claim 61, wherein said trunk space is defined by said elevated chassis members, said first and said second vertical chassis members and said longitudinal trunk support members.

63. The chassis of claim 62, wherein said one or more tanks extend transversely across said chassis between said elevated chassis members so as to be supported at substantially said second height.

64. The chassis of claim 63, wherein said one or more tanks are configured to have one or more lips and said elevated section includes one or more support brackets which extend transversely between said elevated chassis members so that said one or more lips on said tanks rest on said one or more support brackets to retain said one or more tanks in a positioned adjacent said second height.

65. The chassis of claim 53, wherein said first height is approximately 20 inches above said ground and said second height is approximately 30 inches above said ground.

66. The chassis of claim 53, wherein said drain assembly includes one or more control valves.

67. The chassis of claim 66, wherein said one or more control valves that a user manipulates to drain said sewage tanks are located within said trunk space.

68. A chassis for a trailer that is configured to be towed behind a vehicle comprising:

69. The chassis of claim 68, wherein said first elevated section of said chassis includes two spaced apart elevated chassis members that extend longitudinally along said chassis and are interconnected by one or more transverse floor support struts which extend transversely across said chassis between said two elevated chassis members.

70. The chassis of claim 69, wherein said elevated chassis members are respectively connected at a first end, to two first vertical chassis members that interconnect said elevated chassis members and said main chassis section.

71. The chassis of claim 70, wherein said first elevated section also includes two second vertical chassis members that are respectively connected to a second end of said elevated chassis members and extend downward to substantially said first height of said main chassis section.

72. The chassis of claim 71, wherein two longitudinal trunk support members are respectively connected between said ends of said first and said second vertical chassis members at substantially said first height of said main chassis section.

73. The chassis of claim 72, wherein said trunk space is defined by said elevated chassis members, said first and said second vertical chassis members and said longitudinal trunk support members.