The chassis is the real estate of the individual traveler.
Just as the size of a house makes minimum demands on the size of the property, the size of the body determines the load capacity and the wheelbase of the chassis.
The off-road mobility of your vehicle is just as important as the location of a property. It determines which of the most beautiful places you can reach with your rolling house and how safely and comfortably you can get there.
The selection of the suitable chassis and the optimal combination of chassis equipment therefore form the basis for a successful overall vehicle.
Brand independence and the best relationships with the leading chassis manufacturers guarantee that UNICAT is always up to date on what is feasible.
We are happy to pass on our more than 40 years of experience with a wide variety of chassis to you.
We bring the advantages and disadvantages of the different chassis to the point and enable you to make an informed decision.
Once you have decided on a chassis, you should also ensure that the body builder is also qualified to work on chassis and is recommended by the chassis manufacturer.
In the field of expedition motorhomes, the leading chassis manufacturers recommend UNICAT first.
The following chassis have already proven themselves many times in practice and, due to their wheelbases, cab variants and payload, are particularly suitable as a basis for expedition vehicles of various sizes:
MAN TGM 4×4, TGS 4×4, TGS 6×6, TGS 8×8
The current TGM and TGS series offer a large number of robust, reliable, well-motorized and very comfortable chassis that are suitable as the basis for adventure motorhomes and expedition vehicles.
They are characterized by the following design features:
– Cab-over ( cab forward ) design for maximum body length
– Modern design for maximum driving comfort
– Planetary axles with leaf suspension and drum brakes
– large variety of wheelbases
– Various engine and gearbox combinations
– Automatically gear shifting available
– Short, long and crewcab available
– Partial preparation for tire pressure control system available
Mercedes-Benz Unimog 4×4
For a long time, the Unimog was the most widely used base for expedition vehicles.
Unimog chassis offer maximum off-road mobility and robust technology, but due to the few, unchangeable wheelbases, they are only suitable for relatively small and light bodies.
They are characterized by the following design features:
– Portal axles for extremely high ground clearance under the axles
– Disc brakes on all wheels
– Axle suspension via coil springs and tube technology
– Combined gearbox and transfer case for high ground clearance
– Extreme reduction for maximum climbing ability
– All-wheel drive, can be activated while driving
– Tire pressure control system available
– Crewcab available
Mercedes-Benz Zetros 4×4, Zetros 6×6
The Zetros is very popular thanks to its striking exterior with a long hood, but it requires approx. 1000 mm more wheelbase for the same body length.
The engine, transmission and axles come from the modular system of the Mercedes trucks.
Only a EURO 5 variant is offered.
They are characterized by the following design features:
– Hood vehicle with a long cab
– Customizable wheelbase
– Automatic transmission available
– Tire pressure control system available
Mercedes-Benz Axor 4×4, Arocs 4×4, Arocs 6×6, Arocs 8×8
The current Axor and Arocs series offer a large number of robust, reliable, well-motorized and very comfortable chassis that are suitable as the basis for adventure motorhomes and expedition vehicles.
They are characterized by the following design features:
– Cab-over ( cab forward ) design for maximum body length
– Modern design for maximum driving comfort
– Planetary axles with leaf suspension and drum brakes
– large variety of wheelbases
– Various engine and gearbox combinations
– Different cab variants available
– Partly tire pressure control system available
Volvo FMX 4×4, FMX 6×6
The current FMX series offers a variety of robust, reliable, well motorized and very comfortable chassis that are suitable as the basis for adventure motorhomes and expedition vehicles.
They are characterized by the following design features:
– Cab-over ( cab forward ) design for maximum body length
– Modern design for maximum driving comfort
– Axles with air or leaf suspension and drum brakes
– Large variety of wheelbases
– Various engine and gearbox combinations
– Short, long and crewcab available
Classic Mercedes-Benz SK 4×4, SK 6×6, SK 8×8
Under certain circumstances, it is advisable to use a chassis that is at least 25 years old, as these are particularly robust and easy to maintain due to their simple technology and low emission class. Due to their age, they are also eligible as historic vehicles in many countries.
With appropriate maintenance, care and overhaul, they are a good alternative to a new vehicle.
They are characterized by the following design features:
– Cab-over ( cab forward ) design for maximum body lengt
– Robust, easy-to-maintain technology
– No Ad-blue (DEF) necessary
– Axles with leaf suspension and drum brakes
– Great variety of wheelbases
– Various engine and gearbox combinations
– Different cab variants available
– Partly tire pressure control system available