A laundry treating appliance is configured to treat laundry according to a cycle of operation. The laundry treating appliance comprises a chassis that defines an interior and has a front and rear with an access opening located in the front. A tub statically mounted to the chassis and defines a liquid chamber located within the interior and has at least one suspension opening. An exoskeleton is located within the liquid chamber and has a front support, a rear support, and stringers extending longitudinally to form a skeletal frame defining a frame interior. A rotatable drum is located within the frame interior. A suspension system is located within the interior and has at least one suspension component extending into the liquid chamber through the suspension opening and is operably coupled to the exoskeleton. A liquid dam retards liquid flow from the liquid chamber to the interior through the suspension opening.