Low-Mile Time Machine: 1977 Dodge Travco 290
Evolved from a rig called the Dodge Frank Motor Home, these quality-built and luxurious-for-the-time Travco motorhomes are still revered today. The seller has this 1977 Travco 290 listed here on eBay and it’s also listed here on Hemmings, where there is an asking price of $49,500. It’s located in East Palatka, Florida, and this one has fly-in-and-drive-home written all over it to me.
Mr. Ray Frank’s late-1950s experiment paid off, as his “Motor Home” was popular with everyone who saw it on the road or in campgrounds, and they asked how they could get one. He got Dodge involved and in 1964, the company was known as Travco and many improvements were made. This 1977 Travco motorhome wouldn’t look a lot different from the early models, other than the front end and some details.
The company made five sizes, the 29-foot, or 290, as with this one, and also a 21-foot, 22-foot, 27-foot, and 32-foot model. This example looks like an absolute time capsule and/or a gem, or both. It’s an unrestored, two-owner Travco with just 25,813 miles on it, which is amazing after so many decades. They are basically traveling homes, though, so they need both mechanical maintenance as well as home-type maintenance, but this one really looks like a jewel.
One thing about this era of motorhomes is that they typically don’t have a separate driver’s door, so you’re crawling over that sculptured shag carpet every time you head to or from the driver’s seat. The passenger does the same thing. For the record, the seller says that everything is original, right down to that shag carpet, which we may or may not have had in our house in this era… (ok, we had it)
The refrigerator and freezer doors look like something out of a Dodge La Femme catalog or some other design house, very cool. Again, they say that this is all original, and I’m assuming that everything works as it should inside. There’s enough room for quite a few people to sleep in this rig. And, don’t forget the full bathroom with a separate shower room.
Bonus points to the seller for providing so many great photos, including several photos of the engine! THE ENGINE IS SHOWN IN AN ONLINE VEHICLE AD! I don’t know when I’ve been so excited or surprised. Most people selling cars can’t even be bothered to pop the hood, yet this seller takes off the doghouse and takes several photos. I may need a moment to compose myself here. Ok, I’m back. This clean monster is a Dodge 440-cu.in. OHV V8, and it starts easily and runs great, according to the seller, who says the same thing about the original Onan generator. Have any of you owned a Travco motorhome?
Comments
Never wanted one, and have always detested those who drove them at ten miles an hour below the limit, blocking my passage and my view. Could not imagine trying to drive one on a windy day, nor paying recent gas prices to fill up on a 5 MPG average economy. Finally, I see no lure as to spending a night in some noisy campground. Okay, am I starting to sound grumpy? Well, maybe, just had a root canal done this afternoon and I could use some more Vicodin. Despite that, I do feel this way. Give me a cheaper and way more comfortable hotel room when I travel, anyday!
Howard, is that you?
Whoever he is, he must have been a blast on road trips. Until they kicked him out of the car, that is.
Tim, so you LIKE being behind some 80 year old driving one of these all over the road at slow speed that is a danger to get around? These were really fun the share the road with in the mountains. Yes, such wonderfulness. I remember back 30 years ago being made to service some equipment in Green Bay Wisconsin. The drive was already a six hour ordeal to get there from my headquarters in the Twin Cities. When I was heading home it was a late Sunday afternoon after one of the infamous Packer games and bunches of these things were heading West on WI Hwy 29. 2 lanes in those days, quite busy. Obviously many of those drivers had been tailgating judging by their speeds and lane holding abilities. Trying to get around so many of those on a packed two lane road was nightmare inspiring. At least these days, that road is a four lane affair, much safer, plus I am happily retired from the computer biz, so who cares anyway? Howard, I seem to recall you drove semi in that neck of the woods. Do you remember driving Hwy 29 in those days after a Packer game? As a pro driver, what is your opinion of trying to share the highway with them?
Like you, Grant, I never wanted one. I had a ’70s ATCO 23-footer back in the 1980s. Pulled it with my ’72 F100 short bed with a 302 and three-on-the-tree. I liked the idea of being able to unhook and tool around in my pickup as opposed to driving around in a large RV. I used mine mostly for hunting and snowmobiling trips to Northern Maine. My ATCO cost me a LOT less than a $49k RV.
A sharp eye will notice the Max Wedge exhaust manifilds on the 440. The passenger side looks to have a metal shroud to keep heat off the valve cover and prevent it from cooking the oil, The value of this vehicle just went up!
In my dreams, I think a vert cool vintage motor home would be a blast! For tailgating parties , going to the automobile races and some car shows. Great fun for short trips and expensive transportation, Way to expensive when you come back to reality.
Back in 1977, a guy moved in next door from California, and he worked for a company that made things like this one. He took me for a spin around the area, and I thought it was really something. There are a lot of campgrounds that are not noisy, plus you can park this thing in a lot of places that are isolated.
This is a piece of history that I enjoy.
Fantastic motor home and the price is not bad either. This is a deal of a lifetime for someone with the money to by it.
I love the engine under the floor. Lots more floor space. Unfortunately for its age a lot of parks won’t let him camp regardless of condition. I have an 08 that’s like new & I’ve gotten the boot. 10 years old is the magic number.
True story
I know nothing about RVing – but I have heard it is common for RV parks to have age limits on rigs to try to keep the riff raff out. Is that true? And if it is, how does that work with a nice restored (or mint survivor) RV?
And I’m with you Grant – when I drove truck, and the interstate was shut down and I was sitting there making $0 (paid by the mile), it was ALWAYS a flipped over RV… that used to be driven by a now-late octogenarian with a Class C license and not a single clue.
That’s a lot of hate towards the RV folks. Not all of us are in our 80’s and I for one drive as fast as it’ll let me. Not unlike a loaded semi you can only do so much if there are big hills involved. On flat ground I’m passing cars. As far as the rig itself it’s pretty cool if you like retro. I would think it does better than 5mpg, mine is a lot bigger, probably twice the weight and I get around 8 while pulling a toad.
I think a lot of the hate comes from the stigma of the homeless using run-down hoopties that they park anywhere and everywhere, creating an eyesore.
This is to answer pork chop question. I was an Rv’er for many years. And yes There are some Rv parks that limit how old your Rv can be and also some with minimum length restrictions but they are not common and I would never stay in one. They get a bunch of snobs in there $300k plus motor homes that lock themselves with their air conditioners and do nothing but complain about the children playing outside. We usually stayed at National or State Parks.
I sort of see RV-ing, and I sort of don’t. I figure if you’re going to camp, camp! An RV is just too much baggage. But on the other hand, it’s nice to have one if you’re going to a retreat that has inclement weather or you just want to stop anywhere.
I used to knock these back when I did SCCA racing.
That was until a friend of mine brought his Dad’s RV out to
the race track,& invited us to stay with him.It was really nice
not to leave the track everytime you needed to eat,etc.
I also think that if you’re only using one of these once-
a year,you’d be better off just renting one.Even if you’re not
using it,you still have to register,insure,& maintain it.
In my younger days, I probably was less than generous to some old folks driving! I am now 70. Part of the problem is people drive like a bat out of a hot oven, don’t know why they are speeding, don’t know what they are going to do when they get to where they are going. I no longer care to go FAST, I just want to get there comfortably. About the only change I might make would be to swap out that 440 for a diesel. That 440 is like a dry sponge put in water. Thirsty.
Yes, but that fuel costs almost two to one these days. I agree with you about speeding. At our age, the posted limit is just fine. I want to get all the years I can at this point. Young people feel unbreakable, but let me tell ya kiddos, you break just fine. Saw many in my generation leave this mortal coil much too early. Be careful.. Driving is a privilege, not a right. You need to not only look after yourself but everyone else too, that is the law.
Beautiful looking Travco. I’ve never seen a Travco, never mind a Travco 290. Very nice.
You can get a restored GMC Eleganza or another of their other designs for less than what they’re asking for this coach, and they’re WAY cooler looking with an Oldsmobile front wheel drive to boot. I paid half of what he’s asking for this coach for a totally redone ’77 Eleganza, new interior, rebuilt engine and trans, Alcoa aluminum wheels etc. There’s a very cool GMC Club on Facebook for anyone who’s interested in them.
The problem with RV- ing in any older RV rig is reliability and repairs. I would not like to get stuck out in the wilderness with a 45yr old RV. Some parts are almost nonexistent on these “Classic” RV’s. They are cool and this one will definitely give the new owner a retro experience. RV prices are starting to crash. Be careful. Don’t get stuck with a vehicle you can’t sell. Good luck to the new owner.
Auction update: this one ended at $9,400 and no sale, clearly a long way from its reserve as it’s listed on Hemmings for $49,500.