Old School RV: 1969 Dodge Travco Motorhome
Beginning in 1964, Travco Corp. (a derivative of “Travelers Company”) partnered with Chrysler to provide Dodge’s M-truck chassis and drivetrains for their line of motorhomes. Production of these fiberglass-bodied houses on wheels lasted for about 25 years. We don’t know the dimensions of the seller’s 1969 edition, but it looks to be in good enough condition to be used with a few repairs or treated to a full restoration. From Eagle Point, Oregon, this Dodge is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $8,000 OBO. Thanks for this rolling tip, Dan Older!
The Travco motorhome was an aerodynamic Class A recreational vehicle built on a Dodge undercarriage. Much of the design and body refinements were done by Ray Frank of Frank Industries, who is considered by many to be the father of the genre. Travco would become one of the largest players in the budding RV market in the 1960s and forward, opening the doors for later competitors like Winnebago. Offered in a variety of lengths and floorplans, Travco’s 27-foot model was the most popular.
We’re told the seller’s motorhome has had two owners, which may or may not include them. They bought it a year ago because they wanted a vintage RV to restore, but now that they’re in “the family way” available time and funds to do the job are no longer available. The Travco looks to be in good shape for its age and may only have 56,000 miles. It’s currently housed in a covered storage facility. We’re told it’s a runner (probably a Dodge 318 cubic inch V8 that runs on gasoline) but needs a bit of TLC in the mechanical arena.
The interior looks well used, but not abused. Probably, things like the bedding, refrigerator, stove, and more are going to need some attention after 53 years. The Travco comes with an old-school generator, but the seller has made no attempts to see if it works. A working RV deep-cycle battery was acquired about a year ago. The vehicle is titled and registered, so it should be ready to move to its next home. Maybe Cousin Eddie is looking for a “new” tenement on wheels!
Comments
An rv like this is great for someone who says he wants to go camping but really doesn’t want to go !
There are always things to fix on a new rv , so an old one is a full time job and the old ones also guzzle gas like an old boat
So you have to dock most of the time
Good luck to the new project manager …
I remember, as a kid, these were the 1st motorhomes we saw in campgrounds. It was such a radical concept as opposed to our “pulled” campers. It seemed so convenient, just pull in, no disconnecting and rehooking, seemed like a better way to go. Eventually, the old man DID do the motorhome thing with the square Winnebago types. This is an okay find, in that, this old gal should make one more trip, to it’s final resting spot on some lot in the UP,, overlooking some pristine lake, no internet/TV/phone,,that’s right, no worries and as the world continues to deteriorate, sounds better and better to me everyday. I’d be in for a grand,,,
These older campers are gaining popularity lately people are paying big bucks for these things and restoring them, not to profit but for of days of the past. And some turn them into other uses. I have seen them converted in to food trucks. I now one band that turned one in to a mobile stage.
And when you get to that lake, use that sad 318 motor for a anchor for your boat. This thing cries out for a Cummings diesel
I was about to head out on a 500 mile round trip to look at one of these when the owner called me to tell me that he had so much interest that he had RAISED the price $2000. It was nice of him to call before I drove there but it kinda pissed me off that he had RAISED the price.
Awesome looking Travco. I’ve heard of the Travco motorhome, but I’ve never seen one. This is my idea of what a Class A motorhome should be. It’s large enough for two people, and a couple of pets to live comfortably while on the road. Among the modern upgrades I’d give it are disc brakes for the front wheels, and a Cummins Turbo Diesel engine.
I knew a guy who had one of these. His was a 1974 with a 440 engine. He owned a little company in Ipswich, MA that did repairs and service on RVs.
The question to answer when you buy such an RV is “What are you going to do with it?” I live in the Willamette valley and the Oregon coast is less than an hour west. The Cascade mountains are less than an hour east. Assuming it’s a runner, whatever engine is in that old motor home would get me to either location for a few days camping just fine. Maybe slow, but I sure wouldn’t spend the money and effort to change it out. If your plans are to go to Arizona in the winter and back home in the summer, then you’d make a different choice. :-) Terry J
$8k is a pretty decent price for this imo. It looks like it’s all there and not a lot of apparent damage. Get it running, dress the interior as you go, keep an eye out for a 4bt or 6bt to replace what is probably a tired gasoline engine and enjoy it
I’ve been down the Motor home rabbit hole, it’s not for me. most of the time they just sit and you still have to pay insurance, tax license registration and up keep. no thank you, a small bumper pull teardrop is just fine for me. but then I have no plan to live in one either, since my house is paid for, I’m a widower and have plenty of things to do. Maybe someone will get this and do it justice, but not me.
God Bless America
Put your nagging mother in law in it and push it way back in the woods. I think she more than deserves this
Hmmm owner says bought a motorhome now the wife is pregnant They say the motorhomes are for fun
I’m w/the above 2 – turbo a 12v & add the allison.
Gut the inside, insulate, cover, then update. Any pluses? Sure,
the body hasa continious water proof skin (gass, no?)
really surprised it didnt come with a hemi or at least a 413
I was going to go look at one that did have a 413 until he upped his listing price by $2000. I think it was one of those deals where he had people who had no intention of buying do the “oh, you can get more than that for it” thing.
Turned down a real nice one for $3500 not long ago! Sure glad I did!
I bought one 25 years ago with 92,000 miles on it for $2,500. I tuned it up and had my brother rebuild the transmission. My wife redecorated the interior and we put 40,000 more miles on it traveling around the US with our kids. I sold it for $1,500 and the guy still lives in it in the backwoods of Vermont.
Roger C.