New front wheel cylinders and brake shoes

The wheels are notoriously difficult to remove on the old travcos with the lower fibreglass skirts. It involves: Jacking up on frame and letting suspension sag, on passenger front wheel turn wheels left, repeat the other way on left and lots of wiggling. Also it was jacked up quite a bit but that still doesn’t help with the tight clearance front to back and side to side around the bolts. On ours the driver side is also reverse lugs. It’s a tough removal!

We replaced the front wheel cylinders and brake shoes. The parts were from Napa Canada; wheel cylinders 28720 and 28721 ($55.00 each), and brake shoes TS-33a Proformer ($52.00 a set). Our vintage manual is great help for mechanical work and copies can sometimes be found on Ebay. Some photos of the manual and work below. 

The Dodge Commercial Traveler Part Two

The Dodge Commercial Traveler is cleverly described as the the Dodge Motorhome in a business suit! This brochure brings us five stories of American business. And how Dodge Commercial Travelers help keep them on the move. The brochure describes the salesroom on wheels used by International Minerals & Chemical Corporation,  the showroom on wheels for GE's Voltage Regulator Business Section, a display room on wheels for Robertshaw Controls Company, a studio on wheels for the Boston Radio station WHDH, and the office/home on wheels for Gordon Morrison's ow film of manufacturers' representatives. Take a peek at the brochure for photos of each of these diverse applications.

The Dodge Commercial Traveler Part One

Quoted from the brochure, Business & Professional Users Report on: The Dodge Commercial Traveler; "The Dodge Commercial Traveler - more economical than a branch office and covering far more territory - can extend the scope of your business far beyond its present territorial limitations. Right now Dodge Commercial Traveler sales offices, field offices, etc., are doing for hundreds of businesses what yours could be doing for you: reaching more of your market as the mobile right arm of your business" (Page 2).

The brochure goes on to describe the many ways the Dodge Commercial Traveler is utilized; field research vehicle, mobile lab, sounds systems demonstrator, testing centre for students, annunciator exhibit, motorized bank branch. Other users include; Attorneys, beauty salons, candidates for public office, delicatessens, photographers, doctors, field offices, dog kennels, blood banks, various governmental agonies, and the United States Air Force. The units are custom crafted to the exact requirements of the purchaser. The brochure outlines standard specifications, standard equipment, and optional equipment available. It includes; axle capacities, exterior and interior measurements (height, width, length, wheelbase, weight). 

I have not been fortunate enough to ever see a Dodge Commercial Traveler unit in real life, but the brochure offers some photo of the many unique configurations.

Ray Frank and the original Dodge Motorhome

"The Travco/Dodge Motor Home design and fiberglass body were refinements by Ray Frank to the original Frank Motor Home, a conventional box-type design based on the Dodge chassis and built in Brown City, Michigan from 1958-1962. Ray Frank, founder of Frank Industries, also made up the name "motorhome" and went on to develop Xplorer Motorhomes. Mr. Frank has been inducted into the RV/MH Hall of Fame & Museum (RV/MH Heritage Foundation, Elkhart Indiana) as the father of the motorhome." (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travco) 

These photos showcase an original Frank Motorhome. All photos are copyright and owned by Ryan Brutt who graciously allowed me to use them. As you can see in the photos there are some shared elements between this early model and Myrtle including; the same Hehr side dinette windows, similar side vents to allow in cool air while driving, the dashboard dial setup, a push button transmission (although in the Frank it's down beside the driver's seat rather than beside the steering wheel), the grate above the dog house, sun visors, rearview mirror (although in the Frank it is mounted on the dash and in Myrtle it is from the ceiling), furnace controller, kitchen vent, stove and possibly fridge. The wing-like symbol on the exterior is the same as the one on Myrtle's glove box. 

 

This brochure showcases the early boxy body style of the first Dodge Motorhomes. It provides information on standard equipment, optional equipment and floor plans. The brochures states "The world and your doorstep - A new way of life. Now! The Answer to America's living problems... The all new Dodge Motorhome ... planned for gracious living, extended tours, or even short weekend trips. Enjoy the modern conveniences of home while cruising at highways speeds." (Page 4)

Dodge Builds Tough Trucks Operator's Manual

I was lucky to be able to purchase this little gem book with a box of assorted Travco and Dodge truck documents. Some documents include items literature for the dometic fridge, brochures and manuals for the Onan generator (which Myrtle never had when I got her) and documents for the old Travco Motorcade Association. In the future, I plan on adding full PDF's of some of these resources.

My Cool Campervan Book

I am very excited about the upcoming release of the "My Cool Campervan" Book, written by Jane Field-Lewis & Chris Haddon. The book is a follow up to "My Cool Caravan: An inspirational Guide to Retro Style Caravans."

In the photos you can see a sneak peek of the the new book, front and back cover. Do you notice anything special on the back cover? Take a good look at the bottom right corner.... Why yes it is a photo of the dashing Myrtle making her literary debut! I anxiously await the release of the book in May 2011 so I can see her in all her glory, among the pages of many magnificent specimens! If you would also like to order a book check out the amazon listing: My Cool Campervan

Hehr Mobile Home Windows Catalogue

Owners Manual Dodge Motor Home