A blog dedicated to our 1964 Dodge Travco motorhome, named Myrtle, and our camping adventures. The blog also chronicles the restoration process and offers resources and tips to other travco owners.
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.
"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 Bruttwho 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)
We came across this fabulous Calgary vintage company, Reclaimed Trading Company, specializing in reclaimed items, industrial vintage and assorted interesting antiques. In addition they had a nice collection of vintage trailers for sale. They also restore trailers. Check it out:
On Myrtle's last trip she was a little testy with starting so today we spent sometime investigating. We originally thought of her ballast resistors but then remembered we had upgraded her to a new electronic ignition. We picked up a new starter relay from Napa (part #SR4) and installed it. She starts up great!
This video walks you through the interior of Myrtle. You will notice that her windshields and side cab windows have been replaced. The original windows leaked a lot and the windshields were cracked. You can read about the replacement process here: New Glass. Myrtle did have her front cab seats but they were small, not well mounted and lacked shoulder belts. We put in new seats, that came from a wrecked modern motorhome, and had them recovered un funky gold and bronze vinyl. We also installed brand new seat belts, with shoulder belts.
Another new addition is the orange couch. Myrtle was missing her dinette and original couch when we got her. The couch was found at a second hand store and actually folds down into a bed. We built it in so it is not movable. The brown cushions are the original cushions from her original couch which we have place on the newly built wood bench (with storage inside).
The lower cabinets and drawers in the kitchen area were rebuilt (new drawers and new fronts on the cabinets). We painted the interiors blue in order to find things easier and it looks neat. The closet has new doors and the small cabinet area beside it was rebuilt with new shelves and doors. All the doors are outfitted in copper coloured vintage pulls (not original to Myrtle). Within the lower closet area, hidden from view, are Myrtle's two 6 volt, golf cart batteries, and her sine wave inverter, for her solar power system (2 panels on the roof). Luckily Myrtle has retained her lovely original light fixtures which now sport modern LED lightbulbs.
The bathroom remains untouched and original. The bed area used to have a small cabinet at the head with a sliding door. It was not needed so we removed it and but in a custom made mattress that fills the entire area. It's great to have some more leg room. Underneath the bed is a new water tank.
Through out Myrtle you will notice vintage decorations, linen and kitchenware. Her front curtains are vintage and were found in brand new condition. Her rear curtains are also vintage but were in a little ore worn condition when found. All curtains have been back with new protective materials and cut and sewn to size. Myrtle even has matching curtains to cover her cab area at night. Myrtle is also outfitted with a variety of vintage touches; white and blue starburst pattern dishes, Catherine Holm pots, a turquoise electric mixer, assorted canisters etc.
We spent a terrific 3 nights camping in the townsite of our favourite National Park: Waterton Lakes National Park. From our calculations Myrtle did about 9 miles per gallon. We intend to do some more major engine work on her at some point so we will see if that makes a difference on her MPG. She did well on the trip there and back, about 540 kms roundtrip.
We made two videos of her at the campground, one exterior and one interior. The exterior is below and shows off some details such as her replaced windshields, tires, and her freshly waxed, original, gelcoat, fibreglass.
We took Myrtle out on a short trip in Central Alberta, about 100 kms each way. We got off to a late start as we spent the morning replacing her broken exhaust manifold. We lucked out and found a replacement exhaust manifold a few years ago. At that time we replaced the other side which was broken, this year it was time for this side! The bolts were hard to remove and some had to be drilled out.
Once we got on the road we had a smooth ride and enjoyed our trip.
