Travco

Frank has been inducted into the RV/MH Hall of Fame & Museum (RV/MH Heritage Foundation, Elkhart Indiana) as the father of the motorhome.

In 1964, Travco Corporation (contraction of "Travelers Company") took control, the windows were enlarged and various other cosmetic modifications were added.

This stopped production of both the very popular Dodge chassis, the 440 ci big-block V8, and contributed to the demise of the Travco, which was identified strongly with the Chrysler Corporation.

Other factors, including management changes and extraordinarily high fuel costs and interest rates in the 1979-era contributed to Travco's difficulties.

GVWs could exceed six tons, but the 318 engine with around 200 horsepower could manage to keep up with traffic, and had a top speed of slightly over 70 mph in most configurations.

A dinette table was located across the way, with cabinets above, and the kitchen was fully equipped with not only the expected four-burner range/oven, double-door refrigerator and double sink, but some even came with built-in toasters and coffee pots.

Over the years, floorplans varied from the luxury 27 foot "Dodge Mahal" in the early 1970s which offered posh comfort intended for just two, to family floor plans sleeping up to ten.

Sightseer was a conventional box-style motorhome that did not share the distinctive flowing aerodynamic Travco signature body style.