1968 Dodge Travco

Headache · Post by **Headache** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 11:18 pm

Does anybody know anything about Travcos?

http://burlington.craigslist.org/rvs/2488861475.html

I'm in love with that thing! It's a 27 footer and I'm hoping he calls me back! I must find one!

splummer · Post by **splummer** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 11:47 pm

my opion would be stay clear of this one, as it read last on the road in 2007 and by judging by the pics she has been sitting in the tall grassfor some time now, tall grass doesnt do a vehicle any good

Headache · Post by **Headache** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 12:21 am

True, but just think of how many buses that have come out of tall grass. One of them still posts here occasionally. I think it was the one that had to wait 3 years for a title.

Edit: It's 43 years old, there's no way I could get away with NOT working on it. Can you imagine the brittle wiring that may be in there? However, I don't have to have THAT one, but I want one! =)

/rubs hands and cackles quietly while pondering the possibilities

dburt · Post by **dburt** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 10:59 am

Sometimes 'bus fever' can distort our perceptions and warp our common sense. A good rule of thumb says take a few days to mull it over, add up all the costs of fixing it and decide if you can do the work, and if you really want to do the work.

Tires will most likely need replacement. Muffler? Batteries for sure! Have mice gotten into the coach? They can ruin an interior beyond repair in short order! Is the wiring ok? Propane lines ok? Water lines cracked or broken from freezing? Will the carb need a rebuild due to old and nasty gas forming varnish in the carb? You will have to drain out the fuel tank, and replace the fuel filter. Was the anti-freeze ok during it's hibernation? Often a vehicle is left out for several years, the anti-freeze loses it's 'power' and an engine can freeze resulting in a cracked block or head, often on the inside where you cannot see it until your engine starts having serious 'issues' with overheating, or getting water into the oil, etc.

Step back, take a deep breath and think about it for a couple of days!
Do you really want to buff out the paint on such a huge whale? Are there any stress cracks in the fiberglass? Does the owner have any service records so you will know if any work was ever done on the engine or transmission?

After all of this mulling over, figuring and counting costs- if you still must have it then go for it! If things don't work out down the line, you can always sell it and find something else!

splummer · Post by **splummer** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 1:28 pm

very good sdvice,any old bus or truck always looks better before it gets home

tamangel · Post by **tamangel** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 2:55 pm

the famous, "...ran when parked..." ad..

I've always liked Travco's also..

here's a few links/vids:

TRAVCO LINKS:

WIKI LINK, SPEAKS OF WILLIAM SHATNERâ€™S TRAVCO:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travco

Cummins repower video's from YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vo11DG1nuGk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXk5SXXm ... re=related

1967 Travco:
http://www.geocities.com/dtravco/frameindex.htm

My Travco:
http://www.travco.org/

1964 Travco blog:
http://myrtleandme.blogspot.com/

http://www.chatwebdesign.com/mytravco/index.htm

Mike

Stealth Camper · Post by **Stealth Camper** » Tue Jul 19, 2011 1:39 am

I have an old 70 Cutlass that "ran when parked". 'Course it had a bad rod, 250,000 miles, lots of rust, leaks through every window, brittle wiring, and the upholstery is shot.

But it has lifetime warranty on shocks from Sears (from 1973), so when I get it back on the road, the first thing will be to paddle down to Sears with the receipt and get new shocks!

Those Travco's are pretty cool. Kind of reminds me a little of the GMC motorhomes. They kind of grow on ya!

Headache · Post by **Headache** » Wed Jul 20, 2011 3:08 am

Speaking of those GMC motorhomes, funny you should bring them up.

Have no fear that "bus fever" will overtake my cognitive processing. Mark O. has been busy keeping me in reality about all things with tires since my "shopping" began. We debate quite often over potential purchases, link exchange, etc.

He had sent me a link to a GMC that I initially passed on(it's now expired) but in reality, if I could afford repairs on them it would be a great idea. But they are pricey buggers(restored going for $30k) and I believe out of my reach if I was being rational about it. The head room, low floor height and the MPG of the TBI Toronado motors completely sold me on them. A 27 footer would be the perfect length for my needs.

However, I can find restored Travco's for around $8000-$16,000 and the repairs and parts on them are much more affordable.

I've done a lot of looking at some of those links(except geocities since it doesn't exist anymore) over the last few days and have learned quite a bit.

I'm not as skeered of "ran when parked" vehicles or seeing them parked in a field(until I check out underneath if it isn't an obvious junker at first sight) as maybe the average vehicle shopper should be. I'm cautiously optimistic. It's a hold over from my car restoration days and my having gotten a couple few from fields as well as on salvage titles.

Not that I'm expecting miracles but I haven't forgotten that I'm looking for something to live in.

I'm still sniffing around but even I have to admit that anything with a "Destroilet" in it is WIN! lol

Stealth Camper · Post by **Stealth Camper** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 3:58 am

Mileage of the Toronado?? What mileage? (They got pretty bad mileage as a car...)

I always liked driving them, but really liked the Delta 88 and 98 better.

NOMADICISTA

1968 Dodge Travco

1968 Dodge Travco

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