The Frank Motor Home

This story of the Frank Motor Home comes from several different sources. If you are aware of errors or omissions, please let me know.

In 1953 Ray Frank, a farmer and engineer who had a strong automotive and aviation background, built his first house-car for his family's use which he called a 'motor home'.

During family travels they received so much attention and interest, they decided to manufacture the motor home. They produced three or 4 coaches and then in 1958 Ray and his son Ronald became involved with a number of business owners in Brown City, Michigan who collectively created the Industrial Development Corp. to financially assist in launching Frank Motor Homes. Between 1958 and 1960, seven vehicles were built.

Here is a photograph of what is possibly one of these vehicles:

The bodies were framed in wood, clad with aluminum siding and built on a Dodge chassis. As photos of early units attest, the interiors were outfitted with wood cabinetry, probably birch and provided all of the conveniences of home. Visible in the photo above is the unique rear lower and upper window arrangement (most likely because of a rear bunkette configuration, which carried on at least through 1968 in the Explorer 21').

By 1961, Ray wisely linked up with the Dodge division of Chrysler to manufacture the Frank Motor Home. This historical partnership spawned the first mass marketed motor home. Units were offered in 20', 23' and 26' lengths and priced at $6,500, $6,900, and $7,300 respectively. Mr. Frank worked directly with Chrysler to redesign a truck chassis into the first motor home chassis. He was instrumental, from an engineering standpoint, in the development of the legendary Dodge Motor Home chassis.

1961 Dodge motor home (body by Frank)

07-Sep-05: I wrote to the owner of this motor-home: I am building a new website that will include comprehensive coverage of the Frank Motor Home and was wondering if I could feature your coach? I saw your unit on MyTravco.com.

08-Sep-06: The owner wrote back: Hi Jay- Why don't you give me a call or send your number and I'll call you. I've done quite a bit of research on Ray Frank and his motorhomes. My machine was in dry storage in the carriage house of an estate since it was last used in 1975. The estate was sold in 2001 and they tore down the coach house and towed "Frank to an industrial lot where I spotted it a year later.It looked like a looney tune machine and I bought it to have fun. After doing some research I realized it's importance and decided on restoration. As far as I know it's the only 1961 left, and being the first production motorhome, is pretty special. I was asked to show it at the New England RV Show in West Springfield MA in Feb 05. Got alot of attention and have been asked back for the next show. I'm at (xxx)xxx-xxxx. Thanks - Ken

24-Sep-05: I responded: Ken, here is what I put togther so far, perhaps you would be willing to look it over see if it is correct and/or if there is anything to add. And, I even followed up with a few phone calls but never heard back from dear Ken. I am publishing these photos because of their historical signigicance and only hope that Ken will approve.

1961 Frank Motor Home

1962 Dodge motor home (body by Frank)

1962 Dodge motor home (body by Frank)

1962 Frank Motor Home privately owned

His alliance with the Chrysler Corporation continued and grew. No doubt because of the heavy financial influence from Chrysler, the coach was marketed as "Dodge Motor Home". But because of this early development, Chrysler remained a dominant force in the production of recreational vehicle chassis for many years.

In the early 1960's, Ray Frank began the development of fiberglass body motor homes. See the Travco section for more information on this revolutionary design and the impact it had on the RV industry.

Sadly in 1963, the company was sold to two Detroit businessmen, Peter Fink and Ken Robertson. They re-named the company and the product to 'Travco'. Production of the classic Frank style class 'A' coach most likely ended by 1963.

Subsequent to his sale of the company, Ray pursued another vision he had for a small, self-contained, 2-person motor home; see the Xplorer section for the history of this incredible unit.

Ray Frank retired to a warmer climate in the late 1970's and his family took up the operation of his new company. In late 1995, the company was sold to Joe Murray and Dave Bockstanz who continued to operate it under the Xplorer Motorhomes moniker. Recently the company was sold again and production will be moved to Elkhart, Indiana.

If you have literature or information to add, please contact me.

sources: White, Roger B., Home on the Road, Smithsonian Institution, 2000 | http://www.xplorermotorhome.com/aboutus.html 8/22/05 | Classic RV's & Motorhomes MSN group | Frank/Dodge Marketing | mytravco.com

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