While not aerodynamically-enhanced in any way, these slab-sided International Travelalls were at least quite capable as family haulers or road-trip machines. As the seller points out, they were also quite popular with the tow-your-camper set, and this 1975 model here on eBay has somehow survived the tribulations of being a long-range hauler with barely any scars to show for it. Bidding is just over $4K with no reserve.
These are about as slab-sided as it gets, but the Travelall wasn’t intended to be a fashion statement. Mileage is said to be original on this example at just 86,000, which helps to explain the impressive condition overall. The seller claims he’s the third original owner and that the Travelall runs incredibly well, with the 392 V8 running quiet and cool with new plugs and fresh oil.
This Travell is a 2WD model, and while the 4×4 setup may be preferred, this example is likely an excellent tow vehicle because of it. The Travelall comes with a heavy-duty tow package and hitch, and is wired for dual batteries. The seller says the Travelall provides excellent ride quality, with independent front suspension and the engine set back in the frame for better handling.
Check out all that space – regardless of whether you’re hauling anyone, this Travelall is incredibly practical for moving just about anything. While you could say the same about a modern Suburban, it’s nice to have a slightly tatty truck that you want to keep nice but not perfect, and that has far more personality than any modern luxury 4×4 for sale today.
Ha! Another blast from the past. The old man had a truck just like this to pull our camper trailers. I learned some new swear words from him with this. I’m not sure why he went with this, it didn’t do much better than the underpowered GMC Suburban V6 it replaced. It broke down constantly, not necessarily the IH’s fault, but more likely due to my old mans shoddy maintenance. I remember, at some of the many gas stops, it wouldn’t restart, infuriating the old man, and was possibly oversprung and it rode terrible. He didn’t have it long, and went back to V8 Chevy Suburbans, that took his abuse much better.
It should be noted, this was the last year for the Travelall, and pickups. The Scout soldiered on for a few more years. Again, if they only held out for a few more years, possibly lost that “brick” styling, these became huge, and they clearly missed the boat. IDK, there’s a 4×4 Travelall like this for sale by me, for a long time, nobody wants it. Motor bugaboos not withstanding, I think these, like all IH’s, were some of the toughest trucks made.
When Binder found it more difficult to sell pickups the Travelall sales seemed to hold their own. Maybe not quite as well as the Chevy/GMC Burb but at least out west they still sold. And they’re still an attention-getter today. A local Binder collector managed to find the truck his dad used when he was a blockman for IH. It is now safely in his collection. I might add that it does attract attention whenever it’s out on the road.
George has the greatest collection of IHC vehicles on the planet.
And a terrific guy to talk with about IHC history.
We had one at the Pontiac dealership as a parts hauler/race car trailer dragger. It sucked fuel like crazy. But hauled anything. The cavern was unfillable.
Not much fun on a 2 lane, heavily traveled road when the frame mount for the left front radius arm lets go and tries to send you out into oncoming traffic. Luckily, youthful reaction time with a dose of ball joint failure experience helped to save the day! Even though I had many miles and a few years living with one. I have no warm spots in my memory banks for one of these. It was just a truck to me.
Had a ‘72 like this with the same left front frame problem. Had it welded and motored on. A wire rubbed and shorted out on the alternator and fried all the wiring. Dealer had a harness for $75. The old beast could not be killed!
Drove a 1964 or so 3 speed all over the Eastern USA hauling a cheap car trailer. We called it the rattle all. It did do 95 on the way to Texas with a light car on the trailer. The police in Columbus Ohio used them as paddy wagons in the late 1960’s.
Ben T Spanner, funny that you mention that. Several of us were caravanning/convoying? over to the Columbus area for the SCCA Central Division Solo II Runoffs in 1974. I was in the lead with the Travelall with Honda on the trailer. We had only been in Ohio a short time, when I Rolled right through a speed trap at about 80 mph.. I was not stopped but others behind me were. They were not happy. they claimed that I woke up the officers!
I remember when SUVs looked like this. They were just as utilitarian as they were capable people movers. If only today’s SUVs were this rugged. If I bought one like this, I’d install a Cummins 4 cyl. diesel engine under its hood.
I also remember when SUVs looked like this, and, was thinking diesel swap to. However, I think I’d stick with an International (now Navistar) engine design. I believe the DT444 is basically what they shipped to Ford as the 7.3l Power Stroke?
I’m the current owner of this Travelall! It’s undergone a mild restoration. It’s a real pleasure to drive.
My build thread can be found here:
https://www.binderplanet.com/forums/index.php?threads/colonel-mustard-1975-ih-travelall-150.142601/