1976 Dodge Camper Xplorer 224

Dodge Camper Xplorer 224Origin and Company History• The Founder: The Xplorer brand was founded by Ray Frank, a visionary in the motorhome industry known as the builder of the world's first commercial motorhome in 1958, and whose wife coined the term “motorhome.”• The Birth of Xplorer: After selling his first company (Frank Industries, which later became Travco) in the early 1960s, Ray Frank founded Xplorer Motor Homes in 1967.• The Name “224”: The Xplorer 224 is named after its total length of 224 inches (approximately 18.6 feet), making it compact enough to fit in a standard garage while being fully equipped on the inside.

Design and Features•

Chassis:

The vehicle is built primarily on the rugged platform of the Dodge Tradesman B300 van.• Body Modifications: Unlike standard camper conversions, Xplorer modified the Dodge body by cutting away the original roof and rear wall. They added extended fiberglass hoods and a lowered floor section to create standing height of over 1.8 meters.• Layout and Amenities: Despite its dimensions, the 224 featured a very efficient layout, including a rear bed/sofa bed, a kitchenette (with a 3-way refrigerator and a 2-burner stove), a small bathroom/shower, and spacious storage cabinets.• Mechanics: Power typically came from a legendary 5.9-liter (360 cubic inch) LA-series V8 or a 6.6-liter (400 cubic inch) big block engine, mated to the famous, reliable TorqueFlite A727 three-speed automatic transmission.• Vintage appeal: The Xplorer 224 remains a highly sought-after collector's item for vintage van enthusiasts. Many owners focus on completely stripping and restoring these vehicles, converting outdated propane systems to more modern 12-volt, solar-powered, or fully electricsetups.

The Dodge we are pleased to offer you here is in particularly beautiful and original condition. The camper was imported into the Netherlands in 2018, after which the owner carried out a thorough restoration. The body was completely repainted and the underside fully rust-proofed. Subsequently, the mechanics were addressed, with many items being replaced and improved. The radiator was replaced with an aluminum unit, and new brakes, shock absorbers, aluminum rims with new tires, a fuel injection system, a larger water tank, an electrically operated waste disposal system, and a new mattress were installed. The camper remains in perfect condition today and is a joy to drive. It guarantees wonderful adventures. Also included in the purchase price are the awning and a small oven, fan, and hand blender that feature an American 10-volt connection.