The $65,975 2023 Transit Trail is Ford’s response to the #VanLife movement. A near-empty transit van upgraded to meet the demands of a growing market of customers, from seasoned van enthusiasts to those interested in vans. Transit Trail turns an empty van into a do-it-yourselfer’s RV or full-time home, with a few small improvements to make the journey (and destination) easier.
Just to be clear, Ford doesn’t sell driveable campers with transit trails. I have yet to equip it with a bedroom, storage, toilet or even a kitchenette either by myself or through an aftermarket installer. Luckily, Ford has built a network of manufacturer-approved outfitters that specialize in turning transit trails into what you need.
Exterior
Upgrading a standard transit van may seem minimal to those not immersed in the adventurous van lifestyle, but when your transportation is also your workspace or bedroom, small changes can make a big difference. may produce. The Transit Trail has an extra 3.5 inches of ground clearance for him thanks to 2.5-inch suspension and beefy 30.5-inch Goodyear Wrangler Workhorse tires that help increase its trail ability in wooded areas. The Vanlife van stands on new 16-inch alloy wheels.
This wheel sticks out more than a standard transit van, widening the track by 2.75 inches to provide a safer footing and is surrounded by black plastic splash guards and wheel arch extensions. increase. Slider steps protect the threshold and provide a place to pull in.
The pre-production Van Ford shown to the media had a rather flimsy skid plate hanging from the front bumper, but the automaker has promised the production Transit Trail will also come with a sturdier skid plate. did. Marker lights and a black grille also adorn the trail, setting it apart from its flagship siblings. All of these extras that normally come from aftermarket at his shop or his wrench sweat come standard, are approved to meet Ford’s durability and safety standards and are backed by Ford’s 3-year/36,000-mile warranty. is attached.
Interior
You can imagine the interior. The example Ford showed to journalists was installed by a company called VanDoIt near Ford’s assembly plant in Kansas City, Missouri. You can’t buy a ready-to-sleep van directly from Ford, but Transit Trail takes you halfway with his optional Upfitters package. It has interface connectors, two 12-volt AGM batteries, a 400-watt inverter, and a wiring harness suitable for mods. An optional dual alternator keeps those batteries charged, and standard built-in 4G/LTE WiFi can connect up to 10 devices. Penetrable inner surfaces provide easy mounting points for cabinets, shelves, beds, etc.
The whole point of the trail is to help beginners build Class B RVs. For example, sawing the roof of a brand new nearly $70,000 van (and the dealer markup for a vehicle in this limited market would probably be crazy) can be a bit daunting for a beginner. Cut the Ford because it’s durable. We are happy to supply ventilation nozzles or openings for roof air conditioning directly from the factory. The rest of the van is a blank canvas.
Ford installed his two rotating captain’s chairs in the front, but other than that, the space is completely customizable and nothing else.
Engine
Under the hood is the familiar 310-horsepower 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 with a 10-speed automatic gearbox, already available in Transits today. On the trail, he comes standard with 4-wheel drive and can tow up to £6,500 worth of toys. There are mid-roof, high-roof and body-extending high-roof configurations, the latter offering 467 cubic meters of space behind the seats.
Conclusion
Ford is already a force in the RV world: 60% of Class A Big Beast RVs sold in the U.S. are powered by Ford’s Pro F-53 chassis, according to the automaker. But what’s hot right now are smaller, more versatile Class B rigs based on vehicles like the Transit Trail. Taking a bit of the intimidating guesswork out of serious overland and van-life mods, Transit Vans should sell even hotter.
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