Ford Transit Connect - As Personal Vehicle/Camper?

[jyl]

Is the Ford Transit today's VW Microbus or Vanagon?

I've been looking at these a bit. They are reasonably compact, not too expensive, tolerable on gas, low floor, big doors, roomy and versatile. They seem suitable for small camper conversions, or to be pickup substitutes for urban folks who are more likely to carry antique furniture than a half yard of dirt.

Anyone have or use one much? Any thoughts on its suitability for a personal vehicle, or for a light camper?

[gamin]

Company just started to use them for service vehicles. Same footprint as a small pickup. Very versatile and roomy with the really big doors and low threshold. Probably would make a good camper. Too new to judge reliability. Drivers like them.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I've seen quite a few Sprinter van based motor homes. Can't see why a Transit wouldn't be just as good, albeit smaller.

[BeeMaster]

While I don't own one I have not heard good things about them from the people I talked to. One said in 60k he went through both front hubs a throttle body and some other stuff I can't remember. The other person had problems as well but complained about the lack of space and the poor mileage vs cargo ratio. He had to make more trips so the mileage was worse.both we're being used in a commercial application. I don't know if it even has 6' behind the front seats to sleep.

[Nostril Cheese]

They have the Duratec 2.0L. Good engine. I cant imagine it getting good mileage in that chassis though.

[Jolly Amaranto]

I would imagine that the squared off back end really cuts into gas mileage at higher speeds due to turbulence.

[John Rogers]

I was looking at those when I sold my F350 and needed a car/truck/utility to take my shooting equipment to the range. In the San Diego area they were hard to find and I ended up buying a Chevy HHR instead. I find there are some that use them for camping too but my "roughing it" days are over.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Would be better to get VW to make these.

[Seahawk]

The van idea appeals to me for camping, especially in the coming years.

I really wish someone would design a slide in camper unit for vans so I wouldn't have to carry the weight until I needed it.

I've done some searching on the web and found a few euro units but I'd like a bit more...of what, exactly, I'm not sure.




Yatoo concept turns your car into a camper with a tent, kitchen and bed

Swiss Army-inspired modular camping box turns your small car into an RV

[jyl]

A cabinet with cooking/storage, that can be rolled into the cargo area and bolted down, and a cot that is similarly removable, perhaps bolts to the side wall and folds down.

[wdfifteen]

Ya made me look it up. Looks like a stripped down mini van. Interesting.



2014 Ford Transit Connect | Upgrade Your Business Van or Wagon to Transit Connect | Ford.com

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by jyl

A cabinet with cooking/storage, that can be rolled into the cargo area and bolted down, and a cot that is similarly removable, perhaps bolts to the side wall and folds down.

Exactly. Could be hard plastic, modular and scalable. It could roll in/out on something like this:

Truck Bed Slides, Truck Bed Cargo Slides, BedSlide, Gorilla Slide Out Cargo Platforms

Van Vault Slider & Slim Slider

[Seahawk]

This is along the lines of what i was thinking.

Very clever.

[jyl]

I would rush to the VW dealer if they ever made that concept microbus. Alas, VW seems to be bereft of imagination these days.

[berettafan]

Not seeing anything an Odyssey doesn't already do and it drives like a damn sports car compared to most family vehicles.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by jyl

I would rush to the VW dealer if they ever made that concept microbus. Alas, VW seems to be bereft of imagination these days.

I'm surprised focus group testing didn't say build it. Has just the right look for a cult following.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

I'm surprised focus group testing didn't say build it. Has just the right look for a cult following.

Because minivan sales are 1/5th of what they were at their peak here in the US. No one wants minivans. Cult = niche = not likely profitable

[island911]

Originally Posted by gamin

Company just started to use them for service vehicles. Same footprint as a small pickup. Very versatile and roomy with the really big doors and low threshold. ..

When I looked at one, I saw it as tiny, compared to my Vanagon.

I expect that they are much slippery thru the air, than the barn on wheels (Vanagon). ...but not big and roomy.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by kaisen

Because minivan sales are 1/5th of what they were at their peak here in the US. No one wants minivans. Cult = niche = not likely profitable

That makes perfect sense, agree.

[petrolhead611]

Actually VW make do something directly comparable to the Connect, the Caddy. So do Renault(and its also sold as a Mercedes), so do Peugeot.