Ford Transit Van

Arizona Kid wrote:
Wincrasher,
I don't know what your basing this statement on "but they are not much different than what you find in most of the mainstream B's."
I guess the Adventerous is not a mainstream B.

Rt Adventurous and I'm guessing the Transit numbers will be similar. There is a significant difference

Fresh Water 33 gal
Black 10 gal
Grey 21 gal
Total 67 gal

Travato
Fresh Water 22 gal
Black 11 gal
Grey 14 gal
Total 47 gal

Here are the capacities for an Advanced RV Sprinter

Fresh Water 40 gal
Black 18 gal
Grey 26 gal
Total 84 gal

stan909 wrote:
Arizona kid wrote. "I feel Transit is just a better made van, than the Ducato Fiat. jmo".Both vans are different than their European counter parts. The Promaster has a different but still front wheel drive drivetrain(the diesel may be identical except smog). The Ford is basically a completely new rear wheel drive system built in a brand new factory so how do you arrive at that conclusion? I don't have any conclusions for either but will have a wait and see attitude. There are some very extensive road tests on YouTube that speak well of the Promaster including a very strange sideways video from a professional freight hauler who has already put many thousands of miles on his.

It's just my opinion, and I'm not saying the Promaster is bad, I just think the Transit will be a better built van than the Fiat.
Ford has done significant testing of the Transit, it's not like they just threw up a new plant, and are building a van as they go.
I'm one who believes new technology is a good thing.

For me the Transit is the only choice. I don't want a diesel. Where I travel I need air conditioning. I need a generator that will run off of a gas tank, I do not want to deal with a propane generator. The Ford, and Chevy conversions do not offer enough head room for me to stand upright, the Promaster doesn't cut it because of the limited storage, and ltank capacities. I have been waiting for a van like the Transit for a long time, and can't wait to see the new conversions.

Wincrasher,
I don't know what your basing this statement on "but they are not much different than what you find in most of the mainstream B's."
I guess the Adventerous is not a mainstream B.

Rt Adventurous and I'm guessing the Transit numbers will be similar. There is a significant difference

Fresh Water 33 gal
Black 10 gal
Grey 21 gal
Total 67 gal

Travato
Fresh Water 22 gal
Black 11 gal
Grey 14 gal
Total 47 gal

Arizona kid wrote. "I feel Transit is just a better made van, than the Ducato Fiat. jmo".Both vans are different than their European counter parts. The Promaster has a different but still front wheel drive drivetrain(the diesel may be identical except smog). The Ford is basically a completely new rear wheel drive system built in a brand new factory so how do you arrive at that conclusion? I don't have any conclusions for either but will have a wait and see attitude. There are some very extensive road tests on YouTube that speak well of the Promaster including a very strange sideways video from a professional freight hauler who has already put many thousands of miles on his.

Well from my view under the van, the waste tanks could actually be a bit bigger - there is room, but they are not much different than what you find in most of the mainstream B's. In fact, about the same as some b+ like the PW Prestige, which I considered. If you are going custom, then I suppose bigger tanks are possible, but I'm not seeing it in the market.

wincrasher65 wrote:
Transit will be a very popular choice, but I think the rear wheel drive layout will cause some issues.

May effect room underneath for RV equip and tanks. Also big torque losses thru that configuration compared to the front drive of the RAM. So drivability may be a factor when people are test-driving finished RV's.

But they do have a longer version - so at 24 feet, you can make a more spacious RV.

The way I see it - the market will segment into 3 parts - Sprinter will be premium. Transit will be the mid-market filling in as an alternative to Sprinter on the high end. Promaster will be the economy end of the market.

But which segment will be larger? My guess is economy.

The longest Transit will only be 22 feet not 24 feet. It is much closer to size to the older 5 cylinder pre-2007 model Sprinter. That was a popular size. The Sprinter will still own the the maximum size and payload. The Promaster has one plus in size in it being wider than the Transit and Sprinter but its length relegates it to pinched size comparable to the Roadtrek Agile and Pleasure-way Ascent models.

As for the rear wheel drive it is just the opposite. In order to have a drive train you have to have the higher floor thus more capacity underneath for tanks and such. That is the Achilles heel of the Promaster for RV conversion which has led to smaller tank capacities and make do fixes like putting the water tank inside the van inside an ottoman and having a convoluted waste system. The Ford Transit makes better sense for Class B conversion, IMO.

The argument for the Promaster has been its RV popularity in Europe. But Europe doesn't use Class Bs the same as American tourers driving long distances with more internal capacity reliance and in more extreme climates (no AC for instance in Europe.) Economy is the Promaster's redeeming factor. For that reason I suspect it could be more popular with DIYers because they generally go that route to save money and seem to put up with fewer amenities on the average. Also, building on top of the floor is a lot easier than under for a DIY. The Promaster could serve well for non-retired, families, dual use, weekenders and limited vacationers and singles. I think it might prove too limiting for retired couples and extended use tourers. The problem with the targeted group I think could have appeal for Promaster is generally its too big an expense at any price when a $10.000 poptop trailer will do for them.

The Ford Transit will be popular for those that desire to stay under 22 feet vs. Sprinter at 22'-9" and 24'-1". The pre-2007 Sprinter was 21'-8". The Ford Transit should be a very versatile size without much sacrifice in design for what is expected in a B.

The Promaster has a lower floor, hence way less space for tanks vertically. Now if someone has the guts to fit the tanks, or part of the tanks, (see the Travato fresh water tank), on the inside, that would help a lot.
The Sprinter and the Transit, having that extra height and space between the floor and the bottom of the differential pumpkin, allow for more depth in the tanks.

Arizona Kid wrote:
Mainly, tank capacity, which is a big deal...

What do you base that assertion on?

Eric

Mainly, tank capacity, which is a big deal.
I don't see a big difference in MPG, and I would be willing to give up a little for more storage, and larger tank capacities, which the Transit has.
I would guess that the Transit 250 high top will also get a Touring up-fit.
I feel Transit is just a better made van, than the Ducato Fiat. jmo
There must be good reasons why Roadtrek, and other up-fitters have decided to wait for the Transit Van.

Arizona Kid wrote:
I doubt they will use the Promaster, as the Transit looks to be the better chassis to build a Class B on.

In what ways is it "better"?

It's more expensive. It's longer. It has a long driveshaft down the center and a big differential in the rear. It has a higher step-in. It's heaver, but has more torque, but also the drivetrain losses with rear wheel drive. And it will have poorer gas mileage on the gas engine.

Styling is subjective, but I think it has an odd shape in the front.

If there is an advantage, I think it's customer preference for the Ford brand. I can see people preferring that name for such a large purchase.