Ask Matt- VAN LIFE Why the FORD TRANSIT?

[@outthere9370]

Nail on the head stuff! This Transit is a no brainer. All the things you have said here is true. It may have it's faults but I think overall it's "the" vechile just "ripe" for RV conversion. Particularly now it's avail. in AWD. Thanks for the great summary. P.S. I don't have any affiliation with Ford or it's associates! After a nearly 1 yr wait ours arrived in town just yesterday. Our journey has just begun & this channel will be my manual. Thanks again!

[@lkazanov]

Just discovered your channel, absolutely well done. Informative and concise and brief! However, and although I agree with you that the Mercedes sprinter is not DIY friendly, I suggest you explore your options to the RAM Pro master. The 2023 model has hit it out of the park. The Pentastar motor is incredibly serviceable. And can be pulled from the vehicle relatively easy. Aesthetically, the extended model looks proper, like you said, unlike the Fords extended model. The only drawback in my view for the pro master, is the addition of a second alternator. It can be done, but it has issues. I saw your floor system, and using a zip wall system and pre-routing out the floor support ribs is absolutely genius. Good for you.

[@AVCRIG]

I’ll have to give them a second look. It’s been a long time and I know they made a lot of recent changes.

[@mjroon8213]

Just picked up my new Transit AWD Crew and stumbled across your videos and channel. Great information! It will come in handy. Thank you!

[@AVCRIG]

Glad you found us! We have a couple Crew vans on order and will do a series on them once they arrive…whenever that is. 🤷‍♂️

[@griffithd05]

As a 2021 148 HR AWD Ecoboost owner here, this channel is exactly what I needed to find. And stoked you're right up the road practically! All your points are precisely why I chose the Transit too. Plus cost, which you didn't mention. I was able to get mine from the local dealer with no mark ups (surprisingly) for almost $30k less and the Merc dealer wanted another $10k in markups plus would have to wait a year. Ford was able to get mine in about 5 months.

[@AVCRIG]

Welcome aboard! Glad you found us and glad you’re Local.

[@janetalcott-rt2ie]

Add air bags on extended van to raise rear of van so it doesn’t drag

[@Alex_fortin30]

Thanks for the video, looking forward to buy one. Would be nice if they sell an hybrid.

[@AVCRIG]

I wish! %100 agree

[@francoisloranger1612]

I love your videos. They are short, precise and concise. It shows that you know your business. With your experience, with a T-350, with a complete kitchen, big water tanks for boondocking, big battery bank, big fridge, complete bathroom,. Regarding the GVWR, how much weight do you think I can add for e-bikes and other sport équipement? in other words, how much does a heavy duty built weight? To that weight, would I have room to add stuff in the garage!! Should I consider a dually . Keep on the good work. Live long and prosper!!

[@thepaperclipcc]

Love seeing this coming to life! Can't wait to see what the future holds

[@AVCRIG]

Thanks. We're getting better all the time.

[@DanOnWheels]

I ordered a T350 long, med roof, AWD Transit on 15 Oct 2021. But, Ford seems to be having a real issue in production and I’ve heard nothing since placing my order. The chatter on the Transit Forum isn’t good either. Not to mention I’m currently competing with the electric transit and fleet orders along with other custom orders. The delays have me considering canceling my transit order and getting a GMC Savana.

[@AVCRIG]

I think they are worth the wait. For a van I'd plan to own for 10-15 years a few months here or there are not that big of a deal. We are all different though. The GMC is just such an older style of van, they really are very different. That being said, who know when we'll actually see these vans delivered.

[@elizg]

I ordered mine in Sept 2021. It’s due to be delivered this week! -Mid-May 2022. I’m glad I didn’t cancel as I was tempted to do multiple times.

[@johngudmundson9975]

I ordered a 350, extended, high roof, AWD in November 2021 I to am still waiting in July 2022. :( 🇨🇦

[@mjohnson1741]

I read recently Ford has drastically cut down their supply and that most likely means layoffs too.

[@mtg_hermit]

First time watching, great video been wanting to upgrade to a transit

[@AVCRIG]

You should!

[@LifesAbe-ach]

Upgrading from what ? . Jesus it must be rough if your upgrading to a transit . The US as only recently got the transit and having owned every model this is the worse transit ever , I not only own but sell and repair them . Buy a volkswagen or Mercedes .

[@mtg_hermit]

@@LifesAbe-ach I want a full size transit I’m currently in a lifted nv200 that I have made into a little off road vehicle problem is it lacks the space between my wife and I

[@LifesAbe-ach]

The quality of the transits doors are shocking front and rear regarding hinges , the side doors have runner issues like most makes but the hinges are diabolical and their fitment to the doors themselves that are so thin and flimsy makes for trouble . I've done hundreds of transit new shapes and in one week I did 5 transits all with drivers door droop and associated damage due to the poor quality body panels and hinges flexing and moving ( the top hinge fits with 1 m8 bolt and locator stud ) . Personally I'd buy a VW LT or Merc spinter badged Dodge also in the US. The VW is a Sprinter with a VW drive line .

[@mitchkaminski2512]

Another great video. Nicely done.

[@AVCRIG]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Chasingsing]

If you know how to drive and if built correctly... you don’t need AWD . If you do need AWD think about how top heavy you are instead of traction. And I agree my butt always drag but I only have that issue when towing or coming out of driveways .

[@AVCRIG]

I totally agree with you. My 2019 daily is RWD and I’ve gone over CO passes in 14” snow storms with no issue. Just good tires abs smart weight distribution. I have been turned back on muddy roads in the spring when things got a little steep. To me AWD is good peace of mind, resale doesn’t hurt either of that matters to you. My buddy had an ext and scraped in. Me out of his shop every day till we added bags to his van. Fixed it for him though.

[@Chasingsing]

@@AVCRIG I’m not a big fan in air bags ... it’s another thing I have to worry about . Hey off topic but I had a diesel heater in high elevation and always got clog ... did you had any problems ?

[@AVCRIG]

@@Chasingsing it’s probably not setup correctly. The older units were hard to get right with high altitude. Lots of little things to know for proper setup. Diesel is more sensitive too. Since the fuel is dirtier.

[@csteutterman]

Agree with most of this, but one point regarding drivability/comfort is that there isn't really a comfortable spot to rest my left foot while driving since the wheel well gets in the way of the natural resting spot for my foot. I haven't driven the Sprinter or Promaster, so not sure how it compares to those, but it's one thing that reduces the driving comfort for me and will take some getting used to.

[@AVCRIG]

I end up driving a lot with my left foot resting on the lower cup holder. It's probably not the safest, but it's comfy!

[@jupiter6647]

dude, whining, Fabricate some kind of footrest. NEXT....

[@csteutterman]

The problem is there's no place to put the fabricated footrest since the wheel well is in the way. That said, it's not a big deal, but was very noticeable when I first got the van. Probably not an issue at all if you don't have long legs.

[@AmoriOvO]

I'm Interested in buying a Awd transit maybe next year. You mentioned a pet peeve about the extended body dragging on departure angles. I am curious if LIFTING the van or getting bigger wheels to RAISE the van off the ground will help clear these obstacles? I do plan on visiting mountainous areas in the future. I even thought about putting the van on airbags.

[@AVCRIG]

All of these solutions will get the desired effect. But adding bigger tires and a lift will negatively effect MPG and cornering. I did bigger tires and no lift on my daily. Everything in vanlife is a compromise.

[@tcbrowntx]

@@AVCRIG did the bigger tires help much?

[@fairydust-weepthewildwinds]

Thank you for this video. I’m very ready to purchase but have not found a place 🧚🏽

[@AVCRIG]

That’s the hardest part right now. I have heard Ford is not taking orders till June. I’d contact your local dealership.

[@petterin1]

Good points!

[@AVCRIG]

Thanks!

[@livefree_with_vinnie]

I tried to order a new 350 HR AWD but to no avail. Per salesperson, Ford’s ordering is closed and not accepting any new order until Sep 2022.

[@AVCRIG]

I think things are opening up again soon. I’d try a few dealerships in your area.

[@garychristison763]

Here it is, third week of August and we finally have an order number. The Sep 2022 estimate was close.

[@EverythingsBeenDone]

Cup holders!!

[@AVCRIG]

Yessir best part of Transit!

[@fasterwheels]

🤣🤣🤓👌

[@ron-almog]

I agree with everything you're saying in this video, but the Transit has one drawback compared to the ram promaster: it is narrow, and for tall folks like me, (6"1), an east-west bed is not possible. you only have 68" from side to side, while in promaster you have 74". these 6 inches are important. I wish ford would make their van a bit wider. Also the boxy structure of the promaster makes it easier to attach the cabinets and other stuff. isn't it so?

[@AVCRIG]

If you build into the pockets in the rear you can get a wider bed. Ours can come out at 76” without a flarespace. A big plus side is a taller person can actually stand in a built Transit. The longer wheel base can also afford a N/S bed if you so choose. The 136 PM is CC surprisingly short inside. If you go to the 159, then a fair comparison would be the 148 Extra long. In the cabinet department both are equally easy. Neither are perfectly square, so we just build to the contours of the van.

[@ron-almog]

@@AVCRIG Can you please explain this to me? "Ours often come out at 76” without a flarespace". are you saying that you have an internal width of 76" in a ford transit? honestly I did not go to any ford dealership to measure myself, all I have is online resources. if you say so, I will definitely check it out. I know the transit is a better drive, I thought its impossible for me because of the width. thanks!

[@AVCRIG]

The walls of the van have really deep framing. We often use 4” frames on both sides to finish windows. If you want to maximize the space you can just foam and fabric directly to the wall of the van. This will get you 76” in the pocket. We typically go 3” frames on each side and still use some insulation and a backer to the pocket. Makes about a 74” width

[@mmelin187]

Is there a plan to ship kits to Canada in the near future? Have a 22 extended/350/high roof on order.

[@AVCRIG]

Our neighbors to the north typically have used re shippers in the past. We’ve definitely sold a few kits and a bunch of racks up there.

[@AVCRIG]

We do, we just don't ship directly. We ship non-freight items to a shipping forwarder.

[@landrover827]

I rented an Audi in Germany once. No cup holders in the backseat…. Unreal!

[@AVCRIG]

Lame!

[@angelogarciajr5356]

I am so glad you feel this way. The huge problem is my Ford dealers do not have any Ford Transits? Even if I can find one, what are the odds it is the way I would want it. Transit right now is the worse choice anyone can make because they are not out there. I put off getting one a couple years ago when I read there were awesome outdoor lover packages available like adventurer. To this day I have never once seen a transit with one of these packages?? Now I read that the Trail was available in October 2022. I called my dealer. He tells me he ordered 2 Trails back in Oct 2022 and he has never seen them a year later. Transit is a joke!!! Pro master here I come. My Dodge dealer has 17 pro masters. No waiting there! Bye Ford.

[@frankdenardo8684]

The van is built in the United States 🇺🇸 and designed in Europe 🇪🇺

[@AVCRIG]

Cool!

[@craigmccall7450]

Rav 4? Red flag...ha.

[@AVCRIG]

Not a Toyota fan?

[@craigmccall7450]

@@AVCRIG I've had a couple Toyota trucks. They were great! Just bustin' your nads. I've also had many more Fords. I'm currently runnin' a '17 F250 and just purchased a '22 Transit 350. 3.5 eco, long and tall for Moto. I was going Ford anyway, but seeing the comparisons with the Sprinter is cool. Rock on!

[@AVCRIG]

@@craigmccall7450 😜

[@chipperchip1938]

Ford is having a terrible quality problem.

[@AVCRIG]

They all seem to be. I’ve still been happy with our Transits lately.