My BIGGEST tour yet... 12 Passenger Ford Transit 350!

Feeling big and bold touring the Ford Transit 350 at 9 months pregnant.
Get ready for the BIGGEST car tour I've ever tackled! Accommodating up to 12 passengers, could this be the ultimate vehicle for large families?
Car seat friendly tilt is IT. Here are 5 ways to utilize it:
• 5 Ways to Utilize Car ...
Sit back, relax, and let’s dive in!
JUMP TO A TIMESTAMP:
00:48 Exterior
01:15 Interior
02:41 Rear
06:14 Trunk
If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments or DM me over on Instagram @the_car_mom
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[@benwalsh2825]

A couple quick things: Those rear seats come out very easily, but they are heavy. Very heavy. You can take out the remaining seats if you need to, but some aren't quick-release like the back row, and you have to use a T51 Torx bit The 12 & 15 passenger vans are built on the same chassis, but the rail for the seats are different, meaning you can take a 15 passenger van and remove seats down to 12 or 10 (whatever you like), but you cannot easily add 3 seats to a 12 passenger van, and transform it into a 15 passenger. That being said, we have 9 kids with ages ranging from 1.5 years to 17.5 years, and we can make cross country trips rather comfortably with our 12 passenger van. The ride quality on these vans is fine. If you keep the tires balanced, and inflated properly you'll enjoy a pretty smooth ride. It feels like you're driving a minivan, but much higher up. Before we bought ours (2015 model) in 2016. We tried out a Nissan, Ford Econoline, and Chevy Express vans--those three all drive like trucks, but the Transit 350 XLT felt like I was driving our Toyota Sienna, just higher up. I was sold on it immediately, and so was my wife. Our van has a 3.7L naturally aspirated engine with 275 HP at like 4,500 RPM. It has enough power, but it's a lot nicer driving the 3.5L turbo charged EcoBoost, especially when merging onto the highway. Post 2017 Ford worked out the cooling issues with the 3.5L EcoBoost. Do not buy a 2015 or 2016 EcoBoost. It will break down. Issues: We had the latch break on the rear barn doors. It was the cable (which is like a bicycle hand-brake cable) inside the door that snapped. I had to install a completely new latch system which cost $212. Dealership would have charged $1,000, because it's a 4 hour job at $180/hour plus parts. It wasn't an easy fix, but it wasn't terribly difficult either. At 150,000 miles the mass airflow sensor went out and left my wife stranded. The car would start and then die, like the fuel pump was going back. Nope, it was the sensor: $200 for the part, but it was probably the easiest fix I've ever made on a vehicle: unscrew two torx bolts, pop in the new sensor, screw the bolts back in. Done. Replacing the battery. The battery is located under the driver seat, which protects it from the elements, but was a big pain when it was time to replace it. The battery lasted a long time (5-6 years) without any maintenance. I bet it would have lasted longer if I had checked the battery's fluid levels. The rear disc brake pistons have to be wound when compressing them. One side winds clockwise, the other, counterclockwise, so you'll need a special tool for this. Autozone won't have it. :( Once I had the tool, it was very easy to change the brakes. Front brakes were simple to change. Overall this has been a wonderful vehicle for us. With minimal maintenance (oil changes, tires, brakes, etc) it has proven itself reliable on the road (except for that one issue mentioned above with the mass airflow sensor). It is not the most luxurious vehicle; for that I think you need the Mercedes Sprinter, but it's a great vehicle for a large family on a budget. It averages about 15-17 MPG fully loaded, but if you're patient you can get this guy up to 22 MPG. I'm not patient enough to keep my top speed at 62 MPG, but it is possible. I have enjoyed owning this van, and recommend it to all my friends with large families.

[@MattNH1]

She finds the juice box 🤣 A true Mom!

[@David_Journey]

No 360 camera on such a huge vehicle is a massive blind spot

[@jamisonjames9322]

it's an available option along with the virtual rear view. We're a family of 7 here and have been looking at these for a while :)

[@mpow7153]

😂

[@David_Journey]

@@jamisonjames9322 it should be mandatory for all SUVs, just like backup camera. "Available" means only on certain trims.

[@dmbsituation]

I’ve got an ‘18 transit 350 XLT and the mirrors provide enough visibility with the wide angle at the bottom. The handling is surprisingly crisp due to the short front.

[@benwalsh2825]

It's actually very easy to see everything with the side mirrors, and backup camera. I have been driving one since 2016 and never had an issue.

[@LymieMama]

I got a mid roof 2019 15 passenger transit this spring as we were expecting our 5th and wanted more space and flexibility than our Odyssey could offer. We love it, especially for vacations and longer drives. We took out 2 seats in the back (5th) row and the first jump seat and we have so much space!

[@dmbsituation]

Did you do anything to improve the ride quality? The worker van suspension leaves a lot to be desired.

[@RDJ1SS]

We do deserve a van that size, but with the features of a minivan

[@ann5028]

Ah yay thank you! Mercedes sprinter next…? 👀

[@leahmalm5083]

More passenger van reviews please!!!

[@ledebuhr1]

I think in a few years, that will be Kelly's daily driver. :)

[@stephenrabold4618]

Nice to see she took my advice on doing the 12 passenger van. Thanks CarMom! Have your husband do some more trucks while you're on recovery from childbirth! Midsized, full size, etc.

[@coltonmarshburn1828]

You can review a Mercedes Benz Sprinters at some point

[@aamb15]

Please review the Nissan passenger van… I have 5 kids (9yrs down to 1 -1/2 yers) and my next vehicle is between an expedition max and passenger van!

[@matthewm3912]

Get the van. We have a longer version expedition, and 4 kids, and it isn't enough.

[@Allan_A]

⁠interesting. We have the regular 2018 Expedition and 4 kids. Did a road trip this weekend and it was fine. Edit: our youngest 3, oldest is 11 so no strollers or bulky items in the back.

[@tommydabbs]

I wish they still made them. They stopped in 2021.

[@mariahlova]

Can you please review the seatbelts in the back along with their comfort?

[@MonicaHolly143]

Are you manifesting van for ur family ? 😂

[@kc0lif]

I'm surprised there's no passenger door on driver's side kinda like full size vans starting to have. nice van tho. you may need a van like that.

[@j134679]

I'm surprised there's still no 8 seater Mercedes V Class on your channel

[@we_are_monaco]

👍

[@Angelo_Guz]

I beg you to please do a review of the smaller Transit Connect. Pleassseeeee

[@cch201992]

I prefer the promaster over the ford or Mercedes way better layout easier for kids to get in because of the lower floor height

[@akc5247]

what's next, a bus?!

[@_Sunmaker_]

My BIL has 5 boys and they use a Nissan van similar to this one.

[@dmbsituation]

Is it the NV? If so, it has a massive front hood so it drives more like a truck than minivan.

[@mbluedevil02]

the sprinter is better

[@9trf690]

If it gets to the point that you need a 12 seater van you may need to stop having kids 😩😂

[@keytothegate68]

That's a horrible vehicle for a family and even for passenger groups.