Published on: 20 January 2023
It’s no secret that the #VanLife movement (or #BusLife for some) has soared in popularity over the last several years. For the nomads among us, there’s nothing better than the freedom of having your home, business, or both on wheels. As a company that has always embraced adventure, it only makes sense that Ford jumped on the Van Life wagon. When we heard about the launch of the adventure-ready 2023 Transit Trail, let’s just say we weren’t surprised.
What did surprise us was Ford’s approach to making van life more accessible to all through the Transit Trail. Though the van doesn’t come completely fitted out and ready to live in, it’s taken the existing Ford Transit to new heights – ones that can tackle off-road adventure. Essentially, it’s the ultimate skeleton to create a custom home on wheels – whether you want to get creative and do it yourself or have one of Ford’s 3,000 dealers do it for you.
General Manager of Ford, Pro Tim Baughman, said: “Transit Trail, Ford Pro’s one-stop shop, has simplified the process to create and operate an adventure van by combining built Ford tough durability, purpose-built features and the latest technology all backed by our network of upfitters and Ford servicing dealers, covering every step of the customer journey.”
Off-road-ready features
In terms of those more daunting fit-outs, we’re pleased to see Ford has tackled those themselves, making the Transit Trail ready to hit the open road. You can expect an increased 3.5-inch ride height for added ground clearance. And a 2.25-inch suspension lift already fitted under warranty. Below the body are 30.5-inch Goodyear Wrangler Workhorse all-terrain tyres with intelligent all-wheel drive for maximising traction and handling, 16-inch black alloy wheels and a 3.5L Ford EcoBoost V6 engine that can reach 310 horsepower at 5,000 RPM and 400 lb-ft of torque at 2,500 RPM. You’ll also see a 10-speed transmission with five optional drive modes ready for any type of terrain.
What else is new?
Another tasty fit-out option that comes with the Upfitter Package is an electric-powered roof vent fan, allowing you to enjoy a cool breeze without the stress of drilling anything yourself. The same goes for the auxiliary fuse and USB outlets – optional extras that’ll make your life easier when it comes to those electrical necessities.
Looking at its appearance, its wheel arch cladding and bold skid plate-style front bumper give it that off-road-ready look. While the added fog lamps, HID headlamps, black grille and splash guards are no-brainer extras for remote van life adventures.
Finally, among a host of other optional features, a stand out for me is the premium reach wireless capability. It allows you to connect from around 50 feet away; a huge bonus for digital nomads.
Though we aren’t expecting the US$65,975 (AU$104, 045) Transit Trail in Australia yet, it’ll be interesting to see how this stands in the market against the likes of the Mercedes Benz Sprinter. Keep your eyes peeled.
