A Moving Experience With Ford's Transit
By Peter A. Hubbard
Typically, truck lovers tend to have a strong appreciation for tools. Given how many pickups trucks are genuine "work trucks" used by the nation's corps of service tradesmen, it just makes sense. In fact, I suspect most owners would even put pickups in the "tool" category.
So where did this fascination with tools begin? Likely from being around men who were handy at fixing things, whether they were our fathers, grandfathers, uncles, older brothers or neighbors. Or it could have come out of spending time as a Boy Scout.
Wherever the passion for tools came from, you no doubt remember the amazement you felt the first time you saw a Swiss army knife in action. For me, my paternal grandfather was the embodiment of a Swiss army knife. Growing up as a young "buckaroo" shadowing my grandad on his Wisconsin dairy farm, I never ceased to be in awe at all the things he could do. A natural-born mechanic and tool lover, there wasn't anything he couldn't do. He was a genuine jack-of-all-trades.
The Right Tool for the Job
So what does all that have to do with the Ford Transit?
Well, if you're looking for the Swiss army knife of trucks that's the right tool for the job, the Transit just might be it.
Much has been written about the new expanded line of Transit trucks since production ramped up at Ford's Kansas City Assembly Plant in Missouri a year ago. That means most of you probably know "work truck" version of the Transit is available in three body lengths, two wheelbases and three roof heights. With the Transit we're not talking about a daily driver that only shifts you into "work mode" when picking up a neighbor's new sofa or doing some landscaping where you're hauling only three to four bags of dirt and a few shrubs.
No, the Ford Transit is a heavy-duty hauler and just what we needed for a two-family, two-way, two-state five-day move.
We chose the biggest model and the most powerful of the three engines offered in the Ford Transit: the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 mated to a six-speed automatic. It puts out 310 horsepower and 400 pounds-feet of torque. We also chose the biggest version. Our Transit rode on a 148-inch wheelbase, was 22 feet long and almost 110 inches tall (it's the tallest roofline available, able to accommodate folks up to 6 feet 4 inches tall). This Transit also had the most cargo capacity — more than 487 cubic feet. Which model was it? The 2015 Ford Transit T-250 high-roof, long-wheelbase single-rear-wheel version.
This move involved getting my son and his fiancée moved to Tulsa, Okla., from Oklahoma City, and then moving my stuff to Austin, Texas, from Fort Worth. Frankly, I had no earthly idea how I'd arrange it — not to mention afford it — until the regional Ford office suggested I try out the full-size Ford Transit. Problem solved.
Being a veteran of at least 20-something moves, much of my evaluation contrasts the Transit's talents as a moving van compared to the typical rental truck.
Interior
First of all, the Transit is much more comfortable. The front bucket seats are nicely contoured and supportive. They also recline and have nicely padded armrests. You'll also find an abundance of cupholders and storage cubbies for accommodating your cellphone and the mobile meals necessitated by moving.
The Transit also provides a modern instrument cluster with electronic controls and a 6.5-inch touch-screen information center. For the 2016 model year, Ford will offer its updated, multimodal Sync 3 multimedia system with more features. For those unfamiliar with such systems, a few extra minutes reviewing the instructional guide is advised prior to hitting the road.
My only complaint about Sync 3 is how far away from the driver it's mounted. The swept-back design of the instrument panel places it closer to the window than the driver, making it difficult to see. The upside of the cabin is the panoramic glass and higher-than-usual seating position, which provides excellent visibility.
While the Transit lacks the built-in loading ramp found in many moving vans, that disadvantage is offset by the convenience of a side-loading sliding van door with a well-located grab handle to aid entry. Also, the rear cargo doors open up to 270 degrees, which also facilitates loading and unloading. And speaking of sliding van doors, for 2016 Ford has added a dual-sliding cargo door option, bringing the number of available configurations of the Transit up to 58 from 47 in the 2015 model.
The cargo area features several strategically placed hooks for securing cargo with ropes or bungee cords. About the only item missing is a standard three-prong electrical outlet at the rear of the cargo area. I think contractors would find that handy for doing service repairs that require power tools. And it's something you can find in many pickups now.
Ride and Handling
Those accustomed to the buckboard ride of a moving van will be pleasantly surprised by the ride comfort provided by the Transit. Ford expended considerable effort to design a suspension that provided above-average handling, steering and ride quality. The Transit comes with a power rack-and-pinion steering setup that makes driving a breeze, whether floating down the freeway or navigating narrow city streets and alleys.
The front suspension consists of subframe-mounted MacPherson struts and a stabilizer bar for smoother, flatter cornering, combined with progressive rear leaf springs and heavy-duty gas-charged dampers that deliver a well-controlled ride quality — regardless of the load.
To me it seemed that the Transit felt stable and was much happier when operating fully loaded than it was when driven empty. And driven it was. During the five-day move, the Transit covered more than 1,300 miles with relative ease and comfort. The suspension and steering proved especially capable when confronted with challenging highway construction marked by narrow lanes and uneven pavement on stretches of Interstate 35 between Fort Worth and Austin. The only discomfort encountered was the pain in my aching muscles, caused more by the manual labor of taking heavy items in and out of the van than by driving.
What was perhaps the most surprising aspect of the entire odyssey was how fuel efficient the Transit's V-6 EcoBoost proved to be, given the variety of road and weather conditions. It's not often the words "truck" and "fuel efficient" are used together, but in this case we have no other choice. We managed a remarkable 17 mpg combined during our time behind the wheel. (The 2015 Ford Transit T-150 is EPA-rated at 14/19/16 mpg city/highway/combined.)
We were expecting much less since during the leg from Oklahoma City to Tulsa we drove into the teeth of a 20-30 mph wind. Because of the Transit's extra height, we did experience some buffeting, but the load helped to offset it well. We filled the tank prior to making the 110-mile trek to Tulsa and had to fill it again once again in Oklahoma City. I suppose the tail wind helped heading south, because we didn't fill up again until 390 miles later on the outskirts of Austin.
Final Thoughts
Although Ford might not have designed the Transit as a moving van, much like the versatile Swiss army knife it proved to be the right tool for the job.
If you're looking for a new career opportunity and have $38,425 to spend (that was the cost of our tester, including destination) on a commercial truck, you just might consider acquiring a Transit and go into business as the Mighty Mouse Moving Service … or some such. Given its compact size and solid economy, you would do well in major university or college towns, where students move in and out frequently, yet have a modest amount of furniture.
Cars.com photos by Peter Hubbard
Comments
Good article, nice to see some real word fuel econmomy numbers, with a cargo load, running the eco boost.
This is the only ford I would be interested in, still waiting to see them on the RV front, Class B, B+, the center dash looks really small and busy, those buttons are tiny, doesn't Ford know people wear gloves and big guys drive these things, looks like a woman designed the buttons, figures.
Very real fuel economy with tail wind indeed. LOL.
Would this be the kind of van capable of serving ambulance duty?
Would this be the kind of van capable of serving ambulance duty?
Posted by: Robert | Sep 27, 2015 10:53:08 AM
It can be. It is on the same level of some of the smaller BLS units on the Sprinter chassis and some of the lighter duty econoline and Chevy vans.
http://www.fleet.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/brochures/2015/Ambulance%202015_LoRes.pdf
Ugly pos
This van is so ugly only a Ford fan could love it.
I'd rather be driving a ProMaster with a six-speed automatic transmission, the award-winning 3.6L Pentastar® V6 engine delivers Best-in-Class standard V6 power+ And that 280 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque give you power without sacrificing efficiency.
http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/ram_promaster/?sid=1037056&KWNM=promaster&KWID=43700005784405682&TR=1&channel=paidsearch
The Transit is one of the best looking vans out there. Vans are purposeful vehicles. I don't think anybody is going to lust over it like a pick up. A lot would have to change to make a full size van the choice as a daily driver. The Pro Master is hideous.
Really? The RAM Promaster is no beauty queen itself by a long shot. It has the looks only Sergio could love. While it has its advantages and disadvantages as a front-driver, I hope it adopts the latest look of the Euro-spec Fiat Ducato next year or two.
Now about the Transit...I've seen the middle-wheelbase flat roof Transits as U-HAUL vans. Moving companies like U-HAUL and Ryder, etc. could just buy the high-roof long-wheelbase regular and extended body models without having to upfit.
Mark - - -
Although rear leaf-springs might suggest it, you did not mention whether this vehicle had rear-wheel drive and a live axle. Does it? Or did I miss it in the article?
=====================
The transit van is a rear drive van. Not a large front drive mini van like the Ram promaster.
"My only complaint about Sync 3 is how far away from the driver it's mounted. The swept-back design of the instrument panel places it closer to the window than the driver, making it difficult to see. The upside of the cabin is the panoramic glass and higher-than-usual seating position, which provides excellent visibility."
@Pater,
Because this is not Sync3. The picture shows the 4" display with regular Sync.
This is not Sync3 with the big touch screen display.
Please update your article and remove your only complaint you made in error.
If you had Sync3, it would look like this with the big stepped out display and entirely different center stack:
http://assets.forddirect.fordvehicles.com/assets/2016_Ford_Transit_VanWagon_J1/BP2/PARTRADIO/PARTRADIO_136B520D-F7BC-8A8E-1DBF-EEEB1DBFEEEB.jpg
HA....busted.
The promaster van looks like a grass hopper jumping towards you. When it comes to really needing a work van the Transit is the way to go. No FWD crap here just a RWD van that gets the job done. Just look at the sale #'s. They should just go ahead and make the ram 1500 FWD while they are at it. It already has coils in the back like a car.
Doesn't mention anywhere what the payload numbers are?
4560lbs max payload with 7500 towing.
I think where these van innovations miss the mark is on flat full length floor. If i could drive a 60 inch ztr into the back of it and hang brush cutters on the wall with a few push mowers and garbage cans it would make for a really sweet rig! self contained keep your stuff safe in the city and easy to maneuver. I like these vans but they need innovations like no wheel wells and a side ramp that unfold out the passenger side, something simple and cheap would make it very appealing.
what also looks like a huge problem is that even with paying for HD capacity you lose cargo and towing capacity the more HD you go which to me isnt the way they should measure but who am i?
check this out!
http://www.ford.com/commercial-trucks/transitcommercial/specifications/towing/
oh and its 54.6 inches between the wheel wells and 46.5 or so with a dually. lots of lost space and capability with a dually on the interior IMHO RAM is FWD they could design a flat floor easiest! big deal to me and my ideas of use!
Whether it is fwd or rwd you still have the rear wheels back there. You would have to design the van like a trailer with the wheels out of side wall area.
"No, the Ford Transit is a heavy-duty hauler and just what we needed for a two-family, two-way, two-state five-day move"
Doubt anyone here would call it a " heavy duty hauler", it does what most Euro Vans do. Yes it is good for moving house, renovation van, cargo boxes etc
@CrazyTruck
Riiight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoScShrElaM
Wow that proved a lot there Gomar. Guess all 2wheel drive pickups would not get up that hill either. Your a laugh a minute!!!!!!!
Somar, your oN the same education level as your brother Hemi V8. Leave it to Fiat to have a rigged video like that. The biggest clue is yes both vans have traction. Control but it is obvious the transit's has been turned off. Traction control works by using the brake system and engine throttle managment to control wheel spin. Being the transit was spinning it's one wheel so easy is a dead giveaway that traction control was turned off. Plus in the transit you can opt for a limited slip rear axle. I know because we just bought 7 new transit wagons. The promaster is the laughing joke in the EMS world with what they are trying to sell. Even transit companies are laughing at that fiat.
From a business perspective I do think Ford's move to the new Transit is a sound proposition, a far better decision than moving from steel to aluminium in the F Series.
So, far looking at the raw numbers it appears the Transit is a far more successful vehicle than the aluminium F-150.
Remember look at the share of the segment and improvement in numbers moved.
I do believe the US will see more and more of the vehicles as they replace pickups in some instances.
I will also state I'm not stating they will ever come near to total numbers of pickups because 75% of pickups are a car/SUV alternative.
For business though this looks like a great vehicle.
@LMAO
No , Transit traction control won't help, when no any load over the rear axle and very heavy truck in front if it.
You should know that.
Looks ugly,,but pretty aerodynamic credit where due,,
Still if I wanted a big van I'd rather get a Chevy cutaway with a big box on back and V8 or diesel
Chevrolet forever
@Truckcrazy
Not all of them, just light aluminium Ford . Other 2wd trucks will be fine.
@LMAO
No , Transit traction control won't help, when no any load over the rear axle and very heavy truck in front if it.
You should know that.
Posted by: Somar | Sep 28, 2015 7:59:20 PM
Weight does help but Fiat turning off the traction control makes a bigger difference. Rediculous infomercial from even more rediculous LLC car company. You should know that.
Looks ugly,,but pretty aerodynamic credit where due,,
Still if I wanted a big van I'd rather get a Chevy cutaway with a big box on back and V8 or diesel
Chevrolet forever
Posted by: Chevrolet builds a better way to see the USA | Sep 28, 2015 8:00:10 PM
Better act fast, GM is going eurovan too.
@LMAO
No , Transit traction control won't help, when no any load over the rear axle and very heavy truck in front if it.
You should know that.
Posted by: Somar | Sep 28, 2015 7:59:20 PM
What is even funnier about your post is you set yourself up and you didn't even know it. These vans are made for work. You load 3k of cargo in back and that weight is on the rear tires. The transit gets more traction and the fiat lightens up in the front and looses traction. I'm sure Fiat isn't going to show that video of their van working in those conditions.
Weight does help but Fiat turning off the traction control makes a bigger difference. Rediculous infomercial from even more rediculous LLC car company. You should know that.
Posted by: LMAO | Sep 28, 2015 8:36:08 PM
What is even funnier about your post is you set yourself up and you didn't even know it. These vans are made for work. You load 3k of cargo in back and that weight is on the rear tires. The transit gets more traction and the fiat lightens up in the front and looses traction. I'm sure Fiat isn't going to show that video of their van working in those conditions.
Posted by: LMAO | Sep 28, 2015 9:04:00 PM
First o all it's just your assumptions ,that Fiat has traction control off,which wouldn't help at all. I see spinning both rear ford wheels first,then right one at second attempt. You have never ever driven front wheel drive van, you wouldn't write this nonsense otherwise.
Van needs to pickup stuff first, so it must be empty. Ford won't make it empty in this situation, customer needs to call FCA driver.
Second, when loaded properly, (nobody puts stuff just behind rear wheels it would be very dangerous for any truck or van) , the rear axle caries more load, but also front axle caries more load and doesn't go up , like you assumed wrongly.
What are you , six? Get a grip kid and stop laughing. Or start study instead of that. It might help you. I doubt it thought.
Weight does help but Fiat turning off the traction control makes a bigger difference. Rediculous infomercial from even more rediculous LLC car company. You should know that.
Posted by: LMAO | Sep 28, 2015 8:36:08 PM
What is even funnier about your post is you set yourself up and you didn't even know it. These vans are made for work. You load 3k of cargo in back and that weight is on the rear tires. The transit gets more traction and the fiat lightens up in the front and looses traction. I'm sure Fiat isn't going to show that video of their van working in those conditions.
Posted by: LMAO | Sep 28, 2015 9:04:00 PM
First o all it's just your assumptions ,that Fiat has traction control off,which wouldn't help at all. I see spinning both rear ford wheels first,then right one at second attempt. You have never ever driven front wheel drive van, you wouldn't write this nonsense otherwise.
Van needs to pickup stuff first, so it must be empty. Ford won't make it empty in this situation, customer needs to call FCA driver.
Second, when loaded properly, (nobody puts stuff just behind rear wheels it would be very dangerous for any truck or van) , the rear axle caries more load, but also front axle caries more load and doesn't go up , like you assumed wrongly.
What are you , six? Get a grip kid and stop laughing. Or start study instead of that. It might help you. I doubt it thought.
Somar, you obviously have no actual working experience. Me I do. In fact loaded properly per your specs or anyone else's scales tell a different story. I have checked front and rear weight on many vans and trucks before and after loading just to make sure the vehicles are not over loaded and to determine how much weight can be added. Even when a lot of weight is added to the front of the cargo box. So yes, your video is rigged by Fiat. You obviously never drove a front drive vehicle in the snow being heavy in the rear either. I just feel bad for all those poor owners that bought the fiat van when fiat dumps that LLC company. You can already see see the huge price of parts for the Daimler joint venture cars.
@LMAO
When did you drive loaded FWD van ? What did you measure, when on scale with loaded van ? Did your front get lighter like you said? ? LMAO.
I personally own front drive vehicles and use them for some light hauling and towing. There is a large difference in traction when loaded and unloaded. I could care less about putting my personally vehicles on the CAS scales because there is an obvious difference. If you knew anything about fleets and vehicles you would already know that you should always check and more than likely readjust camber and in rare cases toe when the vehicle is fully loaded in a normal configuration. The expecting is a solid front axle as the camber does not change. Class C motor homes are a classic example of this. And why may you ask should the alignment be checked, for one the rear is lower and thus changes the loading of the suspension. With the sag in the rear the front control arms are typically in a more unloaded position. Why do so many heavy haulers with 2500 and 3500 series trucks add air bags and use weight distribution hitches. To try and force more weight on the front wheels. I'm sorry your Fiat promaster is a joke but it is what it is with its mini van drivetrain. And yes, even fully loaded the front may get lighter in steering feel, this goes for most if not all vehicles.
Ram gets USPS van contract.
The United States Post Office has used Dodge Caravans for various mail duties for some years now, and it’s apparently time for the higher-capacity Ram ProMaster join in. The USPS is buying 9,113 2016 Ram ProMaster commercial vans, in the Class 2 (2500) capacity. The vans will be customized for their work; their segment-exclusive front wheel drive should help in adverse weather, while the low loading floor should make life easier for the postal workers.
The Ram ProMaster is unusual in having front wheel drive and a unibody system under the cab, resulting in unusually good cornering and a low ride height; the van is far cheaper than similar-capability Mercedes Sprinters, and has the most vertical walls in the class for easier add-on mountings.
http://news.allpar.com/index.php/2015/09/ram-gets-usps-van-contract-30087
I guess , USPS didn't get your memo. LMAO.
That's mean anything. UPS is trying several different configuration vehicles. Many of which are not working out very well for them. BTW, a long time friend of mine is one of there maint guys for theif fleet vehicles.
Usps is all government bids. Low price usually wins. But the low cost up front is soured by the higher cost later.
Usps is all government bids. Low price usually wins. But the low cost up front is soured by the higher cost later.
So basically, you didn't drive any fully loaded FWD VAN, definitely not in the winter season, you didn't scale front axle when empty and loaded but you say it's lighter when loaded, you have no proof, that FIAT turned off traction control , but you say it's rigged, you don't know why USPS has chosen FIAT over Ford , but you say you feel sorry.
Please call NASA. More you load, lighter it gets. We'll be on Marse in no time. LMAO.
Gomar please keep writing you are so entertaining. Your so full of stupid comments (true Fiat guy I guess) that you are making my day even better. I do not drive a front drive mini van but do drive front drive SUVs. That is close enough for me. And yes, fully loaded does make a difference in front tire traction and steering control.
Just for fun I put one of my 18k medium duty ambulances on a set of CAS scales the same issue used in the past for the cube vans to make measurements. Activating the rear drop a few inches resulted in a loss of 200 lbs on the front tires just from a geometry change. Please just ask your self Gomar, if Chrysler Ram is so great why have they had more owners than a Las Vegas call girl. No body wants them including Fiat and a small number of people even buy their products.
So basically you have no any answer, no argument just your feelings. Try to turn off your power steering when empty and fully loaded if you feel the difference and get back to me.
I think we are done in here. LMAO.
Actually your done Gomar, you don't have it in you or the knowledge base (aka fiat infomercials) to keep going. Thanks for sharing and proving my point about Fiat owners.LMAO.
@BAFO - I can see a few commercial users switching from pickups to Euro vans, but there's just way more reasons to switch from vans to pickups, for those that can go either way. One is the diminished resale value of vans, and the versatility of pickups as family haulers, weekend play and the availability of 4wd, if not for anything but just getting to the work site in snow/mud parts of the country, not to mention Canada.
The missing V8 is another big reason. There's absolutely no reason not to have a 5.0 V8 option in the Transit, since the Eco Boost V6 is there.
@DenverMike, I would not be surprised to see a larger gas engine in the transit in the future. Once they start getting rid of the Econline chassis cab versions they will need a replacement for the 14K GVW market. AKA motor homes, EMS bodies, and box trucks.
@LMAO
Yes, you completely destroyed me with your arguments aka feelings.
LMAO.
Awe, poor Mr Gomer. Says he's done but really isnt. Just face it, Fiat rigged that video by disconnecting or turning off the traction control. You can see the brake lights on while the rear tire is spinning also.hmmmmmmmm. I also like how you can see tire tracks in the snow on the transit's side and nothing on the promaster side. I call into question the difference in surface on both sides. He transit had all tires locked up and was sliding down hill. I also call into question why the exhaust changed just before the transit got stuck. But numbers don't lie. Transit sales are killing it. Just saying.
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