Last year, Ford generated headlines by filing a design patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. That patent paperwork suggested that Ford was gearing up to make an off-road version of the Transit van for America. Now, over a year later, Ford confirms that it is indeed giving us an off-road version of the Transit called the 2023 Transit Trail, and it will be revealed next month. Yesterday. Ford Pro, the commercial division of Ford, dropped this teaser:
The company says this new van is going to offer more than just an appearance package and off-road tires. The interior is said to be enhanced for RV manufacturers and for folks who want to build their own camper. In case you get confused as to who this van is for, Ford calls out #Vanlife right in its headline. And the new van will be built here in America alongside electric Transit siblings. Normally, that’s where a post like this would end. But there probably isn’t as much mystery associated with this new van that Ford teased as you might think. The Transit Trail originally launched in the United Kingdom for the 2020 model year and that van looks a whole lot like this one.
My colleague Thomas helpfully brightened up the teaser image and sure enough, it looks similar. The UK’s version of the Transit Trail sports a Raptor-inspired grille, fender flares, and body cladding meant to give it a tougher, rugged look. The cladding also probably helps a bit with rocks kicked up while you’re bombing down trails. It looks like the version that we’re getting isn’t exactly the same, but it’s pretty close.
As we can see in the teaser (and in spy shots), the American version doesn’t have the lower cladding, but the fender flares stick around and it looks like there’s something going on with the front bumper, too. The UK version gets unique 16-inch wheels and it looks like those are making it over here, too. The grille shown here isn’t the same, going for an emblem over the Raptor-like script of the UK version. But hey, at least we get those cool clearance lights!
In terms of gear, the UK version gets a mechanical limited-slip differential that Ford developed with UK driveline company Quaife. That’s combined with an optional all-wheel-drive system and off-road driving modes. Otherwise, most of the changes to the UK version are purely cosmetic, as you can see in Ford’s press release. The interior of the UK version features seats that can be moved around, removed, or reversed to fit the owner’s needs. And when removed, their mounts also work as anchor points for cargo. It’s unclear how much different the U.S. version will be from its sibling in the UK, but I just love the fact that we’re getting an off-road version in the first place.
But it makes sense, as off-road-style camper vans are pretty big right now. It looks like Ford is getting in while things are still hot. RV manufacturers are already building campers based on Ford Transit vans, so it will be interesting to see what Ford will be offering here that you can’t already get. (Photo Credits: Ford) I’ve seen those stupid things in the grills of so many vehicles that clearly aren’t wide enough to actually require them that I think I sprained my medial rectus muscle. I’ve been tempted to get a set and put it in the grill of the Miata, just for a laugh. These don’t look bad to me. The “FORD” in the grille though; it’s the worst bit. It looks like one of those aftermarket ones that people buy for their non-Raptor F150. But if they’re listening then I’d like an AWD version of the Transit dual cab chassis please thankyou. I know vanlife people, sure, but I know way more people who who’d like a sedan with a hatchback and just little more ground clearance. I guess it’s the profit margin thing, I get it, but still. So why not just get a Subaru? Internet cars people inventing crossovers The van lifers I know are like undercover cops – they like vehicles that blend in, in their case, so nobody hassles you or thinks there might be something worth breaking in for. Now lets see a P/HEV version that lets you silently run the A/C, fridge and TV all night long without bothering the neighbors with a generator. “Ford Transit Trail. Don’t camp, DOMINATE!” …queue the heavy metal music I’ll buy one new if they make one. Rn with RWD as the only option I’m waiting to see what the electric Ram Promaster is like and then choose between the two. Sure you have a ton more stops with a BEV camper van, but you’re literally driving around a house. Just plug in, put on a TV show, read a book, take a nap, etc. while it charges. Also you can run be plugged in and you can run the AC the whole time no problem. My plan is simple. Buy a low roof (likely longest range variant) BEV van, put in a shower and a toilet (and possibly a bath), get a nice cot setup, and have a really slick camping/cargo van. With current L2 charging speeds and higher capacity BEVs the charging times can be over a day with higher capacity BEVs.
