Posts
405
Joined
4/23/2018
Location
USA
Edited Date/Time
3/17/2021 8:26am
I’m currently in the market for a new moto van I have a Chevy express right now but I’m kind of tired of getting 12-13 mpg with it. I’ve decided I want to get either a Transit or a Promaster. How’s everybody like them for hauling bikes? What are some pros and cons of both? It wouldn’t be my daily driver so it would just be a second vehicle used to go riding basically. I know the Promaster is fiat which I’m a little scared of but they can be had for 4K-5k cheaper than the fords so I’ll consider it
https://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/forums/#us-ford-transit-forums.72
Love it so much I sold my truck and trailer
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I like my Promaster, but like others have said it has an odd seating position (cab over), which is great for short stints but sucks for longer hauls.
I love the space, and I absolutely love being able to lock up my stuff in the garage in the back. That feature alone is pretty awesome, but you can get that with a Transit or a Sprinter. I'd look hard at all three rigs...
I hate the lack of leg room for the driver in the Promaster...it's really hard to stretch your legs, and for those of us that have beat up knees from decades of moto and desert racing that's like torture. You can't put your feet up under the dash like most vehicles and straighten your legs...it just dead ends, so you end up having to kind of "stand up" while driving to give your knees some relief once in a while.
I didn’t even consider the ProMaster because #1 they are just so ugly 😬 and more importantly my wife also uses the van to haul a horse trailer (which it also works great for)
I also use it on and off as my daily driver and it is very maneuverable for its size.
I did a lightweight "bare bones" build in the van to keep rear weight low as the van is front wheel drive.
Insulated and fabricated interior panels and storage boxes and built a fold down bed with a work bench that doubles as bed legs when folded down. I also built a removeable partition wall to separate the garage area from the rider lounge if needed.
I live in the Pacific Northwest, and the front wheel drive is amazingly capable in slick conditions- however I do suggest the suspension upgrade and leveling kit!
I've put thousands of miles on Sprinters , Transits, and now the Promaster while hauling bikes/gear/surfboards/etc-
I have to say that out of the long body high roof vans, the Promaster handles better than any of them. When insulated properly it's also amazingly quiet due to no rear drivetrain.
All of these vans will have small details that will make you scratch your head- go test drive them all!
If you do decide on the Promaster, try to keep the overall weight towards the front of the vehicle!
It seems like it’s always got a bike or two in it. I’ve saved thousands of dollars on shipping & other transportation costs during the “madness”, too. I’ve been able to help out with moving bikes and parts, equipment for friends, also.
The stock Continental tires have been impressive and they’re still on there, too. I’ve been fairly impressed with my local Ford dealer, Tuttle-Click in San Juan Capistrano, I got a “12 Oil Change & Rotate package” for $300 (Synth Oil). They’ve handled the few little warranty items like champs: USB port “pushed in” and a little plastic cover on the CHIMSL blew off...a known “Transit thing”.
I’m stoked on this van. It’s a std gas engine and it’s been excellent. It’s got the trailer pkg w/trlr brakes, mirrors and receiver. It’s got the audio upgrade & a few other necessities like cruise and all the power stuff. I’m about to change out the trans and diff oil at 50K (I do this on my vehicles and it seems to make transmissions last!) I plan to keep this rig for 3-4 years or 150-200K miles. I’m going to probably build a Transit Box Van.
In 2020 it became a 3.5
The Diesel is suppose to be back soon, too.
If anyone is ordering brand new transit custom, let me know and I can help you out some. I just ordered mine and there are a ton of options! Don’t use the 2020 Ford build website (there have been changes to the 2021). Also, expect 4-5 months from order to delivery to dealer. You’ll need to find a dealer with allocation. Don’t just speak to any salesman if you are custom ordering.
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