Ford Officially Introduces Transit Trail Van, Adding New Off-Roading Possibility

Van life just received an upgrade with the arrival of the new 2023 Ford Transit Trail van.

For more than six decades, Ford has provided travelers with vans, trucks, and chassis built for life on and off the road. In fact, more motorhomes are built on Ford chassis than any other brand. This week, Ford Pro announced it is continuing that tradition with Transit. This upfit-ready adventure van leverages the same capability, versatility, and customization options that helped make Ford Transit America’s best-selling commercial van.

“No matter the task at hand – delivering packages or enjoying life off the grid – customers can rely on their Transit to get the job done,” said Ted Cannis, Ford Pro CEO. “Our decades of experience in the motorhome industry and insights from the van-life community helped us design a vehicle that makes it easier for adventure seekers to start their next journey.”

Equipped to take on more of life’s adventures

Available in three cargo van configurations, including medium- and high-roof models and a high-roof extended-length variant, the new Ford Transit Trail is equipped for improved off-highway capability with the following standard features and capabilities:

• 3.5-liter EcoBoost® V6 engine that produces 310 horsepower and 400 pounds-feet of torque mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission
• Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, with five selectable drive modes, including Normal, Eco, Mud/Ruts, Tow/Haul, and Slippery
• 3.5-inch increased ride height, a 2.75-inch wider track, 30.5-inch Goodyear Wrangler Workhorse all-terrain tires, and 16-inch black alloy wheels
• Black grille with integrated marker lamps and black HID headlamps, unique skid plate-style front bumper, splash guards, wheel arch cladding, front wheel arch liners, and slider-style driver- and passenger-side steps
• Heavy-Duty Trailer Package with up to 6,500 pounds towing capacity for hauling a boat, four-wheelers, snowmobiles, or other adventure toys
• Tech features that enable confidence while on and off the trail with Intelligent Access with push-button start, Blind Spot Assist 1.0, Reverse and Side Sensing systems, Adaptive Cruise Control
• SYNC 4 with SiriusXM with 360L, HD Radio, and Ford Power-Up software updates, a 12-inch touchscreen, a high-resolution digital camera, and 110-volt, 12-volt, and USB outlets

Creating a comfortable home on the road

Transit Trail in the high-roof, extended-length configuration provides van-lifers up to 487 cubic feet of cargo space to upfit. Both high-roof variants provide full-standing room to people as tall as 6 feet 5. The cargo area floor in the extended-length model stretches more than 14 feet.

Drillable areas positioned specifically for cabinetry, shelving, bed, and more allow do-it-yourselfers and upfitters to consider countless configurations. Privacy glass and an optional roof vent fan make time spent in the van more comfortable. Creature comforts in the cabin include an overhead shelf, illuminated sun visors, and driver and passenger swivel seats.

An available Upfitter Package helps travelers power auxiliary accessories such as an exterior light bar and includes high-capacity upfitter switches, a larger center console, an auxiliary fuse panel with a high-spec interface connector, dual AGM batteries, and a modified vehicle wiring system.

Built Ford Touch and tested and backed by Ford Pro

As part of the Transit® family of vans, the Transit Trail adventure-ready chassis is re-tuned and tested to meet the same BUILT FORD TOUGH durability standards as the rest of the Transit lineup. This enables the vehicle to maintain Ford’s 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.

Transit Trail owners can also benefit from access to the Ford Pro network of upfitters and interior installers, easily accessible at finding various installers. Customers also will travel confidently with the convenience of the Ford dealer network of more than 3,000 maintenance and service centers for vehicle upkeep, as well as access to a growing fleet of more than 800 mobile service vans when the unexpected happens in unexpected locations.

Assembled in Missouri, home of the Kansas City Assembly Plant4, Transit Trail will provide do-it-yourselfers and motorhome distributors with a turnkey canvas direct from the factory. The current MSRP for Transit Trail starts at $65,975. For more information, visit where there is more information on the Ford Trail Transit.

Ford Motor Photo

Marc Stern has been an automotive writer since 1971 when an otherwise normal news editor said, "You're our new car editor," and dumped about 27 pounds of auto stuff on my desk. I was in heaven as I have been a gearhead from my early days. As a teen, I spent the usual number of misspent hours hanging out at gas stations Shell and Texaco (a big thing in my youth) and working on cars. From there on, it was a straight line to my first column for the paper, "You Auto Know," an enterprise I handled faithfully for 32 years. Not many people know that I also handled computer documentation for a good part of my living while writing YAN. My best writing, though, was always in cars. My work has appeared in Popular Mechanics, Mechanix Illustrated, AutoWeek, SuperStock, Trailer Life, Old Cars Weekly, Special Interest Autos, etc. You can follow me on: Twitter or Facebook.