How to Choose the Best Ford Transit Model for Your Camper Conversion
If you’re anything like me, choosing the right van is the most exciting – but sometimes overwhelming – part of planning your camper conversion. And when it comes to camper builds, the Ford Transit line is one of the best vans to convert. But what model is best?
Over the years, I’ve worked on loads of these vans for my clients — and I’ve experienced taking them on plenty of road trips myself.
So in this blog, I’m going to break it all down for you. We’ll go through each Transit model, what they offer, what they don’t, and most importantly, whether I recommend them for camper conversions based on real-world experience.
Let’s dive in and find out which Ford Transit model is going to be the perfect fit for your campervan dreams!
And hey, if you’re not up to doing the conversion on your own, feel free to reach out and find out more about our Ford Transit Custom full conversions.
Ford Transit Courier
Specs of the Ford Transit Courier
- Load Length: Up to 1.62m
- Load Volume: 2.4m³
- Payload: Around 500-600kg
- Engines: 1.0L EcoBoost petrol or 1.5L diesel
- Fuel economy: Around 48–58 mpg
Do I recommend it for a campervan?
The Ford Transit Courier is the smallest in the Transit family.
It’s basically more of a car-based van, designed for city driving and urban deliveries. I see these all the time on the road, and while they’re great for small businesses moving packages around town, they’re really not suitable for camper conversions.
I’ve had people ask me before if they could turn one into a micro-camper, but honestly — it’s just too tight. By the time you try to squeeze in a bed platform or any sort of cooking setup, you’ll be left with barely any space to move.
And let’s be real, part of having a campervan is enjoying that freedom and comfort on the road.
So, in my opinion, if you’re looking for a proper camper build, this one’s a no-go. I always recommend looking at the Transit Custom or larger models instead.
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Ford Transit Connect
Specs of the Ford Transit Connect
- Load Length: Up to 2.15m with load-through bulkhead
- Load Volume: 3.6m³ max
- Payload: Up to 982kg
- Engines: 1.5L EcoBlue diesel or 1.0L EcoBoost petrol
- Fuel economy: Around 50–60 mpg
- Available in short and long wheelbase
Do I recommend it for a campervan?
The Ford Transit Connect is the next size up – still a small van, but with a bit more room than the Courier.
I’ve seen a few people turn these into micro-campers, and sure, it’s possible if you’re just after a basic setup for the odd overnight trip. But personally, I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re serious about campervan life.
In my experience, they’re just too cramped when it comes to fitting in proper cooking facilities, comfortable sleeping space, and storage for all your gear.
I always think — if you’re going to invest time and money into a conversion, you want something that’s going to feel roomy, practical, and enjoyable to use. The Connect just doesn’t offer enough space for that.
Not to mention, if you try to cram all that in there, you’ll end up having payload issues. With only 982kg, you can tell that the Connect just wasn’t designed for campervan conversions.
If you’re thinking of going this small, I’d say hold out for something larger like a Transit Custom. You’ll thank yourself later when you’ve got room to stretch out, cook, and actually enjoy life on the road.
Like I always say, it’s better to spend more of your budget on the base van than try to dress up mutton as lamb!
Ford Transit Custom - This is the one I specialise in.
Specs of the Ford Transit Custom
- Load Length: Up to 3.4m (long wheelbase)
- Load Volume: Up to 8.3m³
- Payload: Around 1,300kg
- Engines: 2.0L EcoBlue diesel (105PS, 130PS, or 170PS)
- Fuel economy: Around 36–44 mpg (depends on variant)
- Available in L1/L2 (short or long wheelbase) and H1/H2 (low or high roof)
Do I recommend it for a campervan?
Absolutely. I’ve worked on loads of Transit Custom conversions, and honestly, it might be my favourite van to build with.
It’s big enough to fit a proper camper setup – kitchen, bed, electrics, seating – but small enough that it’s comfortable to drive everyday. So, if you’re looking for something practical for both road trips and day-to-day use, this is the sweet spot.
And, unlike the smaller campervans I talked about before, the Custom actually has the payload for a proper build at 1300kg.
Ford Transit Custom options
Another thing I love about the Custom is that you have a few more options in terms of the van size.
You can choose from:
- Short or long wheelbase (L1 or L2) — Longer wheelbase gives you more room for storage and bigger van layouts, but short wheelbase is easier to park.
- Low roof (H1) or high roof (H2) — Low roof is great if you plan on adding a pop-top; high roof gives you permanent headroom. For more about the pros and cons of high tops vs pop tops, read my blog.
- Panel van, double cab, or Kombi — A panel van is a blank canvas (my favourite to work with). Double cabs have a second row of seats, but it massively limits your conversion space (I’d recommend a pop top). A Kombi van also has a second row of seats but they’re removable, so I recommend it for those who need a flexible set-up.
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Cool extra features
- Heated windscreen — I’ve got one in mine, and I swear by it on cold mornings.
- Adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist (on the newer models) — makes long-distance trips so much more relaxed.
- Pop-top compatibility — if you go for a low roof Fort Transit custom, you can add a compatible pop-top and get extra sleeping space and headroom.
- Plug-in hybrid option — ideal if you do a lot of city driving and want to be more eco-conscious.
Ford Transit (often just called the ‘big Transit’)
Specs of the Ford Transit
- Load Length: Up to 4.2m (extra-long wheelbase)
- Load Volume: Up to 15.1m³
- Payload: Up to around 2,300kg
- Engines: 2.0L EcoBlue diesel or 2.0L EcoBlue Mild Hybrid
- Fuel economy: 30–40 mpg (varies with size)
- Comes in multiple lengths (L2, L3, L4) and roof heights (H2, H3)
Do I recommend it for a campervan?
The Ford Transit — or the “big Transit” as most people know it — is the largest van in the range.
I’ve worked on a few of these for clients who wanted that proper motorhome feel, and the space inside really is impressive. But with that size comes a few trade-offs you definitely need to think about.
If you’re after a full-size van and you want to build something closer to a motorhome — with fixed walk-through spaces, a proper bathroom, and room to really stretch out — then yes, this van is a good choice.
It comes in so many different lengths, heights, and payload ratings that you’ve got endless possibilities for van layout and design. I’ve seen clients fit in big kitchens, wardrobes, even separate shower units without compromising on living space.
But here’s the honest truth: it’s just too big if you want something nimble and easy to drive day-to-day. Parking is a challenge, tight roads become stressful, and you’ll notice the size every time you hop behind the wheel.
I really don’t recommend the big Transit if you’re not used to driving big vehicles – it can be really overwhelming as an inexperienced driver to drive this thing on the motorway, on windy roads, and into parking spaces.
For full-time travel and maximum luxury, the big Transit makes sense. But if you want something practical for weekends away and daily use, I’d steer you toward the Transit Custom – it’s so much easier to live with.
Summing It Up
Okay, so here are the Transit models simplified in simple terms:
Model | Size | Best for… |
Transit Courier | Extra small | City deliveries, not suitable for campers |
Transit Connect | Small | Micro campers — I personally wouldn’t |
Transit Custom | Medium (my go-to!) | Perfect balance for proper camper builds |
Transit (Big) | Large | Large motorhome-style conversions |
My recommendation for campervan conversions
I always recommend the Ford Transit Custom for camper conversions — it’s what I know best, and I’ve done so many builds on them. They’re the most versatile and still feel like driving a car rather than a lorry.
Let me know if you’d like me to break down which Custom variant I recommend for solo travellers, couples, or families. I’ve got plenty of examples!
And if you’re interested in learning more about whether the Ford Transit custom is a good van to convert, give my recent blog a squiz. Leave a comment below if you’ve got any questions, always happy to answer!
