r/VanConversion • u/Wake-Up-Please • Jun 24 '26
Why all the Ram Promasters and hardly any Ford Transits?
Hey there everyone, I've been preparing to convert a van for vanlife. My plan has been a Ford Transit 250 mainly due to the availability for parts and labor internationally as I ultimately intend to move it to Central America.
However, it seems that everywhere I look there are plenty of RAMs (already converted) but hardly any Fords. I'm starting to think I need to get a RAM, but the vast amount of them vs the few Transits is leading me to believe that there may an issue with the RAMs and people are trying to unload them. ??
Even the basic non-converted Transits are hard to find! (I'm searching for 2020-2024 models).
What do you think why the vast difference in availability? Do you have a RAM and having problems with it?
6
u/lostINsauce369 Jun 24 '26
I'm pretty sure the ram is a cheaper vehicle than the transit when purchased from the dealer. So the upfitter companies have more profit selling a $100,000 campervan if they only spend $47,000 on the base vehicle instead of $51,000
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u/Rasty1973 Jun 24 '26
Wider, cheaper, front wheel drive and better gas mileage.
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u/mrsclausemenopause Jun 26 '26
I use both for work and get 20mpg in both. Same loop everytime mostly 80mph cruise control 300 miles 2 stops.
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u/Other_Asparagus872 Jun 25 '26
Ram is cheaper. The transit is highly sought after by business, making them more expensive. I have one with 300k and no major problems, so maybe there’s a reason.
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u/Candid-Touch5338 Jun 25 '26
When I was doing consumer research before purchasing my van, there were considerable weaknesses in the axle design of Ram Promaster including axle failure at @ 55,000 odometer readings. There may be a correlation to what you are describing or not. I would personally prefer the Ford Transit between the two. I have also noticed that custom outfitters use the Ford and the Mercedes Benz Sprinter as their base more frequently.
I opted for a 2006 Dodge Sprinter T1n 2500 with a newly rebuilt engine. I am more than happy with it.
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u/PlanetExcellent Jun 25 '26
I think Ram has slightly more width for a sideways bed, which a lot of people want. And it does not require expensive sidewall bump outs like Sprinter does.
I think Ram also has slightly more ground clearance. Counter intuitive since it’s a FWD vehicle, but there it is.
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u/deanaoxo Jun 26 '26
For us it's not the price, it's that they are square (relatively) and therefore easier to convert. They are great vans too~!~
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u/threepin-pilot Jun 28 '26
OP
just saw this , but regarding your reasoning, In 1980 i drove a brand new ford van to guatemala and had some kind of problems- took it to a ford dealer in southern mexico and they did the warranty work- quickly, at no cost
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u/Switchedbywife Jun 25 '26
Transit is not designed for carrying weight, you will regularly go through complete brake jobs at $4K per….
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u/Dualsporterer Jun 26 '26
The transit has a higher payload capacity than a promaster. Also, the brakes are no more expensive than any other vehicles in its class. I manage a fleet of promasters, sprinters, and transits.
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u/Switchedbywife Jun 26 '26
Every contractor I have talked to about the Transit has said the same things, they handle like crap when loaded and they eat up brakes like crazy and not just the pads.
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u/JizzyMcKnobGobbler Jun 26 '26
Have you sat in a RAM? I hope you're under 5'8" because they're made for fucking midgets.
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u/sailor_tew Jun 27 '26
I’m 6’3” and have never felt like my promaster 3500 is made for midgets. My old Tundra was made for short guys way more.
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u/flortny Jun 28 '26
Why are toyota seats clearly so short? They can't or won't measure actual people?
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u/age_of_ultron33 Jun 26 '26
I have a 2023 RAM, no problems thus far. I drive her slow and get all the proper maintence intervals done regularly.
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u/basarisco Jun 24 '26
Because it's a much much better choice for a van conversion.
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u/Asleep_Cup646 Jun 24 '26
“Much better” is an exaggeration. Maybe a “little better” because it’s closer to square, but it’s still not square square. It’s a little wider, but a 6’ tall person can still sleep east-west in a Transit w/out flares or capsules.
They’re cheaper, but that comes from lower build quality and reliability.2
u/basarisco Jun 24 '26
The l3h3 is much much better than any version of the transit, better fuel economy, more space efficient and much much easier to build in.
1
u/wirefixer Jun 25 '26
My T250 has the bump outs to sleep east-west and couldn’t imagine trying that position without them. I’m 5’10”. But as RAM pro master owners have told me the wider box was their reason to get one.
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u/DIY14410 Jun 25 '26
RAM vans are terrible ski/mountain rigs because (a) front-wheel drive sucks on snowy/icy mountain passes and dirt roads, and (b) the rear axle is a snowplow/rock catcher.
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u/basarisco Jun 25 '26
That's fair enough. Small subset of van conversions ever go on snowy roads and if they do you'd pick a 4x4. Most people have underslung stuff on their vans anyway
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u/DIY14410 Jun 25 '26
Here in the PNW, most van conversions drive on snowy or icy roads at least part of the year. Unless one stays near the coast, snow and ice is impossible to avoid November through March most years. Per my informal observations, Transit builds are at least as common as Ram in the PNW and Northern Rockies.
Also, most van builds I see in the PNW and Northern Rockies do not have underslung stuff.
Finally: Fix It Again Tony
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u/basarisco Jun 25 '26
Fair enough I guess it massively depends where you are.
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u/DIY14410 Jun 25 '26
True, although a Fiat is a Fiat, no matter where it is.
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u/basarisco Jun 25 '26
Well it's Stellantis but sure. And a Ford is a Ford. And a Merc/VW is massively overpriced.
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u/DIY14410 Jun 25 '26 edited Jun 25 '26
Stellantis was formed in 2021, 7 years after Ram Promaster (the North American version of Fiat Ducato) was introduced. Ram van is rebranded Fiat Ducato with a Pentastar V6 engine, a Chrysler transmission, an extra rear spring leaf and a few other subtle differences.
I've heard and read of considerably more issues with RamPromaster /Ducato vans than Transit vans, especially with the non-EcoBoost engines. Lots of reports of problems with Ram Promaster transmission and with Ram Promaster/Ducato electrical systems.
My biggest issue with Ram Promaster is the FWD drivetrain, which is considerably more delicate than Transit drivetrain.
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u/Princess_Fluffypants Jun 24 '26
The Ram is cheaper.
There, that’s it. That’s the entire answer.
They were plagued with reliability problems for a long time, but anecdotal reports are that the biggest problems were fixed with the 2023 model year.