2023 Ford Transit Trail aims for RV crowd

Ford is hoping to capitalize on the popularity of outdoor recreation and provide customers who either live or spend significant time in their vans with what it calls the “perfect blank canvas.” The automaker plans to split an undisclosed number of vehicles between retail buyers and commercial upfitters.

“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,” Ford Pro CEO Ted Cannis said in a statement.

Tim Baughman, Ford Pro general manager, said he expects a “substantial percentage” of Transit Trail customers to be do-it-yourself enthusiasts who customize the van with various parts and accessories.

There are drillable areas throughout the interior for cabinetry, shelving and beds. An overhead shelf and roof vent have been added in response to customer feedback. The high-roof, extended-length configuration has 487 cubic feet of cargo space.

The Transit Trail is equipped with an intelligent all-wheel-drive system with multiple drive modes, adaptive cruise control and the SYNC 4 infotainment system. Ford will offer a heavy-duty trailer package with towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

It also plans to offer an optional 31-gallon tank as an upgrade to the standard 24-gallon tank.

The van provides multiple commercial applications for businesses such as forestry services and others that need more off-road capability. Baughman said the initial focus, though, will be on adventure and lifestyle buyers.