Ford Transit and Ram Promaster test drive (which van to choose?)
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- čas přidán 28. 06. 2024
- In today’s video we test drive the ford transit and ram promaster. It’s almost time to upgrade my van life set up so I thought I would share my thought process if your in the market for a new van!
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Intro (0:00)
Ford transit test drive (0:52)
Failed sprinter test drive (4:10)
Promaster test drive (5:25)
Pros & cons of transit (7:47)
Pros & cons of promaster (9:04)
Outro (10:00)
I bought a pair of 2017 Promaster 136” for my business. Absolutely love them across the board. They carry a great amount of equipment inside while also towing equipment on a small trailer. It drives so well. With that said, I just put a deposit on a medium roof transit AWD eco boost to have as a family hauler (thanks to reviews like yours and many others). For work I cannot complain with the Ram. For personal use the Ford seems like the best overall. I’m not even considering the Sprinter due to price and lack of dealerships to service near me.
I'm looking at this 2017 ram promaster 2500 high roof with 144,000 miles. The trans was serviced at 120k and has new Belts, plugs, tires and Fuel Evap - asking for $17,000 is this a good deal? Pictures looks like its been maintained great
I've driven both in my fleet company. Ram Promaster drives like a bus with non tilt steering wheel and high seats with unreachable low cupholders. Ford Transit is more ergonomically designed and seats are very comfortable with everything in reach.
We discovered early on that only the Promaster comes in a high roof 136" wheelbase verse, which we needed for our application (RV + living in a condo complex with tight parking spaces). We solved the headlight issues by installing the Openglass LED conversion kit. Five years later, it's still the only one with this combo. The lesson is that if you think through exactly what you want, the choice could be solved for you without having to agonize over it. To ensure max reliability we don't drive over 65mph (hard to do across Nevada!) and take it easy on steep grades.
I drive for a shuttle company in BC
We used ti have sprinters but switched to transit due to maintenance cost and rust.
Transit handles really well in heavy snow, but we run studded hakka and it needs to have weight in rear.
Transit is more comfortable on long drives too.
The Sprinter rust is a problem; i have yet to find one in Canada 5 years or older without a lot of body corrosion.
I drive these for a living at my local Amazon warehouse and i gotta say that both are great vans. In my opinion, the transit has more kick while the promaster is more comfy getting up to speed
Thank you for sharing your experience! Since you drive them almost every day your experience is super valuable. How do you feel about those compared to the sprinter if you ever ride in that one?
@@StephenAldaco couldn't tell you anything about the sprinter
Can you say anything about both models regarding durability and reliability. I had a 2012 full size Dodge van, which I bought brand new. The transmission crapped out at barely 48,000 miles/4 years old. I have had reluctance toward Dodge ever since.
One of the items not covered much with the Transit is the Ecoboost turbo issues .Had a F 150 with Ecoboost when they first came out , ran perfectly the whole time I had it , towed well , fast enough but at 93000 miles the turbos had to be rebuilt or replaced so went for the rebuild at $ 1500 . Sold the pickup and got a Transit with Eco again ....turbos developed leaks at around 75000 miles and it was 2 grand that time . It's definitely something to think about .....great performance but the issue is pretty widespread ....not turbo failures necessarily but developing leaks that just get worse over time and if you're not proactive when a problem first occurs , then the bill only gets bigger . Got a Promaster 3500 early in 2022 and like it so far .
@@tinman7342 Thanks for that critical information. I have a Ford F250 diesel with turbo. Mine has 160K miles and still hold well. I don't know if it is the same turbo used in the Transit or not. I hope it will not leak anytime soon....!
We have a 2017 mid roof transit 105000 miles on it…. Love it. No mechanical issues, easily serviced locally.
Beautiful! This van is great a lot of people have the same experience with this van! Do you use it for rving?
I bought a ProMaster in 2014 when they first came out. Mine is the extended length version and was purchased for work. It is constantly loaded with 1500lbs of tools and loaded daily to the max capacity with materials. I have 205,000 miles on it and it has been very reliable. I have never replaced a headlight but have replaced the daytime running lights a few times. I had a coil go out early that was fixed under warranty. The transmission went out at 140,000 miles and was replaced. I replaced the radiator and oil cooler/filter assembly, 8 rocker arms at 130,000. At 195,000 I had to replace 6 more rocker arm assemblies for the famous Pentastar tick. Spark plugs were replaced at the recommended intervals. Also replaced the rear door wiring harness because they broke apart and were about to fail. To be honest it has had a few issues but overall I am not disappointed. I work this van very hard and it has been very reliable. I think my GMC van was a bit more reliable but it was too small and not very fuel efficient at all. My Ford 350 went through 4 transmissions in 90,000 miles! I traded that in on the GMC and swore I would NEVER buy another Ford again! Overall I am very happy with my ProMaster. I have been eyeballing the new Sprinters though…
What do you do for work?
The Promaster has been updated and is better then ever.
@1voiceofstl I saw that! I did a little update video of it too
Seems like this van life phenomena is everywhere on youtube right now! Not gonna lie, i'm starting to warm up to the idea. Awesome video as always Stephen!
It’s not without its challenges that’s for sure! If you get more serious about it let me know. Who knows my element might be up for grabs soon 😅
I have been camping last 20 years in my popup trailer. As I am ready to retire, I am contemplating on building my own camper van. Part of the reason is that, with a camper van, I can stop and rest overnight anywhere. With my existing camping trailer, I have to plan my trip in far advance and reserve all the sites which has becoming difficult lately. There is no clear winner among 3 brands, and I will miss the reliability of Honda and Toyota. But what's the heck, I may not have much time left to enjoy.
I went a totally different way and got the GMC with an added on high top. So reliable and great gas mileage. Hobo Go on the Go. Check it out.
I own a 2020 Promaster 350 Ext the tall model21 feet long. It only has19000 miles as we are running it in for departure in 2022. Your observations are spot on about the Promaster except the bulb issue is for early models and with LEDS you can overcome the 2014-16 model year issues.
Reliability issues are mixed. Gentle driving and consistent maintenance will pay off with the Promaster. It is a work van based on the fiat ducato with a dodge six cylinder engine assembled in Mexico. Critics take predictable cheap shots (Fiats and Mexicans get put down on Facebook as though vehicles nowadays are built in one country ) but mine is comfortable enough for12 hour days. The back is wide enough in a well insulated van to carry a Queen sized bed sideways which won’t work in the Ford which has ribs and is narrower. Sprinters use $5,000 uninsulated pods to gain the same width.
Lots of accessories (front winch, lift kit, skid plate ) and a full sized spare tire work for me. I have driven mine out of deep sand with a gentle foot and the ESC button engaged, a trick mentioned in the manual but rarely online.
That’s great to hear. You make a good point about the pods for the sprinters my god are they expensive!
If there’s anything to say about the promaster is the dimensions are spot on for a van build that’s for sure
The flares for a cross-wise bed are available for the Transit
Because the Promaster is front wheel drive, and without the drive shaft to the rear wheels, the cargo bay can be lower. For a van conversion, a lower floor is preferred.
That is definitely an useful feature to consider for building van camper. Thanks.
I believe Ford has taller ceiling height
Vut why is it preffered , just curious
@@jamesalcott4120 Promaster now has a Super Tall roof, which is 7’2”, as compared to the Transit High Top at 6’8”.
I’m a Ford guy, and have driven F150’s for over 30 years. But when it comes to gas motor (not diesel ) vans, the Promaster is the clear winner. Why? The front wheel drive makes driving these beasts a breeze in and around tight city roads/ spaces. Also, the extra couple inches of width and lack of curves walls makes builds or cargo hauling so much easier. Once you add insulation and walls, you just aren’t going to sleep East-West in the Transit. Maybe that’s not super important. But I love that option. Also, the drive shaft in the Transit makes for a higher floor in the van.. which is why the Transit is so effing tall. Tall to the point that it sticks out like a sore thumb. Both vans are awesome for different reasons. Comes down to intended use.
Are all transits rear wheel drive?
@@richard21995 It is.
I love my promaster, 2019, I survived a wild fire by living in my honda civic si hatchback, got a van, saved money by living the mountains for 2 years, got a promaster and life is awesome!.
Dude this is awesome! I’m happy your in a bigger van now enjoying a life in the mountains. I bet the si was fun tho
The new Promaster has the ZF 9 speed transmission. Probably the best gearbox available. This will improve the reliability for sure.
Doing a build on my friends new Promaster. We decided to do the walls with white marine vinyl on Masonite backer. If I did it again I would use a thin foam instead of gluing directly to the Masonite and I would use button tucks for aesthetics. The walls and ceiling turned out beautiful any way. Installed a queen size bed in the back with a dresser mounted underneath and 2 35 gallon tanks for fresh and grey water. The Mattress had to be squished in slightly to fit the long way across the width of the van. My friend is looking into a sleep number short queen mattress that should actually fit. We installed a portable air conditioner, which we vented trough he floor behind the drivers seat and mounted a DC refrigerator above it. 9 inch sink with Joolca on demand hot water and shower. We are in the process of building a rack for the solar panels and for sitting on top of the van. We have a Jackery for power but are waiting for the new Bluetti.
What is Bluetti's new release?
I have a 2015 Ram Promaster 3500 RV. I love it. No issues with 20,000 miles.
I use both in my company, Promaster better gas mileage, steering radius and flush opening back doors
That’s great to hear how is the reliability?
@@StephenAldaco excellent , however my 2014’s had a recall on the transmission shifter, other than it’s an exceptional vehicle
@@StephenAldaco All of mine our the 3500’s by the way
Thank you for your insight! It’s a great platform I remember hearing about those transmission issues but hopefully it got worked out.
@@StephenAldaco Absolutely, just on the 2014’s.. My guys fight to drive the PM’s due to the stability while loaded and the turning radius, less 3 point turns is good thing in delivering business. If you’re going to be doing a lot of night diving the headlight beam placement is exceptional, I personally converted my own 2020 extended wheelbase, so if you’re thinking about a conversion they’re easy due to being a little more squared off.. The only real down size in my opinion is the arm rest is short and it only has one..
I’ve got the same color Honda Element as you and am also in the market for a Transit! Logical next step!
Yay! That’s rad transits are so expensive right now but I hope you find a deal!
I am particularly interested in the Ram ProMaster. But still considering the Ford transit. Either one are fine 🙂 👌 excellent video 📹 👌
I ending up with the transit for a brief moment! The ram would have been so easy to build in haha. Either one is good your right
@@StephenAldaco what is the drive-out price for each one? that would make it easier to pick.
You're cool with that van I like the both
Thank you 🥰. I like the transit the most though finding a high roof is almost impossible right now.
Currently in Michigan you are right you want those seat warmers for up here currently watching to help decide what to choose so I can travel some place warmer! Lol Love the vid
Thank you! My girlfriend is from Michigan so if we go there I’ll make sure to have a ram with seat warmers haha
@@StephenAldaco I think most people doing van life would be in some nice warm place in the winter time with palm trees and sun shine. Michigan I don’t think so.
thank you.
Your welcome I hope this helped!
Get the promaster. That platform in europe (shared with Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer and Citroen Relay) is the no1 platform in europe for motorhomes and campervans. The boxiness give you much space to work and in europe that platform is tested and rated for 2.5 milion miles so no real issues with mechanical problems. Although in europe uses diesel engines. Ford is nice but it is very narrow (like sprinter) you can not make a bed and sleep widthwise.
I got 4 transits i love em never had any issues 200k miles still running like new
That’s amazing! I’ve heard mostly good things about the transits wow
I ordered my promaster in August 2022. Transits weren't available for sale or to order at the time. Used promasters were actually more expensive than ordering a new one. So I ordered one got it Mar 31
Would've loved a 4x4 sprinter but figured maintenance and repairs would be way too expensive.
Now have just over 6,000 miles on mine so far I love my promaster. I upgraded the wheels to 17" rhinos with 245 70 17 bf goodrich at k02
It fits w very minor trimming on the back wheel wells.
I had a chevy express 3500 w a 6.0 and my promaster will get up and go faster than the express
I have a promaster 2014,a 2500 159 wheelbase for work I’m a carpenter ,always full of tools, I put about 1000$ repair on it ball bearings and brakes obviously one time high beam and that’s it,very happy about it,
Wow! How many miles have you put in it? Wanna help with my van build 😅😅😅
@@StephenAldaco that’s the thing I have only 70k miles on it ,actually the dealer where I bought it 8years ago offer me to buy it back for almost the same price I bought it for
Love my 2017 Promaster. 80.000 miles. Have replaced both headlights but other than that, no major issues. Gas mileage about 15-16mpg
Beautiful! Yeah not bad considering it’s boxyness
What engine ? And do u haul cqrgo ?
Get OpenGlass LED conversiuon kit like I did. No more headlight issues.
Sweet Stache bro.
🤣🤣🤣🤣 nice username
I've owned a Ram ProMaster now for about 5 years...bought one brand new back in 2015. The 2500 with the diesel motor. I put 65000 miles on this thing traveling around the country. Overall reliability has been pretty good. Being the diesel it comes with the D E F system, I've had five or six issues with that since I own the vehicle. Everything has fallen under warranty however it has been an inconvenience at times. My biggest complaint is it snowing easy on the highway. I'm used to my Ford F-150 which is very quiet in the cabin area. I did insulate and finish out the back area as a camper, but the driving area is noisy. I was curious if you noticed the Ford being any more quiet than the ram when you test drove them. Besides the improvements in technology like adaptive cruise control the only other reason I would look to upgrade would be if somebody builds a much quieter overall cabin.
Hey those diesel are pretty rare! Nice one. Well the ford I drove was completely bare so it was quite noisy you could hear the turbo spool up quite a lot and I kinda liked that. It’s hard to tell how it would be insulated I imagine pretty good.
You should sell it while it is still running. Your transmission will have issues around 140,000 miles that will cost you an arm and a leg, and because nobody knows how to work on it, it never gets fixed correctly. I bought a 2015 diesel Promaster new for around $40,000 and sold it about 2 years ago for $1000. Heed my warning.
@@konghy2 is that specific to the diesel or all promaster transmissions?
@@elchongis front wheel drive is never a good option for carrying weight and/towing. Makes a transmission go out much sooner than rear wheeled haulers
I have 2011 Ecoboost in an f150. turbos lasted to 190k. One thing with Ecoboost is you do need to get an oil catch can, or some people drill a weep hole in the intercooler. This is for both water and oil. I burnt 2 coils(sparkplug boot) before realizing it was absolutely needed. Long run non turbo definitely cheaper to maintain, but the turbo power is awesome on hwy, or specially in mountain s or towing or carrying weight. Even the diesel sprinter can't compare to the Ecoboost when power is most needed.
Thank you again for all the info,I decided to get the high roof extended Ford Transit. When I finish designing it I will show pictures of Charly on here,by the way that is his name.
No way this is so cool! Congratulations on your purchase. Let us know how it turns out 🙌
@@StephenAldaco thank you , I will.
Love the music.
Thank you! I’ve been experimenting with some music and some without so this is good feedback.
I noticed the noise level in the ProMaster was significantly higher than the Transit!
I have a Ford transit two 2021 the lower roofing dried the best I recommend you took it to For
Thanks for the review...timely as I will start this in the summer. Interesting reading all these comments. I believe the perfect van does not exist. Trust your gut.
Every vehicle has issues eventually. Different years are better than others. It's a tough call, and one I have to make this summer. Will probably boil down to best deal combo I can get, so I can spend the money on everything else I need inside.
I once had a 1986 Chevy Astro with a Tiffin Motorhome on it. The transmission went out up a hill. That was stinky and tricky to tow with 2 dogs inside. (ALWAYS opt for the 100 mile tow option) The replacement was not that bad. The electronics, alternator, etc had a cross wire that caused problems...got an auto specialist to fix that. Wheel joints or whatever needed replacing too. Bottom line, you try to find the best you think you can find (if used) and you deal with the fixes which are inevitable.
I may be looking at the 1500 Ram used. Postman says the door hinges go out. and front tire wear out faster cuz of weight of engine. Well I'll have water, bed, batteries in back so maybe that will balance, or hey, how about rotating those tires, lol. The Transits have a transmission issue rumor, maybe newer years are better, but have been through that before, so won't be a shock.There are used Transit 130's or something on sale everywhere. (The kinds with the ladder racks on top, wondering if I can put solar panels on them and tilt up?)
But since the Ram is more square and I'll be doing a self build (God help me), that might fit for me. Either way, I'm looking for 25k to 35k-ish with a Chevy Silverado Trade in for lower payments. (Fed is gonna keep raising interest, so keep that in mind).I haven't helped you a bit, have I?! Hahahahaha. Saweeeee.
It's great to have your own turtle shell, with all the necessities, all the power, etc, then if the grid goes down you can charge everybody else's phone. hehe. And you will always have a home. (Also, you can drive away from smoke from fires, I live Reno/Tahoe area and I am so over yearly fire smoke) Cheers!
Great video. Interested to see which one you go with.
Thank you bro! It’s. A big decision for me so I’ll keep you all updated. Appreciate you watching!
@@StephenAldaco My brother got a Ford Transit and is in the process of tricking it out now before summer. He loves it.
Nice!!! Lucky guy do you know if he went new or used?
@@StephenAldaco He works as a shop teacher in Michigan. He bought a 2020 with 700 miles on it that had been totaled and had a salvage title and his class has repaired it like new. He paid 15 g's for it!
That’s a steal! Hopefully you can take some adventures with him in the van!
Transit Hands Down we have a 2020 Ford transit 350 extended ecoboost with the 10 speed auto and it drives fantastic and it hauls big time things. We love the New truck and don’t regret the decision of buying the transit. The extended is so much more roomier.
The Ford drives so good you are absputly right about that! Thank you for your input! How’s the gas mileage??
@@StephenAldaco the Gas mileage in it is actually decent with almost 18 miles to the gallon. Don’t forget it is a V-6 and it is a ecoboost twin turbo
I have my traveling Promaster since 2017 and i just had one issue so far which caused by me. i went on the road which i shouldn't and caused the driver side headlight to burn out and that was it. Now i really want that OHV 3" lift kit 😍
I see you also ride motorcycles do you use your van to tow your ride around??
@@StephenAldaco For trackways and long distance trips
I have the 2017 150 medium with the eco boost. It’s absurd how fast it is for a bread box
I know these things are so crazy fast like genuinely fast for a van.
Dude that's awesome man. You can do so much with either one. I would go with the Ford but either one would be a great option. 😁
Yea the Ford on paper is the best choice it just does not excite me as much as the element or sprinter haha. I’ll miss the element don’t think I’ll sell it honestly.
@@StephenAldaco nothing beats the element hands down lol Yeah man don't get rid of it.
The Ford dealer I bought my Transit-250 from had a 2019 Pro Master on the lot for the past several months that he could not sell. As a construction contractor I love my Transit and I got $5500 off for owning a Chevy Express and another $1000 off upfitting.
That’s a HUGE savings very nice.
Yeah the transit seems like a better car just a little ugly duckling that’s just my thoughts tho haha.
I’m glad it’s treating you well
@@StephenAldaco ugly is definitely in the eye of the beholder. I find the promaster fugly as heck. I really can't stand the front end/windshield. Aerodynamically in the front it might be better but not enough difference to make up for it's fuglyness.
I had sprinter for two years and sold it cuz too much headache with diesel engine. won't start.loosing power on road .a lot of sensors on DEF system .tired of it
On my Transit I have 60k miles already ...only one complaint I replaced rear brake rotors at 40k miles . It's reliable
Thanks for sharing amigo! Ya I hear horror stories about how much the MB vans are to service. I wonder if the gas version of the MB is better. The transit is the best cargo van to drive imo!
You need to measure the Transit again. We have a 21 and a Camper short Queen and fits East to West or West to East 75" by 60". I tested ALL of them and as a personal preference prefer the TRANSIT 250.
With two people we placed our bed lengthwise in our 2020 Transit. We were tired of crawling over each other after 30 years in our Westfalia.
I carry heavy grocery items every week with 2015 transit low roof, one day I had to use 2019 promaster 1500 and didn't like it at all when carrying heavy stuffs because the engine is just not able to handle heavy stuffs. I have put 298000 miles on the transit, a few issues have risen throughout that have been fixed. Now I want to upgrade it to 2020 crew awd drw, but it's just too expensive somewhere around $60,000 and even so hard to find one. I wonder if the 3500 ram promaster has a more capable engine.
Wow that’s incredible to have so many miles on the transit!!
A lot of people have echoed that when the ram is loaded up it feels heavy.
Good luck finding an awd those things are amazing 🤩.
Could you let us know about the issues you had it would be helpful for others to know from your experience.
@@StephenAldaco catalytic converter driver side with sensor replaced, spark plugs replaced, u joint replaced. Oh one more thing, brake eater. Other than that, it is pretty good having driven 298000+ miles on it and it feels like it's gonna keep going a lot more.
That’s not so bad for that many miles wow! Sounds like you took good care of her 🤙 maybe that’s what is most important.
Never left you at the side of the road right?
@@myckeee no sir.
I have been on the fence for over a year now. If the promaster did not have a perceived reliability issue, I would have bought it as a primitive camper. Primitive means no bathroom and no kitchen. My fast food apps and a black membership to Planet Fitness will cover those two areas. Pros/Cons with the Promaster. 1. I would be able to fab a bed along the width (73" Promaster vs 69" Transit) of the cab, which would give me a lot space to move around with the bed in the back of the cab. 2. I would not have to go to a med height cab in the Transit (5'10") since in the low roof (48") is lower than the promaster (5'2") which is high enough for me to walk through if I duck my head. The medium roof Transit (5'10") roof would allow me to walk through without ducking, but it costs more money. 3. I like the boxy promaster which has more cargo space than the cargo Transit. 4. The promaster is definitely less expensive when you compare the two in the same configuration. I still on the fence because the transit is believed to be a little bit more reliable, and from the consensus it seems everyone like the ecoboost turbo engine (option!) is a more powerful engine, more torque, but be careful with timing chain issue, expensive to repair, and with the twin turbo, they should only be used in cars like Porsche 911 Turbos. The Promaster 3.6 liter V6 engine is probably more reliable, but has less power., but slightly better fuel economy. Promaster has more cargo space, a plus. The Transit can tow more (not important to me) I need to drive both before making a decision.
Driving the transit is a dream engine feels smooth. Promaster drives well also honestly from what I’ve heard from the comments of the video is the pro master is known to have transmission issues.
I have been on the fence myself as well but prices of vans have gone up so much these past few months. Hopefully by the time your ready to pull the trigger things have calmed down a bit.
Hi, this video is super helpful because I'm interested in getting a Ford Transit but I'm not sure which one. I like this one specifically because of the height and space as described. Do you have more information, make/model...
Would appreciate.
Thanks
Hi Sasha glad you enjoyed! The transit I checked out was a high roof extended so one of the biggest models you can get with the eco boost engine.
@@StephenAldaco
Thanks for your help!
I'm like raw promaster 2019 1500 i did have a spark plug problems at 61000 miles
Transit hands down, Fiat / Chrysler ( Dodge ) quality and reliability are ongoing issues. The Sprinter is a Benz, parts cost a fortune and so does routine service. Just my thoughts.
Your wrong, FCA is better than ford in reliability or on point with it. They are both average or better. But FCA is definitley the better alternative to ford.
@@jett5084 and yet year after year sales prove that Fiat / Chrysler products are not even close to Ford in truck sales. If you Recall, Fiat stopped selling the Fiat 500 in America due to poor quality and lack of sales. Fiat controls All of Chrysler, they have ongoing transmision issues....for years now. Even Jeep products have fallen in quality. Car/ truck companies are like politics, people are loyal to their brand. Bottom line, way more are loyal to F series trucks.
I own a 2020 Ford Transit extended wheel base 350 ecoboost engine with the 10 speed automatic transmission. Like we love that truck because it runs smooth and shifts very nicely and acceleration power is like shocking it is very fast for a cargo van. But overall we love it right now we have bought it a year now and everything works fine. Yea the engine is the best part I like about it and I heard from people like the Ram Promaster has more issues than the Ford for sure like light bulb and transmission leaking and all kinds like just better overall review and such. I recommend buying the Ford transit for sure I don’t regret buying it at all?
Yeah such a surprising fast cargo van! Thank you for the input brother this info will for sure help people.
What kind of MPG are you getting!
I love my Promaster …. I love driving it ….close to the road and up high….it’s my giant minivan…..
That’s the best way to describe driving these things big BIg mini van
I've been debating an upgrade like this also. I'm not full time in a vehicle at this point, so I'm not sure, but will be watching to see which way you go. How much more room did the dodge have for a sideways bed?
Hey I did not take exact measurements but it felt like a lot. Maybe 2 or 3 inches. I am 5’9 and it felt like no problem at all. Good luck with your search I’ll be sure to keep you updated!
You won’t fit sideways in a Transit once you frame it out unless you are like 5’ 6” or below. This alone is why I’d only consider the ProMaster.
@@leblancexplores maybe up higher in the windows you can fit in the transit or at least it seems that way haha. Can anyone confirm?
I’m 5’6” ... I’m interested in this information haha
Engine swapping us also another good alternative
So here's my 5c. The Promaster is the easiest to build. Huge dealer network (like Ford, and not a MB). Looks relatively normal in the high roof config. The Ford looks odd in the high roof. Bells and whistles, Ford - hands down). Yes, mechanically a crap shoot but the promaster is very easy to service, ever oil changes can be extracted (oil filter on top). It is a Fiat Ducato after all. Check how many European RV's are built on this chassis. If Promaster offered adaptive cruise.....wow. The Sprinter is the cat's meow, as long as it doesn't break. Especially if budget no option. Look at Humble Road's channel. He will give you much insight as well.
Thank you I will check out his channel! I mean everything you listed I agree with better looks easy to service super simple for the dodge. Ford ugly as hell more bells and whistles. Sprinter is the Mac daddy if your ballin simple haha!
@@StephenAldaco I had two Mercedes Sprinters. Thousands for repairs. MB dealers are shot. Stay far away from Sprinter. I have been an American Dodge Van my almost entire driving career. All made in USA. Problems? Yes. Ford problems? Yes. When you get stuck in the middle of nowhere with no cell signal and you are far away from civilization, you will be able to make a very sobering decision. Go find the Promaster Forum. Lots of guys and gals helping each other. Good luck and stay healthy!
@@ArtOfHealth thanks man yeah the sprinter cost to service whew… I cry just thinking of the service bill.
I will never buy anything but Ford!
Freight liner is everywhere and they work on Sprinters
Which is your favorite the ram or the Ford?
RAM
Funny how different experiences can be. In Europe the Fiat Ducato, on which the Ram is based, is used for over 80% of all motorhomes and vans. The Ford is the ones with problems and unreliability , not the Ducato. However we have reliable diesel engines (there are no petrol versions) and therfore probably different transmission as well, which seem to be the problem in the US. Mercedes is a different level of quality, and therefore price as well. You get what you pay for.
The only reason the Promaster is used in factory-built class B motorhomes is chassis cost. both Winnebago and Coachman echoed that.
Reliability of the ducato vs the promaster might also have something to do with the engines and transmissions being different and I read that that they are assembled in Mexico (not sure if it's true so might be some problems there too, as for getting the ducato serviced, you can take it to any Fiat, Peugeot or citröen certified repair shop which are all over Europe and they can help you.
Promaster is for sure assembled in Mexico. When I went to check them out the VIN showed that.
The Promaster is based on the 2006 Ducato... Italdesign (Giugiaro) made a masterpiece for Fiat and FCA Group, designing this super rational van. At the time it was a revolution. Now it's almost the same. The Ducato covers almost 70% of the RV vehicle market in EU...
Its promaster for me. I wish they still offered Diesel but that 3.6 is a great engine and have it in my Grand cherokee too. I hate how these manufactures put undersized engines in everything and turbo the crap out of them to get the power. IMO its horrible for long term durability. The 3.6 is probably to small too but would rather have a little less power and no turbo junk. Turbos are for high performance cars but not for a truck or suv. Just give me the cubes and naturally aspirated engine. I would upgrade the head unit to NAV unit is easy fix.
A diésel would be very nice for longevity! No replacement for displacement as they say.
I love my 2018 promaster 2500. I didn’t even test drive a Ford transit because I think there are strange looking. The proportions of the front end seem awkward to me. Hopefully my promaster will continue to be reliable.
That’s great! I felt the same thing about the Ford. However the driving capability of the Ford seems better to me. Also the front window is WAY bigger and clear you can see so much. If only they made it boxy like the ram. Glad you are enjoying yours so much!
How many mile do you have on it?
Ford handles much better especially at curves with the RW-drive been driving it for 5 years . Now I'm with the proM 2021 and I'm missing my Transit
I daily drive a 2015 transit 250 and it’s a complete junk box when it comes to the flimsy sheet metal and build quality. Besides that engine and transmission have been solid..
At least the engine is reliable 😅
RAM sold as a fiat/citroen here in Europe and the Ford here is definitely the better van. Our transits have the 2.0 eco blue 4cyl and ours is reasonably quick but we’ve now ordered a Sprinter again with a 2.1L 4 cylinder
Do you think the pro master city and the ford transit connect may get a taller roof? I like how compact they are. Would be perfect if I could stand since I'm 5"5.
I really don’t think so. They have the medium roof transit and the high roof promaster. I feel it would just cut into those sales.
The Ford Transit Connect is not a full size cargo van like the examples in this video. The Transit is available in medium and high roof versions, the ProMaster does not have the medium.
Honestly I love the 136" WB promaster. But im worried about the driver's view as a tall person. I need to ride in all of them.
Hey that’s a good point when I sat in the promaster it was perfect for me at 5’9 I’ve heard from taller folks that when the sunshade is pulled down it’s hard to see the road. I would recommend test driving one for sure good luck!
6’ 4” been driving one for 5 years. No view problems
I'm 6'2" and have been driving mine for the last 2 years with no height issues. One trick to improve driver view is to remove the rear view mirror (it just twists off and can be twisted back on if needed). Since I can't see out the back of my van, the rear view mirror didn't do anything. With the mirror gone, the forward view is amazing.
I brought the ford transit 250, brought it 30 k brought down from 3489. I glad it not a high top. It too in your face on resdent st.. and the gas mpg is 25 a week .vs my old ford 150 at 40 a week lol
Which one is better for expedited shipping OTR ?
For expedited delivery, only the Mercedes sprinter can hold 4 pallets (4’ x 4’). That limits the loads you can carry in Dodge and Ford cargo vans.
The extended version shows a cargo bed length of 176”. 4 pallets is 192”.
Does it go all the way up to the seats? Is that how the 4 fit? So if there is any kind of dividing wall 4 might not fit? Very curious here thanks
I’m looking buy ford transit 250 can recommend which one beter ram pro master or ford transit for delivery job
Both are great I would get the transit personally
Opinions are subjective. But i interviewed a heavy duty tow truck driver. Pretty quick interview. I asked of the three major brands, which did he have to tow the most. He pointed to the Transit on the roll up. “Definitely the Transit” Which did surprise me. I think if you are planning to drive in the US, go with a brand that uses a broad dealer network and that the parts are readily available across platforms. And while I was extremely fond of diesels two decades ago, modern diesels have become extremely complex for emissions management; if you have a breakdown, finding the appropriate tech and parts may take awhile.
Yeah this is what I keep hearing and it scares me from buying a sprinter! But the gas model sprinter is an appealing option best of both worlds but your gonna pay some serious coin up frontZ
Every year Transits sell about 3x more than Promasters do. Way more Transits on the road.
Not specific to vans, but I asked a tow truck driver a similar question about 1 year ago. What was the number one brand that was broken down? Chrysler and Dodge was his reply (FCA). He said he would never personally own anything from them. It would be interesting to see repair costs vs. miles driven to better assess reliability.
I hear the Transit leaks. So make sure you check for leaks before you build it all out or you will get mold
Thanks for the tip! I have heard the drivers side collects water under the hood because of a badly designed rain catch & that water falls on to the wiring harness. Something else to look out for!
The ProMaster has an issue with the roof clearance lights leaking. It's a very common thing that occurs and have experience firsthand.
The roof clearance lights are very expensive to replace. They are also prone to cracking, leaking, and faded bulbs. There are limited aftermarket options so we came up with one that is LED.
czcams.com/video/EzwPcMPL7yI/video.html
Ran is better. But it does need a catch can. And gear box additives for years of no issues 😮...
I like the Ford
I like it too! We shall see 😝
I'm waiting for the test drive of the Sprinter Van. But I pick Ford over the RAM if the machine not so great in the RAM.
Sprinter and ford both drive great. I did the test drive if the sprinter on my channel somewhere haha
If you plan to add a lot of windows, drivers side and bunk windows, the Promaster or Sprinter will be much easier to build out because they do not have the deep cavities of the Ford. I am almost done building out a Ford and each step has been an engineering challenge. Ford did not consider DIYers nor ergonomics of a woman when designing the Transit. Still glad I went with the Ford but the build took much longer.
Thanks for the feedback! Lucky I don’t plan on adding windows but good for the community to know thank you. What do you mean the ergonomics of a woman the chairs? I want my girlfriend to be comfortable.
@@StephenAldaco brake pedal is set too high. My shoe size is 8.5 -9 which is the average size for most women. The reach to the nav/infotainment center is about 2 inches too long. The steering wheel needs to have the ability to come back about 2 more inches towards the driver. The height of the factory swivels is perfect however.
Ahhh I see what you mean! Good to know thank you. That’s a plus one for the Mercedes because of the telo scoping steering wheel & controls on the wheel itself.
Still such a money pit!
@@StephenAldaco the Promaster is under powered for full time conversion load. It drives okay empty but loaded up as a camper it struggles on small grades.
I tested both the ram and transit, and found the ram seats so uncomfortable (tall male). so i went with the transit
for this type of vehicle, rear-wheel drive is essential
I agree with all the weight you gotta have it.
i have used both for a wile and the ford went way more miles without problems the dodge has rocker tick so easy and its gutless when you put any weight in it and the ford will do better in snow tested because if you puting weight i a vehicle you need rwd or awd
I'd like to see survivability statistics
on front end collisions
with the Promaster vs
the Transit.
I suspect the Promaster
driver wears the colliding
vehicle on his lap.
Like the old VW vans.
Ouch.
I've noticed that most mechanics favor the Ford over the Ram and Sprinter. The sprinter is very expensive to maintain. buy it if you have a lot of $. I have a ram truck that is a workhorse but it is pre-Fiat ownership. I'm going with the transit... most likely.
2015 Ford Transit have rust problem on brakes and undercarriage
Thanks to Charlycheer VanLifer finding the Trader page and thanks to you for your advice. Still searching. Newbie!
Good luck with your search!
Don't choose the ProMaster that has many problems with that transmission /engine all kind of expensive issues even with low mileage engines
Thank you for your video, I was quite surprised adaptive cruise control (ACC) was not even on your list :) , just saying, any car I buy (or truck) if it does not have ACC, I will not buy, period. I recently drove a Revel, it had ACC, without it, I don't know how I would be chugging all those long roads. Something to think about!!!
Thank you funny enough I went to place an order for a sprinter & because of the chip shortage it’s not available....so now I’m looking at older sprinters because why pay extra?
How was the revel??? Did you go off road?
@@StephenAldaco No off roading, but It was awesome. Too tight for three people as there was three of us. Lesson learned :) It was a test to see how I like RVing, and where I have landed is, I think size wise, Ram Promaster is the best option (wider than the rest) and even a few inches longer than sprinter 144. I will wait a year or so for Ram to hopefully come up with ACC and AWD and then will have a builder custom build it. Good Luck with your RV venture and thank you for replying.
@@StephenAldaco sorry to bother again, but I thought I owed it to you a proper answer. U asked how was Revel, one major issue we had was the bench seat. Not comfortable at all and poorly made. If I were to get a Revel, that alone would eliminate it. I watched many videos of Revel, not one person mentioned the discomfort on long drives for a third person on the bench seat behind the driver. Hope this helps!
@@taurusview9 a 4x4 ram would be pretty sweet. And your so right the proportions of the ram are spot on.
I am contemplating moving to another state and I am thinking about van like this. Is this a used van or a new one? I want one that is reliable to drive with all my belongings and this seems like it's long and it seems all my stuff will fit, since I may have to live in it until I have a stable place. Which one did you choose?
I ended up with a ford transit from carmax. Long story short it had problems and I ended up returning it and living in my Honda Element.
Overall they are reliable but I was unlucky. Yes I was looking at used vans.
@@StephenAldaco Thank you, for your reply. I appreciate it.
@@charlottewalker6490 of course thank you for watching!
@@StephenAldaco I’m trying to figure out between the Ford or the Dodge. Mercedes is out of the question, it’s way too expensive. It appears they all have their problems. I have suspicions with the turbo engine in which I’m leaning towards the Dodge. The 2022 & 2023 Dodge has a new transmission. Going new might be the solution.
@@Polemic-2525 yeah and they have an upgraded entertainment system you can get the ford without the turbo which is a good thing!
Is this the extended version of the transit (largest version)?
Yes! It was huge.
I for one LOVE My 2019 ford transit 350. It's a company vehicle, but it's got Bluetooth so I can hear my music and it doesn't have turbo. It's comfy and looks good. It does not look like someone smashed Mr. Potato head on its face (yes I think dodge vans are UGLY) it rides well. If I were to buy one of those cargo vans I'd go for the Ford. My research says it has the best ride, which I find the ride is great and after putting 36k+ miles on it, it is still quiet, running and looking great. Other people i work with talk about how dodge vans end up needing new transmissions before 100k miles. They are trash. If you want a good van a ND a good price I'd go for the Ford transit. Mine has not only treated me well but is reliable, comfortable, and simply designed. Plus it looks good unlike dodge which I feel I'd be dodging a major breakdown on the highway if I were to get one. Dodge vans aren't reliable and they're just plain ugly. People I know would rather have my transit350, and I wanna keep it to myself. It's great.
Hopefully one day you can get a transit of your own if that’s the goal! I’m def leaning towards the ford transit and your reply is making that choice that much easier!
Iam always curious about mpg
Have dodge promaster love it
That’s awesome is it for work or a build out? Any issues?
I drove a Mercedes Sprinter for work and we always had transmission issues with those things. Tranny would slip and when we would take them in Mercedes always said they were good!?? I would never buy a sprinter. I am looking for a transit or promaster never drive either or so in not sure which one to get. I did notice that the promaster are a lot cheaper.
I definitely like the transit minus the less boxy shape good luck with your purchase
Leg room ? Actual driving comfort ? Reliability ? Reliability, Reliability ? I went Nissan. V8 can't go wrong
can you towe a boat and trailer with both of these 1100 pounds?
This comparison could have been done in a more apples-to-apples style. Transits are available without the turbo engine. And both Ram and Transit vans can be had at the same length and with similar trim levels.
The Transit isn't available with 136" wheelbase and high roof AFAIK; the Promaster is. We had to have the shorter wb so in the final analysis only the Ram had the van we needed.
Thrilled with the acceleration… but counts turbo as a con lol
🤣 mpg is more important in a van but damn was it fun
Very nice stash...
Thanks bro! I grew it myself.
Greetings from Russia where the Promaster was sold as Peugeot (we also had some used Fiat Ducatos too). That van is pretty dated and not as durable as the Transit.
Hello my Russian friend! That’s good to know I ended up buying the transit myself and it’s a great van. Thank you for your insight!
Mr. E Ryter nailed it. I drove cross country in a Transit last year, and just rented a ProMaster for a shorter trip last week. Things I can add to his summary:
The ProMaster exudes cheap, cheap, cheap and poorly thought out. Doors feel so flimsy and thin that I was never sure if they fully closed (you can see your lady friend second guess closing the slide door....the rear door is even worse). Also, the cabin is a mess. The right armrest is normal height for an average sized American male (in the 5' 11" ballpark). But the left armrest on the door is like 4-5" lower. So if you want to rest both arms, you end up slumped leftward in an already incredibly uncomfortable and cheap feeling seat. Now you want to reach for your drink? Fortunately the only drink holders are located conveniently just a few inches above the FLOOR to the right of you, so slump back over to the right and bend over to grab your cup, making sure to wrench your head upwards to keep an eye on the road.....which may actually be a relief since the rest of the time, your head will be slanted downward looking at the windshield which is located right where you want it; directly in front of your knees.
Besides ergonomics (or lack thereof) everything feels cheap, plasticky, flimsy and thin. Even little details like the sound of the low fuel emitter, or low fuel indicator light (not even a logo, just an orange LED that pops on) let you know that they cut costs in every way imaginable....that is, if the massive road noise and tiny little low-res mickey mouse "backup camera" didn't already tip you off.
And finally, while it seems peppy off the line with no load in back, it bogs down fast when you start loading it down, or at lower gears/higher speeds.
The only advantages it really has over the Ford IMHO are width and boxiness. But realize these both come at a cost. More boxy = less aerodynamic, less fuel efficient and more easily pushed around in high winds. The added width means it will be a little tougher to squeeze in tight parking spots, through gates, narrow roadways, etc. Overall, I still wish the Transit was boxy and wide like the ProMaster (especially with the mega high roof option!) but when you consider the downsides, it's not THAT big of a hit against the Transit.
Overall, the Transit is the clear winner IMHO. The Mercedes is great if you have the $$$ (both upfront and huge repair costs) and don't mind the sluggish engine, but realize you're mainly paying for the Mercedes logo and accompanying overall quality (way better than RAM, marginally better than Ford), a slightly better warranty, and an engine/drivetrain that could potentially out-endure the others (provided you throw lots of money at it). I would venture to guess that after a few 100k miles, with the $ you save on a Transit, you could probably afford to outfit your Transit with a whole new engine and transmission if/when it's needed, negating that potential long-term reliability of the Sprinter (which is questionable if you read reviews).
Anyhow, there's my $0.02.
Either way, thanks for the great review/comparison and best of luck with your build!
Wow thank you Even for the detailed report!!
The pro master def has that cheap feeling to it. The boxyness isn’t worth all the other things that comes along with it.
I think you might have pushed me over the edge to get the transit! I’m going shopping today so thank you for your input!
@@StephenAldaco Hi again Stephen. There is a video of a van conversion company's vanbuilder that rated Transit #1, Sprinter #2, and Promaster as #3. Now I need to test drive the Transit after reading your viewers remarks. More so far for the Ford Transit as #1. Any suggestions on van conversion for a Future Vanlifer Solo Female? Definitely would appreciate it.
@@baskinginhisbeauty374 Ford it’s great because it’s easier to maintain as well! My suggestion is to keep it stealthy that way you can stay safe. I wouldn’t go painting big things on the outside saying hey I live inside my van. Hah 😂
The ram all the way
How tall are you? Excellent Stache as well
5’10 On a good day
Have 267xxx in transit 350 With ecoBoost and not a single Isuse With Engine and I use it for remodeling business.Get an oil catch can and good quality oil and you are safe trust me.
ProMaster 2500 🚐💨
✌😉👍🏽
It’s the boxyness for me 🤩
I have a pest control company and what we use is promaster, but after 100k miles the transmission broke down and we had to change it and we put a new transmission with the dealer for $7k and it still has problems. And the engine lifters are already giving problems. We are already switching to ford transit.
Damn that sucks!! I’m sorry to hear those transmission are just not built well. A lot of people have left comments about them going bad.
The ram is good and the ford is