[987R]

Starting to 2nd guess myself a bit on buying a HR/148 cargo van for work/camp duties.

I'd intend to drive it daily - some office time, some customer time, some time camping with 3 kids/wife, pulling a sailboat, overnighters for work, bike races, softball games, soccer tournaments, etc. Probably a build similar to the Sportsmobile RB50, if you've seen that.

I drive a 3/4 ton diesel truck now, but it's nowhere near the size (height) of the HR Transit.

I found one on a local dealer lot that's close to what I'd order, but not exactly. Questions:

- Base cloth seats feel cheap. One hope that I'd have with this vehicle, is that it's more comfortable for long trips. I drive 30-40k miles per year. Should I hold out for leather?

- Base radio - looks NOT to have bluetooth, which I'd like. If the stock bluetooth isn't crystal clear, though, I'd probably be OK with the base radio, and get aftermarket bluetooth speaker/mic. How tough to change to a better Ford radio?

- No towing pkg. I can't tell if the tow pkg includes a tranny cooler. Might like to have that.

Any daily drivers want to chime in on using the Transit daily? Besides the neighbors asking if I've started a plumbing company, is it a total hassle driving daily? How comfy are those seats for long / many trips?

 

[orton]

Starting to 2nd guess myself a bit on buying a HR/148 cargo van for work/camp duties.

I'd intend to drive it daily - some office time, some customer time, some time camping with 3 kids/wife, pulling a sailboat, overnighters for work, bike races, softball games, soccer tournaments, etc. Probably a build similar to the Sportsmobile RB50, if you've seen that.

I drive a 3/4 ton diesel truck now, but it's nowhere near the size (height) of the HR Transit.

I found one on a local dealer lot that's close to what I'd order, but not exactly. Questions:

- Base cloth seats feel cheap. One hope that I'd have with this vehicle, is that it's more comfortable for long trips. I drive 30-40k miles per year. Should I hold out for leather?

- Base radio - looks NOT to have bluetooth, which I'd like. If the stock bluetooth isn't crystal clear, though, I'd probably be OK with the base radio, and get aftermarket bluetooth speaker/mic. How tough to change to a better Ford radio?

- No towing pkg. I can't tell if the tow pkg includes a tranny cooler. Might like to have that.

Any daily drivers want to chime in on using the Transit daily? Besides the neighbors asking if I've started a plumbing company, is it a total hassle driving daily? How comfy are those seats for long / many trips?

6500 miles on a high roof 148"

I do not have a problem with cloth seats and would not want leather. Comfort seems fine to me.

I have one radio above the base that gives the 4" info screen and CD. Sounds OK to me but FM reception is poor.

You want the towing package to get tow/haul mode button. One of my favorite features.

I do not see a problem as a daily driver as long as you pay attention to its height. Drives like a car.

Do not second guess. Suspect you will really like the vehicle.

 

[987R]

Do not second guess. Suspect you will really like the vehicle.

I think we'll get a TON of use out of it, so I'm not worried about that. Driving a billboard around will take a bit getting used to, I suspect!

 

[robandmandie442]

I have 250 HR with Bluetooth, towing package,eco boost, cloth seats are nice. LED lights in the cargo area are a must. Great van for what I do (HVAC)


The future isn't what it use to be.

 

[EddieZ]

MR 148" daily driver, here. It's the biggest and most powerful vehicle I've ever had, yet nearly the best gas mileage. I've adjusted well to its size. I have bluetooth with a mild step-up radio. I just use it for phone connectivity. Have the vinyl seats, since I had to buy from dealer stock. I had wanted adjustable lumbar supports. The seat comfort has not been bad. But, at some point, I'll probably fashion a modest wedge of foam to tuck up inside the upholstery, for more back support.

 

[987R]

Great van for what I do (HVAC)
.

I do water treatment for HVAC - cooling towers / boilers. See you out there!

 

[Airedrifter]

MR 350 lwb.

Same footprint as a Suburban. I drive it every day.

 

[brittles]

They all have transmission and oil coolers.

 

[Nathan Green]

I came from a suburban to lwb, mid roof. I drive cross country..50k miles already and I've only had it since Feb. Lots of time in the saddle. Cloth seats are fine, comfortable to me. I would recommend the sync radio with the 4in screen. Not great but solid radio...back up camera is mandatory in the type of vehicle. No problems with the ht, handles better than the burb in every way. Miles ahead of the old e series.

The eb is addictive. Abundant power at any rpm. Handy to have when you need it.

As long as you don;t parralell park or do parking garages...no problem as a daily driver. Parks amazingly easy for the size.

 

[hatchet]

Since you mentioned bluetooth...

It is terrible. Go with anything but the mft or the sync. It was programmed like an old ibm machine i.e. takes programming knowledge to use it.

If I could go back Id get the radio prep package and immediately install a aftermarket radio.

 

[JP4]

Since you mentioned bluetooth...

It is terrible. Go with anything but the mft or the sync. It was programmed like an old ibm machine i.e. takes programming knowledge to use it.

If I could go back Id get the radio prep package and immediately install a aftermarket radio.

Hmmm, I've got the radio that came with the Premium package and the Bluetooth requires no programming at all other than a very simple phone pairing. It easily access my contacts on my Samsung S5 as well as streams music easily. Voice commands work great.
I can't speak for the base radio or MFT, but the mid level one is pretty good, IMO.
JP

 

[garandman]

Profile doesn't say where you live: have snow to contend with?

I know some motorcycle racers who use their vans for commuting and leave them loaded up during the week. They take off from work Friday afternoon. Typically set up as minimalist campers.

 

[LDH®]

I know some motorcycle racers who use their vans for commuting and leave them loaded up during the week. They take off from work Friday afternoon. Typically set up as minimalist campers.

Did someone call me

 

[USMC Vet]

Before you sync your phone

When my wagon arrived and I was waiting for it to go to mobility upfitter, I took the opportunity to read the manuals. The one major problem I noticed is in order to sync your phone (which evidently is easy to do) you have to give up your privacy on everything that is stored on your phone, not just your address book for contacts. Texts, e-mails, they record your conversations, sights visited etc, everything. Ford says it will respect your rights to privacy, but they have the right to collect all your info for using their system. Better to by a burner phone and use only that one with their sync.

Semper Fi

 

[garandman]

You can use the voice command and just say "DIAL" followed by the digits, or dial from the contact on your phone. If you don't download the contacts when you get an incoming call it just gives the #, not the contact name.

I have zero concerns about van privacy relative to everything on a smart phone....

 

[USMC Vet]

You can use the voice command and just say "DIAL" followed by the digits, or dial from the contact on your phone. If you don't download the contacts when you get an incoming call it just gives the #, not the contact name.

I have zero concerns about van privacy relative to everything on a smart phone....

garandman,

Except that as soon as you sync your phone, it takes all that info from your phone and continues to, automatically. You don't have to download it, it does that by itself. If it is on your smart phone, they have access to and download it. That's why I said better to use a burner phone that you have not used for anything else.

Semper Fi

 

[987R]

Profile doesn't say where you live: have snow to contend with?.

Yes - I travel throughout Colorado all year round.

I don't suppose the Transit has stability control? Probably traction control, right?

I've driven a RWD car about 9 years a row in all weather. The only issue with that car was clearance. >10" of unplowed snow was the only deal-breaker. I will get snow tires for winter.

 

[brittles]

I don't suppose the Transit has stability control? Probably traction control, right?



.

The only options on my T250, 130" wheelbase, low roof, are the ecoboost engine and limited slip rear. It has stability control and traction control, so I'm assuming it's standard.

 

[Nathan Green]

The only options on my T250, 130" wheelbase, low roof, are the ecoboost engine and limited slip rear. It has stability control and traction control, so I'm assuming it's standard.

I think all transits have traction control and roll stability(rsc).

With that said, my only big complaint with the transit is the lack of traction in snow when empty. Seriously, my van will get stuck in a level parking lot. No traction at all.

Gonna have to figure out something for next winter...maybe a load in the rear, snow tires, maybe chains?

Nate

 

[hatchet]

Hmmm, I've got the radio that came with the Premium package and the Bluetooth requires no programming at all other than a very simple phone pairing. It easily access my contacts on my Samsung S5 as well as streams music easily. Voice commands work great.
I can't speak for the base radio or MFT, but the mid level one is pretty good, IMO.
JP

26 buttons. It took 26 inputs to get to the song I wanted.
It forgets connections constantly. BT and USB.
911 assist reminder is incredibly annoying and wont turn off.
About as user friendly as a russian tank, as BT/USB radios go.