A few years ago, I started researching Ford Transit vans—specifically the kind you could turn into a camper. I toured all the usual RV dealerships, climbed into a dozen pre-built conversions, and left every time thinking, Nope, not this one either. Nothing felt right. Nothing felt like mine.
Eventually, I realized the only way to get what I wanted was to build it myself.
At one point, I seriously considered having a van custom built. I even talked to a few companies, but the price tag was a gut punch: $225,000+. And after financing? It was way out of reach. So I pivoted. I’d buy a blank slate and turn it into my own tiny home on wheels.
Enter: The Ford Transit Trail
When Ford released the Transit Trail, I knew immediately—it was the one. It came with a factory lift, beefier tires, and some rugged cosmetic upgrades like fender flares. It looked capable and cool, ready for national parks and muddy forest roads. I started crunching numbers, seeing if I could afford it.
Then Ford announced a recall.
Turns out, under certain loads, those oversized tires could get damaged. Ford issued a stop-sale. No one could order a Transit Trail. Dealers couldn’t sell the ones already built. And just like that, my dream was on pause.
There were rumors Ford would “de-Trail” the vans—remove the special parts and sell them as regular Transits. After waiting what felt like forever, I gave up and ordered a 2025 base model Transit. It wasn’t the Trail, but it was something I could work with.
Then Ford finally announced the recall fix: swap the big tires for smaller ones. Just like that, Transit Trails were back on the market. But I had already placed my order.
That’s when things got messy.
The Deal That Went Nowhere
I found a Trail for sale at Newberg Ford in Oregon, worked out a deal, and even put down a deposit. Then they sold it out from under me. No phone call, no heads-up—just gone. To make things worse, they sat on my deposit for 30 days before refunding it.
Lesson learned. I won’t name names again, but if you’re buying a van, I’d skip that dealership.
A Second Chance—In Texas
Just when I thought I’d have to settle for the 2025, a guy from the Ford Transit forums posted about a dealer in Winnsboro, Texas. They had three Transit Trails listed at $20,000 off MSRP. That’s no typo. $20K off.
It wasn’t my first choice in color or options, but for that kind of savings? I didn’t blink.
The van hadn’t cleared the recall fix yet, so the dealer couldn’t sell it immediately. But he promised to let me know when it was ready—and he actually kept his word. When he texted me to say it was cleared for sale, I booked a flight that day.
The Plan
I’m flying from Detroit to Dallas, then hopping on a small plane to Tyler, Texas. From there, I’ll Uber to the dealership—Texas Country Ford—finish the paperwork, and finally drive my Transit Trail home to Michigan. It’s been a long time coming. Belle and I had some amazing adventures in our nuCamp Tab 320 trailer, but it was time for the next chapter. That trailer went to someone who plans to use it for fishing trips—and I hope he makes as many great memories in it as we did.
What’s Next
The van build is already in motion. I’ve got the Victron power system, 20,000 watts of battery capacity, the fridge, insulation, solar panels, roof rack—you name it. It’s all ready to go. Now, it’s just time to start building.
This is the end of one story and the start of a new one.
Follow along as I turn this blank canvas into a home—and eventually, a life on the road.