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The Ford Transit is one of the most endearing and long-standing vans ever created. First introduced in 1965, the Transit has gone on to become an icon of the van world, and has become a highly versatile and adaptable machine being able to be produced as a minibus, cutaway van chassis, and even a pickup truck! It is estimated that since 1965 some 8,000,000 units of the Transit have been sold, making it the third best-selling van of all time and surely the most recognizable. But have you ever thought about camping in one?
It might seem a bit of an outlandish concept, but equally, it isn’t. The Ford Transit in its largest forms can have plenty of space in the back for luggage and cargo, and if you take a look at the backspace of one you can probably imagine a lot of camping equipment for a number of people, and with the right modifications it could be quite a comfortable experience. Well, van modifiers Storyteller Overland, famous for their Mercedes Sprinter-based camper vans/motor homes, have now created their Ford Transit Mode LT Camper Van, smaller than the Sprinter but still a versatile camper.
Basic Underpinnings
The Transit camper van has been dubbed the Mode LT, and Storyteller Overland says that the van has been some three years in the making. What made them go for the concept as a production vehicle was the introduction of the Ford all-wheel-drive system as a factory option on the Transit, plus some of the creature comfort upgrades that Ford added to the Transit. Under the hood of the Transit, it is very much still the reliable and sturdy Ford 3.5-litre EcoBoost engine, with the bonus of an enhanced range of service point availability.
The addition of the all-wheel-drive system to the Transit means that the van is able to go to terrains that originally wouldn’t have been possible, and thus that itself makes the camping experience possible in the first place. Outwardly, compared to the Sprinter camper van from the same company, it is a much smaller-looking machine. But, that shouldn’t stop you from going out and enjoying it. The Mode LT features Storyteller Transition rims which are wrapped in 245/65/16 tires and giving the Mode LT quite a sturdy and rugged stance. But there is more to this camper van than just a sturdy exterior and great Ford off-road capabilities.
Inside The Mode LT
Whilst the company has yet to show off any images of the inside of the camper van, the Mode LT certainly has an awful lot going for it already, judging by the specifications. One of the primary features is the Dreamweaver bed and convertible work surface, to allow you to sleep and then get on with some work the next day. There are swiveling front seats, a GrooveLounge 2-seater sofa bed, six 110v outlets, and 6 USB ports, plus three 12V outlets. On top of that, the interior features a few creature comforts.
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The Mode LT has an air conditioner unite inside, as well as LED lights that are dimmable in the ceiling, and LED lights can also be found in the cargo area and on the under cabinet. There are bug screens to hopefully keep pesky critters out at night, and sheep’s wool insulation to keep the van nice and warm in the colder months, and a gasoline-fired heating system, to name just a number of the huge array of features available on the van. And the excitement doesn’t stop on the inside of the Mode LT either.
The Exterior Of The Camper
There are a few design cues taken from the Mercedes Sprinter motorhomes that the company produces, which are complimented thanks to features such as the rugged roof rack and the sonic wedge wind deflector. The rest of the outside has pretty incredible features, such as a 90W solar panel that is remarkably expandable to 600W, which should provide you plenty of power when you are overlanding. There is a 21-gallon freshwater tank, a heavy-duty shore power inlet, four 110V outlets, and a tubular side mount ladder, to again name just a few of the features. It is an impressive machine with an incredibly rugged outlook.
A New Breed Of Camper
The Storyteller Overland Mode LT is certainly a world away from your traditional campers. Plus, it is quite remarkable how different this van is compared to perhaps the genesis of modern-day vehicle campers, the Volkswagen Camper Van. The beauty of the Mode LT is that it utilizes one of the most adaptable and versatile vans out on the market and one that has proved its worth and what it is capable of over many years. It might not seem it on the outside, but the Mode LT could actually become the camper van of choice for many, and the addition of the Ford all-wheel-drive system means it can go over terrains that perhaps you wouldn’t expect any van to be able to traverse.
Source: Storyteller Overland