Ford Transit or Dodge Promaster

[bisongoods]

I need help! I have weighed all the options, read all the reviews, painstakingly studied the stats, and test drove both vehicles, I keep jumping from one to the other and am having a very hard time making a decision. Cost isn't really the concern. I'm a contractor in Vancouver BC, the weather is pretty mild. I'm going to set up a nice racking system for all my festools and looking to transport that and some material / lumber around, so the weight capacity isn't a deciding factor.  I have been looking at the 2500 Promaster with a high roof and 159" wheelbase, and the Ford Transit 250 with a high roof and a 148" wheelbase. It seems difficult to gather good information on these vans as they are so new on this side of the water. Looking for input from all but especially from my fellow North Americans. I'm hoping I can get a good fight started on here to help me make up my mind. So?

[embarassed]

 

[3PedalMINI]

I painstakingly just went through this. Sprinter/Transit/Promaster

The ford is the best built out of all of them, but lack alot of the features others provide without having to wait a year to order it.

I ended up with a Transit 250 High Roof W/Powerstroke and dont regret my decision at all. Ive had it since November and have 5k miles on it and not a single issue. I am also getting ~25mpg!!

I have my design for all my racking but just havent any time to beable to build it out.

Good Luck! Go with the Ford!!

 

[bisongoods]

Thanks for the input. I think one of the big problems I'm having is I'm really loving the cargo space in the ram vs the transit cargo space. I've also been told the dodge is a smoother ride due to the FWD and lighter weight. But I have historically been a Ford guy, and mechanically they seem like superior vans ranking 1st on most reputable vehicle review sites. I thought it would be easier to start a Ford vs Dodge debate. Am I doing something wrong?

 

[peter halle]

I have a Ford Transit 150 Medium roof with the 3.7 liter engine and 3.73 rear end. I can't comment on the Promaster because when my other truck broke down I needed something in a hurry.  The Promasters were more expensive and I couldn't find one on the lot locally that wasn't white.

My red Transit is pretty bare bone but it is a much better ride that my Ford F-350.  Not as cushy as my Ram pickup.

Each brand will have issues or perceived issues and ultimately you will have to rely on your impressions - not what you have read on the internet.

When it comes to operating costs I am getting 16 MPG with a loaded van.  If I tow my trailer, whose weight stretches the towing limits of my van, my MPG goes to 13.  With my F-350 towing the trailer it was 11 MPG and it was always attached.

Peter

 

[rst]

I have no experience with the new Transits.  That being said my present Ford has 212,000 miles on it and all told I've put 1,500,000 miles on six Fords.  The one before my present van had 250,000 miles on it and the only thing replaced was two sets of tires, two sets of brakes and one exhaust system.  A new Transit is on my next purchase list and I'm hoping that I have just as good luck as my previous Fords.

 

[Purdog]

I have been lurking on the FOG in the background for quite awhile and finally have decided to chime in on one of the topics I am completely familiar with. Maybe I can be the FOG Ford guy!!  I have been a commercial fleet manager selling Ford vehicles in Southern California for about 17 years now and can answer all your questions about the Transit van (or any Ford vehicles for that matter).  Although I am biased toward the Ford side, you can read a comparison Car and Driver did in their October issue comparing the Transit, Sprinter and Promaster. Should be fairly easy to find in a web search.  Even though it is new to the US market, it has been in the European and UK market for many years. You can send me a PM if you need any specific questions answered. I don't know if the Canadian versions for the vans are any different the the US ones but I could make a call and get an answer.  I would be glad to help any fellow FOGers make an informed decision on their Ford van or truck purchase.

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

Why not the Mercedes Sprinter.  It's now available in 4wd that will help you out in the snow.  Also they have a great diesel engine. 

 

[bisongoods]

It hasn't snowed here in about 4 years so it isn't really a concern. I sort of ruled out the Mercedes because of high repair and parts costs. Also they are about $5000.00 more for no good reason IMO. The Ford Transit beat them out on all the tests and reviews I have read, and as basic as it is I like the look of the Ford & Promaster more than the Sprinter.

Purdog I have read the review you're speaking of, good & thorough. We have a major Transit stock problem in Vancouver and Canada in general. I really want the magnetic color in a high roof long wheel base with lots of goodies but it would have to be a factory order. My dealer is telling me about 4 months for delivery. Does that sound right? I think we have 5 Transits country wide that sort of fit what I'm after, but who wants sort of?

 

[Purdog]

Factory orders for So Cal dealers normally take about 8-10 weeks. Since the vans are made in a US plant, the time to go through customs could add a week or two  to the mix. During the holidays that just passed it adds about 2-3 weeks as the plant shuts down so depending on when you spoke to your local dealer that could have fallen in line with your 16 week timeline. I would say that 95% of the vans we order for stock are white in color. Biggest reason for that is with the ease of vinyl lettering and graphics for advertising, they stand out better on a white background. There are many cases where an owner/operator like yourself wants something a little different in color and especially comfort options so we have to end up ordering something from the plant. The California market is the largest in the country for the Transit and if I look on the dealer locator for all combinations of van, no designation of motor or options there are 119 non white vans that show up on the ground, in transit and at the plant to be built for dealers out here. If I did that for only white vans, there is over 1,200.  For us, Ford offers a rebate for commercial customers where they will match a dollar for dollar (up to $1,000) upfit installation like ladder rack, shelving, bulkhead screen and even vinyl logos or graphics so make sure to ask your dealer if it's available in Canada.  It's free $$. If the T-250 isn't available how you want, the T-350's in a high roof and 148" WB are more plentiful down here because of the little extra payload capacity so you may want to consider that. The price isn't too much more to go that way if you don't want to wait for an order.

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

It hasn't snowed here in about 4 years so it isn't really a concern. I sort of ruled out the Mercedes because of high repair and parts costs. Also they are about $5000.00 more for no good reason IMO. The Ford Transit beat them out on all the tests and reviews I have read, and as basic as it is I like the look of the Ford & Promaster more than the Sprinter.

Purdog I have read the review you're speaking of, good & thorough. We have a major Transit stock problem in Vancouver and Canada in general. I really want the magnetic color in a high roof long wheel base with lots of goodies but it would have to be a factory order. My dealer is telling me about 4 months for delivery. Does that sound right? I think we have 5 Transits country wide that sort of fit what I'm after, but who wants sort of?

Sprinters come with a diesel engine,  If you look at the diesel version of the transit they are comparable in price.  I believe when I looked at them to get the diesel it was a $4800 upgrade.  Diesel are more money to fix but the run fooorrevvverr.  You will get better fuel enonomy and power out of the diesel.  One thing to look at is how the van does with the weight you have in it. 

I have a friend that has a plumbing business that went out a bought 5 of the nissan vans.  He loved the van until they got them loaded down with tools and materials.  Now they are very slow and don't like the payload. 

When Ive look at them I'm between the Ford and the Mercedes.  The Dodge is out for me because it's fwd.  I work on all my vehicles and hate fwd.  They are a pain to work on.  I like the height of the transit being I'm 6'5 I can walk in the back.  The thing I like most about the Mercedes is the diesel engine.  They last a long time and have a lot of power, and can hold up to daily abuse.  Could be why Fedex bought into Sprinters.

 

[E30Mark]

As an outsider I'm amazed that your vans have 3.7L engines, what do you plan on carrying in the back?  [eek]

In Europe we have tiny engines! my VW Transporter T5 is a 1.9 TDi, pushing out a massive 102BHP! It gets me and a ton of gear around no problem, 32-42mpg.

Are your Ford Transits better built than our UK Transits??? Our UK Transits come with free rust from new, they are usually rusty scrap heaps after 6 or 7 years, bit like the older Mercedes Vito's, but they rust worst than the Transits...

 

[awil66]

That mpg sounds nice but emissions in NA are tougher, so maybe they need more displacement to get acceptable performance. Not sure, not an engineer. Also remember US gallon is almost a litre smaller than the UK gallon.

 

[DB10]

As an outsider I'm amazed that your vans have 3.7L engines, what do you plan on carrying in the back?  [eek]

In Europe we have tiny engines! my VW Transporter T5 is a 1.9 TDi, pushing out a massive 102BHP! It gets me and a ton of gear around no problem, 32-42mpg.

Are your Ford Transits better built than our UK Transits??? Our UK Transits come with free rust from new, they are usually rusty scrap heaps after 6 or 7 years, bit like the older Mercedes Vito's, but they rust worst than the Transits...

We have been around this one on the FOG a few times and it is more to do with what is ingrained in NA as to be the only way. Here in Australia over 10 years ago it was the norm for tradies to drive around in a big V8's like in north America, it was all about the power, but now they have caught up with the modern world and like Europe and Japan its all about smaller turbo Diesel engines. Apparently in North America any engine under 3 litre is only fit for a golf cart, Lol  [wink] One day they will get it, but until there is a change of mindset, there won't be a change in their buying habits.

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

My truck now has a 6.8l v10 and it's not enough power for what I'm doing.  I was looking at the Sprinter van but need more power.  I will be getting a diesel truck.  I like the dodge cummins with the 6.7 cummins turbo diesel.  Last time I was weighed with my truck and trailer I was at 18000lbs. 

 

[luke duke]

 

[Purdog]

The smaller, more fuel efficient engines are becoming more and more prevelant for Ford. Especially with the resurgence of the turbo charger we have brought in the EcoBoost motors. The 3.5L EcoBoost motor in the F-150 will tow more then the 5.0L V-8 (with the correct rear axle ratio and trailer hitch of course). I can't tell you have times I have had discussions with guys that are looking to buy a F-150 and are wanting to go with a V-8 because "that is what I have always had" or "my friends will make fun of me if I get a V-6 in a truck."  Then I ask "have you even driven one yet"???? After taking off from a stop and chirping the tires at 30 MPH they have a different song to sing. There is always a place for a big beefy V-8 or a monster of a diesel but the technology is getting that much better in the vans and small trucks that a lot of customers are changing their tunes for them and are happy with their decision after the fact. The emissions are definitely not as strict in Europe as in the US so that could be why we need to have a larger displacement engine to get the job done.

 

[travisj]

I have a 6.7 Cummins in a 2011 Ram 3500 Mega cab (4WD, SRW).  I've got power all day long, but from the factory it got 13mpg (best was 20).  My old 5.9 Cummins got around 16mpg (best was 26).  This motor is almost a liter larger with worse mileage all due to emissions and tuning.

There's a lot that can be done about the mileage (legally and illegally).  Mine is no longer stock and in summer I average about 16 in town.  In winter it's closer to 12 due to all of the idle time (below zero here the past few days).  I have never weighed the truck, but I pulled a 2 1/2 ton fiberglass boat several hundred miles and averaged over 16 for the whole trip (about 1/3 freeway).

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

I have a 6.7 Cummins in a 2011 Ram 3500 Mega cab (4WD, SRW).  I've got power all day long, but from the factory it got 13mpg (best was 20).  My old 5.9 Cummins got around 16mpg (best was 26).  This motor is almost a liter larger with worse mileage all due to emissions and tuning.

There's a lot that can be done about the mileage (legally and illegally).  Mine is no longer stock and in summer I average about 16 in town.  In winter it's closer to 12 due to all of the idle time (below zero here the past few days).  I have never weighed the truck, but I pulled a 2 1/2 ton fiberglass boat several hundred miles and averaged over 16 for the whole trip (about 1/3 freeway).

I've heard that the 5.9 got better fuel enonomy.  They said the best ones to get were the 2002-04 common rail.  If you take off the dpf, egr delete and upgrade the intake/exhaust it should help. 

 

[travisj]

I did delete mine and it was night and day.  I am running an H&S Mini Max, Sinister EGR delete, and I just switched fro a Flo-Pro to an AFE exhaust.  I did it for mileage and longevity.  The way the exhaust gets partially rerouted back through the intake had me shaking my head.  Pushing soot back through the intake never seemed like a good idea (although I understand why they did it).

 

[willy1959]

I ordered the long tall transit with dual wheels almost right after it was available. It has the 3.5 turbo I did wait a long time for it, I would have hoped that supply issues would have been solved by now   I took delivery about a year ago. I honestly can not say I have ever loved a truck as much as this one. It works for me in every way. I almost bought a Promaster a year or so before I could get the ford but waited. I am happy i did.  A friend of mine that owns a locksmith shop in my town bought the pro when I thought I was going to, and added a second transit this year. He has them both and he says there is absolutely no comparison. I spent a lot of time on the interior shelving to get just what I wanted. Of course there is always something you think later could have been done just a little different. but for the most part I am extremely happy with my build as well. I carry a LOT of weight. I consistently get 14 mpg, which is close to double what my chevy 3500 cutaway got. Oh, and I am an amatuer race car driver, this truck as big as it is, as heavy as it is, does not leave me disappointed at a light when a car thinks they need to take the old fart in the bus off the light on the inside/  hehe