Welcome to the forum. Unfortunately, forums like this tend to highlight problems rather than benefits. If you haven’t already discovered, the Transits suffer from their own set of "problems". All in all I doubt if you will find anyone on this forum that regrets buying a Promaster over a Transit for the simple fact the Promaster is far more suited for a RV conversion over the Transit (or, gag, the Sprinter)!
Introducing myself.
My wife and I are experienced campers with a tow-behind 1977 Scamp trailer and we're going to take the plunge and build a camper van.
We're looking at Ford Transit and Ram Promasters right now.
We like the width of the Promaster and the cost, but we're a little concerned about what we read about reliability.
We're interested in reading and learning about the pros (from this group of course) and possible cons of doing a Promaster build ourselves.
We're looking at Ford Transit and Ram Promasters right now.
We like the width of the Promaster and the cost, but we're a little concerned about what we read about reliability.
We're interested in reading and learning about the pros (from this group of course) and possible cons of doing a Promaster build ourselves.
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
Welcome!
Lots of pros: price vs others, fuel economy vs others, ubiquitous powertrain, very straight walls, and the wide width makes it possible to have a full length bed east to west without any expensive van body modifications.
Cons: there's no way to convert these into 4WD vehicles if you want to get into overlanding. Your PM will be a FWD vehicle now and forever. I can't really think of any other cons.
The widebody was the difference-maker for me. While it's annoying to have to climb over your sleeping partner to get up in the middle of night, turning your bed side to side opens up so many configuration options that it's worth it for that alone.
Lots of pros: price vs others, fuel economy vs others, ubiquitous powertrain, very straight walls, and the wide width makes it possible to have a full length bed east to west without any expensive van body modifications.
Cons: there's no way to convert these into 4WD vehicles if you want to get into overlanding. Your PM will be a FWD vehicle now and forever. I can't really think of any other cons.
The widebody was the difference-maker for me. While it's annoying to have to climb over your sleeping partner to get up in the middle of night, turning your bed side to side opens up so many configuration options that it's worth it for that alone.
Welcome, nothing but pro for me. 40k miles and yet to have any mechanical issues.
Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk
We are past 217,000 now. The PM has never let us down.
I am a regular user of both this forum and the Transit forum. The two are comparable as to drive train reliability, but PM wins hands down as to body integrity. The Transit rusts even from the factory. For reasons we don't completely understand, rust is not an issue with the PM. As of 2018, there were 14 windshields for Transits. There is still only one for PM.
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I am a regular user of both this forum and the Transit forum. The two are comparable as to drive train reliability, but PM wins hands down as to body integrity. The Transit rusts even from the factory. For reasons we don't completely understand, rust is not an issue with the PM. As of 2018, there were 14 windshields for Transits. There is still only one for PM.
We have a 2022 Promaster with only 2400 miles so I can't comment on reliability. There are annoying things about the 2022. Speedometer is not the default display (remaining fuel capacity is) and the speedometer randomly changes between MPH and KPH. No idea when (or if) this will be fixed.My wife and I are experienced campers with a tow-behind 1977 Scamp trailer and we're going to take the plunge and build a camper van.
We're looking at Ford Transit and Ram Promasters right now.
We like the width of the Promaster and the cost, but we're a little concerned about what we read about reliability.
We're interested in reading and learning about the pros (from this group of course) and possible cons of doing a Promaster build ourselves.
On the cost front I would suggest ordering a brand new one as used Promasters are still highly over priced (at least what I have seen). We even were able to order our van under MSRP.
Good Luck!
About 3500 miles into our 2022 PMC journey. So far, we love it! Little things like spotter mirror design, road noise and old eyes not being able to see the dashboard, but the fuel mileage, versatility and maneuverability far outweigh the cons. Lifted ours in front and installed aftermarket wheels w/taller tires to get a bit more clearance. DIGGIN IT so far!
That's a strong proof of reliability!We are past 217,000 now. The PM has never let us down.
I am a regular user of both this forum and the Transit forum. The two are comparable as to drive train reliability, but PM wins hands down as to body integrity. The Transit rusts even from the factory. For reasons we don't completely understand, rust is not an issue with the PM. As of 2018, there were 14 windshields for Transits. There is still only one for PM.
View attachment 96389
Hey there,
Welcome to the forum! If you have any questions about Promasters, feel free to reach out to us! We're available via direct messaging!
Callie
Ram Cares
Welcome to the forum! If you have any questions about Promasters, feel free to reach out to us! We're available via direct messaging!
Callie
Ram Cares
Oh this is funny. I reached out with the problem that the display doesn't default to speedometer and Ram Cares did exactly nothing about it. Almost a year of ownership and they still haven't issued an update. On another note, there isn't a fuse panel diagram for the 2022. Ram Cares didn't have one either.Hey there,
Welcome to the forum! If you have any questions about Promasters, feel free to reach out to us! We're available via direct messaging!
Callie
Ram Cares
Hey there,Oh this is funny. I reached out with the problem that the display doesn't default to speedometer and Ram Cares did exactly nothing about it. Almost a year of ownership and they still haven't issued an update. On another note, there isn't a fuse panel diagram for the 2022. Ram Cares didn't have one either.
We apologize for your frustration with Ram Cares. If there is anything we can do to remedy the situation, we'd be happy to help. Though we are not technically trained, we can connect you to those are able to help with technical repairs.
Callie
Ram Cares
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
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