Being able to tow a travel trailer behind you on the road opens up more travel possibilities. Whether camping or glamping, having a smaller home on wheels is a great way to see the country. If you are considering a Ford Transit van for travel, you'll want to know if this popular model can tow anything behind it. We researched the Transit from several official sources, so that you'll know for sure before you hit the road.
The Ford Transit van can tow a travel trailer. However, the maximum weight of the trailer that can be towed will vary by trim level, engine size, and other factors. The cargo van can tow between 4,700 pounds and 6,900 pounds, the crew van can tow between 4,300 pounds and 6,500 pounds, and the passenger van can tow between 3,800 pounds and 4,500 pounds.
Examples of popular travel trailers that the Ford Transit could tow are:
- Tax Outdoors Cricket
- Forrest River R-Pod 171
- Airstream Basecamp
- Winnebago Micro Minnie
- Happier Camper HC1
- Safari Condo Alto
Now that we know a Ford Transit can tow a travel trailer, we'll look deeper into what it takes to use this van to tow one. We'll also be taking a much closer inspection into the towing capacity of each style of Transit. You might also be curious as to what other vans could tow a trailer behind it. Read ahead in this post to see what our research has uncovered.
Towing with your Ford Transit van
As you probably noticed earlier in this post, the towing capacity of the Ford Transit widely varies. The wheelbase is an important factor that comes into play here. Another consideration is whether or not your Transit model is all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive. We'll break down those ranges a bit further here. The numbers below reflect Ford Transit vans that are equipped with the tow package.
Wheelbase, engine choice, and AWD vs. RWD
The Transit has three basic types of van offered to drivers; the cargo van, the crew van, and the passenger van. Each is available in 150, 250, and 350 trim levels.
Years ago, the differences in trim level meant a difference in payload capacity. In more recent years, including the 2022 models, the payload capacities are the same across all trims. The major differences from one trim level to the next are the van's overall height, an AWD option, and a slight difference in GVWR.
Ford Transit Cargo Van
This model van is built to carry cargo only. The cargo van only has two seats, one for the driver and one for a front passenger. The cargo hold has 280.9 cubic feet of storage. Elongated models are available for a larger cargo capacity.
The maximum towing capacities are:
- Cargo Van 3.5L PFDI V6 129.9 wheelbase - 6,100 pounds (AWD)/6,400 pounds (RWD)
- Cargo Van 3.5L PFDI V6 147.6 wheelbase - 6,000 pounds (AWD)/6,200 pounds (RWD)
- Cargo Van 3.5L Ecoboost V6 129.9 wheelbase - 6,600 pounds (AWD)/6,900 pounds (RWD)
- Cargo Van 3.5L Ecoboost V6 147.6 wheelbase - 6,500 pounds (AWD)/6,800 pounds (RWD)
Ford Transit Crew Van
The Transit crew van can hold up to five occupants. The front will carry the driver and a single passenger, while the second row of seating will accommodate three more. This second row of seating is removable.
Should it be removed, the cargo capacity is 280.9 cubic feet. With the second row in place, the cargo capacity is reduced to 248.7. Like the cargo van, the crew van is available in elongated models.
The maximum towing capacities are:
- Crew Van 3.5L PFDI V6 129.9 wheelbase - 5,800 pounds (AWD)/6,000 pounds (RWD)
- Crew Van 3.5L PFDI V6 147.6 wheelbase - 5,700 pounds (AWD)/5,900 pounds (RWD)
- Crew Van 3.5L Ecoboost V6 129.9 wheelbase - 6,300 pounds (AWD)/6,500 pounds (RWD)
- Crew Van 3.5L Ecoboost V6 147.6 wheelbase - 6,200 pounds (AWD)/6,400 pounds (RWD)
Ford Transit Passenger Van
The passenger van is built to carry up to 15 occupants, including the driver. The seats can be removed and configured in multiple ways, offering a lot of flexibility when carrying a combination of passengers and cargo. With all of the seats in place, this van has 39.1 cubic feet of cargo room.
The maximum towing capacities are:
- Passenger Van 3.5L PFDI V6 129.9 wheelbase - 4,400 pounds (AWD)/4,600 pounds (RWD)
- Passenger Van 3.5L PFDI V6 147.6 wheelbase - 4,100 pounds (AWD)/4,500 pounds (RWD)
- Passenger Van 3.5L Ecoboost V6 147.6 wheelbase - 4,300 pounds (AWD)/4,500 pounds (RWD)
A full set of specs for each Ford Transit Van can be found on Ford's official website.
Towing Package for Transit
No matter the trim level of Transit that you choose, you'll want to consider the towing package. This option will equip your van with a rear backup camera, blind spot information system, advanced track stability, and sway controls. This makes traveling so much easier and safer when you decide to trailer something with your Transit.
While consumers use many popular brands for trailering, one of the most reliable hitch options on the market is the Curt 14012 Class 4 Trailer hitch.
To see the Curt 1402 hitch on Amazon, click here.
Popular travel trailer options for your Ford Transit
No matter your wheelbase or configuration, it's important to know your gross combined weight rating (GCWR). This is the total weight of the loaded towing vehicle; your Transit's curb weight plus the weight of everyone and everything on board, combined with the weight that is being towed.
Never exceed this weight! Doing so will be put the safety of your passengers and those you share the road with at great risk. Exceeding this weight will also damage your Transit van. Please refer to your owner's manual for more information, or visit Ford's official Transit webpage.
Taxa Outdoors Cricket
This small travel trailer has a dry weight of 1,800 pounds. Small but comfortable, the Cricket will sleep two adults and two children. The pop-up roof design makes it more aerodynamic and gives great protection. It comes equipped with a 5,000 BTU air conditioner.
Forrest River R-Pod 171
The 171 model weighs 2,500 pounds, making it fall well under the max towing weight of any Transit van. At 18 feet long, this trailer comes with a queen bed, a dinette set, and plenty of storage space.
Airstream Basecamp
This model travel trailer from Airstream has four different floor plans to choose from. Each plan has a bathroom and kitchen, as well as a dining area. The main living space converts into a bedroom.
Depending upon the configuration you choose, it will sleep up to four. The Basecamp is 16 feet to 20 feet long and has a dry weight range of 2,650 pounds to 3,500 pounds.
Winnebago Micro Minnie
This popular travel trailer from Winnebago comes with 10 different floor plan options. Depending on the option selected, your travel trailer can sleep anywhere from three to five adults. The weight will depend upon the floor plan, the lightest being 3,280 pounds, the heaviest weighing 4,540 pounds.
Happier Camper HC1
The solar power ready HC1 is compact, lightweight, and will sleep up to five people. Its low dry weight makes it able to be towed with most vehicles. At 13 feet long and only 1,100 pounds, the HC1 is one of the smallest on the market today.
The craftsmanship and durability speak for themselves, however. This model has a proven track record for micro travel trailer enthusiasts and has been a great seller.
Safari Condo Alto
Finally, we are looking at the Safari Condo Alto. Made from lightweight aluminum, this travel trailer is durable. The retractable roof makes it more aerodynamic than many other models on the market.
This travel trailer can sleep three to four adults, depending upon configuration. The Safari Condo Alto weighs in at just under 1,800 pounds with a dining area and an onboard bathroom.
What vans can pull a travel trailer?
Should you be looking at other model vehicles to tow a travel trailer, we've listed some of the more popular ones here. While each model has unique designs and different onboard equipment, each is capable of safely towing your family's travel trailer on the road.
Chevy Trax
The Chevy Trax has a relatively low gross vehicle weight rating, at only 4,387 pounds. Therefore, you'd need a fairly lightweight travel trailer hitched to this van.
Dodge Ram Promaster
The Promaster from Dodge has a much higher towing capacity than the above mentioned Chevy Trax. This full-sized van is capable of towing up to 5,100 pounds. Doing so would require the full towing package.
Sprinter
The Mercedes Sprinter is capable of towing up to 7,500 pounds. This popular passenger van is durable, reliable, and will seat up to twelve passengers.
Nissan NV
Similar to the Mercedes Sprinter, Nissan's popular Nevada model is a tough passenger van. Seating up to 12 passengers in multiple seating configurations, this van can tow a sizable amount of weight behind it. Depending on the engine you equip it with, the NV can tow up to 8,700 pounds.
In closing
Vans from all makes are capable of towing your family's travel trailer behind it. Knowing what your vehicle's towing limitations are is vital information. Before even purchasing a travel trailer, you should be fully aware of how much your vehicle can safely tow.
This will help you narrow down your choice of a travel trailer. And be certain to have read both your vehicle's owner's manual and the manual that accompanies your travel trailer before you set out on your trip. Drive safely!
If you found this post on the Ford Transit van to be helpful, we believe you'll enjoy reading these additional posts about this popular vehicle:
Can You Stand Up In A Ford Transit? Would It Make A Good Camper?
What Should Tire Pressure Be On Ford Transit? [Breakdown By Model And Year]