Frontline Ford Transit campervan: smart, compact, and perfect for couples touring Australia
For couples who want a car-like driving experience with the benefits of all the bells and whistles, this Frontline Ford Transit ticks all the boxes.
Frontline Ford Transit Conversion
For many motorhomes, there isn't always a choice of the base vehicle, even if the layouts are different. But there are some exceptions to that, like Frontline Campers. The van converter has produced a campervan from a Toyota Hiace or a Volkswagen T6 van for many years. More recently though, Frontline has stepped out with a Renault Trafic; and now, ta-dah, a Ford Transit Custom conversion.
Test Driving the Ford Transit Campervan
About 15 years ago, the Ford Transit was quite a standard vehicle used either as a van conversion or as a base vehicle under a coach-built. But more recently, the Transit has not been seen much at all. Having test-driven a few in New Zealand, I've often wondered about the Transit's absence here. Consequently, when I saw a Transit Custom van under development at the Frontline factory, I was keen for a test drive … and after a patient wait, the keys were in my hands.
A week of inclement weather changed my original destination choice. And since the test drive was as much of an interest as the 'camper' part, I opted for a test loop out west – along the Bells Line of Road across the Blue Mountains and then back east along the Great Western Highway. This drive offers several options for scenic spots and several camping choices. One of my favourites is the Katoomba Falls Tourist Park – excellent for walks along the clifftops and seeing the numerous waterfalls in full flight since it had been raining quite heavily.
Ford Transit Motorhome Features
Getting behind the wheel of the Transit Custom is an experience in itself. It's different from Japanese vans like the Toyota Hiace, and like many European light commercial vehicles, it is more car-like than truck-like. After hopping into the driving seat, the non-circular steering wheel is first noted. Slightly squashed top and bottom, it looks more difficult to get used to than it is. There's no dashboard-mounted gear change; its steering column shifter is mounted on the right-hand side, and the indicator switch is on the left. All the eight-speed automatic transmission controls, including the manual shift changes, are on the column shifter. It's a bit fiddly, and I'd prefer paddles for more precision when changing up or down. My vehicle had a seven-inch instrument cluster with two speedos – mph and km/h. Everything, including the climate control, is operated through the 13-inch multimedia display. That naturally includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
On the road, the 2.0-litre TDCi Ecoblue turbo diesel engine is a lively performer generally and delivers low-range torque acceleration around town. It's not particularly noticeable that the vehicle is front-wheel-drive, and the independent rear suspension provides a good handling feature. The external mirrors and the rear-view camera offer good visibility for reversing around. The usual safety features include six airbags, adaptive cruise control, lane assist and traction control assist.
Smart Design in the Frontline Conversion
Frontline has done a neat job on the external fit-out. For starters, the pop-top roof is neatly designed to fit into a fibreglass moulding, making it look like part of the van body and not something stuck on top. The Fiamma F45 awning is a bit harder to disguise, but it's not too obtrusive (and I'd rather have one that's not). External body cut-outs are few. Along the offside, there's the water filler, mains power socket, fridge vent, and what looks like a cassette toilet hatch but is a compartment for storing butane gas cylinders for the cooktop. There's an external shower, but it's inside the rear door.
It's a van conversion, so there's no external bin storage – but opening the rear tail-lift door gives access to the optional pull-out boot drawer. That feature is, in many ways, more practical than the usual empty area under the rear of the bed.
Inside the Frontline Ford Transit Campervan
Like most Frontline conversions, the Transit has several layout choices, but I had the popular 'Adventurer' layout, which principally offers the benefit of transporting four people around. It's a relatively simple layout with a kitchen and storage cabinet along the offside wall, a day/night lounge just behind the sliding door and a storage area in the rear. Naturally, setting up doesn't take long. It's a matter of releasing the four corner straps and pushing the roof up. Three screened windows in the canvas gusset allow a generous amount of natural light in. Once the lever is located, the passenger seat swivels around easily, offering a useful extra seat. The lack of opening windows is an issue for some travellers, so the optional insect screens that can be fitted to the side and rear doors may be of interest.
The Frontline sleeps two, and once you have your fingers in the right place, folding the seat down and making up the 1.86m x 1.4m (6ft 1in x 4ft 7in) bed is relatively easy. It can be accessed from either end (the rear lights are fitted near the back). I liked the Sirocco fan that's mounted on the cabinet about halfway down the bed. All the windows are fitted with curtains, so night-time privacy is assured.
Cooking and Storage in the Transit Campervan
The catering features are pretty simple. There's a two-burner Devanti induction hob, a washing-up sink, and a 90-litre compressor fridge. Without an inverter, the hob can only be used if plugged into the mains power. However, a butane gas single-burner cooker is included in the package; it can be used outside the campervan.
A single pole table can be used with the rear seat during dining time. That same tabletop is designed to fit on top of the rear drawer, forming a neat table or cooking platform as required. The table and pole are stored behind the driver's seat when not in use.
Built into the side cabinetry is a cupboard that includes two drawers, three separate drawers, and a couple of smaller compartments. The under-seat area offers good storage space for general items… a couple of low plastic boxes might be a convenience there.
Campervan Essentials for Off-Grid Stays
In standard form, the campervan has a 100Ah AGM battery plus the usual 240V fittings. My review camper came with a 150Ah Lithium battery and 200W of solar panel capacity, thus being reasonably well equipped for off-the-grid stays. Most of the electrical switching is located on the kitchen bench. The 55-litre water tank capacity is more limiting. That said, any campground with basic toilet facilities will be well suited to the Frontline campervan.
The Bottom Line on the Frontline Ford Transit
Frontline has done a very neat job with this conversion. Full marks for stepping out with a Ford Transit Custom. It's not a big motorhome, but it doesn't pretend to be … it's more like a lightweight camper or a weekend escape machine. It works for me, and the Transit is a great drive. There's a bit more to come with the Ford Transit in Australia, too. An AWD version is on its way, something sure to interest intrepid Outback explorers and snow country travellers. In addition, hybrid and all-electric versions are on the production line too. What's not to like?
Frontline Ford Transit: Specifications
VEHICLE
MANUFACTURER FRONTLINE CAMPERS
MODEL FORD TRANSIT ADVENTURER
BASE VEHICLE FORD TRANSIT CUSTOM
TARE WEIGHT 2,350KG
GVM 3,225KG
LICENCE CAR
PASSENGERS 4
MECHANICAL
ENGINE 22.0 LITRE TDCI ECOBLUE
POWER 125KW @ 3,500RPM
TORQUE 390NM @ 1,750-2,500RPM
GEAR BOX 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC
BRAKES ABS DISC
DIMENSIONS
EXTERNAL LENGTH 5.45M (17FT 11IN)
EXTERNAL WIDTH 2.275M (7FT 6IN)
EXTERNAL HEIGHT 2.065M (6FT 9IN)
INTERNAL HEIGHT 2.02M (6FT 7IN)
BED SIZE 1.86M X 1.4M (6FT 1IN X 4FT 7IN)
EQUIPMENT
COOKTOP DEVANTI INDUCTION HOB
FRIDGE VITRIFRIGO 90 LITRE COMPRESSOR
MICROWAVE OVEN OPT
LIGHTING 12V LED
BATTERIES 150AH LITHIUM (100AH AGM STANDARD)
SOLAR PANELS 2 X 100W (OPT)
INVERTER OPT
AIR CONDITIONER NO
TOILET OPT – PORTA POTTI
SHOWER EXTERNAL
HOT WATER HEATER OPT
HEATER OPT
WATER TANK 55 LITRE
GREY TANK OPT – 25 LITRE
GAS CYLINDERS NO
INVERTER OPT
PRICE $110,000
PRICE AS REVIEWED $119,400
OPTIONS FITTED
LARGE PULL-OUT BOOT DRAWER
TV ANTENNA WIRING ONLY AND 12V PLUG
FRESH WATER TANK GAUGE
LITHIUM 150AH SYSTEM UPGRADE WITH BMS
ROOF SOLAR CHARGING SYSTEM 1 X 100W
BLACK AWNING UPGRADE
AFTERMARKET ACCESSORIES FITTED IN AUSTRALIA:
16IN FRONTLINE ALLOY WHEELS X 4
VAN STRIPING SIDE DECALS
Supplied by:
Frontline Campers
36 Cross Street
Brookvale NSW 2100
Ph: 02 9939 0600
