9 Ford Transit Connect Camper Conversions
We’ve seen some amazing Ford Transit camper van conversions, but what about a smaller version? The Ford Transit Connect is built off a Ford Focus platform. It’s small, boxy, and perfect for a tiny conversion.
A Ford Transit Connect is one of the best vans to live in. This compact car is a fleet vehicle so it gets great gas mileage and spare parts are easy to find. It’s also known for being very driveable, easy to maneuver, and repairs are inexpensive.
A Ford Transit Connect comes with either a short-wheelbase (104.8 inches) or the long-wheelbase (120.6 inches) version.
We’ve pulled together a wide range of clever DIY builds and professional up-fitters to give you a variety of layout and design ideas to design your own Ford Transit Connect.
- Ford recently announced the new 2023 Transit Trail, a model designed specifically for van life builds.
Ford Transit Connect Campers
Glampervan.us is a conversion company based in San Fransisco, California. They specialize in minivan builds and designed this compact Ford Transit Connect that sleeps two and has a fixed bed design with storage on both sides. That adds plenty of space to such a small camper!
Our favorite part about this build is the use of space beneath the bed. With one long sliding drawer on the right, and a drawer-style refrigerator on the left you can travel with cold food without sacrificing space.
We love the style of this Transit Connect design. The build looks simple at first glance, but there is a built-in sink, plenty of drawer space, and the back doors have shelving units that fold down to maximize space.
The couch on the left folds down flat when it’s time to go to bed at night which saves space and give you a place to sit during the day.
This design by Jeff from HillTopVan in Northern California has one of the coolest modular bed designs we’ve seen.
Slide-out beds are common in Transit Connects, but this one sits on a steel frame and has brackets that bolt seat belts to the floor below.
On the opposite side of the Connect is a storage space that houses an electric system powered by a Yeti solar generator. Those are perfect for weekend camping trips!
Ford Transit Connect Camper Van Conversions
One of the prettiest DIY Ford Transit Connect conversions we’ve seen is this design by a couple from Canada. We love the light colors, the unique layout of the bed, and pop-up shelves on the back doors.
They also make excellent use of space by placing magnetic spice holders on the top portion of the back doors.
Jaclyn is a photographer that travels to many events in her DIY Ford Transit Connect. We love the versatility and coziness of this build. Here you can see an example of a sliding bed design when it’s folded out for sleeping.
She uses multiple small boxes for storage that can be easily re-arranged and removed as needed.
This van build is minimalistic and perfect for a camping trip! We like that this build has a fan for ventilation, large counter space for cooking, and plenty of food storage underneath.
This camping van was built with an incredible amount of cleverly placed storage. With heavy-duty drawer slides, and collapsable L-brackets holding the backdoor countertops, every inch of space is useable.
We also love the spice rack and additional storage hooks on top.
Transit Connect Campers
This Ford Transit Connect was designed by Sunshine Coast Adventure Van. The design is well-organized and makes this tiny, compact camper look very spacious inside!
We like that it was built with adventure in mind. The van leaves enough space to load a mountain bike or other equipment. The bench slides out into a larger bed, and the folding tables on the rear door are held in place by hinges and suspension cables.
We also love the mountain design on the backsplash of the countertops!
Victoria designed this Transit Connect camper to travel around the UK. The build looks simple at first glance, but there are a lot of little details that could be easily missed.
All of the cushions and curtains are handmade. There’s also a custom painted backsplash, dog bowl sink, and slide-out bed with space underneath.
We like this view because it gives you a good idea of what the space looks like all closed up for the night!
That’s A Wrap!
If you’re looking for a compact camper van to convert that won’t cost an arm and a leg, the Ford Transit Connect is an excellent choice! Easy to maneuver, good gas mileage, and easy to find parts for repair all make it a nice adventure vehicle for the solo traveler or couple.
Looking For A Different Size?
The Ford Transit camper van has larger dimensions and a lot more space to play around with. You could also consider the Mercedes Sprinter or Ford Promaster if you’re looking for something bigger.
When it comes to smaller campers, consider a Toyota Sienna conversion, or a minivan camper.
I am selling my condo & hitting the road. The Ford Transit Connect is what i’m interested in. Any suggestions on having AC installed & minimal modifications made?
It all depends on your power source. Ignoring that for a moment. I have seen them install the A/C through the back window. Easy, simple, if somewhat inelegant. I have seen it in a box in the interior, vented to the outside. Works, takes a lot of interior room. You will basically need to use a 5,000 BTU window unit. How you install it, how you power it, I think your choices are limited. But I’m not the smartest guy on the block, so let me say, “Good Luck”.
put a maxxair fan in. they’re easy to install, and they’ll help cool you down. Then at a later date you find you still have to have AC, tackle the issue.
I agree w/ Johnnie A, 1st try 12v fan (do search on “small van fan a/c unit”). It’s available at super big online store. If doing this yourself, make sure not to cut supporting bracket/ribs/frame of wall/roof sheet metal and MUST SEAL all around new hole w/ silicone.
Then if that’s not enough for, you could get 12V DC A/C unit for the van. You could also get a 120V AC or both (meaning 12V DC or 120V AC).
DON’T PUT A REGULAR HOUSE WINDOW A/C ON THE BACK WINDOW AREA!!! Yes, it’s cheaper. But the rooftop A/C unit sleeker and somewhat $$$.
I have one of these and it includes half of a split AC and heater under the drivers seat, im taking it to an A/C guy to see if theres a small condenser for less than the maxxair that can run off a battery and just rerout the coolant to that while the engines off.
We just bought our first van we plan on converting. It’s a 2011 Ford Transit connect. Super excited and I thank you guys for your pictures, and helpful tips!
This is our second Transit Connect and this one (2020) is much better than out 2015. Slightly more room and better handling etc. Only drawback is still the seats. We hope to have that corrected soon. But I wanted to touch on how most everyone who acquired these small vans use wood within their designs. We’re not and we’ll be using an alternative product instead. We hope to have something to show for it within 2 years. Otherwise, see you on the road.
I’ve learned that fabric has a better R value, insulation factor, than wood. Plus it’s more beautiful given ALL the choices, softness and array of colors/designs.
Just my 2 cents. ????
Pardon me – I’m new to this! I just bought a 2019 connect and plan to camp the easy way, for a CHANGE!
And maybe nomad?
Yes, Fabric sounds better than wood in I guess, the obvious ways.
Anyway, just wandering around the net.
Do not buy Ford. My transit connect was 13 months until delivery. During tha, t time, both Ford Corp. and the dealer refused to say where it was in the build ,”ghprocess, and refused to say when I could expect it. It came to the dealer aler “touwithout the roof rack originally ordered. The dealer says, “Ford does reethat all the time.” Then, Ford tells the dealer, “Tough,” and neither dealer nor corporate will make good on the contract