14 Ford Transit Connect Camper Conversion Ideas to Jumpstart Van Life

A Ford Transit Connect camper is a good choice for van life if you’re looking for an affordable, fuel-efficient rig that’s compact and easy to drive.

Keep in mind that these vans are truly tiny, so you won’t be able to fit as much inside as you would with a larger Ford Transit camper.

The vans come in two sizes: a short wheelbase and a long wheelbase. The short wheelbase vans are 104.8″ long, or 8.7′. The longer wheelbase vans are 120.6″ long, or about 10′.

You can find lots of used Ford Transit Connects on the market as they were first introduced in the United States in mid-2009. However, Ford Transit Connect vans are known to have transmission issues, so it’s important to research the van you intend to buy and bring it to a trustworthy mechanic. More that later.

Some van lifers, like Josh Oakes of JustAManWithAVan, love the Ford Transit Connect: “The small size makes for an easy to maneuver vehicle, very similar to driving a car. Fairly decent gas mileage as well. Dual sliding doors make it nice to have entry point options in a camper and the height of the older body style (2013 and older) give you some extra headroom.”

In this article, we’ll tell you more about Ford Transit Connect Camper and give you lots of awesome van build ideas.

3 Ford Transit Connect conversion companies

If you’re not handy and you don’t like the idea of converting your Ford Transit Connect DIY, opt for a full-on professional conversion. It’s quite expensive, but everything will be built and fitted to the highest standard. Here are three companies which work directly on your vehicle.

Caravan Outfitter

The Transit Connect Wagon conversion by Caravan Outfitter is called Free Bird. It’s nicely tucked away in the back, so during the day you can keep one row of passenger seats in place. This allows you to transport up to five people once the camper is installed. If you want to stop for lunch or to get some work done, just set up the table in the back – it fits onto the front seats. You can place it in the middle or on one side.

At the back there’s a 6’6″ long by 47″ wide platform bed, which slides over the rear seats. It comes with a 3″ firm mattress. The power system is located under the platform, while the controls are near the right hand side passenger door.

From the trunk you can access a big slide-out kitchen box with a sink, water tank, gas stove, and fridge. Above the fridge there’s a flip-out chopping board, which comes in handy when the kitchen box is in cooking and dish-washing mode.

Options include a capsule rear tent, a rooftop tent, and a side awning. To install the conversion, you need to have the third row of seats removed permanently.

This conversion looks modern and practical – the furniture and furnishings match the interior of a Transit Connect. The camper weighs about 140lbs. Head to the Caravan Outfitter website for more details.

Contravans

Contravans convert the long wheelbase Transit Connect and the 7-passsenger Wagon produced since 2014.

They make five versions: The Basecamp, The Solo, The Bench Seat, The Three Piece, and The Five Passenger.

The Bench Seat is our favorite. It features a U-shaped dinette with a swivel table, which turns into a bed. The benches hide lots of storage areas, which are easily accessible. The conversion comes with subfloor and flooring, a memory foam mattress, wall panels, LED lighting, USB charging, and a slatted ceiling panel.

All campers are built out of plywood and the soft furnishings come in grey or light blue. Prices start at $7,498.

You’ve got to check out the other conversion options. The floor plans are designed to suit van lifers with different needs and preferences.

Ursa Minor

Want to add a pop-top to your Transit Connect? Ursa Minor specialize in just that. Adding it will increase the headroom of your Transit Connect camper and allow you to use the interior as a living space, as well as storage. That’s a huge advantage when it comes to a tiny van. Sleeping in the tent also helps with condensation in the back of the van.

5 Ford Transit Connect Camper Conversion Kits

If a custom conversion is too pricey for you, you can opt for a conversion kit. This is a pre-assembled camper you can order online and install yourself. While you do need to carry out the installation, this is usually very easy and quick. The other advantage is that a kit is fully removable, which is perfect for anyone traveling at the weekend or on vacation only.

Roadloft

The Roadloft kit is designed to make the most out of the available headroom in the Transit Connect, as it sits very low. It features a dinette with a table, which turns into platform bed. The storage under the benches is also accessible from the side of the vehicle. At the back, there are two slide-out drawers you can use however you like.

While the kit doesn’t come with all the gear of a full-on conversion, it includes a mattress, a retractable sink, and an integrated cutting board. Not bad!

The camper is fully removable and can be installed in just five minutes using a flat screwdriver. If you prefer, you can book a professional installation at the Roadloft workshop.

To get $100 off your Roadloft order, use the coupon code TWH100.

Freeway Camper Kit

Freeway Camper Kit make The Connect. This kit packs in the back of the van, allowing you to use the second row of seats. The bed rolls out on top of the seats when you need it. It fits two adults and a child, which is impressive.

At the back, there’s a big slide-out kitchen box with a sink and 35 quarts refrigerator, as well as two fold-up tables. It’s one of the biggest slide-out kitchen boxes we’ve ever seen.

The kit comes with a portable 500watts lithium battery, a 6.8-gallon fish water tank, a faucet with a retractable shower head, and more.

Installation is easy – all you need is an adjustable wrench to tighten the bracket mount bolts.

VanPackers Ford Transit Connect Conversion Kit

The VanPackers cargo conversion kit can turn your Transit Connect into a camper in just five minutes. It includes a platform bed which can be lifted up to uncover the ample storage room underneath.

The rear section is a kitchen made of two slide-out tables. These can fit a two-burner stove, a retractable sink, a water tank, and a cooler. Prices start from $4,395 CAD.

Compass Camper

Want to simply add a comfortable bed with some storage to your Transit Connect? Opt for this universal aluminium car camper bed platform by Compass Camper. It’s only $779. It’s better than throwing an inflatable mattress in the back, as it’s sturdier and offers plenty of storage underneath. The platform is light-weight and easy to assemble.

Home On Wheels

Another budget option is the Home On Wheels Complete DIY Furniture Kit. Entirely made out of plywood, it features a bench bed and two furniture units in which to store cooking gear, clothes, and more. It’s available as a single or extended bed, so it’s perfect for solo travelers, as well as couples. The set up is completely removable and costs $1,359.

6 DIY Ford Transit Connect Camper Ideas

If saving cash is your priority, you should probably go the DIY route. It takes time, skill, and patience, but nothing will be as satisfying. Plus, you can design your camper exactly how you like.

Here are our favorite builds.

Morgan and Michelle’s DIY Ford Transit Connect camper conversion

Morgan and Michelle had plans to travel to Hawaii; then Covid happened. The couple decided to embark on their adventures by road, rather than plane.

With a tight budget, they converted a Ford Transit Connect into a super cute DIY van conversion. They bought most parts off Amazon and other online retail stores.

The interior campervan layout features lots of storage room, two slide-out benches that turn into a double bed and a kitchenette.

Under the benches, there is plenty of storage space. The cooler is under the smaller bench. This bench can be moved to the back of the van to create more space behind the cab. The couple also mounted a roof vent to provide ventilation for the night.

Morgan and Michelle added a lot of clever touches to their Ford Transit Connect camper conversion to make it easy to enjoy the outdoors. On the side of the van, there is a big awning that rolls out.

At the rear of the camper, there are various wooden parts that pull out to create a table and outdoor sink. On the roof, there is a storage pod where they keep some of their gear.

For power, the couple has a portable solar panel. This allows them to park in the shade and leave it to charge in the sun, which is great in the summer.

The van Roxanne Ford Transit Connect Camper

Roxanne is a 2013 Ford Transit Connect camper that has been converted DIY. It’s one of the few Transit Connects out there that can store a bike inside, which makes her pretty unique. 

At the back of the van, there are two benches that are also a slide-out slat bed. They turn into a single bed at night. Under these, there’s lots of storage.

Next to the longer bench, there’s a slide-out compartment for a bike. It slides out at the rear of the vehicle, so you can store a bike inside. To fit the bike, you need to remove the front wheel.

That’s it. There isn’t much more to Roxanne, which makes her extra practical to take on any adventure.

Christina and Daniel’s stealth Ford Transit Connect camper conversion

Christina and Daniel do campervan conversions for a living. This 2017 Ford Transit Connect camper they built has a simple, yet solid interior. There are two benches and a kitchenette inside.

The longest couch turns into a double bed, which joins the other for added length. Under the benches are a refrigerator, a cassette toilet that slides out into the middle of the van, and plenty of slide-out storage boxes. There is a ceiling fan, as well as a skylight in the roof.

The kitchen looks fantastic. The worktop features a slide-out panel that offers extra surface for chopping, serving, eating or even working. The sink is solid and spacious with a pressurized water tap. The tap extends out and can be fixed into place on the rear door to create an outdoor shower.

Under the kitchenette, there’s plenty of storage drawers that lock in place when you’re on the road. At the rear of the van, there’s a slide-out table for cooking and eating outside.

Tristan der Transit Ford Transit Connect Camper

Tristan is a 2011 Ford Transit Connect camper traveling around Europe. The wooden panels and dark tones of the soft furnishing give the interior a modern feel.

At the back of the van, there’s a platform double bed with lots of storage underneath. Next to the bed, there’s a big wall of wooden cabinets. These store a lot of the gear on board.

At the back of the cabinets, facing the rear of the vehicle, there’s a tap and mirror, which serve as an outdoor bathroom.

Chad and Claire’s $6,000 Ford Transit Connect conversion

Chad and Claire spent summer 2020 converting their 2013 Ford Transit Connect. It features a highly functional interior, full of clever little details.

On the left hand side of the side entrance, there is a moving funnel sink the couple use to brush their teeth, as well as a storage area for toiletries and medication. Their cooler can be stored away on a stand, right up against the passenger seat, when they stop to camp. 

When they can’t use a public toilet, Chad and Claire use a toddlers’ toilet and a big jar for going to the bathroom. For showers, they carry a solar shower

Chad and Claire work on the road, so they chose to build a sliding couch bed. This allows them to set up the couch during the day and sit on it with their laptops. At night, they slide the bed out to create a double bed. Rather than slats, they used plywood panels to create the platform. Under the couch, they keep their clothes, shoes and accessories.

At the rear of the van, they have installed a custom shelf that stores their batteries, food and cooking gear. It also contains a flip-out table, which extends further with a slider. They use the desk for all purposes: working, cooking and eating. Hidden behind the flip-out table, Claire stores all her kitchenware. 

At the back of the van, they installed two flip-out tables on the doors. This is where they pop their water containers for doing the dishes and washing.

Laura and Erik’s Pearl Ford Transit Connect Camper

Pearl is a 2010 Ford Transit Connect camper. Laura and Erik converted it DIY into the perfect small camper van for a couple who lives on the road. The interior looks modern but rustic, with wooden panels and soft furniture decorated with geometric patterns.

Inside, there’s a platform double bed surrounded by cedar panels, even on the windows. This makes the back of the van extra cozy and dark for sleeping. Behind some of the panels, is some hidden storage for their clothes and accessories. For lighting, they use a magnetic light they can move around anywhere in the van.

Under the bed, there’s plenty of storage. The kitchenware, including the stove, is stored there.

They use a camping table and chairs to cook and sit outside the van. This gives them plenty of space where to prepare and have meals. Their Yeti cooler and generator are stored under the bed, too, on the left-hand side of the van.

Transmission Issues with a Ford Transit Connect Camper

One of the biggest concerns with Ford Transit Connect campervans is the transmission.

According to CarComplaints.com, the 2012 Ford Transit Connect has the most transmission complaints of any model of year, with other older model years registering complaints as well.

On the flip side, man people in van life forums love their Ford Transit Connect campers and haven’t had problems.

As the years went on, the Ford Transit Connects saw fewer transmission complaints.

Which model year you pick for a Ford Transit Connect conversion largely has to do with budget and the amount of risk you’re willing to take with the transmission.

CarComplaints.com also registered complaints for issues with shifting in the 2011 Ford TransitConnect and the car dying while driving in the 2016 models.

“I recommend looking at the history of the van before purchasing one, if it was owned by a construction company at some point it was likely over used, which could cause problems down the line,” said Oakes.

He said some people overladed the Ford Transit Connects, which was tough on the transmission.

Pros & Cons of a Transit Connect for Van Life

Here are the pros of a Ford Transit Connect camper:

And the cons of a Ford Transit Connect campervan:

Conclusion on Ford Transit Connect Camper Conversions

Many van lifers swear by their cute and nimble Ford Transit Connect campers. If you get creative, there are lots of interesting and functional ways to build out one of these small cargo vans.

If you’re on a budget, you’ll also enjoy the Ford Transit Connect’s gas mileage. It’s also super stealth for city camping.

Downsides include transmission issues, 2-wheel drive and lack of space.