The Ford Transit van has been making great strides in competing with the mighty and much loved VW Transporter to be one of the best vans for campervans conversions. Many people are enjoying the bang for buck you get for your money with a Ford. With its reliability, great spec and many additional extras as standard, the Ford Transit has definitely been accepted in the campervan world as a great base vehicle for campervan conversions.
The Transit's appeal goes beyond just price. Ford has invested heavily in recent years to ensure their commercial vehicles can compete head-to-head with the established European brands. The result is a van that offers impressive build quality, modern technology, and excellent fuel economy. The range of engine options means you can choose the right balance between performance and running costs, whilst the variety of body lengths and roof heights gives you plenty of flexibility when planning your conversion.
The latest generation Transit models come equipped with features that were once considered premium options. SYNC 3 infotainment systems, reversing cameras, parking sensors, cruise control, and advanced safety features like lane-keeping assist and automatic emergency braking are now readily available. These additions make the Transit feel less like a commercial workhorse and more like a comfortable daily driver that happens to have exceptional cargo capacity.
Inside, the Transit provides a spacious cargo area with flat walls and a low loading floor, making it easier to fit furniture and fittings during a conversion. The driving experience has also improved significantly, with better handling, reduced noise levels, and a comfortable cabin that makes long journeys more enjoyable. The availability of front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive options means you can select the configuration that best suits your intended use, whether that's mainly motorway driving or venturing down rougher tracks to reach remote camping spots.
Ford has also paid attention to the practical details that matter to van owners. The wide-opening rear doors and side loading door (available on both sides in some configurations) make loading and unloading straightforward. The interior dimensions are generous, with enough headroom in the high-roof models to stand upright comfortably - something that makes a huge difference when you're spending time inside during poor weather. These factors have helped the Transit win over many campervan fans who might have previously dismissed it in favour of more traditional choices.
The campervan conversion market has grown enormously in recent years. More people are recognising the freedom that comes with having your own mobile accommodation, whether that's for weekend breaks, extended road trips, or even as a way to work remotely from different locations. However, traditional conversions come with significant drawbacks. The cost can easily run into tens of thousands of pounds, the work can take months to complete, and once done, you're left with a vehicle that's permanently configured as a camper.
The Slidepod Solution
One of the easiest, practical and cost effective ways to turn your Transit into a campervan is with a Slidepod. Rather than spending a small fortune, and losing the practicalities of your van, by installing a fixed kitchen and bed system, a Slidepod is a simple, but ingenious alternative that is fully removable and gives your van a king size bed system and a kitchen pod that includes a twin ring gas burner, sink with a tap, integrated gas system, fresh and waste water tanks and a storage cupboard that can easily store all your pots, pans, plates and food items and much more.
The beauty of this approach lies in its simplicity. Traditional campervan conversions often require significant structural modifications, professional installation, and can take weeks or even months to complete. They also permanently alter your vehicle, which can affect its resale value and insurance costs. You might need to register the vehicle as a motor caravan, which can complicate matters when it comes to selling or trading in. The Slidepod system takes a different path entirely. Installation is straightforward enough that most people can manage it themselves, and because nothing is permanently fixed to the van, you avoid the complications that come with structural changes.
Clever Engineering
Smooth Operation: Heavy-duty runners handle regular use without losing precision or stability. The unit locks securely when extended for a stable cooking surface.
Comfortable Sleep: Proper thickness mattress on a strong platform that supports two adults comfortably - no awkward angles or compromises.
Full Kitchen: Twin ring gas burner, decent-sized sink with tap, integrated fresh and waste water tanks, and useful storage cupboard space.
The kitchen section is surprisingly well-equipped for something so compact. The twin ring gas burner provides enough heat output to cook proper meals, not just boil water for instant noodles. The sink is a decent size with a proper tap that draws from the integrated fresh water tank. There's a separate waste water tank underneath, so you're not searching for drainage points at campsites. The gas system is professionally integrated and safe, with all the necessary regulators and safety features built in. The storage cupboard is genuinely useful, with enough space to pack all your camping cookware, dry goods, and supplies without having to resort to bags and boxes scattered around the van.
Maximum Flexibility
When you're not using the camping features, the whole system can be removed in minutes, returning your van to full cargo capacity. This is where the Slidepod really shines. Monday to Friday, your Transit can carry tools, equipment, or whatever you need for work. It can handle the school run without looking like you've forgotten to unpack from a camping trip. You can load it up with furniture from the sale, fill it with building supplies, or pack it full of shopping bags. The van remains completely practical for normal use.
The freedom and flexibility to use your van in the week for work, the school run, the weekly food shop or trips to Ikea - a Slidepod turns your van into a campervan whenever you desire, quickly and easily with no modifications needed. This versatility is perhaps the biggest advantage of all. Your Transit doesn't become a dedicated campervan that sits unused for most of the year. Instead, it remains a practical, everyday vehicle that happens to have camping capabilities when you need them.
Typical campervan usage: Most owners use their converted vans only 20-30 nights per year
Sitting idle: The rest of the year, the van depreciates whilst owners need another vehicle
With Slidepod: Your Transit works for its living throughout the year
Financial Sense
The financial logic is compelling. A professional campervan conversion can easily cost £10,000-£40,000 depending on the specification and who does the work. Even a basic DIY conversion will run into several thousand pounds once you've bought all the materials, components, and fixtures. A Slidepod costs a fraction of this amount and can be moved to a new van if you decide to upgrade or change vehicles. There's no permanent modification that might put off future buyers or reduce the van's resale value. Your insurance remains straightforward because the van hasn't been converted - you're just carrying camping equipment.
Day trips, weekends away or even longer camping trips - a Slidepod allows you to change your lifestyle without changing your van. Load it up on Friday evening, spend the weekend exploring the coast or countryside, then remove it on Sunday night ready for Monday morning. The system is light enough that one person can handle it, though two people make the job even quicker. There are no tools required, no bolts to undo, no complicated procedures. Slide it in, secure it with the quick-release fixings, and you're ready to go.
Practical Advantages
The flexibility extends to where and how you camp as well. Because your van looks like a normal Transit from the outside, you're not immediately identifiable as a camper. This can be useful when wild camping or parking overnight in places where larger motorhomes might attract attention. You can also access places that bigger campervans can't reach - narrow lanes, car parks with height restrictions, or urban locations where a large motorhome would be impractical.
The Slidepod system grows with you, adapting to however you want to use your Ford Transit. Perhaps you start with occasional weekend trips to test the waters. As you gain confidence and find places you want to visit, you might extend to longer trips. Some people find they enjoy the lifestyle so much that they start planning longer adventures - a month touring Scotland, perhaps, or an extended trip through Europe. The Slidepod can handle all of this without requiring any changes or upgrades.
Low Maintenance
Maintenance is minimal too. The gas system needs periodic checking, just like any camping stove setup. The water tanks should be cleaned regularly if you're using them frequently. The runners might need occasional lubrication to keep them sliding smoothly. The plumbing connections are straightforward and accessible, making any issues easier to identify and fix than permanently installed systems. There's no fixed furniture to repair, and no complicated electrical systems to troubleshoot. Everything is designed to be straightforward and reliable.
Your Transit. Your Camper. Your Choice.
The combination of a Ford Transit and a Slidepod Ultra represents a smart, modern approach to campervan ownership. You get the practicality and value of the Transit, combined with the flexibility and convenience of a removable camping system.
The Slidepod Ultra gives you everything you need for camping adventures without sacrificing your van's everyday practicality. No permanent modifications. No expensive conversions. Just slide in, lock, and go.
Shop Slidepod Ultra Collection →Experience the freedom to camp without compromise
