Should I Choose a Ford Transit or RAM ProMaster?

Choose your camper van based on where you drive, how much van you want, how tall you are, how much you want to spend, and who and what comes along for the ride.

Here are a few quick ways to start narrowing things down:

If you regularly travel in snow: Start with the Ford Transit. Most Transit vans on the market come with all-wheel drive.

If budget is one of your biggest considerations: Take a close look at the RAM ProMaster. The vehicle itself generally costs less than a comparable Transit, although the final price depends on the van you buy and the conversion you choose.

If you want the smallest van possible: The RAM ProMaster 136” is the shortest van we convert at 17’9″, almost two feet shorter than our other three options.

If you want maximum standing height: The high roof Ford Transit gives you 6’4″ of interior height, the most in our lineup.

If you want more room for people and gear: The RAM ProMaster 159” gives you the most living and storage space of our conversions.

Still torn? Keep reading, and we’ll dive into how you’ll actually use your van.

Do I Need AWD in a Camper Van?

You don’t need AWD to have a capable camper van, but it can be helpful if you regularly travel on snowy or unmaintained dirt roads.

The drivetrain is one of the biggest differences between the two makes of vans we convert. The Ford Transit is available in AWD. Our RAM ProMaster conversions are front-wheel drive.

But AWD isn’t a requirement for getting outside. Plenty of Wayfarians travel forest service roads and snowy highways in their front-wheel-drive ProMasters. Having good tires, snow chains, and traction boards can help when things get a bit dicey.

But no matter which van you choose, remember that we’re talking about cargo vans here, not rock crawlers.

Is a front-wheel-drive van good in snow?

A front-wheel-drive ProMaster can do just fine in the snow, especially with good tires. But if snowy roads are a regular part of your travels, you may appreciate having AWD.

Think about your normal trips rather than the most extreme road you might drive once every five years.

Is a Ford Transit or RAM ProMaster Easier to Drive?

Both are very manageable to drive, but they feel different behind the wheel. Vehicle length may ultimately matter just as much as whether you choose Ford or RAM.

If you’re used to driving a car or SUV, getting behind the wheel of a cargo van for the first time can be a little intimidating. It may take a few miles to get used to, but these vans are easier to drive than you may think.

Many drivers find that the Ford Transit feels a little more like driving a car or SUV. Both Wayfarer Transit options use the same 148″ wheelbase and measure 19’8″ long, so Wilma and Wilford have essentially the same footprint on the road. The biggest exterior difference between them is height.

The ProMaster gives you two size choices. Walter’s 136″ wheelbase makes it our smallest van at 17’9″ long. That’s especially handy if you spend a lot of time in big cities, squeeze into busy trailheads, or simply don’t want to drive more van than you need.

Walt stretches that to a 159″ wheelbase and 19’8″ overall length. You gain quite a bit inside, but you’ll notice those extra two feet when you’re maneuvering into tighter spaces.

Which camper van is easiest to park?

Walter is the easiest Wayfarer van to park because it’s the shortest, but overall, RAM ProMasters have a tighter turning circle than Ford Transits.

Walter’s shorter length makes it especially easy to fit into tight parking spots. But even Walt, our longer ProMaster, can turn a little tighter than Wilma or Wilford. So if you’re comparing a Ford Transit vs. RAM ProMaster, the ProMaster has an edge when it comes to tight turns and maneuvering in smaller spaces.

All four vans are still manageable for everyday driving, but if parking and maneuverability are high on your list, the ProMaster is worth a closer look.

Which Camper Van Has the Right Amount of Space for You?

When it comes to space, the biggest difference is pretty simple: if you want more options for vertical space, look at the Ford Transit. If you want more options for length, look at the RAM ProMaster.

Both Transit conversions have a 148″ wheelbase and measure 19’8″ long, but you can choose between two roof heights. Wilma’s mid roof gives you 5’8″ of interior height, while Wilford’s high roof gives you 6’4″.

With the ProMaster, both Walter and Walt have a high roof with 6’2″ of interior height, but you get two wheelbase options. Walter’s 136″ wheelbase keeps things compact, while Walt’s 159″ wheelbase gives you more room for people, gear, and furniture.

How much camper van space do you actually need?

Bigger isn’t automatically better. More space can be great at camp, but you’re also driving, parking, and maneuvering that extra space everywhere you go.

Think about what a normal trip looks like for you. If you’re a solo traveler or couple heading out for a weekend with a couple of bikes and a few bins of camping gear, Walter may give you all the room you need while keeping things compact and easy to park.

If you’re traveling with kids or dogs, bringing a lot of bulky gear, or spending a couple of weeks on the road, Walt’s extra length gives everyone and everything a little more room.

With the Transit, the decision is less about length and more about height. Maybe you mostly sleep in the van and spend your days outside, so Wilma’s lower roof is an easy tradeoff for a lower-profile vehicle. Or maybe you’re six feet tall, want to stand up straight in the van, or spend more time inside when the weather turns. In that case, Wilford’s extra headroom could make a big difference.

The best way to decide? Picture the trips you take all the time, not the once-a-year trip where you might need every possible inch of space.

Which camper van is best for families?

If you’re traveling as a family, both the Ford Transit and RAM ProMaster can work well, but Walt gives you the most space and layout options. Its longer 159″ wheelbase leaves more room for passenger seating, sleeping space, and all the extra stuff that tends to come with kids.

That doesn’t mean every family needs the biggest van. Families travel in all four of our conversions, including Walter, our smallest. Wayfarer also offers additional passenger seats, depending on the van and layout you choose. Our 3D Van Builder is a great way to play around with the options and see how adding a rear seat affects your sleeping, storage, and living space before you decide what works best for your family.

For families who want more flexibility once they’re at camp, the Twin Bed Dinette is available in Walt, Wilma, and Wilford. It replaces the traditional raised rear bed with two lower benches that can be used for seating or separate sleeping spaces, then converted into a larger bed.

What about skis, bikes, and all your other gear?

All four Wayfarer conversions leave plenty of room for gear, but the longer and taller vans give you more places to put it.

With our standard raised-bed layouts, you get a large gear garage underneath the bed for bikes, skis, boards, camp chairs, bins, and other bulky gear. And because Wayfarer’s furniture is modular, you can move or remove pieces when you need more open floor space.

For built-in storage, the differences come down to length and height. Walt’s longer wheelbase gives you room for three boot boxes, compared with one in Walter and two in Wilma and Wilford. On the Ford side, Wilford’s high roof creates more room for upper cabinets, while Wilma uses soft storage pockets in the rear to make the most of its lower roof.

So if you travel with a lot of gear, think about what kind of space you need. Walt gives you more floor space and built-in storage thanks to its extra length. Wilford gives you more vertical storage thanks to its high roof. Walter and Wilma keep things a little more compact while still giving you plenty of flexibility for hauling gear.

Is a Ford Transit or RAM ProMaster More Affordable?

The RAM ProMaster generally gives you a lower-cost starting point for the vehicle, although your total camper van price depends on the van, conversion, accessories, and whether you buy new or used.

As of September 2026, here’s what you can expect for pricing. Of course, vehicle prices can change based on model year, trim, options, dealer pricing, and availability.

Wayfarer Vans Conversion	Vehicle	Conversion	Approx. New Van	Approx. Total
Walter	RAM ProMaster, 136” wheelbase, high roof van	$22,500	$53,000	$75,500
Walt	RAM ProMaster, 159” wheelbase, high roof van	$25,500	$55,000	$80,500
Wilma	Ford Transit, 148” wheelbase, mid roof van	$22,500	$63,000	$85,500
Wilford	Ford Transit, 148” wheelbase, high roof van	$25,500	$65,000	$90,500

You can also bring the total cost down by starting with a used van. Wayfarer converts used Ford Transit (2015 or newer) and RAM ProMaster (2014 or newer) cargo vans, so a brand-new van isn’t your only option.

And because the Wayfarer conversion is modular, you don’t have to check every accessory box on day one. Start with the things you know you’ll use, get out and camp, and add more later if you decide you need it.

Which Camper Van Is Easier to Find?

Both Ford Transits and RAM ProMasters are fairly easy to find new or used. The biggest difference is when you’re shopping for a used AWD Transit, simply because Ford hasn’t been making the AWD version for as many years.

That means there are typically more used ProMasters to choose from, while finding the right used AWD Transit may take a little more looking. If you’re buying new, you should have options with either Ford or RAM, although inventory will always vary by location and the specific configuration you want.

If you’re shopping used, remember that not every Transit or ProMaster will work for a Wayfarer conversion. Before you buy, make sure you’ve confirmed the year, wheelbase, roof height, and cargo configuration are compatible. Finding a screaming deal isn’t quite as exciting if we can’t put a conversion in it. Check out our guide to vans we don’t convert.

Which Van Is Easier to Own and Maintain?

Both the Ford Transit and RAM ProMaster are pretty easy to own and maintain, especially because Ford and RAM dealerships are just about everywhere. If something comes up while you’re halfway across the country, there’s a good chance you can find someone nearby to work on your van.

That’s also one reason we convert Ford and RAM vans instead of Mercedes Sprinters. Parts, routine maintenance, and repairs generally cost less, and you have a much bigger network of shops to choose from.

As for whether Ford or RAM is more reliable, we wouldn’t get too caught up in that debate. We’ve heard from folks who have put hundreds of thousands of miles on their vans without any major issues, and we’ve heard from folks who have had a weird repair pop up along the way. We haven’t seen any big trends that would make us point you toward one over the other.

If you’re shopping used, the specific van matters more. How old is it? Has it been maintained? What kind of life did it have before you came along? Find one that’s been taken care of, and if you’re buying used, have it inspected before you commit.

Ford Transit vs. RAM ProMaster: What’s the Bottom Line?

Both make great camper vans. The better fit comes down to what matters most to you.

Go with a Ford Transit if AWD or more interior height options are high on your list.

Go with a RAM ProMaster if you want more choices in vehicle length or want to keep the starting price a little lower.

Beyond that, there’s no substitute for getting inside one. The specs can narrow things down, but sometimes you need to stand in the van, walk around it, and picture your gear inside before you know which one feels right.

Still Not Sure? Come See One.

If you can’t make it to our Colorado Springs shop, our Vanbassadors are Wayfarer owners around the country who open their vans for tours. Or talk with a Journey Architect and tell us where you go, who comes with you, and what matters most.

We’ll help you narrow it down from there.