Wilma vs. Wilford: Which Ford Transit Is Best For You

If you’re drawn to the Ford Transit van, but are still deciding between the mid-roof Wilma or the high-roof Wilford, we’re here to help. Choosing between the two can feel a bit like standing at a fork in the trail. They both lead somewhere awesome, just with slightly different views along the way. 

From the outside, our two Ford Transit conversions are practically twins. Same length, same wheelbase, same AWD adventure-ready spirit. But once you step inside, the camping experience is a bit different.

If you would rather see it all side by side, we put together a full video comparison that walks through the details. Take a few minutes to watch, then scroll on for the deeper dive.

Watch: Wilma vs. Wilford

Before we get into all the details, here’s a look at the two Ford Transit vans we convert side by side. Seeing them next to each other can make it a whole lot easier to figure out which one feels right for you.

Ford Transit Mid Roof vs. High Roof at a Glance

The biggest difference between Wilma and Wilford is roof height: Wilma is our Ford Transit mid roof camper van, and Wilford is our Ford Transit high roof camper van. Beyond that, these two have a whole lot in common. Both are built on the 148” wheelbase Ford Transit, they’re the same length, and they offer many of the same layout options.

Here’s how they compare:

	Wilma	Wilford
Van	Ford Transit, 148” wheelbase, mid roof van	Ford Transit, 148” wheelbase, high roof van
Exterior Height	8’3”	9’2”
Interior Height	5’8”	6’4”
Exterior Length	19’8”	19’8”
Drivetrain	AWD available	AWD available
Conversion Price	$22,500	$25,500
New Vehicle Starting Price	$63,000	$65,000
Might be for you:	You want a lower-profile van at a lower price point	You want more standing room and overhead storage

For most people, the choice comes down to a pretty simple question: How much does that extra eight inches of interior height matter to you? Wilford gives you more room to stand and more space for overhead storage. Wilma gives you the same basic footprint and many of the same ways to use the space, just with a lower roof.

Wilma pictured in the front with an 8’3″ exterior. Wilford in the background at 9’2

What’s the Difference in Interior Height?

The Ford Transit mid roof Wilma has 5’8” of interior standing height, while the high roof Wilford has 6’4”, giving you an extra eight inches of headroom.

If you’re around 5’8” or shorter, that difference might not mean much when you’re moving around inside the van. If you’re taller, Wilford lets most folks stand fully upright, while you’ll need to duck a bit in Wilma.

But before you decide you absolutely need to stand up straight in your camper van, think about how you’re used to camping. If you’ve car camped, slept in a rooftop tent, or spent time in a small pull-behind trailer, you already know that standing fully upright isn’t a requirement for loving a space you primarily use for sleeping, sitting, and driving. And, if all goes according to plan, you’ll spend plenty of time outside the van, too.

That extra height does more than give you headroom, though. Wilford’s high roof also creates more vertical space for larger upper cabinets, while Wilma keeps the overall van lower. We’ll get into what that means for storage a little farther down.

Is a Mid Roof Ford Transit Easier to Drive and Park?

Wilma and Wilford are the same length and have the same 148” wheelbase, so there isn’t much difference when it comes to parking or maneuvering in tight spaces. Where you’ll notice the difference is overhead.

Wilma is 8’3” tall, while Wilford is 9’2” tall before adding rooftop accessories like a vent fan or air conditioner. Wilma’s lower profile can give you a little more wiggle room around low branches, overhangs, and other overhead obstacles.

That said, neither one fits into a standard garage or drive-thru. Whichever van you choose, know its final height and keep an eye on those clearance signs.

How Do the Camper Van Layouts Compare?

Wilma and Wilford offer many of the same camper van layout options because both are built on the same 148” wheelbase Ford Transit. Inside, both follow Wayfarer’s approach to simple, reliable, modular camper van conversions.

Within the base Wilma and Wilford conversions, you’ll find:

• A kitchen galley
• Two boot boxes
• A Lagun table
• Multiple layout options
• Access to our usual accessories, including extra seating, heating and cooling upgrades, power solutions, and more

Choosing the high roof doesn’t give you more floor space or a completely different camper van layout. Where things shift a bit is storage and vertical space.

Cabinets and Storage

Wilford offers more enclosed overhead storage than Wilma because the Ford Transit high roof gives us more vertical space to work with.

Thanks to that extra height, Wilford has room for a larger upper cabinet up front and bigger cabinets over each side of the bed. That gives you more enclosed storage for clothes, food, and all the smaller stuff you bring along.

Wilma still gives you upper cabinets, just slightly smaller. In the back, we swap one hard-sided cabinet for a soft storage pouch. You still get a handy place to stash your stuff without putting a hard cabinet right where you might bonk your head in the middle of the night.

The takeaway: Both vans give you the same basic floor space and flexible Wayfarer setup, while Wilford’s high roof gives you more enclosed storage overhead.

What Are the Bed Options?

Wilma and Wilford offer the same bed options, so choosing between a Ford Transit mid roof and high roof doesn’t limit how you sleep.

Both vans can use our standard bed setup, which gives you a fixed sleeping space with a gear garage underneath. If you want more flexibility, the Twin Bed Dinette gives you two separate beds at night and a comfortable place to sit, eat, or hang out during the day. The two beds can also come together to create one larger sleeping space.

You can also add our Slide-Out Bed Extension to create a 7-foot sleeping surface when it’s time for bed, then tuck it away when you want that space back during the day.

So, your bed choice doesn’t need to drive your mid roof vs. high roof decision. Instead, think about how you want to balance sleeping space, places to sit, and room for gear.

Can You Add Seats for Kids or Extra Passengers?

Yes, both Wilma and Wilford work with compatible rear passenger seating options, so either Ford Transit camper van can work for families or groups traveling with more than two people.

Compatible rear seating can give you room to bring more people along, including kids in car seats. Because those seats use some of the same space you might otherwise dedicate to sleeping, storage, or living space, adding passengers does come with a few tradeoffs.

Wilma and Wilford give you the same basic footprint to work with, so roof height isn’t the deciding factor here. Our 3D Van Builder can help you see which seating options work with each van and how they fit with different beds, layouts, and accessories.

Do Ford Transit Camper Vans Have Bathrooms or Showers?

Neither Wayfarer’s Wilma nor Wilford has a built-in bathroom or shower, but we do offer a portable toilet as an accessory. So, you can still have a toilet when you need one without giving up a permanent chunk of your camper van to a bathroom.

That choice gets right to the heart of how we build camper vans at Wayfarer: keep things simple and make the most of the space you have. A built-in bathroom takes up quite a bit of room. Add a shower, and now you’re also talking about water tanks, plumbing, pumps, winterization, and more things to maintain.

When it’s time to clean up, most Wayfarians rely on campgrounds, public facilities, gyms, or portable shower options along the way. Trust us, we’re perfectly happy to borrow someone else’s hot water and keep our van a little more open, a little less damp, and a whole lot simpler.

Is AWD Worth It on a Ford Transit Camper Van?

For many Ford Transit camper van owners, AWD is worth considering, especially if snow, winter driving, or dirt and gravel roads are part of your travel plans. The majority of Ford Transits we see come through our shop are AWD, but we can build both Wilma and Wilford on a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) Transit, too.

And we understand why AWD is popular. If your camper van takes you to the mountains, through winter weather, or down maintained dirt and gravel roads, that extra traction can be nice to have. If you mostly stick to highways, paved roads, and established campgrounds, RWD can still be a great option.

Just remember that AWD doesn’t turn a Transit into an off-road vehicle. It can help with traction, but it doesn’t give you more ground clearance or make every rough road fair game. Good tires matter, too, especially if winter travel is part of the plan.

So, if you’re already leaning toward AWD, you’ll be in good company. And choosing between Wilma’s mid roof and Wilford’s high roof doesn’t change that option.

Deserts, snow, beaches, and anywhere in between, the available all-wheel-drive of the Ford Transit can take you anywhere. 

How Much Do Wilma and Wilford Cost?

Here’s a quick look at the  starting costs for both vans:

	Wilma	Wilford
Vehicle	$63,000 new	$65,000 new
Wayfarer Vans conversion	$22,500	$25,500
Approximate total cost	$85,500	$90,500

Of course, there are a few variables. The price of the van itself can vary depending on vehicle options, and your final conversion price will depend on the accessories that make sense for the way you travel.

You don’t need a brand-new van, either. We can convert compatible used Ford Transit cargo vans, which can make a big difference in the overall cost. Want to learn more about which vans are compatible? Head over to the Vans We Don’t Convert blog to learn more.

If you want to see how the numbers shake out, head over to our 3D Van Builder. You can play around with different layouts and accessories and see what your setup might look like.

Ford Transit Mid Roof vs. High Roof: Which Is Right for You?

Choosing between a Ford Transit mid roof and high roof mostly comes down to how much you prioritize standing height, overhead storage, and exterior van height. One pretty practical deciding factor might simply be your own height.

If you’re around 5’8” or shorter, you may be able to stand comfortably inside Wilma, which can make the mid roof an easy choice. If you’re taller, think about how much standing fully upright inside your camper van matters to you.

Wilma might be for you if:

• You’re around 5’8” or shorter, or you don’t mind ducking a bit inside.
• You like the lower profile of a mid roof Transit.
• You don’t need as much overhead cabinet storage.
• You’d rather spend a little less on your camper van

Wilford might be for you if:

• You’re taller than 5’8”, and standing fully upright matters to you.
• You want more enclosed storage overhead.
• The extra exterior height isn’t a concern.
• You’re comfortable spending a little more for a taller camper van

If you’re still stuck between the two, think about how you’ll actually spend your time in the van. Do you picture yourself standing inside while you cook and get ready for the day? Or, like camping in a tent, are you perfectly happy ducking a little when you’re inside?

Either way, you’ll have the same simple, modular Wayfarer setup ready for wherever you’re headed.

Still Not Sure? Come See One.

Sometimes, the easiest way to decide between a Ford Transit mid roof and high roof is to stand inside both.

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.