Legacy of a dead dream or just one chapter in a larger story?
The Fort Transit as a base platform speaks for itself, boasting the highest sales of any van model in the United States. These vans are comparatively affordable, rugged, and well-engineered for the utility and passenger role, offering a great choice for anyone needing to move small amounts of cargo or people around.
However, they are also an excellent choice for conversion into weekenders and even tiny mobile homes, as exemplified by this 2022 model, purchased brand new by the current owner and converted by Mountain Made Vans of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Unfortunately, the company no longer exists, as explained by the owners, Trent and Allie, on their YouTube channel. It appears that the company relied heavily on two builders, Matt and Bryce, to actually run the day-to-day work in the shop. As the COVID-19 lockdown pressures took their toll, the employees were burned out and expressed a desire to leave the company. Without their labor, as well as the small production numbers the company was putting out, it was decided to close Mountain Made Vans instead.
All of that means this 2022 Ford Transit 350 AWD camper conversion is a rather rare example, with only 12,000 miles on the odometer. Click here to see the full Bring a Trailer listing!
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Let’s start with the exterior
Covered in a shiny Oxford White paint, this Transit is fairly unassuming from the outside. The most obvious indications that something special has been done to it are the rooftop solar panels and storage rack, along with the driver’s side access ladder. Otherwise, it would seem to be an ordinary van to the casual observer, making this almost something of a ‘stealth camper’.
All of the utility connections, such as water and power, are located on the driver’s side of the vehicle in hidden or unassuming ports. The 16″ steel wheels are wrapped in 285/65 Continental VanContact tires. All side and rear windows in the rear compartment have been covered in a panel-van style, and black plastic trim that matches the bumpers surrounds the entire vehicle for a touch of decorative flair.
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Everything has its perfect place
Unlike the outside, the interior has had a host of improvements and changes. A dark grey Palazzo cloth upholstery covers the swiveling driver and passenger chairs, with similar gray and black tones used for the rest of the paneling, dash, and carpeting as well. The basics are covered, with an AM/FM radio, heating and air conditioning, power windows, and power locks, but nothing too fancy in the gauges or the padded grey tri-spoke steering wheel. Some nice sun shades to cover the whole windshield do appear to be included, though.
In the back is where the prominent features lie, with an entire kitchenette complete with custom white upper cupboards and blue ones along the floor, a retractable dining table, white tile floor and ceiling, and what looks to be wood or faux wood flooring, matching the wood countertops. A propane Furrion stove, a Vitrifrigo fridge, as well as a microwave and sink, round out the main living space.
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At the back, a full queen bed sits over a utilities box, both of which can be accessed from the outside doors. Air conditioning, multiple 110V outlets, an indoor and outdoor shower, a composting toilet, and a Wi-Fi hotspot are also included, along with a retractable awning off the passenger-side sliding door.
Power that’s both under the hood and under the bed
The powertrain for this camper conversion is Ford’s standard 3.5L (214 ci) V6, rated for 275 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. All wheels receive that power by way of a ten-speed automatic transmission. As mentioned above, power is also generated by roof-top solar panels, which feed into a bank of four Battle Born 100Ah 12V lithium-ion batteries stored in a compartment under the mattress at the back of the van. That setup provides more than enough juice for this van’s needs, which includes not only the interior lighting, AC, and 110V power outlets, but also a water heater and pump for the outside shower. The van’s odometer shows 12,000 miles, all of them from the current owner.
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Final thoughts: One of a small pool of campers from designers who live the lifestyle
While Mountain Made Vans no longer produces these conversions, and few were made even during the years it was operational, the lessons learned from the owners’ adventures went into the design and layout for this and their other builds. That expertise, born of headaches and mistakes, created a camper van that should make living on the road an effortless endeavor for its future owner. Perhaps that person will be you? Check out the auction before it’s gone!
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