Ford Transit Trail Van Upgrade

Improved Ford Transit Trail Van Upgrade – The ContraTrail

BEFORE YOU BUY A FORD TRANSIT TRAIL VAN, TAKE A LOOK AT OUR IMPROVED CONTRATRAIL SUSPENSION UPGRADE!

The Ford Transit Trail van is exciting, right? It’s like Ford saw what the campervan crowd was up to and said, “We got you.” While Ford came up with the Transit Trail van concept to attract adventurers like us, they’ve had some hiccups. There’s been a ton of buzz, but production has been slow, and several recalls have left people waiting and wondering.

That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce the ContraTrail upgrade that we’ve developed. If you’re considering a Transit Trail van, this is something you need to hear about before pulling the trigger. You will save money and end up with a better off-road van than the Transit Trial… Our ContraTrail package offers a serious upgrade!

Let’s dive into why this could be the game-changer you’re looking for.


Our ContraTrail Upgrade vs The Ford Transit Trail Van

Our ContraTrail Upgrade vs The Ford Transit Trail Van

As you can see, the ContraTrail upgrade isn’t just about matching Ford’s Transit Trail van, it’s about outdoing it. The true suspension lift improves both your ground clearance and how the van handles when you’re off-road. Plus, you don’t have to sit around waiting for Ford to deliver.

See our chart below for a side-by-side comparison of the two options.


Ford Transit Trail VanContraTrail VanDifferences
Price$14,250*$8,898**ContraTrail offers $5352 savings
Lift3.5” Body Lift2” suspension lift (details below)ContraTrail offers improved ride, handling, & ground clearance
TiresGoodyear 245/75R16 tiresGoodyear 245/75R16 tires
(other options are available)
No Difference
Side StepsTrail side stepsAluminess Touring Side Steps
(other options are available)
Fit your style with ContraTrail
Wheel ArchPlastic wheel arch claddingNot included in the base package, but Ford Transit Trail wheel arch cladding is available upon requestAesthetics
GrilleGrille with lightsAvailable grille upgrades depend on your Ford Transit modelAesthetics
Spare TireNon-matching, small spare tireNot included in the base package, but a full size spare and tire carrier are availableSecurity & safety if you get a flat, especially off road
Rear Ground ClearanceRear Ground Clearance 7″Rear Ground Clearance 8-1/4″+1-1/4″ clearance
Front ground clearanceFront ground clearance 9″Front 10-1/4″ to 11-1/4″+1-1/4 to +2-1/4, depending upon tire selection
Track2.75″ Wider Track3.0″ Wider Track
(depending upon your wheel selection)
0.25 Wider

Benefits Of Our ContraTrail Van Upgrade

Benefits Of Our ContraTrail Van Upgrade

There’s a lot to love about the ContraTrail. Here are the main benefits over the Ford Transit Trail van:

  • Improved Ride and Handling: I’ve driven both, and I’ll tell you, the ContraTrail just feels better. The suspension lift does more than make the van look cool. It genuinely improves the ride, especially on uneven terrain.
  • More Customization: Ford keeps things pretty standard, but we know that no two van life dreams are alike. That’s why the ContraTrail package is fully customizable. You can choose the wheels, tires, suspension, and accessories that fit your exact needs.
  • Better Ground Clearance: This is where the Transit Trail van struggles a bit. The ContraTrail upgrade gives you real ground clearance—so when you hit those gnarly trails, you won’t be holding your breath.
  • Faster Access: If you’re waiting for Ford to get their production together, I’ve got good news. You can get a regular Transit van now and have us install the ContraTrail package way faster than waiting for Ford to deliver their Transit Trail van.
  • No Tire Rub Issues: One of the biggest complaints about the Transit Trail van is the front tire rubbing on the fender. With ContraTrail, that’s one less headache to worry about.
  • Affordable Pricing: The best part? The base ContraTrail package starts at just under $9,000, which is significantly more affordable than purchasing a brand-new Transit Trail van, which can easily exceed $71,000.

Issues With The Ford Transit Trail Van


As much as I like the concept of the Transit Trail van, it’s had some issues that can’t be ignored:

  • Production Delays: It’s no secret that Ford has struggled to meet the demand for the Transit Trail van. If you’re still waiting for your order, you’re not alone.
  • Tire Rub: There have been multiple reports of front tire rub, especially when taking the van off-road. It’s a frustrating problem that takes away from the off-road capability that this van is supposed to deliver.
  • Limited Customization: You get what Ford gives you. There’s not much room to make it your own. For the true van lifers out there, that’s a dealbreaker.
  • Recalls: Ford has issued recalls on certain Transit Trail vans, mainly for the tire rub issue and backup camera malfunction, but it’s one more thing to worry about if you’re thinking of going that route.

Frequently Asked Questions


What happened to the Ford Transit Trail Van?

Ford launched the Transit Trail van to tap into the campervan and adventure market, but they’ve struggled to keep up with demand. Production has been slow, and there have been some recalls, most notably related to tire rub on the front fenders. Ford introduced the Transit Trail van with a lot of hype, aiming to appeal to adventurers and off-road enthusiasts. It was designed to be a rugged, capable version of their popular Transit van. However, since its launch, there have been production bottlenecks, with long wait times for customers.

These problems have led many potential buyers to look for alternatives. The ContraTrail upgrade solves many of the Transit Trail’s shortcomings and offers a more reliable, faster solution.

What is the difference between Transit and Transit Trail Van?

The Ford Transit Trail van is essentially a souped-up version of the regular Ford Transit, with off-road features like larger wheels, all-terrain tires, and a body lift that allow the larger tires to fit. Well, they almost fit. It’s meant for more rugged environments and outdoor enthusiasts. However, it’s still based on the core Transit design, which limits its customization and suspension performance potential.

With the ContraTrail upgrade, you start with a standard Transit van but get a true suspension lift, better ground clearance, and a much broader range of customization options.

What is the recall on the Ford Transit Trail Van?

The recall for the Ford Transit Trail van centers around a significant issue with the front tires. Many owners reported that the tires were rubbing against the front fenders, especially when driving on rough terrain, which the van was supposedly designed for. This defect has led to Ford issuing a recall to fix the problem, but it’s been a huge inconvenience for those who had already taken delivery of their vans.

Can I convert my regular Ford Transit into a ContraTrail?

Yes! That’s one of the best parts about the ContraTrail package. If you already own a standard Ford Transit, you don’t need to wait for a Transit Trail van to come off the production line. You can convert your current van into a fully capable off-roader with our ContraTrail upgrade. This not only saves you time but also gives you more control over how your van looks and performs.

Is the ContraTrail upgrade better for off-roading than the Transit Trail van?

In short, yes! The ContraTrail upgrade was specifically designed to improve the handling, suspension, and ground clearance of the standard Ford Transit. While the Transit Trail van does offer some off-road capabilities, it falls short in areas like true suspension lift and handling on rugged terrain.

How quickly can I get the ContraTrail upgrade?

One of the biggest advantages of the ContraTrail upgrade is how quickly you can get it. Unlike the Transit Trail van, which has been plagued with production delays, we can get you up and running with a ContraTrail in a fraction of the time. Contact us for exactly time frames and more details – CONTACT US HERE

Conclusion: Ford Transit Trail Van vs The ContraTrail


At the end of the day, the Ford Transit Trail van is a solid idea, but it’s not without its flaws. Whether it’s the slow production, price, limited customization, or tire rub issues, there’s a lot to think about before committing to one.

That’s where the ContraTrail package comes in. We’ve taken the best parts of the Transit Trail van and improved on them, offering you a more customizable, better-performing van that’s ready to go now. If you’re serious about off-roading and van life, the ContraTrail is the smarter, faster, and all-around better choice.

Contact Contravans today for more information about your specific model and what we can do for you.

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