Sprinter vs. Transit vs. ProMaster: Which Van Should You Build On?
Choosing a van is the biggest decision you’ll make in this process. It’s not just a vehicle; it’s the foundation for everything that comes next.
Think of it like building a house. You can install beautiful cabinetry and the best insulation money can buy, but if the foundation shifts, the whole build suffers. The same physics apply here. We spend hundreds of hours building aluminum skeletons and installing heavy systems. If the chassis can’t handle the payload, the washboard road, or the sub-zero start, the build fails .
At Forged Vans, we build exclusively on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
But that isn't because we are badge snobs. It’s simply because the Sprinter fits the specific engineering requirements of the heavy expedition vehicles we build.
However, the Sprinter isn't the only option. Depending on your budget and mission, a Transit or ProMaster might actually be the smarter play for you.
Here is an honest, engineering-focused look at the "Big Three," and why we ultimately chose the Sprinter for our fleet.
PART 1: THE Van CONTENDERS
1. THE RAM PROMASTER: THE SPACIOUS ENTRY POINT
The ProMaster is incredibly popular, and for good reason. It is the widest of the three vans. This is a huge advantage because it allows you to sleep sideways, which saves a massive amount of floor space for your kitchen or gear.
The Reality: The ProMaster is Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) and designed primarily for city delivery.
The Trade-Off: FWD is great for a low floor height, but it can struggle on loose, steep terrain. When you load a camper with water and batteries, the weight shifts to the rear axle. On a steep gravel climb, that weight lifts off your front drive wheels, and you can lose traction right when you need it.
Clearance: The rear axle is a solid beam that sits lower to the ground than the others. On rocky roads, it’s usually the first thing to make contact.
Best For: Weekend trips, paved road adventures, and maximizing interior volume on a budget.
2. THE FORD TRANSIT: THE DRIVER’S CHOICE
The Ford Transit is genuinely fun to drive. The EcoBoost gas engine is powerful and quick, making it feel more like a large SUV than a commercial truck. Plus, service can be done at any Ford dealer in the country.
The "Extended" Overhang: To get the interior space of a 170" Sprinter, you need the Transit "Extended" model. Ford creates this length by extending the body far behind the rear wheels. This creates a long "tail" that can drag on steep driveways or dips in the trail.
Gas vs. Range: The gas engine is powerful, but it burns fuel faster than a diesel when fully loaded. In remote areas, we prioritize range efficiency—getting as far into the backcountry as possible.
Best For: Basic adventures, weekend warriors, and those who prioritize driving dynamics over maximum storage space.
3. THE MERCEDES SPRINTER: THE EXPEDITION TOOL
We choose the Sprinter not because it is perfect but because its geometry and capabilities allow for a "No-Compromise" build out.
The 170" Geometry: Unlike the Transit, when Mercedes makes a long van, they stretch the wheelbase to 170 inches. This pushes the rear wheels further back, stabilizing the ride when carrying heavy loads. It keeps the weight balanced between the axles rather than hanging off the back. And even the 144 has tons of room for smart design & space.
Diesel Longevity: We build interiors to last 20 years. A commercial diesel engine is built for that same high-mileage horizon. It offers the torque to move a heavy rig and the efficiency to keep you off-grid longer.
Best For: Heavy builds, high altitudes, and long-term off-grid living.
PART 2: THE SHOWDOWN
Now that we know the players, let's look at how they compare in the real world.
BATTLE 1: DRIVE FEEL & CAPABILITY
The Question: Do you want to get there fast, or get there anywhere?
The Ford is objectively more "fun" on pavement. It corners flatter and accelerates harder. But off-pavement, the Sprinter takes over. The Sprinter’s AWD system combined with the diesel engine provides a crawl-like capability that feels confident on loose rock and steep fire roads.
More importantly, the Sprinter sits higher from the factory (approx. 8.0" clearance) compared to the Transit (approx. 6.7"). That 1.3-inch difference is often the margin between clearing a boulder and cracking a differential.
BATTLE 2: INTERIOR SPACE
The Question: How much usable room do you have?
The ProMaster has a distinct superpower: Width. It is the only van wide enough for most adults (under 6'2") to sleep East-West without adding expensive fiberglass "flares" to the exterior. This saves massive amounts of floor space.
However, the Sprinter 170" counters with Length. Unlike the Ford Transit Extended, which achieves its length by welding a huge overhang behind the rear wheels (which drags on the ground off-road), the Mercedes 170" actually extends the wheelbase itself. This allows us to build our signature layout: A fixed North-South bed plus a massive gear garage for bikes and crash pads, without needing to pop out the sides of the van or destroy the departure angle.
BATTLE 3: RELIABILITY
The Question: Is it easy to fix?
Let’s be real: You can fix a Ford Transit or Ram ProMaster in almost any town in America. Parts are cheap, and every mechanic has the tools. If you break down in rural Nebraska, you’ll be back on the road in 24 hours. The Mercedes is different. It requires specialized technicians and parts can be expensive. However, the Sprinter’s commercial diesel engine is built for a 300,000-mile service life. Gas engines in the Transit/ProMaster are typically rated for a shorter commercial lifespan.
We build vans to last 20 years; we want an engine that matches that horizon.
BATTLE 4: Budget
The Question: How much will this cost over the life of the van?
If you are strictly budget-conscious, the ProMaster or Transit wins. You can get into a brand new chassis for less cash upfront. However, we view a custom van as an asset class. The "Mercedes Tax" you pay upfront often comes back to you in Resale Value. A built-out Sprinter with 100k miles holds its value significantly better than a comparable ProMaster or Transit.
THE Forged VERDICT: WHY WE ONLY BUILD SPRINTERS
If you are building a weekend camper for paved national parks, the Transit or ProMaster are excellent, capable choices that might save you money.
However, Forged Vans builds for the long-term explorer and adventures that can take you anywhere.
We need a chassis that can carry a fixed bed, a massive gear garage, and full off-grid systems without sagging or scraping. For that specific mission, the Sprinter 144 or 170 AWD is the only tool for the job.
It allows us to build the ultimate mobile basecamp without compromising on capability or storage. It provides:
Diesel Torque for deep backcountry access.
Factory Ground Clearance to clear the trailhead.
Ideal Geometry to carry your gear properly.
The Sprinter is the foundation that allows us to forge a vehicle capable of keeping up with you.
