Long Wheel Base

One in four vans on the road in the UK is a Ford Transit. This should tell you everything you need to know about this capable workhorse - if 25% of those who rely on vans for their everyday livelihood choose the Transit, and then you’re in very safe hands for your one-off hire.

Not only is the van highly reliable, but this long wheelbase version of the Transit provides an enormous amount of load space in the back. So much so that you’ll be amazed by how much you can squeeze in!

This Transit Long Wheelbase is one of Ford’s all-new models, which was entirely designed and engineered in Ford’s Dunton engineering centre in Essex. Even the engines are built in nearby Dagenham so, rather than being the all American vehicle you’d think it was, this van is actually a great example of British excellence!

The updated van has seen improvements in both style and technology, meaning that you get all the benefits of the classic Transit but with some very modern twists. One great example of this is the Ford SYNC technology, which allows you to play music or make calls – all through simple voice commands.

Eco Mode continually assesses the effects of your driving behaviour on your fuel consumption, then advises you on how to improve fuel economy. This is great if you’re trying to keep fuel costs as low as possible.

Rear view camera helps you to park and avoid any hazards in the way. Coupled with the parking sensors, this makes even the smallest spaces seem a breeze.

Cruise Control allows you to set and maintain a speed without any of the hard work – perfect for those long tiring journeys!

Heated drivers’ seat – to warm you up after you’ve been loading or unloading in the cold.

Quickclear is designed to get you moving quickly on chilly mornings - just touch a button and the system can de-ice or defrost the screen in seconds, even if it’s freezing outside.

The Transit is more than just a conglomeration of technology, however, it’s a powerful and stylish vehicle that will get you and your items from A to B with the minimum of fuss. Here are some of its other great features:

The Transit comes with the engine that is standard across the range: the 2 litre Duratorq TDCi 130PS 96kW diesel engine, with a smooth six speed manual transmission and front wheel drive. Power delivery is smooth and reliable, even when fully loaded.

Thanks to Ford’s flagship ECOnetic technology, the van is also surprisingly fuel efficient, ensuring that you can keep your costs down no matter how far your journey – or however many trips you have to make.

The van is just shy of six metres long in total, with a load length of 3.5 metres and a maximum load width of 1.78 metres. There is also a load height of over 2 metres.

Unlike some vans where the interior of the load space has lots of oddly placed corner, the back of this van is almost a pure box shape. This helps you to load items more easily and stack them in a more organised manner. If you’re loading at night, you’ll also benefit from features such as the bright LED lighting, as well as a wide step cut into the rear bumper.

If you’re in need of transporting items over 3.5 metres long, this van might still be the option for you. The steel bulkhead has a load-through facility for longer loads to slide under the front passenger seat, and it also reduces noise in the cab as an added bonus.

In the back you’ll also find handy straps and secure points to ensure that your loads don’t move in Transit – excuse the pun!

Ford take their vehicle safety very seriously, and they subjected this Transit to a rigorous testing programme that took in 680,000 miles of driving. Around half these miles were driven by everyday Transit customers who then reported back on the issues – meaning that it’s already been proofed against the kind of scenarios you yourself might come across.

One brilliant safety feature is Curve Control, which senses when a driver takes a curve too quickly and can rapidly reduce engine torque and apply brakes to individual wheels, to help the vehicle safely under control.

Another handy feature is Load Adaptive Roll Stability Control, which holds you steady against the destabilising effect of a heavy load in the back – and with such a huge amount of load space whatever you’re transporting is bound to be heavy!

First time van drivers may be surprised to find that the interior of the Transit resembles that of a standard Ford car – the only difference is the lack of a rear-view mirror! There is, for example, an infotainment screen on the centre console, along with a high quality sound system and Bluetooth connectivity. The steering wheel and gear knob are both covered in leather, while cruise control ensures that the driving experience is as smooth as possible on long journeys.

Of course, there are also elements you’d only find in a van. For example, there’s a clever hidden storage compartment under the passenger seat, allowing you to securely store small items you might not want to leave in the back. Not that the load space is unsafe, however, Ford has fitted state-of-the-art alarms to the Transit designed keep your possessions completely secure.

This is a super reliable van that is great for everyday moving needs. It’s incredibly comfortable to drive, and its safety features should reassure those who are new to driving larger vehicles. If you’re unsure of which van to hire then please do give us a call – we have a variety of both larger and smaller models so you’re bound to end up with something that’s just right!