Gone Mobile Vans Lifts an AWD Ford Transit Into an Off-Grid Camper

Most camper vans ask you to pick a lane: great at sleeping, or great at going places. Gone Mobile Vans built this one to try for both, starting with a 2026 AWD Ford Transit in the 148-inch extended wheelbase with a high roof.

Stance and suspension: the part that makes it look ready

The build rides on 33-inch all-terrain tires mounted to Method 703 wheels. Underneath, the release lists a 2-inch QLift, plus a Van Compass Stage 4 Topo 2.0 suspension with Falcon rear shocks. That's a serious pile of hardware for a van, and it tells you the builder expects dirt roads and trailheads, not just a paved lot with a view.

Gone Mobile Vans hasn't published trail numbers in the source material, so we can't tell you how it performs out there. We can tell you the parts list reads like someone planned for the rough stuff.

Power: a 10 kW battery bank, which is a lot of van juice

The electrical side runs on a 10 kW EcoFlow Power Kit paired with a 3,600 W inverter (the box that turns battery power into household-style outlet power). Charging comes from solar, shore power (plugging in at a campground) and DC-DC charging, which is a way to top up from the vehicle itself.

That's a lot of ways to fill a battery. Cloudy day, empty campsite, long drive: there's a plan for each.

Water and heat: the off-grid basics

• Fresh water: a 24-gallon tank.
• Greywater: a 16-gallon tank for used sink water.
• Water heater: 4 gallons.
• Cabin heat: an Espar fuel-fed heater.

Fresh capacity beats greywater capacity here, so the bigger tank is the one you'll be watching on a long weekend. Plan your dish-washing accordingly.

The bed that gets out of the way

Sleeping happens on a fixed 60 by 80 inch Murphy-style queen bed. The twist is that it lifts away when you need cargo space. Anyone who has tried to fit bikes, boards or a cooler the size of a carry-on into a van with a permanent bed knows why that matters. Gear in the day, mattress at night.

What it costs

According to the source, the build price is separate from the chassis. The Transit itself runs from the low $60,000s to the mid $70,000s, depending on the configuration. So the conversion is one line on the budget and the van underneath is another, and you'll want to price both before you fall in love.

The takeaway for people who actually go places

If your van life involves gravel roads, snowy trailheads or camps far from a hookup, this spec sheet is worth studying. The AWD Transit base, lifted suspension and bigger tires cover the getting-there part. The 10 kW power system, two water tanks and a fuel-fed heater cover the staying-there part. The bed that lifts away covers the hauling part.

Treat it as a checklist for your own build or your own shopping list, and ask any builder how they'd answer each line. A van that can leave the pavement is fun. A van that can stay out there comfortably is the one you'll actually use.

Source: autoevolution. Photo by Leo_Visions on Unsplash.