CAV Resources / Van Explainer
Why Transits Are Winning 2026

Why We’re Building More Transits Than Sprinters in 2026

June 22nd, 2026
By: Bobby Wild

Walk into our shop in Golden these days and you’ll notice something. The vans lined up for builds skew Ford more than they used to.

That’s not a knock on the Sprinter. Mercedes’ platform is still a capable, well-loved home on wheels—and for the right owner, it makes total sense. But in 2026, more of our customers are arriving in Transits.

Colorado doesn’t care what van you drive. Cottonwood Pass won’t negotiate with your axle ratio, and a bluebird powder morning at the end of a haul up I-70 doesn’t check your badge. Both platforms can get you there. Both can be built to live in comfortably at altitude, off-grid, for weeks at a time. The right choice really comes down to how YOU plan to get out there.

We really don’t think you can go wrong with either platform. Now that Ford has taken some of that Sprinter market share and the accessory parts for Transits have caught up, it’s easier than ever to build out a Transit.

To us, the choice comes down to the reliability and longevity of a Mercedes diesel engine vs. the convenience of an American made vehicle. The Mercedes diesel will get you more in terms of MPGs, but diesel is more expensive and you’ll need to manage the DEF system which adds costs and a slight inconvenience. These engines are notoriously long lasting. The original T1N Sprinter is often heralded as a million mile engine, but that only happens when you take care of it. That leads us to the downside of the Sprinter platform: service.

Mercedes tech can be complicated and although we work with some great shops in the front range (shoutout 5280), service can be expensive and some things can only be done at a Mercedes dealership. More than a few of our customers over the years have switched from Mercedes to Ford citing frustrations with service as a major factor.

While less fuel efficient, people love the drivability and power of Ford’s Ecoboost engine. You probably won’t get to a million miles in your Ford, but let’s be honest, do you really have the time or the need to travel a million miles? We hope you do, but if you choose the wider service network and an AWD Ford Ecoboost we think you’ll be just as happy on Colorado roads as your Sprinter counterparts.

Serviceability might seem like a strange reason to make this big of a choice. With proper service and a little DIY know how, you could travel all over the country in a Sprinter with no issues. However, more often than not your vehicle will need some kind of serious attention over the course of it’s life. That’s fine if your check engine light comes on in town. It’s not ideal when you’re troubleshooting above 9,000 feet in October or you’re in need of a mechanic in the middle of Wyoming. Chances are you can find someone closeby to check out a Ford, but you might be hundreds of miles from the nearest Mercedes mechanic.

In the end we think both Mercedes and Ford offer great platforms to build your adventure vehicle. Do your research and think about what you’ll be demanding on your adventures. It’s easier than ever to get into a Transit.

Who is Colorado Adventure Vans?

Based in the gateway of the Rockies, Colorado Adventure Vans (CAV) is an industry-leading van conversion specialist and resource hub dedicated to the pursuit of off-grid freedom.

Our community is dedicated to high-performance adventure vans deeply rooted in the idea that a reliable rig starts with thoughtful engineering, which is why we provide the same professional-grade design guidance, build notes, and field-tested gear lists that we build into our vans.