T Gibson

[gibstim]

Hi,

 

Just have a question. Would a Ford Transit Connect short wheel base be able to have a 9ft long surfboard fitted in and still keep the passenger seat as usable? Maybe from the back doors through to just left of the gear stick, at height diagonally through or at an angle from one corner, resting on the head of the passenger seat? With the bulkhead removed.

 

Any help would be great! 

 

Thanks 

Tim

[Don Ridley]

No. There is barely 9 feet between the back to the front windows. If you could somehow suspend the board it would hit the driver and passenger. The armrest would be in the way if the board was suspended on it's side.

[windguy]

I agree with Don. Won't work.

 

I'd recommend getting a LWB and you will still need to get creative if you plan to have a passenger.

Pic below shows a 7-10 funboard diagonal behind the seats, and that just about fits.

The roof liner in the cab area restricts the opening between the cab and cargo area so it's a narrow opening overhead.

For solo trips no problem as the passenger seat easily flips forward. 

If traveling with a passenger I'd consider a roof rack for that long board.

 

For solo trips I usually take the passenger headrest out so I have the option to push the surfboard forward when I get to the beach and then suspend it to get it out of the way if I'm not using it.

 

The TC is a great surf mobile. Go for it, you won't regret it.

 

 

[gibstim]

Great thank you very much both!

[windguy]

@gibstim - Another reason the TC is a cool surf mobile is because of the optional entrance keypad. You can stick a keypad on the van door or body, mine is on the right rear barn door, and not have to hassle with stashing a key and worrying if a dirt bag is scoping out your hiding spot. It happens. It's very slick and I believe an exclusive feature only available on Fords.

 

 

[gibstim]

@windyguy - Oh really? So that key pad locks the van and the key inside it and then its just the code you need to enter? I used a key box that you lock to the door or underside of a car before but they void your warranty if they get broken into etc. I assume this method is approved etc? Currently on the surfpouch down the back of the wetsuit method which is fine but not the best. 

 

I think the 9ft longboard means a LWB is what I am after to be honest along with some imaginative packing, I think diagonally from bottom right corner to top left above the passenger headrest may be a way to go. Or along the centre and on the left of the gearbox could be the way forward. I can see that is the XLT, is that a larger version of the connect? 

 

Thanks 

[windguy]

@gibstim - Yes, with my 2015 LWB XLT, I can leave the key fob inside the van and lock/unlock the van with the keypad. The keypad acts just like another fob. To unlock, you enter a five digit code, of your choosing, then the 3/4 key to unlock all the doors or the 5/6 key to unlock the back door only. There's a bit of a learning curve in terms of the cadence of hitting the keys and sometimes the backdoor doesn't unlock but the side doors will, but for the most part it works normally. I've never had it not unlock. To lock, you push the two far right keys at the same time, very easy. The beauty of it is that I can keep my board tucked under my arm and unlock the door with one hand, then open the door not having to set my wet board on the dirt or pavement, keeping it clean.  

 

I too used to use a key box with my previous car but not sure how safe those really are. Unfortunately, the TC key fob will not fit in the key box I was using. Getting just the key part only of the fob is a costly challenge I tried and gave up on soon after getting the van.

 

Once you get your van you'll figure out how best to stash your board. You might be able to suspend it down the middle and have the nose project into the cab area. Like I said, you'll need to get creative and prototype whatever you come up with before building it in. I did that with my hanging rack for gear.

 

The XLT and XL are the two available trim levels for the cargo van. For wagon version, there is a Titanium level. Not sure if those trim levels are still the current names. For a cargo van, I would recommend the XLT trim level as it bundles some standard options I couldn't live without, like cruise control. You can figure this all out on the Ford website and build a configuration and see available options. I special ordered my van and it took something like 6-7 months to get. I'm sure the wait for delivery is still many months long since it's imported. Used to be from Valencia, Spain. For parallel parking on the side of a road you'll want the backup camera and front/rear parking sensors. I think the cam is a required thing now. Also having side and rear glass makes it really easy to park and see things. Get the glass tinted from the factory if you're ordering.

 

Keep asking questions as you go through the process of figuring this out. All on this forum are very helpful in supporting other TC owners and owners to be with questions and problems.

Good luck!