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Ford Bronco Sport tent camping in Minnesota

Best Ford Vehicles for Camping: Top Picks for Every Type of Adventure

Whether you prefer a remote tent site, a family campground, or a camper for a weekend getaway, the right vehicle can make every trip more enjoyable. With the plentiful outdoor experiences available in the Northland, you need to be ready for any adventure. Today's Ford lineup offers a variety of trucks and SUVs designed to support every kind of outdoor adventure. Many Ford models are built for adventure. They offer generous cargo space, available four-wheel-drive systems, impressive towing capability, and innovative technology. These features help drivers carry more gear, travel with confidence, and explore beyond the pavement. Whether you're planning a solo trip or a family camping getaway, there's a Ford vehicle ready for the journey. In this guide, we'll highlight some of the best Ford vehicles for camping and explain how each one can enhance your next outdoor adventure. Best Overall for Camping Adventures: Ford Bronco When it comes to camping, versatility matters. Some trips require little more than a tent and a cooler. Others involve towing equipment, carrying bikes and kayaks, or traveling down unpaved roads to reach a remote campsite. That's what makes the Ford Bronco our choice for the best overall camping vehicle. Built for adventure, the Bronco combines off-road capability, practical utility, and extensive customization options. It allows owners to tailor the vehicle to fit their unique outdoor lifestyle. Built for Adventure It's one of the best Ford vehicles for camping thanks to its combination of capability, versatility, and adventure-ready design. Available advanced 4x4 systems, impressive ground clearance, durable body-on-frame construction, and Ford's G.O.A.T. Modes™ ("Goes Over Any Type of Terrain") help drivers tackle a variety of conditions they may encounter on the way to a campsite, from gravel roads and muddy trails to sand and snow. These features give campers the confidence to explore destinations that may be difficult to reach in a traditional SUV. With unpredictable weather in Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin, it's important to have a vehicle that's ready for changing conditions. Camping Accessories and Customization Beyond its capability, the Bronco is built to support adventure. Its spacious cargo area provides room for camping essentials, while the vehicle's modular design opens the door to countless possibilities. Owners can equip their Bronco with roof racks for kayaks, bikes, cargo baskets, and rooftop tents. These accessories increase cargo capacity and help adapt the vehicle to a wide variety of camping styles. Whether you're packing for a weekend getaway or an extended outdoor excursion, the Bronco can evolve alongside your adventures. Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the Bronco is the sense of possibility it creates. Camping is ultimately about exploring new places, making memories, and embracing the outdoors. The Ford Bronco was designed with that spirit in mind. The Bronco encourages owners to think beyond the ordinary. Load up your gear, hit the trail, and discover where your next adventure leads. For drivers who crave exploration, the Ford Bronco remains one of the best camping companions in the Ford lineup. Best For Family Camping: Ford Explorer Not every camping adventure requires tackling rugged backcountry trails. For many families, the perfect camping trip means loading up the kids, packing the gear, and heading out for a weekend outdoors. That's where the Ford Explorer excels. Its spacious interior, impressive utility, and everyday comfort make it a great choice for camping adventures. The Explorer offers plenty of room for both passengers and equipment without requiring families to move up to a full-size SUV. Room for Passengers and Gear One of the Explorer's biggest strengths is its flexibility. With seating for up to seven passengers and up to 85.8 cubic feet of available cargo space with the rear seats folded, the Explorer offers plenty of room for camping essentials. Coolers, sleeping bags, backpacks, fishing equipment, and other outdoor gear can all be stored with ease. Whether you're planning a weekend camping trip or an extended family vacation, the Explorer's flexible interior helps ensure you have space for everything you need. Here in Superior, Wisconsin, we know just how short the camping season can feel. That's why having a versatile vehicle ready for spontaneous weekend adventures can help you make the most of every sunny day. Ready for Family Camping Trips Families looking for the best Ford vehicles for camping will appreciate the Explorer's balance of comfort and utility. For campers who enjoy towing, the Explorer offers plenty of capability. It can handle a small travel trailer, pop-up camper, or utility trailer filled with outdoor gear. When properly equipped, it can tow up to 5,000 pounds, making it easier to bring along the comforts that enhance a camping trip. That's especially valuable in the Northland, where many families want to maximize every outdoor adventure during our short summer season. What ultimately makes the Explorer such a great camping vehicle is its balance. It delivers the passenger space families need and the cargo room outdoor enthusiasts appreciate. It also offers the versatility to support a wide range of adventures. Whether you're bringing bikes, kayaks, camping gear, or a trailer full of supplies, the Explorer is ready for the journey. More importantly, it's ready to help you create lasting memories wherever the road leads. Best for Towing Your Gear: Ford F-150 For campers who like to bring more along for the adventure, the Ford F-150 is hard to beat. It's one of the most capable vehicles in the Ford lineup when it comes to towing and hauling. Whether you're pulling a travel trailer, bringing ATVs to a campsite, launching a fishing boat, or hauling camping gear in a utility trailer, the F-150 is ready for the task. Its impressive capability gives outdoor enthusiasts the freedom to take bigger adventures and bring more of the equipment they enjoy. Towing Capability for Bigger Adventures Among the best Ford vehicles for camping, the F-150 stands out for drivers who frequently tow campers or outdoor equipment. The F-150's towing capability opens the door to new camping possibilities. A travel trailer or camper can provide extra comfort without sacrificing the freedom to explore. Rather than being limited by cargo space alone, campers can bring additional gear, equipment, and conveniences along for the journey. That flexibility can turn a simple weekend getaway into an unforgettable outdoor adventure. This versatility makes it a popular choice among outdoor enthusiasts, weekend adventurers, and families alike. Hauling Gear with Ease Beyond towing, the F-150 excels at hauling gear. The F-150's truck bed offers plenty of room for camping essentials. Coolers, firewood, tents, bicycles, kayaks, and fishing gear can all be easily transported. Available bed lengths and cargo management solutions allow owners to customize the truck to fit their needs. Whether you're planning a weekend at the campground or a longer road trip, the F-150 provides the space and versatility needed for the adventure ahead. Perhaps the greatest strength of the F-150 is the sense of freedom it provides. A truck with serious towing and hauling capability opens the door to a wider range of adventures. The F-150 makes bigger adventures possible. A larger camper, extra recreational equipment, additional supplies, or even a boat can all be part of the plan. For drivers who spend a lot of time outdoors, the F-150 offers the capability and versatility needed for nearly any camping adventure. Best For Lightweight Adventures: Ford Bronco Sport Not every camping adventure requires a full-size SUV or pickup truck. For many outdoor enthusiasts, the ideal camping vehicle is one that balances capability, efficiency, and practicality. The Ford Bronco Sport earns its place among the best Ford vehicles for camping by making adventure accessible and practical. Designed for drivers who spend their weekends exploring trails, visiting state parks, and chasing new adventures, the Bronco Sport offers an impressive combination of versatility and adventure-ready capability in a compact package. Compact Size, Big Possibilities One of the Bronco Sport's biggest advantages is its size. Unlike larger SUVs, the Bronco Sport is easy to maneuver through crowded campgrounds, winding forest roads, and everyday city streets. At the same time, it maintains the rugged styling and adventurous spirit that have become synonymous with the Bronco family. Available off-road-focused features and selectable drive modes help drivers confidently tackle a variety of terrain, making it a great companion for reaching campsites that may be beyond the comfort zone of a traditional crossover. Designed for Active Lifestyles The Bronco Sport was designed with active lifestyles in mind. Its flexible cargo area provides plenty of room for camping essentials, and available cargo management features help keep gear organized and easily accessible. Whether you're packing tents, sleeping bags, fishing gear, hiking equipment, or mountain bikes, the Bronco Sport makes it easy to bring everything you need for a weekend outdoors. The available roof rack system further expands its utility, allowing owners to transport kayaks, cargo carriers, bicycles, and other adventure equipment. What ultimately makes the Bronco Sport our choice for the best lightweight adventure camper is its versatility. It provides the confidence to explore beyond the pavement, the flexibility to carry the gear that outdoor enthusiasts depend on, and the practicality to serve as an everyday vehicle. For drivers seeking a vehicle that helps make adventure more accessible without sacrificing daily comfort and convenience, the Ford Bronco Sport is an outstanding choice. Best Budget Camping Truck: Ford Maverick Camping adventures don't always require a full-size truck or SUV. For drivers looking for an affordable, efficient, and surprisingly capable option, the Ford Maverick stands out as one of the best Ford vehicles for camping. Combining the practicality of a pickup truck with the maneuverability of a smaller vehicle, the Maverick is ideal for campers who want versatility without the size and fuel costs often associated with larger trucks. Flexible Storage One of the Maverick's greatest strengths for camping is its innovative FLEXBED® system. Unlike a traditional truck bed, the FLEXBED was designed to encourage customization and organization. Configurable tie-down points, available dividers, cargo management accessories, and multiple bed configurations make it easy to secure and organize camping equipment, coolers, fishing gear, firewood, bicycles, and other outdoor essentials. The result is a truck that's ready to adapt to whatever adventure you have planned. The Maverick's compact size is another major advantage. Its smaller footprint makes it easy to navigate campground roads, fit into crowded parking areas, and maneuver through everyday traffic. At the same time, the truck bed provides dedicated cargo space that helps keep dirty or bulky camping gear separate from passengers. Affordable Adventure For budget-conscious adventurers, the available hybrid powertrain is especially appealing. The Maverick Hybrid delivers impressive fuel efficiency while maintaining the utility of a pickup truck. That combination helps owners spend less on fuel and more on experiences, making it a great choice for campers who enjoy frequent road trips and outdoor adventures. What makes the Ford Maverick such a compelling camping vehicle is its accessibility. It combines truck utility, available hybrid efficiency, and everyday versatility in an affordable package. For first-time campers, weekend explorers, and anyone looking for a budget-friendly way to embrace the outdoors, the Maverick proves that great adventures don't require a full-size truck. Final Thoughts As we've seen, the best Ford vehicles for camping come in many shapes and sizes. No two camping trips are exactly alike. That's why Ford offers a vehicle for nearly every type of outdoor enthusiast. Here in the Northland, we're fortunate to have endless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Some drivers may prefer the rugged capability of the Bronco. Others may appreciate the family-friendly versatility of the Explorer, the towing strength of the F-150, the adventure-ready practicality of the Bronco Sport, or the budget-friendly utility of the Maverick. No matter your camping style, there's a Ford designed to help you make the most of your time outdoors. The right camping vehicle does more than get you from point A to point B. It helps you bring the gear you need and explore new places with confidence. More importantly, it helps create memories that last long after the trip is over. Whether you're planning a weekend campground getaway or an extended outdoor adventure, Ford trucks and SUVs offer the capability, flexibility, and innovation to support your lifestyle and inspire your next journey. If you're ready to start planning your next adventure, our team at Benna Ford would be happy to help you find the Ford vehicle that best matches your camping style. No matter where the road leads, the right vehicle can help make every trip a little more memorable. SOURCES: https://www.ford.com/, https://accessories.ford.com/

Ford SupportBelt

​​The Ford SupportBelt for Mastectomy Patients​

Ford’s research and development goes beyond the already complicated business of creating vehicles. It looks into all aspects of driving, including having a division dedicated to investigating how driving or riding can be made more practical and comfortable for those with special needs. From there, it created the SupportBelt for breast cancer patients. Benna Ford gives you the details. Ford states that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes. Unfortunately, that leads to more than 100,000 breast cancer patients having mastectomies every year. Among the many physical and psychological hardships posed by these surgeries, one of them is the pain of using a shoulder harness, which applies pressure over wounds and scarring chemo ports. It keeps many mastectomy patients from wearing their belts or wearing them properly. One cancer patient interviewed describes how she tried to place a shaw between the belt and herself with poor results; others describe dreading driving and not using a belt at all because of the pain involved. Ford has dedicated more than $139 million to breast cancer research over the last 30 years, but in this area, Ford figured it could do the work itself. The last thing these patients need is to suffer the increased injury from not wearing a seat belt during a collision. The project was given to the Ford Human Centered Design team. After extensive research, the team developed the SupportBelt, which is designed to be attached to the shoulder harness portion of the seat belt. At its heart is a comfortable foam core designed to provide comfort over the chest area. Protecting the foam is a leather outer skin, which includes two straps that wrap around the belt and fasten with Velcro. The side that comes in contact with the wearer has soft suede-like surface material, 40% of which is derived from recycled PET plastic from water bottles. It is similar to Ultrasuede and other surfaces used in car interiors that feel like suede but are much more durable and can withstand the wear that vehicle interiors encounter. To ensure the SupportBelt is available to those who need it, Ford offers it at no cost to mastectomy patients in the U.S. who reserve it. Ford is also licensing the design to allow other automakers to adapt, design, and manufacture their own. If you are a mastectomy patient or know a patient who could benefit from the SupportBelt, contact one of Benna Ford’s sales professionals. They can show you how to make a reservation and let you drive or ride comfortably again.

2025 Ford Police Interceptor Utility_2024 F150 Responder_Group_converted

Ford Introduces a New Police Interceptor for 2025

Did you know that the Ford Police Interceptor Utility remains the most popular vehicle for public safety departments across North America? The purpose-built fleet version of the Ford Explorer is a staple of fleets maintained and operated by many Federal, state, county, municipal, and private entities. With the introduction of the updated Explorer, Ford is introducing an upgraded 2025 Police Interceptor Utility that’s reporting for duty soon. Aside from a few updates visually with the new clip and taillights, the Police Interceptor Utility is focused on efficiency from an operational and uptime basis. It is also built to be the safest public safety vehicle on the road. Operationally, there’s the standard hybrid driveline. The hybrid system powers onboard equipment even when the gas engine is off, contributing to a potential savings of up to 838 gallons of fuel per year. This translates to projected cost reductions of approximately $17,500 over a six-year ownership term with gas at $3.50 per gallon from the standard 3.3-liter direct-injected V-6 with the hybrid system. This system offers 318 horsepower and 322 pound-feet of torque with standard all-wheel drive. Governments and fleets can also choose to have their Police Interceptor Utilities powered by either a 3.3-liter V-6 gas engine with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, or a 3.0-liter V6 EcoBoost engine with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. Both of these optional engines have standard all-wheel drive. While performance and efficiency are important, so is safety. The 2025 Police Interceptor Utility was designed and tested to pass Ford’s 75-mph rear-impact crash test. This was a goal by Ford to help keep officers safe out on the highways, earning the vehicle’s pursuit-rated, pursuit-tested distinction. We have seen too many incidents across Minnesota and Wisconsin and hope that we can do something extra to keep our men and women in public safety safer than ever. Towards that goal, the 2025 Ford Police Interceptor Utility comes standard with features designed to help ensure officer safety and productivity. The Police Perimeter Alert system detects moving threats around the vehicle, automatically activating the rear camera, sounding a chime, rolling up windows, and locking the doors, so that officers can monitor their surroundings at different sensitivity levels and complete tasks inside the vehicle. When officers must exit the vehicle quickly, Police Engine Idle lets them lock the vehicle and take the keys while the engine remains running to power the onboard equipment.

Ben Westby Plugging Generators into the Ford F-150 Lightning's Pro Power Onboard System

Living off the Grid with a F-150 Lightning

A general rule with EVs is that they work best when you can charge them at home. When you leave home fully charged, you will have 200-300 miles to cover your day’s travel, and when you get home, plug it into the home charger and do the same the next day. But deep in the rocky mountains, Ben Westby and his family have turned that completely around. Ben has an F-150 Lightning and lives in a house off the electric grid. This Benna Ford post describes his experiences, and explains how this truck fits into his lifestyle. Ben is an elementary school teacher who also worked in China for seven years. In addition to his wife and two pre-teen daughters, the family has fostered 13 children over the years and raises goats and chickens. Finding a big enough house and plot of land for their large family that was also affordable sent him 9,000 feet into the mountains to a home outside the electric grid. A previous Tesla owner and EV enthusiast, Ben set his sights on the F-150 Lightning from its first reveal and finally traded in his ICE vehicle for one in September 2023. He wishes he could have made the move sooner. “ the utility of the F-150 plus the benefits of the battery. Being off-grid in the Rockies is an extreme case for owning an EV, but we're maximizing it. We're absolutely loving it.” Obviously, Ben doesn’t charge his Lightning at home, but he can charge it at work. Since his round-trip commute is significantly shorter than the Lightning’s range, Ben has plenty of electricity from his truck to use at home. It isn’t the home’s sole source of electricity. The home is fitted with solar panels and an additional propane generator. Days can go by without sunlight or with snow covering the panels, and the propane generator is expensive to run and quite noisy in the otherwise silent mountain woods. Ben speaks of when one of his solar inverters failed. Using the Pro Power Onboard system, he was able to run the “refrigerator, microwave, coffee machine, all of our essential devices off the F-150 Lightning.” He is also a fan of the truck’s Zone Lighting. Deep in the woods, there are no street lamps, and Colorado can get dark early in the winter. The vehicle’s lighting helps him with the outdoor after-work chores that come with raising goats and chickens. He also uses the Pro Power Onboard system for various cordless electric tools, such as his electric snow blower and chainsaw. He has even used it to charge the kids' phones and devices before a significant snowfall. Ben Westby and family may not be typical EV owners, but they demonstrate how versatile the F-150 Lightning can be and that you don’t need to have the perfect setup to be a happy EV owner. If you think there is even a chance that the F-150 Lighting can become a companion in your life, come to Benna Ford, take one for a drive, and learn all of what Ford’s big, versatile EV can do for you.

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