What to do with the bulkhead?

[vantastic]

After a couple of months of doing very little I have resumed working on my conversion. Next I need to sort out the bulkhead between the driver compartment and the living area. I want to keep a bulkhead between the areas. I also have an L shaped sofa so it makes perfect sense for my layout.
I can't decide what to do exactly though. I can't decide should I leave the factory bulkhead in situ, I think this is my preferred option. But I also don't want exposed metal. I was thinking about covering it with Veltrim but I think I might want something a bit insulating under, don't I?
The other thing is I would like an escape hatch between the 2 compartments as well and with the wavy design of the bulkhead this is going to be a bit tricky too.

What have other people done? I'm really looking for ideas here.

 

[Lumpy]

Maybe you could remove the factory fitted metal bulkhead and replace it with a lightweight ply (furniture board) bulkhead cut to the shape you would prefer.

 

[Mistajim]

After a couple of months of doing very little I have resumed working on my conversion. Next I need to sort out the bulkhead between the driver compartment and the living area. I want to keep a bulkhead between the areas. I also have an L shaped sofa so it makes perfect sense for my layout.
I can't decide what to do exactly though. I can't decide should I leave the factory bulkhead in situ, I think this is my preferred option. But I also don't want exposed metal. I was thinking about covering it with Veltrim but I think I might want something a bit insulating under, don't I?
The other thing is I would like an escape hatch between the 2 compartments as well and with the wavy design of the bulkhead this is going to be a bit tricky too.

What have other people done? I'm really looking for ideas here.

I was a bit the same and ended up removing the bulkhead entirely.

 

[Mistajim]

Couple more pics

 

[Wagoneer]

Any alteration to the structure of the van (removal of bulkhead) must surely be approved by the manufacturer.

I guess vans delivered for conversion (no bulkhead) are probably strenghened by an additional rib between cab and cargo area.

I don't know the answer but perhaps something to investigate !!!

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[pappajohn]

Any alteration to the structure of the van (removal of bulkhead) must surely be approved by the manufacturer.

I guess vans delivered for conversion (no bulkhead) are probably strenghened by an additional rib between cab and cargo area.

I don't know the answer but perhaps something to investigate !!!

The bulkhead isn't structural. Most are simply bolted in.

 

[Mikeco]

You may regret leaving it in place after you have used the van for a while, the two best seats are in the front when swivelled round. No professional converters leave them in place as the vans would not sell if they did.

 

[rosalan]

The additional space gained without a metal bulkhead should more than compensate for the loss of discreet living areas. A curtain could be installed if it was the privacy you were concerned about.
My friend hated having a fixed bulkhead, he was concerned that someone could steal his van while asleep and be unable to stop them.

 

[tacr2man]

This might give the answer

 

[TheBig1]

just unbolt it, you will be pleased you did with the space it gives you

I know a chap that converted a luton van and cut a doorway through into the cab. He reinforced the cut edges with angle iron riveted to the thin steel edges. Quite a tidy job when finished and meant he could walk through to the drivers seat to make a quick getaway if needed without having to go outside

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[chatteris]

cut the top half off,you can still have your L shape sofa and put a heavy curtain at the top

 

[vantastic]

I hate the swivel seats so I didn't want swivels in my layout. I have a really comfy sofa instead.
I'm quite hapy with the bulkhead in place where it is. It's a 3 seater so even if the bulkhead wasn't there climbing over the seats to get to the back wouldn't be that much fun.

I thought about cutting a hole in it. I never considered chopping the top off entirely. I will have to think about that.

Have anyone come across any insulating material a couple of mm thick that can be used to pad the metal bulkhead though?

 

[tonyidle]

I hate the swivel seats so I didn't want swivels in my layout. I have a really comfy sofa instead.
I'm quite hapy with the bulkhead in place where it is. It's a 3 seater so even if the bulkhead wasn't there climbing over the seats to get to the back wouldn't be that much fun.

I thought about cutting a hole in it. I never considered chopping the top off entirely. I will have to think about that.

Have anyone come across any insulating material a couple of mm thick that can be used to pad the metal bulkhead though?

The existing bulkhead is steel and firmly attached to the outside of the van so it can conduct valuable habitation warmth to outside steel. Whatever you choose to do about access I would be tempted to replace it with non heat-conductive material.

 

[mitzimad]

I hate the swivel seats so I didn't want swivels in my layout. I have a really comfy sofa instead.
I'm quite hapy with the bulkhead in place where it is. It's a 3 seater so even if the bulkhead wasn't there climbing over the seats to get to the back wouldn't be that much fun.

I thought about cutting a hole in it. I never considered chopping the top off entirely. I will have to think about that.

Have anyone come across any insulating material a couple of mm thick that can be used to pad the metal bulkhead though?

yoga mats would be ideal for insulating the bulkhead

 

[gus-lopez]

First thing to go when i started was the bulkhead closely followed by the double passenger seat.

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[tacr2man]

I hate the swivel seats so I didn't want swivels in my layout. I have a really comfy sofa instead.
I'm quite hapy with the bulkhead in place where it is. It's a 3 seater so even if the bulkhead wasn't there climbing over the seats to get to the back wouldn't be that much fun.

I thought about cutting a hole in it. I never considered chopping the top off entirely. I will have to think about that.

Have anyone come across any insulating material a couple of mm thick that can be used to pad the metal bulkhead though?

https://www.deadening.co.uk/ they do reasonable price materials

 

[Raul]

I have a L shape seating pulling into a double bed at the front. No swivel so I cut the bulkhead right down and built from ply half way up to have a back rest/ headboard. I used self adhesive dodo mat 10mm thermal on metal parts and auto stretch carpet on wood bits. The reminder top half, I use a heavy black out curtin. Behind the driver I will put a ply with carpet later, as the other side I will leave the curtin for acces and good visibility to look over my shoulder to the left when in EU.

 

[Raul]

Looks like this

 

[vantastic]

Ok, so this is what I did. Cut out a bit more metal than I had initially envisioned when I started this thread but I think it works well.
still need to sort trim and curtains but I’m happy with the result

 

[CamperJack]

I was thinking about having a doorway in mine, but that does look like a good idea. There would be enough room to climb over into the cab if you needed to get away. Will you have a curtain or a hatch made of wood or similar above the seating?

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[vantastic]

I'm going to install a heavy curtain. Seems like the best option. I think a hatch of sorts would just be a nuisance.