Van conversion, but no windows... Anybody done it?

Sounds horrific. At least try replacing the bulkhead with a curtain or something.

If you add windows you'll potentially be able to get it changed to a Motorhome on the V5 allowing you to drive faster on motorways

allowing you to drive faster on motorways

Paint it white and you can do 95

sharkattackFull Member
Sounds horrific. At least try replacing the bulkhead with a curtain or something.

Yeah, I thought that might be the first response when I typed it out :).  I really don't want to remove the bulkhead after messing around with window shades and condensation on a T6 I converted, and the sound of the constant one man band behind me when I drove anywhere...

Good shout on the V5, but I'm probably too tight to drop 10mpg between 60 and 70 anyway...

When you have to sit out a wet day in the van, I think you’ll be grateful for some windows. We’ve done 2+ week trips in ours, and no way I’d not have windows or remove the bulk head.

My son did.

But, we removed bulkhead and added a curtain.
Spinny front seats are a winner.
Good thermal insulation and carpet lining = very quiet to drive. Like surprisingly so.
No rear windows to save money and more security - but he did come back after 2 months living in it and said 'I wish I had a window in the sliding door', but liked the dark and cosy feel of the back with no windows.

https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzY7JY

You won't get that reclassified pal. Dvla just say no unless it's a full blown coach built style. I did try windowless once in my t5 (with no bulkhead so probably comparable light) for a short trip the weekend I got it (before conversion).....It's horrendous. Also, removing the bulkhead out makes a huge difference. And its easy. But buy some self adhesive panel sound deadening (silencoat etc) because it'll still sound like a bus with the bulkhead in unless you do that. My advice is get windows in the slider door and opposite side. If you don't want swivels fair enough, and I wouldnt bother with gas if I did it again. But light is crucial, especially on a wet day. I'd rake windows over a maxxfan. If you leave it fairly stock and go for blackout curtains amd a blackout curtain across the bulkhead it'll still be pretty stealthy. There's loads of people stealth camp pretty well in them.

When you have to sit out a wet day in the van, I think you’ll be grateful for some windows.

I suspect that's going to be everybody's reply, which will quickly tell me I really should stick some windows in the back doors at least.  I suppose I was thinking we'd have the doors open for light when we were sat in it, or outside with awning winched out,  and if we were going to close the curtains to sleep well I might as well not have any windows there...

There'll only be two of us in it at any one time, or often just me.

I suppose I was thinking we’d have the doors open for light when we were sat in it, or outside with awning winched out

On a damp Scottish day in August…

Midge hell. 

An awning and a visible roof light means you're already nog stealth too. At least wi dows could just be a crew van or welfare unit. 

Thanks everybody.  Listening to the above then, I could remove the bulkhead to use the front windows for light and fit a curtain across to save me fannying on with blinds.  Sounds like I need to find the budget to add spinning seats. I'd probably still fit the maxxfan for ventilation/condensation.

If I need to, I could glaze the sliding door later I suppose.

It's a fair point on midges...

Glenmore Campsite, wouldn't let campers on site if the van didn't have side windows - not sure if that still applies with the current owners, but worth considering, especially if it's white.

oldtennisshoesFull Member
Glenmore Campsite, wouldn’t let campers on site if the van didn’t have side windows – not sure if that still applies with the current owners, but worth considering, especially if it’s white.

Hadn't thought of that, it's a consideration.  I'll mostly be wild camping or at race so probably not a problem - if it I I guess I'll retrofit after the conversion.

Edit: A little expensive, but if I take everybody's advice (which is kind of the point) and remove the bulkhead then this looks ideal: https://www.trekkvans.co.uk/shop/p/quilted-cab-divider

I've got a crafter and left the bulkhead in with kitchen unit sat against it. There's nothing stealth or private about a van with no bulkhead. Swivel seats are an expensive addition and one I see little use for if you're mainly alone.

I've got windows on both sides, a skylight and a roof fan. The only one I wouldn't be without is the roof fan which is a god send in summer. I'm rarely sat in the van during daylight so my blinds are pretty much permanently down anyway.

Get a toilet if you're not using campsites.

I slept in a hired van in Oz for two weeks, rollmat and sleeping bag, it was fine.

But my own one with no bulkhead and a side and roof window is just a much nicer place to be, before you even consider the bed and things.

One advantage or disadvantage of no bulkhead is heating. The back is toasty when you get to somewhere, but it can take ages to get warm if it's really cold.

Also, no bulkhead and a side window is a godsend on slightly weird junctions where you just couldn't see otherwise

But I did like the no windows thing for urban camping, it's just a parked van🤷

Glenmore Campsite, wouldn’t let campers on site if the van didn’t have side windows – not sure if that still applies with the current owners, but worth considering, especially if it’s white.

We had that issue with our T5 when it was pre-camper and still a panel van. I was all set to add some gloss black vinyl to the outside to mimic the shape of windows but ended up going for a full conversion with glass all round instead.

I’ve got a Caddy with no windows… personally I don’t think it’s a problem but it’s very much a pull-up, ride/walk, food and a beer then sleep vehicle. Wouldnt want to be spending all day in the back of it anyway. Always been fine with a wee vent in the roof. Pretty stealthy apart from my snoring 🙃

In the winter in ski resorts (currently sitting in my van in Avoriaz) we cover the windows up with insulated mats and tend to leave them up for the majority of the trip and have a curtain up between cab & back. Have a fan and roof light for ventilation. It’s fine because you’re out all day and it’s generally dark when we’re in it.

The rest of the time I’d hate not having windows, leaving the bulkhead in would be fine though. Our set up doesn’t use the front seats swivelled so would work fine with the bulkhead, although it’s handy sometimes to have the extra cab space to chuck all the extra crap in to get it out the way.

Edit: A little expensive, but if I take everybody’s advice (which is kind of the point) and remove the bulkhead then this looks ideal: https://www.trekkvans.co.uk/shop/p/quilted-cab-divider

We have a home made version of that, keeps the back much warmer in winter / cooler in summer.

I agree with everyone here, no windows would be miserable. Make it nice and you will stay in it more. 

I have a grey Ducato, van tinted windows not motorhome. Roof vent and big solar on the roof. It's amazing how many people say they didn't realise it was a camper! I think it's obvious....

We "stealth" or "wild" camp in it a lot, all over UK and Europe never have any problems. To be honest the sort of places we want to stay no one would care if it's a van or motorhome. MTB places and woods tend to be particularly easy with Scotland the easiest around UK. 

I would do a good conversion rather than trying to be stealth and then never stay in it be cause it's miserable.

And please fit a toilet....

And please fit a toilet….

What's wrong with a Lenor bottle?

Neck's not wide enough. You need a Lipton ice tea bottle.

In my opinion, having owned campervans since 2009 If your cooking in the van you realy want to be able to open a window next to the cooker.

Not only to let the steam out but also the smells. 

Nalgene ftw. Just make sure to mark it up properly so it does not get used for anything else.

My last van had the bulkhead out and I put windows in. This time around (probably a Jumpy/Expert) I'll not be starting with windows in the side, just the bulkhead out, but long term plan is to get a vented window in the side door. That way, if I sell it, I can always replace just the door from a scrappy.

No immediate plans for solar or a roof vent, just insulation, sound deadening and ply lining for the first phase, then a bed and gear storage

Know a couple of people who only have skylights in their vans and both have solid bulkheads (one has fitted a door, but it too is solid)..... No wait... One of them fitted a small window to the rear door to provide some air circulation.

Great for sleeping and it's certainly more stealthy if that's what you're worried about.

Two skylights and two windows in my van with a curtain to the cab.

I put windows in my transit custom. It's easy to fit the windows, just make sure to mask the paint work to stop hot bits marking it. Also removed the bulkhead, makes a world of difference to lighting in the back.

Thanks everybody.

And please fit a toilet….

We have a cassette toilet already from the previous van, it'll live under the bed and get emptied in the local campsite when we get back.

Plan isn't to cook in the van at all, other than boil water for a tea or pasta, I'm not a fan of the left over smell of anything grilled or fried in a small space - I only cooked once in the previous van and that was enough...

So thanks to every body on here, it looks like two options for me:

1. It's about £1,400 to swivel both the front 2+1 seats, take down the bulk head and replace the plastic trims from VW.  Add the curtain in up there ^^ and you're knocking on £1,750.  I guess it would give us somewhere else to sit and make the van feel a bit bigger.

2. Add windows and blinds to the sliding and rear doors - opening on the slider - about £900 fitted.

Really don't think you need a Maxxfan or whatever they're called.

They're noisy when in use. You can see out/it blocks light coming in.

I've two skylights and never have a problem with condensation when cooking.

I did buy a 120mm fan with a usb and a powerbank. Mounted it to some forex board that I can place between the blinds of the skylight if I need some air to circulate on the few days when it's too hot.

Edit: A little expensive, but if I take everybody’s advice (which is kind of the point) and remove the bulkhead then this looks ideal: https://www.trekkvans.co.uk/shop/p/quilted-cab-divider

How much? For a curtain?

GF bought some thermal curtain material (very thick fabric with fleece backing) and see ours.

2. Add windows and blinds to the sliding and rear doors – opening on the slider – about £900 fitted.

Nope, about £50 if you do it right.

Go to a scrappy, get a side door and rear doors from a broken crew-cab or minibus, swap entire door over (so factory-fit windows, no holes to cut or seals to worry about) Sell your old doors, roughly cost-neutral. £50 for some blinds. Done

Possibly easier for me than most as I have a white Transit and there's loads about, I suspect trying to match a blue Master or something would be harder...

Edit: A little expensive, but if I take everybody’s advice (which is kind of the point)

That's not how this works. You post your point of view and when everyone disagrees with you, you throw a wobbly about how everyone is a IT consultant who doesn't understand how the real world works.

I’ve a Trafic which isn’t exactly converted but I do a few nights inside. I removed bulkhead and fitted a curtain.
I had a Flettner low profile vent in the roof, so doesn’t get damp.

It’s a bit dark in there during the day, not sure what I’ll do, as I may change vans (possible size upgrade) later this year, but I use a magnetic LED work light to brighten things up.

The only thing is about a ‘stealth van’ is that the thieves think there are things worth nicking inside, as I found out 18 months ago.

Met a guy who had a "stealth" camper with just skylights in it. Plenty of light in the back great for parking up in towns. No bulkhead in it though. Swivel seats are very good for the space when parked up.