Put Some Thought Into Your Bulkhead - Part One
When looking to buy a new van, or even when considering making some upgrades to a van you already have, something that a lot of people don't put much thought into is the bulkhead.
This really is a shame, as choosing the right bulkhead for your van can make a huge practical and aesthetic difference.
The first, and arguably the most important, consideration is what practical purpose your bulkhead will fulfill.
If you're carrying around a lot of large, heavy materials, then a strong, durable bulkhead would be most desirable.
If the worst does happen and something in the back of your van comes loose, or you're involved in a crash and something gets loose, then a strong, metal bulkhead can be a life saver, ensuring that nothing escapes the load area even in the most extreme circumstances.
The problems with metal bulkheads are two-fold; you can't see into the back if you have one, and they can be costly, especially if you go for a top-of-the-range bulkhead.
The first problem can be overcome by having a small window fitted, but this negates some of the benefit that having a strong, metal bulkhead gives you, and might not be for everybody.
If seeing into the back of your van really is a priority, but you still want a bulkhead to separate your cab and your load area, a metal grill may well be for you.
You don't get the strength of a full metal bulkhead, but if you're not going to be transporting large, heavy materials then it should do in almost all cases.
It has the added benefit of being cheaper.
The third option that we'll discuss is wood.
Wood's main advantages are versatility and cost.
A wooden bulkhead can easily be modified on the load area side to include shelves, hooks, cabinets or any number of storage facilities.
You sacrifice the strength of metal, and unless you cut some sort of viewing hole you're not going to be able to see into the make, but for ease of modification, wood can't be beaten.
The type of material you end up using for your bulkhead will undoubtedly make a big difference to your van, and your choice should be dictated by what you use your van for.
Once you have decided on a material, you might want to consider aesthetics, which will be the focus of 'Put Some Thought into Your Bulkhead: Part 2'.
This really is a shame, as choosing the right bulkhead for your van can make a huge practical and aesthetic difference.
The first, and arguably the most important, consideration is what practical purpose your bulkhead will fulfill.
If you're carrying around a lot of large, heavy materials, then a strong, durable bulkhead would be most desirable.
If the worst does happen and something in the back of your van comes loose, or you're involved in a crash and something gets loose, then a strong, metal bulkhead can be a life saver, ensuring that nothing escapes the load area even in the most extreme circumstances.
The problems with metal bulkheads are two-fold; you can't see into the back if you have one, and they can be costly, especially if you go for a top-of-the-range bulkhead.
The first problem can be overcome by having a small window fitted, but this negates some of the benefit that having a strong, metal bulkhead gives you, and might not be for everybody.
If seeing into the back of your van really is a priority, but you still want a bulkhead to separate your cab and your load area, a metal grill may well be for you.
You don't get the strength of a full metal bulkhead, but if you're not going to be transporting large, heavy materials then it should do in almost all cases.
It has the added benefit of being cheaper.
The third option that we'll discuss is wood.
Wood's main advantages are versatility and cost.
A wooden bulkhead can easily be modified on the load area side to include shelves, hooks, cabinets or any number of storage facilities.
You sacrifice the strength of metal, and unless you cut some sort of viewing hole you're not going to be able to see into the make, but for ease of modification, wood can't be beaten.
The type of material you end up using for your bulkhead will undoubtedly make a big difference to your van, and your choice should be dictated by what you use your van for.
Once you have decided on a material, you might want to consider aesthetics, which will be the focus of 'Put Some Thought into Your Bulkhead: Part 2'.
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