Van Bulkheads

If you own a van or looking to buy one, you might have heard of bulkheads, most commonly knowns as partitions. 

These partitions divide the passenger area from the cargo. They are crucial for various reasons, as it’s later noted, and can help you avoid accidents and keep everything organized. 

Are Van Bulkheads Necessary? 

Safety must always come first. Van bulkheads are the barrier between the space of the passenger and the packages or materials being transported. They are necessary to ensure the safety of everyone in the front seats. 

For instance, if there was an accident, in any case, any cargo can go flying towards the driver’s and passenger’s area. Without a bulkhead acting as a block, any of the items coming in contact with a driver or passenger may result in fatal injuries or even death. 

So, if your commercial van has no bulkhead, it’s time to invest in one. Not only are you protecting yourself and others, but you’re also preventing big-time damage to your cargo. 

Types & Styles of Bulkheads

Now that you know their importance, it’s time to decide what kind of bulkhead to purchase. First, you will have to decide what type of bulkhead to choose, depending on your needs and budget. Each will vary in style and material. 

You will also have to mind other preferences. For instance, do you prefer a reduced cargo area for legroom, or will the cargo take most of the space? Know if you need a bulkhead that allows for adaptations. Perhaps you need access and could benefit from a hinged door unless a solid bulkhead is a way to go. Lastly, is visibility a necessity? For partial visibility, choose a bulkhead with perforated panels or opt for wire bulkheads. 

Regarding style, you can choose from:

• Solid- this style is simple and 
• Perforated- unlike a solid partition, having a perforated bulkhead lets you keep an eye on the cargo without having to make pit stops.
• Hinged- for easy access to cargo, a hinged door might work best
• Wired- similar to the perforated style, a wired bulkhead allows complete visibility of cargo and is by far the cheapest option

In terms of type, you can choose from:

• Solid steel- there will be a full barrier between the cargo and passenger area. It’ll feel as if your van had two rooms.
• Metal grilled- if you are more comfortable knowing the status of the items on the other side of the van, choose.
• Wooden bulkhead- wood is easier to modify than steel, so if you need to make some adaptations to your bulkhead, wood is your best choice. Apart from being cheaper, you can always add more take apart in the future

Construction, field, and other workers that handle heavy-duty material benefit most from a solid steel barrier with upper perforated panels. Once again, everything depends on one’s preferences. 

While some may need accessory storage with their bulkhead, others might find it unnecessary. 

Best Bulkheads 

Regardless of your profession, buying the best bulkhead that works for you is the priority if you drive a van for personal or professional work. Of course, the perfect bulkhead doesn’t exist, but sticking to your needs will give you an idea of the style and type of bulkhead that is better to purchase. 

A majority of commercial van vehicles come from the following brands:

• Ford
• GM
• Ram
• Nissan 
• Mercedes

Many of these brands have bulkheads already included in the vehicle or give the customer the option to have it installed right there and then. 

However, if that’s not the case, don’t worry. Surf through the net for the best product or check it out in person. 

Final Note: Be Wise

When making your purchase, verify the make and model of your van. Otherwise, the bulkhead might not be an adequate fit since most are built for specific models. 

Unfortunately, not all keep this particular thing in mind and end up with a compacted partition for small vans instead of a full-size bulkhead. Be mindful of these details before making a purchase. 

For those with a lower budget, wooden bulkheads will be the cheapest choice. Typically, solid steel bulkheads are costly, as well as metal grille bulkheads. In addition, wooden bulkheads, as aforementioned, are easily modified compared to their counterparts.