VW Transporter - Rear Barn Doors OR Rear Tailgate?
When it comes to choosing the right base vehicle for your custom coast2coast campers campervan conversion, whether to choose a VW Transporter with barn doors or one with a tailgate is a question our customer often seek our guidance…
But there is no right or wrong answer. It’s all down to personal preference. That balance of practicalities and style.
Barn Doors
A Volkswagen Transporter with rear barn doors has two hinged doors that open outward from the centre.
Generally, when it comes to sourcing a suitable used base vehicle for your campervan conversion, those with barn door (sometimes referred to as rear doors) are more readily available than those with a tailgate. Designed for commercial use, the rear doors are easier to open and close physically and in tight spaces. This benefit extends to their ease of use when considering a Volkswagen Transporters conversion from a panel van into camper van!
One of the many benefits of a VW Campervan is that, given its size, it can double up as both your daily driver as well as your leisure vehicle. In this instance barn doors are the preference;-
Barn doors offer ease of access
Barn doors offer more flexibility to owners who have limited reach or require regular access to the boot area. Whether you are parked up in a confined space having two doors means that you can park closer to walls, or other vehicles, without your access to the rear of your campervan being prohibited.
Barn doors act as a barrier too. They prevent items from falling out of the back of your coast2coast camper when you are all loaded up with your camping apparel, and shopping too!
Barn doors offer privacy
Barn doors are ideal for owners who seek privacy. When camping you can have one door open without full exposure into your campervan.
As barn doors will fully extend too, they do not restrict your view, in fact you can see up to the sky and all around. Their initial opening position create a side shelter too.
Tailgate
A Transporter with a tailgate has a one-piece single door that opens upwards.
When sourcing an approved used base vehicle for your campervan, tailgates often carry a price premium, because there are less available. The tailgate van is typically seen as the lifestyle option for those who value aesthetics and fixed shelter;-
A tailgate offers fixed shelter
Not only is it seen as more aesthetically pleasing, but the main draw to a tailgate is that it acts as a natural rear canopy, for shelter from the rain and sun when camping. With the addition of a full rear awning, you can even extend your liveable space when camping. A great addition to our Harvington layouts, in particular.
A tailgate for family leisure
For family who like to cycle, the tailgate allows for a bike rack to be fitted to it that can carry up to four standard bikes, unlike a barn door model which permits two.
If your tailgate isn’t glazed, we will add this for you during your campervans conversion, offering no restriction to your rear view too, other than the bikes, of course!
It really is down to practicalities and style. So, would a Transporter with barn doors or a Transporter with a tailgate work best for you?
We can either convert your own van or we’ll source a suitable new or approved used base van that meets your specific requirements. This includes colour, size, budget, and mileage. We will guide your through our diverse range of well-thought-out conversion layouts, each in a short or long wheelbase option, allows you to select the campervan conversion layout that’s right for your lifestyle.
We specialise in VW camper van conversions, but we convert other makes and models too!
Contact us to find out more, or for a FREE no obligation customised quote.
