Bulkhead – Is it necessary?
Deciding whether to keep or remove bulkhead in your campervan is one of the first major decisions in any van conversion. It affects your layout, insulation, noise levels and how the van feels to live in day to day.
Many van builders end up regretting this choice. Either the van becomes harder to heat or it feels cramped and impractical to use.
Our recommendation:
For most campervan builds, the best solution is to modify the bulkhead rather than havinga a campervan bulkhead removal. This gives you a better balance between safety, comfort and space.
Quick answer: Do you need a bulkhead in a campervan?
No, in most cases, you can modify or remove bulkhead when converting a van into a campervan.
However, what works best depends on:
- How you plan your layout?
- How you use the van?
- The legal requirements if you are re-registering the vehicle
For many builds, having a pass-through between the cab and the living area makes everyday use much easier. But keeping the bulkhead can still have some important advantages.
Pros and cons of a campervan bulkhead
It’s easy to think that a partition wall just takes up space, but it can actually fulfill several important functions in a campervan building.
Useful surface for mounting and storage
The bulkhead can act as a structural base for storage, panels or mounted equipmen
Easier to keep the van warm
This also makes your insulation setup more effective, especially in colder climates.
The cab area is usually poorly insulated compared to the living space. A bulkhead helps retain heat where you actually sleep and live.
Reduced road noise
Many van owners notice a quieter driving experience when the bulkhead is left in place, particularly before the van is fully insulated.
More private living space
A separated living area can feel more cosy and comfortable, especially if you’re travelling with more than one person.
Better safety during braking or accidents
A bulkhead acts as a physical barrier between the cab and the living space. In a sudden stop or accident, it helps prevent loose items from flying forward.
Disadvantages of keeping the bulkhead
At the same time, there are several clear disadvantages, especially in smaller vans where every centimeter counts.
Less open and airy feel
Removing the bulkhead usually makes the van feel bigger, brighter and more connected.
Limited movement between cab and living area
Without a pass-through, you’ll need to exit, the van to move between front and back. Which can be inconvenient in bad weather or tight parking situations.
Restricts layout options
In smaller vans, the bulkhead can limit your ability to design an efficient layout, especially if you want to use swivel seats or maximise space.
This is where proper layout planning becomes critical.
Reduced airflow
A full bulkhead can restrict ventilation between the cab and the living area, making the van feel more enclosed.
Less flexibility over time
As your needs change, the bulkhead can become a limitation if you want to redesign or improve your setup.
Is it legal to remove the bulkhead?
In many countriesin Europe, including the UK and Germany, removing the bulkhead is allowed, but there are important conditions.
- All installed equipment must be securely fixed
- The vehicle must remain safe to drive
- Requirements may change if you re-register the van as a campervan
Some older vans may also have specific registration conditions that require a bulkhead or partition. Always check current regulations and consult your inspection authority before making changes.
When should you keep the bulkhead?
Keeping the bulkhead is often the best choice if you:
- Prioritise safety
- Want a quieter driving experience
- Plan to travel in colder climates
- Don’t need access between cab and living space
- Want a structural surface for mounting or stor
It is often a good fit for those who want a clearly defined living area and are not bothered by the car feeling more divided.
When should you remove or modify it?
Removing or modifying the bulkhead is usually better if you:
- Want a more open and spacious feel
- Are building a smaller campervan
- Want to use swivel seats as part of your living area
- Need easy access between front and back
- Are designing a more flexible layout
For many van builds, the best option is a partial removal or a cut-out opening rather than removing it entirely.a väggen. En öppning, lucka eller delvis borttagen vägg kan ge en bättre balans mellan säkerhet och rymdkänsla.
Our experience with a campervan bulkhead
In our own van build, we quickly realised that a fully closed bulkhead limited our layout and made the van feel more restricted.
At the same time, we appreciated the safety and reduced noise it provided.
Our solution was to modify the bulkhead with an opening, allowing more light and a better connection between the cab and living space.
At first, we noticed more noise – but after properly insulating the van, the difference became minimal.
In the end, it turned out to be the perfect compromise between comfort, safety and usability.
Our recommendation
There is no single right answer when it comes to having a bulkhead in a campervan. The best choice depends on how you travel, the type of van you are building, and what matters most to you.
If you want a quieter, more private and potentially safer living area, it may make sense to keep the bulkhead fully or partially in place. If, on the other hand, you want to maximise the feeling of space, improve the flow inside the vehicle and move freely between the cab and the rear, it is often better to remove or modify it.
For many people, the best solution is a compromise.
If you are still planning your conversion, it is also worth reading up on other factors that affect the overall build, such as insulation, ventilation, layout and how the vehicle will be registered. These things are often more connected than you might first think. An opening, hatch or partially removed bulkhead can offer a better balance between safety and a more spacious feel.
FAQ – Campervan Bulkhead
Do you need a bulkhead in a campervan?
No, not in most cases. But always check the legal requirements for your specific vehicle.
Is it safer to keep the bulkhead?
Yes, it can help prevent loose objects from moving forward in an accident.
Will removing it make the van colder?
Often yes. The cab is usually less insulated, which can make heating less efficient.
Can you modify the bulkhead instead of removing it?
Yes and for many builds, this is the best option.
Do you want to build a campervan the right way from the start?
Here are the guides we ourselves would have liked to read before we started:
A good van building starts with good planning. This guide will help you think correctly from the start so that your campervan is easier to both build and live with.
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