Is it legal to remove the bulkhead from a van?

[camerart]

Hi,
I've just bought a car derived van, which is a car taken from the production line and instead of rear seats, has a full floor, up to the front seat, with a bulkhead.

What I want to know, is it legal to remove it?
I'm thinking of the safety reasons for having one, to stop e,g, parcels in the rear hitting the driver in a crash. Also will the insurance cover the 'van' with the bulkhead removed?
Cheers, C.

 

[Burnerman]

Hell, I do hope so!
I have a Peugeot Bipper that came with a full bulkhead from new. Hopeless as the space reduction was ridiculous.
Out it came and I replaced it with a ladder frame half bulkhead that some of these vans were fitted with anyway. This is good to tie loose cargo to.
No probs with MOT and some vans have no bulkhead anyway so that’s the way it’ll stay for me!
John

 

[Andy165]

For insurance purposes, may be classed as a modification. Ring them and ask.

 

[Old Salt]

As long as its declared it shouldnt be a problem.

 

[Notch7]

Depends whether it’s your van or not

 

[bernardgreen]

The bulk head may be a necessary structual part of the vehicle. It will increase the vehicles ability to protect driver and/or passengers if the vehicle is involved in accident.

 

[carmanmemoranda]

Is it bolted in place or welded, or other ?

Can the same vehicle be purchased from new without the bulkhead, or a different type ?

 

[Burnerman]

On mine, it's bolted into place with 6 6mm bolts into rivnuts.
Some Bippers come with the ladder half frame bulkhead, others with this ridiculous piece of tin so nothing can be passed through the passenger space or resting on the seat back.
I suspect any insurers wouldn't have a clue what a bulkhead is, and in this case I doubt whether a bulkhead is the correct term.
John

 

[Dylan T]

As far as I'm concerned this is fine to do; I've converted vans before and had specialist insurers but a modification to them was generally things such as windows, gas cookers etc. I'm sure they'd have guidelines about what constitutes a modification but I'd be surprised if the bulkhead was one. They are removable for a reason.

 

[camerart]

Depends whether it’s your van or not

Hi N,
It's my van, but on PCP, so I won't 'own' it till it's fully aid in 3 years.
C

 

[camerart]

The bulk head may be a necessary structual part of the vehicle. It will increase the vehicles ability to protect driver and/or passengers if the vehicle is involved in accident.

Hi B,
It's not structural, but will protect the driver from flying stuff.
C

 

[camerart]

Is it bolted in place or welded, or other ?

Can the same vehicle be purchased from new without the bulkhead, or a different type ?

Hi C,
It's bolted and riveted.
As mentioned it's a car with no rear seats and a flat base with bulkhead.
Here's a link to it: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/toyota/corolla/commercial
C

 

[Burnerman]

I think it's best to leave any vehicle on a PCP without any mods - once you have paid the balloon payment it's yours of course.
Don't send it back modified - you'll get a spanking!
It's an interesting vehicle you have chosen......the genuine Toyota vans are purely Citroen. (Pro Ace etc).
John

 

[ReganAndCarter]

I'm thinking of the safety reasons for having one, to stop e,g, parcels in the rear hitting the driver in a crash.

If that were true, my van wouldn't have been supplied new only with a basic ladder guard/bulkhead behind the driver. Surely as it's a 3 seater, there would have to be protection for all passengers? Many vans, eg. early Transits were supplied new without bulkheads unless ordered as an extra by the customer.

As it's just a bolt on fitting, I'm guessing it's not essential or structural. Perhaps the resident MOT testers can say if bulkheads are required.

Mine is just bolted in with 6mm bolts. I removed the single ladder bulkhead behind driver and installed a full bulkhead. Better for safety, security, quiter to drive and easier to heat up the area that needs the heat ie. the cab.

 

[carmanmemoranda]

As it's just a bolt on fitting, I'm guessing it's not essential or structural. Perhaps the resident MOT testers can say if bulkheads are required.

No specific requirement. But if a welded section had been removed it may fail under unsatisfactory repair ( i haven't looked up the exact wording )