Is it legal to remove the bulkhead from a van?

[camerart]

Hi,
The reason I wanted to remove the bulkhead was so I could get a sleepover mattress in the rear. I like squareness, but a mate of mine suggested trying the mattress diagonally, and it just long enough now so no need to remove the bulkhead, just put a head banging foam headboard.
Thanks for your replies.
C

 

[morqthana]

You'll probably be glad you didn't go to the trouble and expense of removing it after the first time you or any other unfortunate user of the sleepover mattress wakes up with condensation dripping on them.

 

[lostinthelight]

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

I remember years ago Morris 1000 post vans had a mesh screen for the same purpose

 

[camerart]

You'll probably be glad you didn't go to the trouble and expense of removing it after the first time you or any other unfortunate user of the sleepover mattress wakes up with condensation dripping on them.

Hi M,
It would still drip with the bulkhead removed.
I'm used to converting motorhomes: Insulation, heating and ventilation
C

 

[camerart]

I remember years ago Morris 1000 post vans had a mesh screen for the same purpose

HI L,
I had 2x Sherpas from the P.O. strong bulkhead, with sliding doors.
C.

 

[morqthana]

Hi M,
It would still drip with the bulkhead removed.

I know - the point I was trying to make was that if you don't remove the bulkhead then when you abandon the idea of using it to sleep in after the first time you won't have pointlessly incurred the trouble and cost of removal.

I'm used to converting motorhomes: Insulation, heating and ventilation
C

It really didn't sound as if you were planning a proper motorhome conversion....

 

[ReganAndCarter]

HI L,
I had 2x Sherpas from the P.O. strong bulkhead, with sliding doors.
C.

Those sliding front doors were great in the summer. Lots of vans had them - CF, CA, Transit, Sherpa, J4, etc. Suppose they're banned now, down to elf 'n' safety. Remember the donkey-jacketed (no high vis) bin men clinging on for dear life on the footplate at the back of the bin lorry. When men were men.

 

[morqthana]

Those sliding front doors were great in the summer. Lots of vans had them - CF, CA, Transit, Sherpa, J4, etc. Suppose they're banned now, down to elf 'n' safety.

Given that every single piece of Health & Safety legislation/regulations we have has been bought with peoples lives, by other people being widowed, by children losing parents, by parents losing children, by families losing breadwinners, it may be no bad thing if dangerous vehicle features and working practices are banned now.

Remember the donkey-jacketed (no high vis) bin men clinging on for dear life on the footplate at the back of the bin lorry. When men were men.

When men were expendable cannon-fodder you mean.

 

[ReganAndCarter]

(Removed)

 

[morqthana]

.

 

[camerart]

I know - the point I was trying to make was that if you don't remove the bulkhead then when you abandon the idea of using it to sleep in after the first time you won't have pointlessly incurred the trouble and cost of removal.

Hi M,
Too pessimistic, raise your dewpoint.

It really didn't sound as if you were planning a proper motorhome conversion....

No, Just the minimum. for a night or two.
C.

 

[camerart]

Those sliding front doors were great in the summer. Lots of vans had them - CF, CA, Transit, Sherpa, J4, etc. Suppose they're banned now, down to elf 'n' safety. Remember the donkey-jacketed (no high vis) bin men clinging on for dear life on the footplate at the back of the bin lorry. When men were men.

Hi R,
I had 2x sherpas, 2CAs and a laundry transit, and the sliding doors were great. I did nearly die a couple of times in the transit, in the winter before it was converted

Don't forget Routmaster buses!

I was coming back from Scotland with a bearing demonstration CA van, hydraulic extracters etc, fast lane at 70, with the door open, when I realised I was a bit vunerable, tighened my hand tightened seat belt, and closed the door, when at Rugby, I had a blow out! Went across the midle and slow lanes, up the embanment, stopped the lorries and shut the M!. I blacked out and came to rest on the hard shoulder, with a seatbelt bruise, a hydraulic lever through the passenger seat (through the bulkhead), and a steel pad bruise on my shin. Upright, undid my seat belt, slid the door open, and realised I wasn't dead. Burst out laughing (with hysterics) and walked back 30yards for the tax disc in the windscreen.
I'd still buy one, you only live once
C.

 

[camerart]

Hi,
I'm going to keep the bulkhead, as suggested, and seal it from the 'cab' as it's hard to insulate windscreens etc.

When you consider how much battery is in a hybrid, I won't be able to use it, so I have to add leisure batteries, for power and light.

Also when I converted the last van to a motorhome, I drilled holes in the floor for gas bottle ventilation, etc, and fixings, this I can't do. I'll have to fix a lot of things, without drilling, which could be fun.

Thanks for the help in deciding, C.