Are Rear Windows Necessary in Your Offroad Camper Van Build?

One of the major decisions you can make for your offroad camper van build is whether to add rear windows. This choice impacts both the aesthetic of your build and the valuable storage space. Storage is already limited when building out a custom camper van, so this decision is crucial.

In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of adding or removing rear windows from your offroad van build.

Insights from Our Van Builders

At first glance, adding rear windows to your camper van conversion seems like a good idea. More natural light and better visibility can enhance your driving experience. In a standard vehicle, this seems straightforward. However, in a van build, several major factors influence your choice. These can significantly affect your van's future functionality.

The Benefits of Removing Rear Windows

1) Improved Insulation

Windows are significant weak points in temperature control. By removing the rear windows, you can fully insulate your rear doors. Using our tri-layer Thinsulate, your van will maintain a more stable temperature. This means it will stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Consequently, you’ll experience less wear on your HVAC systems.

2) Enhanced Privacy and Better Sleeping

Without rear windows, your sleeping area remains darker for longer. This lets you sleep past dawn without disturbance. Moreover, privacy is significantly improved. Instead of dealing with four window shades, you only need to cover two small sliding windows for full stealth mode. Now, when you park, your van's interior remains unseen.

3) Increased Storage

The most significant advantage of removing rear windows is the additional storage space. Solid panels on your rear doors open up new storage solutions. Options like interior shelves, exterior molle panel storage, bike racks, and storage boxes become feasible. This makes organizing your gear much easier.

The Benefits of Adding Rear Windows

Now that we've discussed the benefits of removing rear windows, let’s examine the advantages of adding them to your van build.

1) Natural Lighting

Adding rear windows allows more natural light into your space. This makes your camper feel more open and inviting. The additional light makes a significant difference in the ambiance of your living area.

2) Improved Driving Visibility

With rear windows, your driving experience becomes more traditional. Mirrors and rear visibility are essential for safe driving. However, if you set up your van’s interior with limited visibility, the added windows may not make a difference.

Finding a Balance: The Best of Both Worlds

After examining the pros and cons, you may feel conflicted, like many van owners. If you want the benefit of natural light but still require storage space, what can you do? What about having a functional four-season van while maintaining visibility?

Prioritizing Visibility Without Compromising Storage

To maintain visibility without sacrificing storage, the Off Highway Van team recommends the right specs from the Mercedes-Benz factory. Our vans come standard with digital rearview mirrors, 360 cameras, and sonar sensors. Whether or not you choose rear windows, we’ve got you covered.

Maximizing Natural Light

If you are worried about losing natural light by removing rear windows, we have a solution. Instead of compromising storage for windows, consider adding a skylight. Just add a skylight! Our 3' x 5' skylight provides ample natural light without sacrificing essential storage or functionality.

How Off Highway Van Experts Would Build Their Own Van

If the team at Off Highway Van were to build their ideal camper van, they would choose to omit the rear windows. The insulation, storage, and privacy benefits greatly outweigh the drawbacks. Especially when paired with advanced features like Mercedes' digital rearview mirror, cameras, and sensors, the advantages are undeniable.

Natural light is easily addressed. We love incorporating skylights into our builds. They enhance your van's natural light while preserving storage functionality, privacy, and insulation.

Are you ready to start your Off Highway Van build? Whether with or without rear windows, our expert van builders are here to help you create your dream van today!