Big Bear Vans
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Expert Journal
Best Campervan Sliding and Rear Door Options
November 6, 202568 Min Read45 Insights
When it comes to building your campervan, every detail counts, especially the van doors. The right sliding and rear doors can make all the difference in accessibility, convenience, and rear gear storage. At My Big Bear Vans, while building customized campervans, we install top-quality camper rear and sliding doors. Let's explore the sliding and rear door options and the customization available at My Big Bear Vans.
Deep Dive
Sliding Doors and Rear Doors
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Almost all of our layouts, like Calavera, Mont Fort, and Cusco, are equipped with both a sliding side door and rear double doors. These campervans have hassle-free entry from the sliding door and easy access to the dining area from the rear. However, the final configuration depends entirely on the needs of our clients, whether they prefer a design with both sliding and rear doors, a simplified version with only a sliding door, or a rear door-only design. The rear doors in all our Sprinter, Ram Promaster, and Ford Transit models are manual. Sliding doors are where the client has to choose between a manual and an electric door. But if the client wants an electric sliding door, the company installs one for them. However, after the van leaves the company, it doesn’t offer any changes, and in that case, We offers aftermarket solutions for its clients if they want an electric sliding door.
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Electric vs. Manual Sliding Doors
The sliding door is the main entrance of your van. For your campervan’s sliding door, you can choose between two options:
Electric
Manual
At Big Bear Van, we work with Sprinter, ProMaster, and Transit and offer both electric and manual sliding door options to our clients.
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Electric Sliding Doors
An electric sliding door in a campervan is a motorized door system that opens and closes automatically with the push of a button, a hand gesture, or a foot sensor. It eliminates the need for manual effort.
The Benefits
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An electric sliding door gives you hand-free convenience, which means no more juggling to open it when your hands are full (with groceries, pets, surfboard, etc).
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These doors are perfect for people with mobility issues and families with small kids.
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Electric doors often have tighter seals than manual doors, thus reducing dust and water leaks.
Considerations
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Electric sliding doors are hard on the pocket as they are more expensive than manual doors.
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Electric mechanisms add extra weight, which matters in lightweight camper builds.
Deep Dive
Manual Sliding Doors
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A manual sliding door is a non-motorized door that opens by hand, sliding horizontally on a track. Common in many campervans (especially conversions of vans like the Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit, or Ram Promaster), these doors are valued for their simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
The Benefits
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Manual sliding doors are easy to use and less expensive than electric doors.
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Unlike an electric door, this door can work fine with even a dead battery.
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It weighs less than an electric door and thus is important in fuel efficiency and payload capacity.
Considerations
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Manual sliding doors are difficult to operate, especially for people with mobility problems.
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You must remember to close it manually, as there is no auto-locking feature in it.
Deep Dive
Sliding and Rear Doors Customization Available
At Big Bear Vans, we offer several customization choices to our clients related to sliding and rear doors. These customization choices are the following:
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1. Insulation
If you want your van to stay warm during harsh winters or escape the scorching heat of summer, insulation will work wonders for you. Insulating the van doors helps control temperature fluctuations, resist heat transfer, reduce noise, and prevent air leakage, creating a more comfortable interior year-round. At Big Bear Vans, insulation is a central part of our design process. We use different types of insulation in our builds, with 3M Thinsulate insulation being the most widely used for sliding and rear doors in most of our layouts, including Oregon, Calabasas, etc.
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2. Rear Doors Paneling
For the rear doors of your custom campervan, we offer you the following options:
You can reinstall the original plastic covers after insulation.
Or we can install full-size or partial plywood panels after insulation for you. You have the option to paint, stain, or upholster them to match the wall paneling.
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3. Gear Storage at the Rear Doors
For the rear doors, we also offer gear storage options to our adventure-loving clients.
We can install a tire carrier and an expedition box for storage.
We can also fit a bicycle carrier on the rear door.
You can also choose a power lift bike rack to raise and lower the bike with the use of a button.
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4. It always depends on our clients what kind of rear storage they want
To enter through the sliding door, you can either choose electric AMP slip research steps like we use in the Mont Fort campervan, or stationary running board steps like we use in our Santa Cruz van.
Deep Dive
Windows or No Windows: What to Choose?
For the sliding and rear doors, you can either choose to have windows or not. At Big Bear Vans, our clients can get customized vans, with or without windows, just as they want. You can install windows in rear doors and sliding doors near the kitchen area. Our insulated window installation is fully customizable to match our clients’ needs. We install built-in storage compartments in our rear door panels to enhance the space's functionality. Besides this, we also fit mosquito-proof screens and blackout shades on windows. Here are some of the pros and cons of installing or not installing a window on the rear and sliding doors.
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Pros of Having Windows vs Cons of Having Windows
The Benefits
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The best part about having windows is that you can enjoy scenic views if you are traveling somewhere
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With windows inside, the interior looks spacious and less claustrophobic.
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Windows are also a good source of ventilation if installed with sliders or openings.
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You don’t have to rely on artificial lighting during the day.
Considerations
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Installing windows in your van reduces insulation, as glass transfers heat and cold more than insulated panels unless the windows are fully insulated.
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Your privacy is compromised unless your windows are covered with curtains or tinted glass.
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The sun’s rays enter through the glass, heating specific areas near those windows.
Our Sprinter models, like Montreal and Blue Whale, feature windows in their sliding or rear doors to enhance visibility and natural light. However, it all depends on the likes, dislikes, and needs of our customers. Our team always ensures that your window choices blend seamlessly into your custom build.
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Pros of Not Having Windows vs Cons of Not Having Windows
The Benefits
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Having no windows installed in your van provides better insulation, especially with fiber-insulated door panels.
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Gives you more room for privacy.
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Gives you free wall space for mounting shelves or storage.
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Having no windows means less risk of leaks, especially during rain, snow, or while washing the van.
Considerations
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Installing windows in your van reduces insulation, as glass transfers heat and cold more than insulated panels unless the windows are fully insulated.
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Your privacy is compromised unless your windows are covered with curtains or tinted glass.
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The sun’s rays enter through the glass, heating specific areas near those windows.
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Pass-Through Layouts from the Sliding and Rear Doors
Before diving deep into what Big Bear Vans offers in terms of pass-through layouts, let us first help you understand what a pass-through layout actually is.
A pass-through layout in a campervan means that when you enter from the sliding or rear doors, you can walk freely in the van without obstacles. If you visit Big Bear Vans, you will notice that most of our builds feature pass-through layouts, allowing you to move freely without bumping into anything. This type of pass-through layout also supports better airflow and a more spacious feel. Pass-through layout works well in our models where the bed is elevated or foldable, allowing ease of access and free movement. However, sliding doors offer more room in pass-through layouts as they are seen as a main walking path. Our Lake Tahoe, built on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, features a pass-through layout allowing you to enter from both sliding and rear doors. Off-road vans are for those adventurers who want to explore remote areas without sacrificing their comfort. These vans are equipped with four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, and rugged tires, making them ideal for challenging terrains.
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Conclusion
To build your campervan, you can contact us to have a fully customized van tailored to your needs and lifestyle. From sliding and rear doors to window placements and insulation options, our team will guide you at every step and bring your dream van to life.
Ready to Start Your Custom Build? Talk with our build team today to discuss your ideal layout, elevator bed configuration, and off-grid power needs.
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