Moto Van -- Windows or no Windows?

No windows.

Why advertise what you have loaded up. Thieves love advertising.

Windows are definitely nice when you have to drive backwards if you don't have a camera on your van. But make sure you black them out so nobody can look in and put some steel bars or something behind them.

The Transit backup camera is nice; can easily judge distance and side objects. I drive mine daily (came from a diesel truck) and I absolutely love the van. So convenient...i even use the van when we go grocery shopping due to the ease of loading and unloading. Only thing that takes getting used to is driving with your mirrors since no windows on the sides; so changing lanes the first few times in city traffic is nerve racking. But no big deal now.

Tips: Buy the transit that already has the floor and paneling from the factory.
Research each delears pricing and be firm on your bottom dollar. If you finance it will be at a commercial rate.
Take your time on the wall and buildout. I recommend spreading over a few weeks so you do not rush or get burnt out.

Here are a few pics. I have since added cabinet doors in the back and will be painting the wall along with mounting a few other storage accessories.

You’d have less things to break with handlebars if you went with no windows. Really tho unless you live in a relatively big city I don’t think it matters. Get them tinted regardless tho.

The most important thing about learning to drive, is learning to drive forward. The second most important, is learning to drive backwards.

Learn to use your mirrors. Mirrors never lie...

I thought no windows was great until I go to pull out somewhere and can't be a perfect 90 degrees to the road and can't see oncoming traffic. + all the people who say no windows don't advertise what you have you'll see a moto number plate on the back so yeah that works great

Whymee wrote:

The most important thing about learning to drive, is learning to drive forward. The second most important, is learning to drive backwards.

Learn to use your mirrors. Mirrors never lie...

Exactly . I have been driving moto vans and service vans for 20 years. When I drive my car or truck I don't even look out my rear window. 100% mirrors all the time.

Get the windows! I was dead set on not having any windows until I came across a deal I couldn't pass up on a van that had two windows in the back, and I'm so glad I have them now every time I drive it. For security, even though the windows are very darkly tinted, just hang a curtain or make a window cover you can hang in place when parked, then nobody can see inside anyways. After having windows in the back I wouldn't even consider not having them now.

no windows

My budget wouldn't allow a nice rig...I picked this up for $1400.00 and had to put another grand in it. It's moto and MTB only. I like the tinted windows vs no windows and it's a passenger van so it's heated and insulated throughout.



Anyway...it gets me there.

I went with windows because I haul kids in it and they like to see out the side window.

I drove one without windows for years, but given the choice I would want windows in the passenger doors like the van I have now. You can see so much better when trying to back out of an angled parking space or a road that comes in at an angle. You can tint the windows so you can see out, but not see in.

Forty wrote:

My budget wouldn't allow a nice rig...I picked this up for $1400.00 and had to put another grand in it. It's moto and MTB only. I like the tinted windows vs no windows and it's a passenger van so it's heated and insulated throughout.



Anyway...it gets me there.

Dig the license plate!

crt32 wrote:

The Transit backup camera is nice; can easily judge distance and side objects. I drive mine daily (came from a diesel truck) and I absolutely love the van. So convenient...i even use the van when we go grocery shopping due to the ease of loading and unloading. Only thing that takes getting used to is driving with your mirrors since no windows on the sides; so changing lanes the first few times in city traffic is nerve racking. But no big deal now.

Tips: Buy the transit that already has the floor and paneling from the factory.
Research each delears pricing and be firm on your bottom dollar. If you finance it will be at a commercial rate.
Take your time on the wall and buildout. I recommend spreading over a few weeks so you do not rush or get burnt out.

Here are a few pics. I have since added cabinet doors in the back and will be painting the wall along with mounting a few other storage accessories.

All good info. for a van build. Dave'O and our colleagues use a 1 inch steel tube frame, with a flanged plate bolted to the floor, per se. It takes up less room than the 2 x 4's (were always looking for a little more room). This is primarily for safety, in my book. I knew a family who died in a van accident, where the bikes and all the rest, pushed them out the front window when they rear ended someone. I was young, it was shocking and sad that this could happen. I never forgot it.

Whymee wrote:

The most important thing about learning to drive, is learning to drive forward. The second most important, is learning to drive backwards.

Learn to use your mirrors. Mirrors never lie...

r.sal923 wrote:

Exactly . I have been driving moto vans and service vans for 20 years. When I drive my car or truck I don't even look out my rear window. 100% mirrors all the time.

You can be the best driver ever, as long as you can't see what you're doing you can't properly drive your vehicle. I'm talking about tight areas. Windows in the back are definitely a benefit. If you could see everything through your side mirrors why would all cars even come with a rear view mirror from the factory?

If you get a transit, put dead locks on it.

The standard locks are a joke, all you need is a screw driver and a pair of grips and you can break into it in 10 seconds. It's like Ford designed it so thieves would have an easy time breaking in, who ever designed the locks is a moran.

Apart from that they are good vans.

bvm111 wrote:

Dig the license plate!

Window on the side door is a must. I’ve had a few cargo vans, one with no windows. I didn’t miss the back ones, but occasionally the side door ones were greatly missed when you are at an angled intersection, you can’t square up with it and you can’t see what’s coming from your right side.

I dont have experience with a van particularly.
I've had enclosed trailers with and without....definitely prefer with.
Something about a little extra natural light that is just better.

No side windows here. Agreeing with comments about intersections. To some extent you can avoid this by getting closer to 90 degrees and looking out the passenger window.

Awesome replies guys. I'll make sure I get rear windows and if I am ever over night, put up a curtain. I've heard guys using a really dark shower curtain and a few magnets. That would save me from having to build anything.

Or, I could put the bars on the rear windows + curtain if left over night. The truth is, if someone wants in bad enough, they'll get in, but having a bit of a deterrence would be enough to keep people honest.

Windows for sure. My bike is chained and I also us steel braided tie downs with locks on the ends.

No

Windows on my van, but crime is much Lower also.

tempura wrote:

Windows on my van, but crime is much Lower also.

I had to look that Nissan up! Crazy they don't sell that here considering how popular the Hiace is.

EZZA 95B wrote:

I had to look that Nissan up! Crazy they don't sell that here considering how popular the Hiace is.

The Hiace is more popular here also, but I have a friend at Nissan, so it was a no brainer.
I went with the turbo diesel.

tempura wrote:

The Hiace is more popular here also, but I have a friend at Nissan, so it was a no brainer.
I went with the turbo diesel.

I wish that was an option/available model from Nissan in the United States. I haven't ever owned a new vehicle nor really wanted one. But if I could get an HiAce turbo diesel I would sign on the X today for one.

No windows, that way it performs double duty. Picking up chicks and hauling around your bike...

BobPA wrote:

No windows, that way it performs double duty. Picking up chicks and hauling around your bike...

I like the way you think, Bob