Vans often function as workspaces. The line between cab and cargo isn’t just about separation but protection, comfort, and control. And that’s where a van partition comes into play.
The right partition can keep your crew safe, cut down on noise, improve temperature control, and even make your workday more efficient. However, not all cargo van partitions are built the same, and not every trade requires the same solution. Comfort and efficiency are crucial when you spend time in a work van.
Introduction to Cargo Van Partitions
Cargo van partitions are essential in upfitting a cargo van to create an organized and efficient work environment. They serve as a barrier between the cargo and cab areas, protecting occupants from shifting cargo and improving overall safety. Available in various materials, including steel and composite, each partition type has unique benefits.
What Does a Van Partition Do?
A van bulkhead, or partition, is a solid barrier between a work van’s cab and cargo area. This wall of separation keeps drivers protected and productive, no matter what’s loaded in the back.
A solid partition offers enhanced safety during accidents and improved driver visibility.
Here’s what a good partition should do:
- Protect the crew from shifting gear or materials in the event of a sudden stop.
- Reduce cabin noise from tools, equipment, and the road.
- Help the HVAC system and climate control do their job by sealing off the cab.
- Secure tools and materials by keeping them out of sight and reach when the van is parked.
If you’re operating without a partition, you’re leaving safety to chance.
Choose the Right Material: Steel or Composite Partitions
When selecting a cargo van partition, factor in the material and design type that best suits your needs. Every job has different demands, and Adrian Steel has two partition material options—steel and composite—built to match what the job requires. Adrian Steel partitions are critical safety features in commercial vans, separating the cargo area from the cab area to protect occupants from shifting cargo.
Steel Partitions
Steel partitions are popular for their durability and strength because they can handle heavy-duty use. They provide high-strength protection and are perfect for contractors, electricians, and tradespeople who carry heavy gear.
Stainless steel cargo van partitions can take a beating, as noted below.
- High-strength protection to keep your gear safe even in the toughest environments.
- Contoured designs have maximum comfort and cab space.
- Options include solid or perforated panels.
Steel partitions are the go-to if durability is your top priority. It’s the most substantial barrier between your crew and cargo. However, steel adds significant weight when compared to composite, impacting gas mileage and overall vehicle performance.
Styles of Steel Partitions
Adrian Steel offers four main designs for steel partitions. While they are crafted from the same material and enhance cargo management solutions, they each have their benefits:
- Perforated Panel Partitions: Offers increased visibility and airflow while protecting your gear. These partitions are ideal for checking your cargo area without leaving the driver’s seat.
- Solid Panel Partitions: Provides enhanced security and privacy from the cargo area, keeping your equipment completely separate from the cab.
- Sliding Partitions: Allows easy access between the cab and cargo area through an easy-to-open sliding door. These partitions are ideal for those who need to move back and forth within the van quickly.
- Swing Door Partitions: Provides full access to the cargo area with a swing door for easy operation. These partitions also allow quick access to the cargo area from the cab.
Composite Partitions
Composite partitions yield a quieter and more enjoyable commute, with improved climate control. They are ideal for service techs and HVAC pros on the go, supplying superior sound dampening and a sleek, lightweight build without sacrificing strength.
Composite materials create innovative cargo van partitions for added strength, durability, and noise isolation.
- The insulated core helps control cab temperature and manage heat year-round.
- Superior sound dampening makes the ride quieter, leading to a more peaceful driving experience.
- The sleek look and lightweight build don’t sacrifice strength.
If comfort and performance are key, composite can keep your ride cool, quiet, and efficient.
Styles of Composite Partitions
Adrian Steel offers two styles for composite partitions, each designed for specific needs:
- Windowed Partitions: These partitions have a window that provides visibility into the cargo area from the cab. Windowed partitions are ideal for those who need to keep an eye on their gear while seeking insulation in their vehicle.
- Windowless Partitions: These partitions give maximum privacy and security while keeping the cargo area fully separate from the cab.
What to Consider When Choosing a Partition
Each partition type has benefits and drawbacks, and the right choice will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Consider factors such as safety, visibility, comfort, and climate control when selecting a partition. It’s also critical to think about the cargo type you’ll be transporting and the protection level you want.
Don’t Skip the Crash-Test Ratings
Safety isn’t optional. Every type of Adrian Steel partition is crash-tested to meet or exceed industry standards. We don’t just design for durability; we design to protect the people behind the wheel.
In an accident, your tools and cargo can turn into projectiles. Our partitions are built to prevent such dangerous conditions.
Need Visibility or Ventilation? We Have the Options
- Windowed partitions let you monitor your inventory and maintain rear visibility from the cab area.
- Perforated panels balance visibility and airflow and are available in steel partitions only.
- Solid panels provide maximum privacy and cargo security during a sudden stop. A solid partition constructed from composite materials like ABS and polycarbonate is a lightweight yet durable solution, bolstering safety during accidents and improving climate control and cab comfort.
No matter how you work, you can customize your setup without compromising safety or strength.
Boost Comfort with Quieter, Cooler Cabins
A well-sealed partition protects the cab and makes it feel like a real workspace. Additionally, it helps muffle sounds from the engine, tools, and equipment in the back of the van for a more peaceful driving experience.
- Experience reduced cabin noise from tools, traffic, and other distracting sounds.
- Enjoy better HVAC efficiency in hot or cold weather.
- Have a quieter ride for calls, GPS directions, and better concentration.
- Improve fuel economy by reducing climate-controlled areas, saving money on gas, and managing more comfortable temperatures.
Function Matters: Access and Ergonomics
Your van isn’t just a vehicle; it’s your mobile workshop—access matters. A snug fit between cargo van partitions and various elements of the vehicle, specifically the floor, ensures tight seals and separates the cab and cargo area.
- Sliding doors help in tight spaces
- Solid walls with no pass-through offer maximum separation if that’s what your job demands.
- Cargo side accessories can be added to the partition for more storage, improving convenience and organization for transporting goods.
If you’re continually moving between cab and cargo, don’t settle for something that slows you down.
Commercial Van Partition Installation
Installing a commercial van partition can be a complex process requiring specialized tools and expertise. Choosing a reputable installer with experience with cargo van partitions is important. The installation typically involves measuring the vehicle and partition for a precise fit. The partition is installed using a combination of hardware and adhesives, following the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations.
Proper installation results in a safe and secure partition, protecting occupants and cargo. Consider factors such as weight distribution and cargo capacity when installing a partition. A well-installed partition can also help improve fuel economy and reduce vehicle wear and tear. Testing the partition after installation is necessary to ensure it is secure and functioning correctly. A commercial van partition can give you years of safe and reliable service with the right installation.
Fuel Economy and Van Partitions
Cargo van partitions can improve fuel economy by reducing the space to be heated or cooled within the vehicle.
A partition with a solid panel or perforated panels can decrease noise and improve climate control. Even though steel partitions are heavier than composite ones, they have added strength and protection, which can be essential for heavy-duty use.
Weight distribution and cargo capacity should be considered when selecting a partition, as these can impact the fuel economy. Commercial van operators can improve fuel economy and lessen environmental impact with the right partition.
Built for the Work You Do and Backed by the Brand You Trust
Choosing a partition isn’t just a product decision; it’s a performance one. At Adrian Steel, we build every partition to meet real job site demands because that’s who we build for: real people doing real work. The final product of our partitions combines multiple materials to create a partition that is superior in strength and durability, with benefits such as impact resistance, weather durability, and sound isolation.
Ready to upgrade your van setup? Explore our complete line of van partitions and connect with an Adrian Steel distributor to customize your upfit.