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New Caddy order - Bulkhead or none?

Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2019 4:43 pm
by magicaltrevor
Hi, I’m new to the Caddy scene. I’m planning on a new factory order of a 2.0TDI 150 SWB and have a pretty good spec in mind but I’m struggling to decide on the bulkhead.

I’d be adding sound deadening and carpet to the rear as I’d like the inside to be as car-like as possible.
If I ordered a full bulkhead then I’d add sound deadening to that and also carpet it but what’s the general consensus on ordering without? Would it be too noisy?

One advantage might be that I could fold the seat forward and be able to fit a temporary bed should I need it.

Thanks in advance.

Re: New Caddy order - Bulkhead or none?

Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2019 5:34 pm
by Timthorley
Order it with you can always remove it if you dont like it

Re: New Caddy order - Bulkhead or none?

Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2019 6:59 pm
by magicaltrevor
Ah, ok. I’ll have a read up on that process. Maybe I could make a panel removable so a bed would work in future. That’s got me thinking

Re: New Caddy order - Bulkhead or none?

Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2019 7:45 pm
by Beaker2135
I’d order it without. You can always pick up a used one, lost of people remove them, or a Motexion one. The proper trims for removing a bulkhead are difficult to source and very expensive to buy

Re: New Caddy order - Bulkhead or none?

Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2019 8:36 pm
by magicaltrevor
Beaker2135 wrote: Sun Jul 07, 2019 7:45 pm I’d order it without. You can always pick up a used one, lost of people remove them, or a Motexion one. The proper trims for removing a bulkhead are difficult to source and very expensive to buy
Having just read about it, I think I agree. Seems easier to add it due to people giving away (or cheap) bulkheads.

Re: New Caddy order - Bulkhead or none?

Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2019 2:29 pm
by PDC
Just ordered mine without the bulkhead as I didn't want all the holes in the headlining and bits of trim missing once removed. 👍🏻

Re: New Caddy order - Bulkhead or none?

Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2019 10:13 pm
by Timthorley
Beaker2135 wrote: Sun Jul 07, 2019 7:45 pm I’d order it without. You can always pick up a used one, lost of people remove them, or a Motexion one. The proper trims for removing a bulkhead are difficult to source and very expensive to buy
That's a good shout bud

Re: New Caddy order - Bulkhead or none?

Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 7:46 am
by magicaltrevor
What about noise levels without the bulkhead but with sound deafening? I drove a Golf currently and I’m hoping to achieve similar refinement levels.
So on that basis, no bulkhead, sound deadening, insulation, ply lining and carpet. Good plan?

Re: New Caddy order - Bulkhead or none?

Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 1:09 pm
by PDC
It sounds like it will be as good as you will get for a van in doing those things to it. Don't forget to sound deaden the bonnet too. 👍🏻

Re: New Caddy order - Bulkhead or none?

Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 1:39 pm
by SnoWhite
Personally I would also order the Caddy without the Bulkhead. There are however pros and cons which only you can work out what works best for you.

For a bulkhead - #1 factor safety - stuff in the load area will not fly forward and crush people up front in the event of a crash or severe braking. Whether this is a major issue depends on what you are likely to be carrying in your Caddy. It might also be marginally less noisy and if you really need to kit the Caddy out with heaps of fixed racking then I have seen people mounting racking onto the bulkhead.

Against there is a finite cost for the damned thing which adds to dead weight (higher fuel consumption). More significantly it reduces the load carrying flexibility - especially on SWB models - so long planks, pipes, ladders, etc can not extend into the passenger footwell without removing the damned thing or have to go on the roof and be pinched when you are not looking. Dumping the Bulkhead means the van is better able to double up as an informal camper - especially the Maxi models offering ample flat floor for a 6 foot mattress. As for sound levels it is worth mentioning that the people carrier "Life" Caddy models do not need an internal wall to keep sound levels acceptable - its really about installing decent sound damping material, and any residual noise can be masked with a decent sound system.

Re: New Caddy order - Bulkhead or none?

Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 5:05 pm
by magicaltrevor
Most of the time it will be empty but it will be used to transport motorsport gear. I suppose I could look into some sort of clip in net/curtain for safety