Caravan Doors

[Merlin53]

Can anybody on the forum enlighten me please.
We have been caravanning for over 25 years in the UK and abroad, and yet have to discover why we have the split door. We never use ours and recently looking at various sites just lately, have yet to see a 'van with the door open at the top and closed at the bottom. (Mobile homes don't have split doors - funny that)!
I assume it is a throw back into the 1930's when the caravans were first made. I assume there was no awnings or the modern roof windows we have now, so it helped with ventilation, so why in this day and age carry on with this practice. It must be more expensive to manufacture, and you don't get a choice when buying a new 'van! Also there is the added security risk as the door mechanism are so paltry!

 

[MagsAlan]

I have used ours, in the cooler months, particularly if we are without the awning, lets enough air in/warmth out without being too draughty. i suppose they are also useful if you have pets or small children with you. Then again, I'm used to them as my kitchen door at home is the Stable door variety.

 

[JohnGriffiths]

We use ours every day on site. They are so useful when you have dogs (and a good % of caravanners do), it means I can be outside or in the awning yet still get my G&T passed to me without the dogs going off on a squirrel hunt by themselves.

 

[Heethers]

Agree with John we have dogs, its useful to have the split door, one reason you may not see them open is due to the awning hiding it, ours is always split in the summer months to get has much air through the van as possible even with both full size Heike’s open.
NigelH

 

[thursdays child]

Merlin 53, my friend, we use ours costantly and we would not like a full door. It allows for fresh air and I like to put my head out and shout instructions to Himself without letting "The Bears" out. Also useful to keep steam down as the kettle is always on the boil!!! Perhaps I was a big old carthorse in a previuos existence and missing the stable door. I certainly was not a race horse!!!!! Too big in the rear end!!!
Thursdays Child

 

[Nellie2]

Have to agree with some of the previous replies.We too have the split door.We chose this as we have a chocky lab,and it helps let ventilation in without her going on walk about.Also if someone knocks,then we only have to open the top half of the door to answer.Should we decide to change the van in the future then this is one of the features we would look for.Anyway each to their own,it s really a choice of what suits best.

Nellie

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Another who uses it all the time whether we have an awning up or not. It depends on the weather but I do like a bit of fresh air and it also stops the dogs wandering off. Sometimes we will use the fly screen instead depending on the bug life that's active.
Merlin is correct. Looking at the two motorhomes next to us they haven't got split doors. Both have the fly screens across though to keep their dogs in. I wonder if given the option of a stable door they would have used them instead

 

[Wendy-Norfolk]

I wish I had a split door!!

We've got a full one on our 'van and it's got a large opening window with a fly screen - hate it!!

 

[SirRogerFFS]

Again another user of the split door,like most others ours is used for the purpose of the dogs

 

[Martin24]

Haven't had a split door since 2007 and still miss it! will miss it even more with Pupsie arriving Sunday!! 2007-2010 had full door with sliding window which was ok except it did let water in when cleaning the van. Since 2010 no opening window so door open or closed and not keen!!

 

[Willi-Wonti]

Like you Wendy we have a German van with a single door & large opening window, but we had a large fly screen fitted when we bought it.
We are happy with the arrangement

 

[Merlin53]

It would appear that the split door is for the canine fraternity, I cannot believe that in this day and age, this is a requirement when purchasing a 'van.
Looks like I could be in trouble with this comment!

 

[JohnGriffiths]

We just have to accept that everyone has different requirements. There was a rant on a forum recently about why caravan manufacturers waste space fitting showers and toilets when it was obvious no-one used them, and everyone used site facilities!. Well people do use them, including us, and manufacturers DO understand the market so that's why they fit them. I've seen similar diatribes against cookers, well suprise surprise, we use that as well. AND fitted beds!
I could say why do they waste money fitting radios or 12 v supply outlets that I never use. We always have an EHU and get radio through the telly. But I accept that some like to go native when camping.

.

 

[LMH]

Split door for us, keep the top open to get some fresh air in and the bottom one closed to keep the dogs in the van.

Lisa

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

We just have to accept that everyone has different requirements. There was a rant on a forum recently about why caravan manufacturers waste space fitting showers and toilets when it was obvious no-one used them, and everyone used site facilities!. Well people do use them, including us, and manufacturers DO understand the market so that's why they fit them. I've seen similar diatribes against cookers, well suprise surprise, we use that as well. AND fitted beds!
I could say why do they waste money fitting radios or 12 v supply outlets that I never use. We always have an EHU and get radio through the telly. But I accept that some like to go native when camping.

.

Spot on. Imagine the cost of a van if everyone had them built to their own spec.
We use everything in our van, even the 12v socket for the tyre compressor. The only item I haven't used so far is the inboard water tank but that will be used this coming December/January.

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

I cannot believe that in this day and age, this is a requirement when purchasing a 'van.

There you have it Merlin. As you can see from other posts that some vans come without split doors so you do have an option of buying a van to your liking

 

[Gagakev]

Yep split door for us, many use's
Fresh Air
Keep grandson in
Get OH to pass me Beers when I sit in the awning.
Dont really use it for puppy, he goes in and out of awning and van when he please's.

 

[Beachball]

We also have a split door and ours get used when we are away we shut the bottom half door and put the fly screen down to get some fresh air and it is wonderful...........