[Mark Bird]

I've got an opportunity to buy a HR EL that hits most of my option list, except this van is a cargo with full glass (and privacy glass option) that I wasn't really planning on. I'm hoping that @gregoryx or others with full glass can provide tradeoffs or regrets from their experience.
I know that I'll need to get a full set of window covers, and that's a minor but extra step each time to deploy. I'll be using the van in Florida as much as nationwide travels, so I'd expect to need to cover up as part of the routine in combination with A/C. I don't think full glass impacts my layout much. There may be some upper cabinets blocking the windows slightly. Full glass also steers me away from a track actuator for raised bed and pretty much settles a column lift decision, which causes some ripple effects but is tolerable.
The lack of stealth doesn't bother me one bit. Having more light and view seems like a plus, except for at night when privacy may be needed. What else became a factor in your decision?

 

[harryn]

Personally, I would try to block them off as permanently as possible.

In this area, glass just equals heat coming in and theft invitation.

 

[surly Bill]

none whatsoever.
Glass can be covered, but steel can't be seen through for a view.

 

[CaptainUnderpants]

I don't think full glass impacts my layout much.
What else became a factor in your decision?

I guess it comes down to how you want your van to function. If I were living in my van full time, I don't think I would want as much windows. I on the other hand did not opt for a raised bed with garage underneath as many here do. As you note, this would make full glass awkward.

I wanted my van to feel more like a sight seeing vacation vehicle. Do I have any regrets around not having a big trunk to bring lots of stuff with me. Not really, because this is what I chose. The trade off on the plus side is I got a big living room (that becomes my bedroom) with lots of windows and light. As with any RV, everything is a trade off.

Photos of my van below. Not everybody's cup of tea, but then again I have 16' high glass walls in my house.

 

[kenryan]

I've got an opportunity to buy a HR EL that hits most of my option list, except this van is a cargo with full glass (and privacy glass option) that I wasn't really planning on. I'm hoping that @gregoryx or others with full glass can provide tradeoffs or regrets from their experience.
I know that I'll need to get a full set of window covers, and that's a minor but extra step each time to deploy. I'll be using the van in Florida as much as nationwide travels, so I'd expect to need to cover up as part of the routine in combination with A/C. I don't think full glass impacts my layout much. There may be some upper cabinets blocking the windows slightly. Full glass also steers me away from a track actuator for raised bed and pretty much settles a column lift decision, which causes some ripple effects but is tolerable.
The lack of stealth doesn't bother me one bit. Having more light and view seems like a plus, except for at night when privacy may be needed. What else became a factor in your decision?

All glass + Florida = Disaster

Don't shoot me. I'm just the messenger.

Disclaimer: The first three campers that I built had a total of ZERO windows.

 

[phil]

get some exterior One Way Perforated Window Vinyl Privacy Wrap Film

 

[RBull3321]

Depends on your goals and buildout wish list. I custom ordered a '22 15 pass high roof ext with the goals of using it to haul people, supplies, and camp, using it in a modular fashion to support its use. So far it's worked well. I made inside window covers myself out of translucent Coreplast, they go in and out in 5 minutes, $40 for the entire van. Added a $200 Wolfbox G900 rearview camera mirror and oversized front shelf with curtains.

Camping mode = 3 rear bench seats out, full interior one piece floor carpet, Iceco electric cooler/freezer, Goal Zero 3000x, 3000wt Invertor connected to CCP to charge Gaol Zero while driving, one piece bed deck made of 3/4 prefinished Birch with underside braces (deck sits on 4 4x4 post) at lower side window level (E-W) bed orientation add 4" folding memory foam mattresses. Can move from People hauling Mode (all seats) to camping in 30 minutes.

The passenger version also comes with side airbags, a fully finished roof inside, and rear AC (AC outlets the full length of the inside of the van).

For me is all about versatility and limiting the build-out cost

'22 5UX. 15 Pass HR EXT

 

[tngw1500se]

I only have glass in the rear doors and sure would like a window in the slider. Sometimes I get to a street that I have to make a right turn since I can't see if anything is coming.

 

[Mark Bird]

I was already presuming Tern-like windows above the garage as well as larger but not full size windows on the slider & driver's side. This is not a live-in van, and we do want some light & view.

I am concerned about heat and/or a lot less area of insulation will a full glass van. And while I am a Florida resident, I try to spend 180-1 days elsewhere to escape Florida summer. Lots of tradeoffs...no right answers

In this area, glass just equals heat coming in and theft invitation.

I'm not sure that theft potential factors in a ton. Yes more windows allows more to be seen, but any van at a trailhead or BLM with bunk windows has the same contents that I'm going to have. What I'm trying to say or ask is that isn't an RV a known quantity to a thief? I still have driver & passenger windows, so what's a few more? I'm not confident in my statement, just unconvinced.

 

[Mark Bird]

All glass + Florida = Disaster

I'm guessing that this is a heat rise / insulation statement? I need a 11k BTU A/C to maintain-ish the internal temp for a few hours during the day occasionally. That presumes the insulated window covers are deployed and my build out addresses insulation in a typical but not over-the-top fashion. I'm hopeful that's achievable but don't really know. I do believe full glass will make my goal harder to achieve.

 

[kenryan]

I'm guessing that this is a heat rise / insulation statement?

Correct. Instead of starting out with a solar oven, you will be starting out with a solar broiler. It is a problem that can be overcome. After all, spaceships survive re-entry into the atmosphere.

 

[RBull3321]

I'm guessing that this is a heat rise / insulation statement? I need a 11k BTU A/C to maintain-ish the internal temp for a few hours during the day occasionally. That presumes the insulated window covers are deployed and my build out addresses insulation in a typical but not over-the-top fashion. I'm hopeful that's achievable but don't really know. I do believe full glass will make my goal harder to achieve.

Privacy OEM glass is quite dark and limits heat, add some type of interior curtains or reflectors and youll be fine

 

[gregoryx]

I've got an opportunity to buy a HR EL that hits most of my option list, except this van is a cargo with full glass (and privacy glass option) that I wasn't really planning on. I'm hoping that @gregoryx or others with full glass can provide tradeoffs or regrets from their experience.
I know that I'll need to get a full set of window covers, and that's a minor but extra step each time to deploy. I'll be using the van in Florida as much as nationwide travels, so I'd expect to need to cover up as part of the routine in combination with A/C. I don't think full glass impacts my layout much. There may be some upper cabinets blocking the windows slightly. Full glass also steers me away from a track actuator for raised bed and pretty much settles a column lift decision, which causes some ripple effects but is tolerable.
The lack of stealth doesn't bother me one bit. Having more light and view seems like a plus, except for at night when privacy may be needed. What else became a factor in your decision?

Sounds like the same setup we have (as you've realized). All glass every time for us. Easy to close them off to where there's no light or privacy issues. Covers aren't cheap, though; heck, they cost more than windows would.

Only complaint is the Transit windows aren't as high as the ones in the Sprinter. Good news with that is the upper cabinets don't block them - unless they're /really/ large. Bad news is you can't see directly out of them for a nice view while you're standing up - or at least not if you're over five feet tall. Still a much more "open" feel inside than cabinets all around.

Clearly, not as good for building a refrigerated box truck. But, thanks to technology like gasoline heaters and battery-driven air-conditioning, it's not a big deal. We did all-glass in some crazy heat in the Sprinter without air-conditioning; not so comfortable, but we used to do that in a tent, so... not a big deal. In the Transit, I'm expecting to test the Undermount AC unit in Death Valley this summer... but even 20 degrees lower than ambient would make sleeping tolerable. The cold hasn't proven to be a problem: Sprinter wasn't as good in the cold - passenger-seat-mount 2kW heater - but the Transit with the 4kW heater mid-ship has been downright cozy at 30 below freezing overnight - and that's with just crappy Reflectix on the back four windows.

Sounds like you're planning on an up/down bed and may have already read some of our stuff. I think a track-actuator setup could still work - they'd go in the rear corners and between the two rear-most windows. But I really liked the simplicity of the column lifters. I'd definitely evaluate both options before doing it again, though.

Overall, the openness of all-windows is exactly what we're looking for in our adventures. We prefer parking with big, wide-open views with no-one around if possible. Either no covers go on or we'll put them up just to keep it dark on moonlit nights. Maybe weird to post photos of both vans in various camping spots... but that's why it's worth doing for us. So great to just have everything OPEN to the world we want to hang out in. That's why we're out adventuring - not to be shut away from it all; but to have a comfortable place to enjoy it from - and all-windows improves that objective.

Somewhere near or in Canada?

Some desert... ??

Sierras near Whitney / Lone Pine.

White Mountains

This spot exercised the AWD a bit to get there. A bit surprised the big beast made it up there.

Not a great view location... but I was cozy-warm inside the rig even with all this snow. It takes me a few minutes to put up all the covers. Totally worth it for all the above views. Evidently, the temps aren't an issue - at least not cold.

Here's rear window covers installed. Still feels pretty "open" overall.

And here's breakfast at the slopes. Drop just the top of the cover down (keep privacy - prolly still in my skivvies), crack the slider a bit to vent the bacon fumes. Rest of the van all still buttoned up for tight privacy. Pretty flexible setup.

I'd take that van in a heartbeat!

 

[GapRunr]

While the Privacy glass is pretty dark, it does little to prevent Infrared light from passing through, which is where the majority of the heat comes from. If it was me I'd get all the windows covered in one of the films that cuts IR heat by 95%. They are available with anywhere from 70% visible light transmission down to 5% limo tint.

 

[MsNomer]

No regrets whatsoever—in all kinds of weather. I cover only as necessary for light pollution, which is seldom.

 

[RancorPDX]

Disclaimer: The first three campers that I built had a total of ZERO windows.

How did you see out when driving?

 

[Bill65ford]

I have 2017 mid roof 148” with full glass, cargo van. When I drove it home from the dealer I was surprised how quiet it was. I expected it to sound like a drum. I bought cheap curtains, cut to length and ran shock cord thru the sleeve on top and hung to anchors installed on the sheet metal. I sleep on wooden platform in the back. Windsurfing gear under the bunk. I have a roof vent and with it on the van doesn’t get too hot. I may sew in magnets to make the curtains hug the windows closer. I wanted the van to look like a passenger van. Work vans get broken into.

 

[njvagabond]

I wanted the van to look like a passenger van. Work vans get broken into.

Seems logical, never seen any data. Of course would need to know that on a per capita rate, since the vast majority of vans are work vans. I suppose ones that look like campers are also more likely targets than passenger vans.

There is a member who installed black vinyl wrap in the detents cuz they liked the look of window van. No clue about how much the black vinyl impacts solar gain. There have also been some fun discussions on fake work van signage that might make a van a less likely target (biohazard response, cloth diaper service, etc.)

One advantage of a buying a windowless van is there is are "endless" options for installing your own windows (number, size, shape, location, style: sliding/awning/fixed/window in window, single pane/double panel ...)

 

[RancorPDX]

Our current van is a 1990 VW Westfalia with almost full windows. The farthest back window, driver side, behind the Westfalia cabinet, was replaced with a "Vanagon Overlander Window" (basically a metal window replacement) to mount recovery boards, etc, but that window wasn't providing light or views anyway. We've absolutely loved having full windows in the Westy, so we have opted for the same in the Transit.

Our Transit will be a Transit Trail, so fixed glass in the rear doors and slider. We opted for sliding glass between the B and C pillars on the driver's side, plus two more sliders between the C and D pillars, plus a small fixed glass at the farthest back side location. We like the look of full glass inside and out, especially since our rear area will have dinette seating for ourselves and friends to hang out when the weather is crappy.

We plan to have a full set of Van Made Gear window covers that can simply fold up and snap into place so we don't need to store most of the covers.

 

[swrod05]

I've got an opportunity to buy a HR EL that hits most of my option list, except this van is a cargo with full glass (and privacy glass option) that I wasn't really planning on. I'm hoping that @gregoryx or others with full glass can provide tradeoffs or regrets from their experience.
I know that I'll need to get a full set of window covers, and that's a minor but extra step each time to deploy. I'll be using the van in Florida as much as nationwide travels, so I'd expect to need to cover up as part of the routine in combination with A/C. I don't think full glass impacts my layout much. There may be some upper cabinets blocking the windows slightly. Full glass also steers me away from a track actuator for raised bed and pretty much settles a column lift decision, which causes some ripple effects but is tolerable.
The lack of stealth doesn't bother me one bit. Having more light and view seems like a plus, except for at night when privacy may be needed. What else became a factor in your decision?

I’m based in Florida as well. For my 2023 crew van I had aftermarket window tinting done. Vendor suggested ceramic tint. It was spendy but I’m soooo happy I went that way. I have the highest level of heat reflection they offered. Well worth it! L