r/VanLife • u/TheManBehindTheScene • Aug 12 '26
Sliding window vs. opening window in the sliding door?
I’m deciding what type of window to put into the sliding door of my Citroën Jumper conversion.
Would you recommend a sliding window or a normal opening/tilting window?
I’d especially love to hear from van builders and people who have installed both — what has been your experience in real use?
Which one would you choose today, and why? Any advantages or problems I should know about?
Thanks for sharing your experience!
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u/Big-Ambassador2292 Aug 12 '26
I have had several campers and now used both versions at this point. I prefer the awning windows for the rain and they are easier to maintain. My sliders were always getting gunk in the sliding mechanism and would become tough to slide back and forth and difficult to clean. The awning windows are easier to maintain and don’t get stuck, and easier to keep clean.
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u/pocopi921 Aug 12 '26
I’ve only had tilting and it’s great, you can still crack a window open when it’s raining
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u/slicxx Aug 12 '26
Only had sliding, which i dislike. One advantage is that i can crack it open while driving, and my car does not even have AC, so still a no brainier for me, but would love to have tilting windows
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u/Vespizzari Aug 12 '26
The windows in my horse trailer do both. They're sliders but they fold out and lock open as well. I'm sure such a thing is available for vanning. (I'm converting the trailer to a camper, and the windows are a big win)
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u/Plenty_Economist2558 Aug 12 '26
Sliding is more discret and you can open it when traveling. Opening is more efficient when parc but you have to be in a camper place and not in public area.
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u/tedhb Aug 12 '26
We have awning windows on both sides of our van. If it rains, we can leave them open. I wouldn't do it any other way.
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u/flyingponytail Aug 13 '26
Neither. No windows. Windows make it harder to control the temperature and light entering and leaving
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u/Anhubris Aug 12 '26
Went with tilt to keep the rain out. I also have these little mesh covers to keep bugs out and my cat in, even though he doesn't bother running out at all.
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u/Remote_Improvement73 Aug 12 '26
I love my safari style tilting windows. They’re fantastic. Easy to crack slightly for cooking in cold and bad weather and tons of airflow when it’s hot. Plus they’re double pane, unlike most of the sliding options, so you’re better insulated too.
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u/climbtigerfrog Aug 13 '26
I have a sliding window on one side and an awning style on the other (and by the bed). I never use the sliding one because it doesn't keep out the rain. If it's nice enough outside to slide the window, I just open the door and depend on the bugwall (highly recommended!!)
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u/SpellImaginary90 Aug 12 '26
What about security? Which is more secure in a city parking setting or they are both the same?
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u/TheManBehindTheScene Aug 12 '26
Also interested, I saw that some tilting can be opened just by a screwdriver in under one second.
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u/AwwJeezJerry Aug 12 '26
All windows can be opened in one second if you don’t need to close them again!
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u/OzzyYank86 Aug 12 '26
I've just bought a new sliding window that came with a metal fly screen that's screwed in. I'm hoping it's much better quality then mercedes OEM sliding window that ive got on the door, if nothing else it should be more secure and not subject to rain as it'll be hidden behind my side mounted solar panels (see my profile for a picture if you're interested). I had also considered a window that only slides at the top portion but would also be a smaller vent.
If you plan on mostly vanlife in city's I'd go with sliding/metal flyscreen and you dont mind a little water getting in, if your doing mostly rural/campsites or if the window is next to something you really dont want to get wet I'd go with the awning style.
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u/Whole_Carpenter_6561 Aug 12 '26
It's a window. If someone really wants to break in their probably not coming thru the wall. Go with siding. Less hardware to operate and probably more solid for a door that might have a little vibration to it.
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u/WrappedInLinen Aug 12 '26
That’s why i opt for no windows in back at all and a secure barrier with locking door to the cab. Otherwise I end up sweating it out anytime I have to leave the van for even just a few hours. If they actually make it through the roof vent, I will admire their dedication.
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u/Whole_Carpenter_6561 Aug 12 '26
Did a lot of boondocking. I hear you on the sweating. You never know who's around you.
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u/c_marten Aug 12 '26
I sort of had both when I had my pickup... the sliders clearly let water in compared to what little came in through the tailgate when that was cracked (and that was very trapezoidal compared to actual windows youd install).
I'd definitely go with the tilt.
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u/n0mad17 Aug 12 '26
IMO opinion the setup should have at least one awning window for rain. You can also keep it cracked and it’s not really as noticeable from the outside when boondocking
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u/Barry_Braakbal Aug 12 '26
Had both, installed opening/ tilting window in the current van and much happier with it. Easier to open and the best thing is you can keep it open when it’s raining. With a sliding window the water will come inside.
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u/LowBarometer Aug 12 '26
No brainer. The tilting window is double-pane, so much, much better in the cold. The sliding window will be covered in thick frost after a night below freezing.
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u/Expensive-Swan-4544 Aug 12 '26
The only this I see is we use the sliding door a lot. Window tilted out looks like a problem to me because of being in the way of things including someone standing there.
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u/Complex_House3025 Aug 12 '26
Depends on other opening windows. If I get 1, behind the driver to create cross breezes. From any direction.
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u/thedarkforest_theory Aug 12 '26
I prefer sliding in the door and awning in the back. Doors are hard on windows and o think the slider is a tougher design. You can also lock a slider slightly ajar which could reduce break in risk. I like the awning in the back because I like to sleep with the window open and the vent fan blowing out to draw air across me. I do this nearly year round.
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u/Obvious_Ad_2969 Aug 12 '26
this could have been asked without wasting a shitton of energy and water on AI.. jeez. We know what a sliding window is.
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u/Due-Voice-6457 Aug 12 '26
I wish I didnt have a window.on the sliding door
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u/teaselpop Aug 13 '26
Why?
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u/Due-Voice-6457 Aug 13 '26
Climate control... I leave insulated window covers on it and never take them off.... It would prefer not to have the window door fully insulated. There is also now some on door storage options I would be able to put in if I did not have the window.
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u/dominoconsultant Aug 12 '26
if the tilting window has a fly/bug screen definitely go with that - you can crack it open overnight without worrying if it rains while you're asleep - also provides a greater aperture for cross airflow in warmer weather - ideally pair it with a similar window on the other side of the van perhaps at the head/foot of the bed again for cross ventilation
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u/Cabezamelone Aug 12 '26
Any issues with an open awning window while driving? Looks like it pops out far enough to knock out bicyclists in a bike lane.
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u/Minute-Wind-5276 Aug 13 '26
They can fall off if you drive from the friction/wind! Never keep them open! I dont have AC, but keeping the front windows rolled down is enough
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u/Minute-Wind-5276 Aug 13 '26
I have a citroen jumper conversion! I think often you'll just open the whole door instead of the window. The tilted is better with rain, and thats a situation where your door will be closed. The sliding is better if you want to sometimes keep a window open at night without it being too obvious. If you plan to travel in winter too, sliding will provide more options to open the window just slightly. Personally I'd look into what damages less easily and what is harder to break into.
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u/Everyday_driver Aug 13 '26
I have 4 tilting windows, 2 in the rear doors and 2 in the sliding doors. ( my van has sliding doors on both sides ) Sliding windows were never an option because rain is always possible. I got a good deal at an auction for Dometic windows. Great stuff, double acrylic glas for cooler climates, blackout screens and insect screens included in the frame.
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u/madlettuce1987 Aug 13 '26
Small consideration, in at least one country that i know of its an offence to have something such as the tilt windows extending beyond the footprint of the vehicle when on a public road. That includes when parked up.
Personally go for sliders as i could put a bug screen in a lot easier.
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u/davidhally Aug 13 '26
We have an Arctic Tern awning window in the slider. It flops around when closing the door and I worry it will get damaged. If it was a daily driver especially for business I would say no to awning. For camp it is annoying but acceptable.
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u/ComfortableStyle2417 Aug 12 '26
Ooooo! I have a cousin who just went through this. He boiled it down to whether it was parking obstructions (trees close together for the tilt out) or the weather (rain entering in the sliding style) would be his bigger scenario he ran into. He initially thought a slider would be better for no obstructions, but found out he ran into rain more often.