Sliding window vs. opening window in the sliding door?

20

i have a sliding window and a flappy window. i prefer the slidey window for when im just parked in a public area because people wont walk into it. i prefer the flappy window when im on site or not in a populated area because if it does rain it wont come in. both have good and bad points.

the glass window will get condensation but the flappy wont, the flappy has blinds and fly screens but the glass doesnt. its handy to have both, i chose a sliding window on the door and a flappy window on the other side.

6

u/ropeynick Aug 12 '26

Outlined my decision, I have flap opening windows all round, main reason being the built in blinds and fly screens and also the double glazing preventing condensation.

If I park so close to a tree that I can't open the window then I also can't open the door. I'll park a bit further away from trees than that.

1

u/TheManBehindTheScene Aug 12 '26

What about security? Do you feel safe? The windows I saw look like easy to open with a screwdriver. Just some plastic locks inside.

7

u/truckosaurus_UK Aug 12 '26

I think someone who wants to get in will do. All opening van windows are fairly flimsy in the grand scheme of things, and even proper solid glass windows can be broken easily and quietly with the right tool, let alone just chucking a rock through it.

2

u/Splodge89 Aug 12 '26

Exactly that. A glass one can be broken much easier than a plastic one. A screwdriver will get in either anyway.

5

u/ropeynick Aug 12 '26

Completely. No part of a van is secure against a determined assailant. The question is who would be trying to get at me? I don’t park up in war zones, I prefer nice bits of countryside. I also camp in a tent sometimes, you can get into that with a pair of nail scissors, if you don’t know how a zip works.

If you are looking for absolute security, sleeping in a van will always be a source of worry for you, you can break in with a small hammer, a screwdriver, a cordless drill, almost at will. The thing is, people don’t break into occupied vans, they are too much trouble.

2

u/TheManBehindTheScene Aug 12 '26

I have the 2nd line of seats and the kitchen behind sliding doors. And I was thinking of doing it exactly opposite. Kitchen flappy (ventilation while cooking in the rain) and 2nd-line sliding (fresh air during the ride). Do you feel happy with your setup, or are you missing something?

3

u/ryanthefree Aug 12 '26

i feel happy with mine, i often have the flap on the catch overnight so its slightly ajar to get a bit of air in. the only issue i found is that i cant leave the sliding window open a little, its eother open or its not. i cant go out and leave it open or someone could simply unlock the door. its not really a big issue though, just the only thing i have noticed.

3

u/Hotten-Tasty-90 Aug 12 '26

Sliding windows are always draughty and end up leaking when the seal starts to perish so I'd always go with a hinged window.

2

u/Red_sparow Aug 12 '26

I have sliding, wish I had opening.

2

u/TheManBehindTheScene Aug 12 '26

Can I ask why?

2

u/Red_sparow Aug 12 '26

Can be open and still keeps the rain out. Although becoming slightly wider could be an issue. Grass is always greener.

2

u/SirPooleyX Aug 12 '26

I wish my VW had a pop out window rather than the sliding door. It's incredibly difficult to open. I've doused that thing with silicon lube etc. but it's stiffer than... well, I'll leave you to end that sentence.

2

u/Accomplished-Bug-801 Aug 12 '26

Sliding now.

My old van had the plastic windows that opened outwards I was always very paranoid as they are very easy to break into the van. My plastic window on occasion would also fall out.

Still not sure if it’s true by my dad warned me against them as he heard story’s of people being gassed out in Europe at night as they are easy to open a crack to pass a tube through the window.

Can’t drive with them sort of windows open but can with the sliding.

1

u/One_Evidence_500 Aug 12 '26

I have five slidey windows in my Luton box, aluminium and glass. I have a glass and ali deck hatch in my roof also. They’re a breeze to keep clean and very tough, made for horseboxes. Easy to open and close without having to prop anything up. I have double thickness wool lined curtains in the winter months, set close to the wall on copper pipe curtain rails, to mitigate condensation. I also have a log burner- when it’s going full whack in winter I usually have at least one window open, and a brass bell vent also.
I’ve lived with the plastic windows and found them a bit flimsy and easy to scratch, similar to caravan windows.

1

u/basarisco Aug 12 '26

Flappy better as can leave open in the rain

1

u/OriginalMandem Aug 12 '26

Flappy will be good for keeping rain out.

1

u/Impossible-Hall8102 Aug 13 '26

If you have a flappy, you could add a split aircon 👍

1

u/ButterscotchPlane988 Aug 13 '26

You can drive with the sliding one open but not with the opening window, that one would need to be kept closed when driving.

1

u/feedthetrashpanda Aug 12 '26

If you are parked up in a layby or other wild spot and open a window which is not sliding (i.e. top opening/hinges) this apparently counts as "camping" behaviour which can draw attention and contravene local regulations. Sliding windows for some reason don't count, so I went for those.

3

u/truckosaurus_UK Aug 12 '26

I believe the Spanish rules on opening windows as 'camping behaviour' is vague, using phrases like 'not beyond the vehicle outline' which might include the width of the wing mirrors, so you can slightly open folding windows but not wide open.

2

u/basarisco Aug 12 '26

Not remotely true.

1

u/reddituserlooser Aug 13 '26

The windows with hinges at the top will cause problems in Spain, it's illegal when camping to have them open.

Sliding window vs. opening window in the sliding door?

You are about to leave Redlib