TAILGATE or BARNDOORS
- Thread starter patbarn
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- barn doors tailgate
We went tailgate really only because of the option to have a 4 bike rack without a towbar. If there were a better 4 bike rack option for barn doors I'd have probably gone that route simple because of how much space is needed to open the tailgate (I have to move the van off the drive to open it). The difference in visibility seemed a moot point with a rack on the back. Horses for courses.
Depends what you use the van for i guess but as Paul says i have always found tailgate to be the best.
I've had barn doors on all our other vans, simply because the manufacture (Vauxhall) didn't have tailgates as an option at the time we purchased.
Buying into the VW brand was a huge decision because as a small business it's hard to justify the prices compared to other manufactures.
However, we justified this with 2 main reasons. First, I ordered a Kombi, so the vehicle is now multipurpose for my work and family life, and secondly the tailgate option meant that we can actually use this feature to shelter under whist working. This is a huge leap forward for us as a mobile business, because we'd sometimes have to cancel or re-schedule certain jobs because of the British weather, and now we don't.
So from a work/business prospective the tailgate option gives us far more flexibility.
Buying into the VW brand was a huge decision because as a small business it's hard to justify the prices compared to other manufactures.
However, we justified this with 2 main reasons. First, I ordered a Kombi, so the vehicle is now multipurpose for my work and family life, and secondly the tailgate option meant that we can actually use this feature to shelter under whist working. This is a huge leap forward for us as a mobile business, because we'd sometimes have to cancel or re-schedule certain jobs because of the British weather, and now we don't.
So from a work/business prospective the tailgate option gives us far more flexibility.
For a camper it's a tailgate, extra shelter, tents are sold that combine with the tailgate for extra living space.
For a work van it's a Barn door. Open easily in areas tight on space, a forklift can easily drop a pallet on the back.
Sadly my camper currently has barndoors. It's a shame but I shall make it work.
For a work van it's a Barn door. Open easily in areas tight on space, a forklift can easily drop a pallet on the back.
Sadly my camper currently has barndoors. It's a shame but I shall make it work.
I've had both and prefer barn doors, for a number of reasons.
1. I can open one a small amount to get stuff out without emptying all the heat out of the van.
2. Easier to open and shut. The tail gate requires a good shove and after a long dirty journey means you have to press the crap hard into your paint. I try to reach the vw badge to push against but it doesn't always work.
3. You need less clearance behind to open up with barns.
I take the point about the shelter though.
1. I can open one a small amount to get stuff out without emptying all the heat out of the van.
2. Easier to open and shut. The tail gate requires a good shove and after a long dirty journey means you have to press the crap hard into your paint. I try to reach the vw badge to push against but it doesn't always work.
3. You need less clearance behind to open up with barns.
I take the point about the shelter though.
Tailgate every time for me
Love the tailgate, you don't need much extra room behind to open. Brilliant as a shelter and mine is really easy to close, not sure why people are struggling with them, maybe they have stiffer struts or maybe need to man up a bit 
I previously had Barn doors with a rear spoiler and if someone closes the wrong door first, the spoiler gets damaged. Also barn doors can be dangerous in strong winds.
I previously had Barn doors with a rear spoiler and if someone closes the wrong door first, the spoiler gets damaged. Also barn doors can be dangerous in strong winds.
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