Westcan Van Safety Partitions & Bulkheads
Van safety partitions and bulkheads
A safety partition separates the cargo area from the cab so an unsecured load cannot reach the driver. It is the single most effective piece of equipment in a loaded van, and it does two other useful things: it cuts cargo-area noise, and it keeps heating and cooling in the front of the vehicle instead of conditioning an empty cargo bay.
Westcan builds these in aluminum in Chilliwack, BC, CNC-cut to each van rather than adapted to fit. Absolute Autoguard carries 91 partitions covering Transit, ProMaster, Sprinter, Express, Savana, NV and Metris.
Types
- Fixed partitions — a solid barrier behind the front seats. The standard choice, and the most rigid.
- Contoured partitions — shaped to follow the seat backs, recovering usable cargo length in a short-wheelbase van.
- Sliding door partitions — full-height lockable doors on heavy-duty slides, giving floor-to-roof access between cab and cargo with one-finger operation. Newer versions install with templates for correct alignment and take roughly 30% less time than the models they replace.
- Behind-second-row partitions — positioned behind the second row of seats to protect rear passengers, or to act as a second cargo divider in a crew van.
- Driver-side and passenger-side only — half partitions where you need protection on one side and access on the other.
Panel options
Most partitions are available with solid, perforated or windowed panels. Solid gives the most separation and the best noise reduction. Perforated allows airflow and some light through. Windowed preserves rear visibility through the mirror, which matters more in a van than most people expect until they have driven one without it.
Fitment and installation
Fitment is published on every product, down to roof height and wheelbase — a partition for a 144” Sprinter high roof will not fit a 170” extended, and the tables say so plainly. All mounting brackets, hardware and instructions are included. Depending on the trim level of your vehicle, some modification may be required.
Install partitions after liners and before shelving. The estimated install time is published on each product page.
Common questions
Do I need a partition if my load is strapped down?
Restraints fail, and loads shift in ways nobody plans for. A partition is the barrier that works when everything else has not. Many fleet insurers and safety programs expect one in a cargo van.
Solid, perforated or windowed?
Solid for maximum separation and the quietest cab. Windowed if you rely on the interior mirror. Perforated as the middle ground.
Will a partition fit a van that already has shelving?
Usually, but the partition wants to go in first. Tell us what is already fitted and we will confirm before you order.
