Passthrough (or walkthrough) refers to the ability to reach the cargo or living area of the vehicle from the driving area. Passthrough can increase the available living space, especially if your driver and/or front passenger seats swivel toward the back. This term may also refer to the actual area one passes through, as in a bulkhead, or to the ability to access your vehicle's garage from the living area.
Advantages
Passthrough offers increased space and access to your possessions.
Being able to park without getting out of your vehicle to get to your living area can significantly increase your stealth.
Being able to get to your driver's seat without getting out of your vehicle can increase your security; if you need to make a "quick exit" in certain situations you don't have the vulnerability of opening your doors.
Disadvantages
Some people may not want a passthrough for comfort reasons: if you can see the driving area of your vehicle from the living area, you may feel like you're in a vehicle instead of a home.
If you are in a high crime area, a smash-and-grab criminal may break your cab windows; if there is a wall between the cab and living space the thief would need to make a second break-in to get to your other possessions.
Vehicle options
Passthrough availability for different vehicle types:
- Yes: Most vans, buses, motorhomes, step vans, cars, minivans, SUVs
- Maybe:Box trucks
- No passthrough:Trailers
On some campers the lack of formal passthrough can be worked around. For example, in box trucks the rear cab wall can often have a portal cut in it. In cars and SUVs one might be able to wiggle to the front (especially if the passenger seat is removed). In low roof vans one can usually stoop to get into the cockpit.
