The VWD Journal · Window Comparisons
Boots off. Dinner ready. A ridgeline beside your favorite seat.
After a day in the mountains, the rear lounge becomes somewhere to warm up, read, and watch the last light. The SL103-DS Double Slider and SL103-AW Premium Awning both bring screened ventilation and a privacy shade to listed Sprinter 170 driver rear-quarter applications. Here, the central choice is how you want the opening to work around your room.
Which feels right for your van?
SL103-DS · Choose SL103-DS if front, rear, or both-panel sliding operation suits your rear seating and storage arrangement.
SL103-AW · Choose SL103-AW if you prefer piston-driven awning operation and have suitable clearance for the outward-opening pane.
SL103-DS vs SL103-AW: the practical differences
| What matters in your build | SL103-DS | SL103-AW |
|---|---|---|
| Vent style | Front, rear, or both sliding panels | Piston-driven awning |
| Insect protection | Retractable insect screen | Retractable insect screen |
| Privacy control | Built-in privacy shade | Integrated privacy shade |
| Layout emphasis | Access to sliding controls and shade | Access to awning controls, shade, and exterior clearance |
SL103-DS: choose where to open the window
The SL103-DS offers front-panel, rear-panel, or both-panel opening. That flexibility is worth considering if the rear lounge has a cabinet near one part of the glass or if your preferred seat makes one control easier to reach. Its retractable insect screen and privacy shade are included in the listed design.
Imagine the small adjustments you make after a hike: settling onto the bench, opening the room to the evening air, and drawing the shade later. If you enjoy the sliding format, the Double Slider gives those moments a set of familiar, useful controls.
SL103-AW: a different motion, the same inviting room
The SL103-AW uses piston-driven awning operation, with a retractable insect screen and integrated privacy shade. Instead of choosing between sliding-panel arrangements, you operate the outward-opening awning.
That makes the exterior setup part of the decision. Check the open pane against nearby equipment and the complete vehicle layout, then confirm interior access around cabinetry and trim. Use the awning according to its weather and operating guidance. It can be a lovely fit for a rear room where you enjoy this opening style and the integrated privacy controls.
The mountain-evening comfort plan
Both listings specify the driver rear quarter on compatible 2007–2027 Sprinter 170-inch wheelbase vans. Confirm the precise body configuration before ordering. Then sit in the rear mock-up and check the view from the position where you will read or share dinner.
Leave controls accessible, consider another suitable ventilation point, and adjust the opening as mountain temperatures change. Actual airflow depends on weather and the rest of the setup. Either style can help the lounge feel thoughtfully connected to the landscape, so coming inside remains one of the pleasures of the trip.
A few helpful details
Do both options have a privacy shade?
Yes. The SL103-DS and SL103-AW listings both include a privacy shade and retractable insect screen.
Is the Double Slider automatically better for airflow?
The opening arrangements differ, but actual air movement depends on conditions, usable opening, and the rest of your van's ventilation plan. Choose the operation that suits your layout.
VWD has your back
VWD has your back as you turn the rear of the van into a place you love returning to. We want your window to stay enjoyable through years of mountain evenings. If a question or snag appears, get in touch and let's work toward getting you comfortable and enjoying the view again.
Explore both options: SL103-DS · SL103-AW. Review current specifications and the model-specific installation information for your build.