Solar Panels On Rubber Roof

[HangDiver]

Originally Posted by aeblank

Hmmm.
As much as I hate to, I'm starting to lean in your direction.

Gives you something to think about doesn't it. Painful part will be drilling a larger diameter hole clean through the roof. Maybe after you do one or two you get use to it. The more I think about it the more I like it. Will spend some time in my TT tomorrow thinking this through.

Thank you Beauty for the idea!

[aeblank]

I'm not afraid of holes, actually. With all the stuff on the ceiling, I doubt many would notice.

I bet McMaster has those nuts cheaper, too. $4+ each? Ouch.

[Beauty and Beast]

Originally Posted by aeblank

I'm not afraid of holes, actually. With all the stuff on the ceiling, I doubt many would notice.

I bet McMaster has those nuts cheaper, too. $4+ each? Ouch.

That cost was for a bag of 4 pieces.

[aeblank]

Originally Posted by Beauty and Beast

That cost was for a bag of 4 pieces.

My bad.

Can't find em at McMaster either. Aaah well.

Edit- 90835A300. $9.70 for a 25pk. Was hoping they'd have white, but they don't. Not that anyone cares, I know. I'll probably be doing it this way now, so this is kinda for me for later. [emoji1]

[HangDiver]

Just want to say thank you to all who contributed to this thread. This has given me a lot to think about. Panels arrived today and I may tackle this within the next couple of days if the weather starts to dry out. Leaning towards the Beauty and Beast solution or maybe even a hybrid with 1" screws at each end. Don't know yet.

Thanks again everyone.

[aeblank]

Please post progress for the rest of us that are a year behind you. [emoji6]

[HangDiver]

I certainly will!

[Beauty and Beast]

Here are a couple of pics from the interior which is not finished yet.

[aeblank]

Sure seems minor to me.

[corleykj]

Sorry to resurrect.

I have read some threads and found some great information. On my previous camper I think it had a fiberglass roof, and I used 3m uhb tape and taped the 100 watt solar panel down. It has worked awesome. But my new wolf pup has a rubber roof I believe (2020?). My concern is if the heat trapped under a solar panel will damage the roof properties if heat is trapped under the panel?

Any advice is greatly appreciated. I don't want to drill holes the second day I have owned it.

[richp]

Hi,


My experience with multiple panels on three different RV fabric roofs has involved them being raised about two inches above the roof on brackets. The air space thus created seems to eliminate any issues of this type.


FWIW.


Rich Phillips

[JeffPatton]

I've read through this thread and appreciate the posts, but I'd like to take it a step further. I'm a very new owner of a lightly used 2015 24RG Wildcat Maxx trailer, and would like to install solar panels. Rather than screw them through the thin roof membrane, or through-bolt all the way through the roof to the interior ceiling, I'd like to obtain a diagram of the beams internal to the roof structure and bolt the panel clamps into those structural beams.

Now, I'm making an assumption that there are beams in there, but as a manufacturing engineer I think that would be the cheapest and fastest way to build the roof, with foam in between the beams, so I'd be pretty surprised if there weren't transverse beams at some interval. However, I've tried to contact Forest River several times to get a diagram showing the location of the beams but haven't been able to get a response.

Does anyone know of a way to get a diagram of the roof structure for this trailer? Thanks,
Jeff

[nayther]

Originally Posted by JeffPatton

I've read through this thread and appreciate the posts, but I'd like to take it a step further. I'm a very new owner of a lightly used 2015 24RG Wildcat Maxx trailer, and would like to install solar panels. Rather than screw them through the thin roof membrane, or through-bolt all the way through the roof to the interior ceiling, I'd like to obtain a diagram of the beams internal to the roof structure and bolt the panel clamps into those structural beams.

Now, I'm making an assumption that there are beams in there, but as a manufacturing engineer I think that would be the cheapest and fastest way to build the roof, with foam in between the beams, so I'd be pretty surprised if there weren't transverse beams at some interval. However, I've tried to contact Forest River several times to get a diagram showing the location of the beams but haven't been able to get a response.

Does anyone know of a way to get a diagram of the roof structure for this trailer? Thanks,
Jeff

Doubtful at best you'll find a diagram and then subject to manufacturing tolerances you couldn't count on it. Pull out a vent cover surround from inside and you should be able to poke your head up enough to spy a roof truss or two. Once you locate one, and if they're on 16" centers or whatever, then you should be able to layout their location. Thinking on doing the same when I get to solar on my Wildcatt

[richp]

Would a stud finder be useful for this?

[JeffPatton]

I'll give a stud finder a try & let people know what I find out.
Jeff