Good Sam Club Open Roads Forum: Truck Campers: Solar Install


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WarrenS65

SoCal

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Joined: 05/18/2021

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Posted: 09/16/22 05:59pm

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I'm installing solar panels on my Host Everest. Does anyone know if the roof will support using self drilling screws, or do I need to hit a crossmember?

2022 F450
2022 Host Everest
2021 Yamaha YXZ1000R
1987 Honda TRX250R
2002 Honda 400EX
1998 Yamaha Warrior
2006 Yamaha Raptor 250
2018 Look 24' enclosed trailer

KansasKen

berryton, ks

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Posted: 09/16/22 06:11pm

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used a quality stud finder to located aluminum frame members. Roof between frame members is foam sandwiched between two luan layers

2011 Host Everest Triple & F350 Crew DRW 4x4 Diesel (both loaded see profile)

Ed_Gee

Central Oregon coast

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Posted: 09/16/22 08:54pm

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Avoid holes all-together by using Scotch 3M VHB double sided heavy duty tape - # 4950.

Ed - on the Central Oregon coast
2018 Winnebago Fuse 23A
Scion xA toad

Lwiddis

Southern California :(

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Posted: 09/17/22 07:55am

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Hitting a cross member on a roof without strong plywood is always the right way IMO.

Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad

Fishbreath

home

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Posted: 09/17/22 07:58am

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I second the VHB tape. That stuff is amazing. I have used it on three solar installs and have not had any failures.

Lwiddis

Southern California :(

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Posted: 09/17/22 08:09am

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The tape is great BUT it needs to stick to something substantial. For instance, not a rubber roof.

WarrenS65

SoCal

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Posted: 09/17/22 09:45am

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Thanks KansasKen. I'll do that.
Ed_Gee and Fishbreath: I have a rubber roof, so VHB tape is a no go for me.

Ed_Gee

Central Oregon coast

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Posted: 09/17/22 10:37am

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I should have exempted rubber roof from my previous post. My concern is you having enough cross members in your roof to provide adequate mounting for solar panels.