2nd Van attempt

[LeighR]

I first designed and did built-ins for a Ford minivan. I found it to be too tight with a dog and a fairly regular job! Then the head gasket blew out on New Year's Day. Took me several months to find another. Just bought a Chevy Express conversion which is really nice because I can stand up in it! Just now removing seats, etc. Problem is I have 2 solar panels mounted into a wooden frame that was formerly attached to my Ford roof rack. With this curvy fiberglass conversion top, I am having an extremely difficult time finding the best way to get my panels up there securely! And it is a MUST DO! No matter what idea I come up with, there is some obstacle because of the way the roof is designed or the shape of the ceiling on the inside or all the racks are too short or the gutter clamps are reviewed as insecure, etc. I'm hoping someone can steer me in the right direction before I lose my mind! I have been a subscriber for about a year and watch various videos when I have time.

 

[RvDreams]

Welcome LeighR to the CRVL forums! To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips, Tricks and Rules" post lists some helpful information to get you started.

Most of our rules boil down to two simple over-riding principles: 1) What you post should provide good information (like your introductory post), and 2) Any response to someone else's post should make them feel glad they are part of this forum community.

We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[bullfrog]

Make them portable or carry them on a hitch cargo basket? Hinge them from the top of the rear doors and use extendible poles when stopped? The whole roof is fiberglass so a lot of work to get something that will sturdy enough that will allow enough air flow. Only other way is to build out from the sides and take a chance of knocking them off.

 

[StacyK]

I wish I could find the video, but Bob did one a few months ago of someone who had mounted her panels on the inside of her doors and then recharged by opening the doors. (Iirc she also had a way to move them outside?) She’d had some trouble with theft, and this was her solution. If your job is 9 to 5, it wouldn’t do you much good. Still—maybe some fresh ideas there.

 

[Qxxx]

Leigh, I know a woman who has a van very much like yours with a fiberglass hightop, and she moves her solar panels outside when camping. I have just a single 100W panel that I do that with, and it's not much trouble, but she does it with 4 panels. It's a bit of trouble but not too bad when you are staying put for a few days. And the lifestyle is much more enjoyable if you're not traveling continually, day after day.

I bought her a PIR motion detector to put outside, but she's never actually had any theft problems herself.

It's also possible you could mount some panels on the (driver's side) outside wall, like Panda did on her old rig. You can see it here.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwaGC6GC3yS48u-D4vTcv0g

 

[mjbeam64]

https://www.amazon.com/Highland-200...ds=vehicle+gutter+mount&qid=1597267441&sr=8-7

You could modify these by installing steel plates to make them extend up higher.

<Edit>Oh, doesn't look like your gutters are exposed anymore due to the fiberglass roof.