Do you have to bring in your solar each night?

[travelinmyblood]

I'm assuming the answer to this is a resounding 'yes' but if I am going to be joining the caravans, on BLM land, and traveling with a large, solar panel (5 foot X 2.5 foot), that I will not be installing on my rig, will I have to haul it inside my van each night?  

Thanks for your input.

 

[Blanch]

I use a suitcase solar system and usually leave it out all night. The answer really depends on where you are camped. If you are near areas like big cities I would at least make it less visible. Thievery happens. I had a generator stolen in Anza Borrego.




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[John61CT]

Not if it's permanently mounted to the roof.

If you mean portable, then depends where you are.

 

[Almost There]

I just re-aim it toward the morning sun so I don't have to haul my butt out of bed first thing in the morning.

I have never put my solar away just to have it put away. If I'm staying someplace where I don't feel it's safe to leave it out, then I'm in the wrong spot to start with.

I will put it away if everyone in camp is going to be gone at the same time so that the van is sitting there unattended.

 

[MrNoodly]

...then depends where you are.

Yeah. I've never noticed anyone taking their panels in at night. I've heard of people having their generators stolen, but not solar panels.

 

[RoamerRV428]

no, don't have to come in, but be weary of where you are camped and severe weather and all that common sense stuff

 

[highdesertranger]

I have never brought my portables in at night. highdesertranger

 

[Trebor English]

The only theft of solar panels I have seen mentioned in forums happened at the slabs.  That's a different world.

 

[bullfrog]

I'm just waiting to see someone running down the road trying to get away with a bunch of solar panels !!! LOL

 

[tamewolf]

It is very easy to drive up to a van and slip panels into your vehicle, and easy to pass off as your own if discovered. I have often sat outside in a nearly empty campground and seen people wandering around looking for portable stuff set out. They look around as they start to take it, see me watching them, and “casually “ stroll off—often waiting awhile for me to go in, before leaving.
I don’t leave anything out when I go, except a cheap chair. Panels, grills, propane campfires, generators, and in BLM particularly, RV tires are all high theft items. You won’t lose it every time, but if you leave a valuable item where anyone could take it, someone will.

 

[highdesertranger]

where are you camping? I would find a new area. you mention BLM what BLM land do you think is high crime? RV tires, really? sounds like Detroit. sorry Timmy. highdesertranger

 

[LoupGarou]

In Mexico, I locked my portable solar panels to the vehicle using a 25’ dog run cable and a padlock. The cable is long enough to place the panels out in the sun away from the vehicle.

The cable can be strung though chair and table frames should I need to prevent them from wandering off.

 

[Weight]

I would think that someone can not pull along side my van and slip the panels away. Mine have nuts, bolts, and screws. Some with safety heads.

 

[Blanch]

I use a solar suitcase, never have taken them in.


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[ckelly78z]

Most likely, a good place to put it would be underneath the frame of the van for the night to prevent wind/thieves/hail from damaging them. You could also lean them against the side of the van with a strap around them to prevent falling over.