Hi guys, so for a while now I've been wanting to install solar on my travel trailer. Problem is I'm not very handy, a little on the heavy side and drilling holes through my trailer roof just doesn't sound great.Do you think it's possible to get the same amount of power generated from solar using the flexible foldout panels? Would it be possible to just use these during the day as we need them, then stow them away, without having to install a bunch of panels on the roof?I feel like solar tech is improving quickly. Don't want to screw up my trailer and spend a full day working on this if in 2 years Tesla comes out with some amazing portable solar generator. Thanks for any feedback.

Some folks are using super strong 3M tape and say it works as well as screws

my .02cts no ,for what you think your going to gain its not worth the possible leak down the road. by a bigger better battery.

Drilling a few holes couldn't be any worse than cutting 14" X 14" AC holes, 1'1/2" vent pipe holes, holes for TV antenna cable or skylite holes.

OregonMan wrote:Hi guys, so for a while now I've been wanting to install solar on my travel trailer. Problem is I'm not very handy, a little on the heavy side and drilling holes through my trailer roof just doesn't sound great.Do you think it's possible to get the same amount of power generated from solar using the flexible foldout panels? Would it be possible to just use these during the day as we need them, then stow them away, without having to install a bunch of panels on the roof?I feel like solar tech is improving quickly. Don't want to screw up my trailer and spend a full day working on this if in 2 years Tesla comes out with some amazing portable solar generator. Thanks for any feedback.I believe your flex panels are the best idea. Panels permanently fixed to the roof will get dirty and not be effective. I use a small pannel to keep the battery charged while I dry camp. And in the winter I hook it to the battery to keep it charged. I would go that way if I were you.

I mounted panels to my plywood roof with screws over 15 years ago. No leaks ever. I'm not all that handy either. I ensured that I was hitting the cross members and not just the thin plywood. I squeezed a little caulk in each hole before screwing into it and left a layer of caulk between the brackets and the roof, and then used good self leveling caulk over the top of the whole thing.

Drilling holes in trailer roof to install solar: worth it?

mr_andyj
Explorer
Mar 04, 2021
I advise strongly against those flexible panels.
Get aluminum frame glass panels.

The flexible panels have a shorter warranty period for one. Flexing can break things inside, so flex it once and never again.
Putting those directly to the roof means a lot of heat builds up under them, enough to "burn" the roof (get it hot enough to discolor the roof), and heat will damage the panels (degrade them over time). Panels need air under them.

You can certainly use portable panels, but since you have all that roof space just install on the roof. Solar will keep your batteries always correctly charged/topped off so that is a huge plus also.
jrloucks
Explorer
Mar 15, 2021
I had a small 60W portable solar panel to start. But I was always worried it was going to 'grow legs' and disappear. Eventually I purchased a 100W rigid solar panel and mounted the panel to the roof of our Class C using some Renogy RNG-MTS-ZB Solar Panel Mounting Z Bracket Mounts.

https://www.amazon.ca/review/R3A3ER2DUE46B5/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00BR3KFKE
memtb
Explorer
Mar 16, 2021
I’ve done it on 5 rv’s......a very difficult thing to do, as I’m always afraid that I will not get the hole “EXACTLY” where I want it. I use a plastic electrical junction box to run the panel wires into, and use pvc from the junction box into the rv attic. The junction box is screwed to the roof, with a very generous amount of epdm roof sealant between the rv roof and the junction box! memtb

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Drilling holes in trailer roof to install solar: worth it?

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