Hey Dan, hope you guys are well.
Looks like you are getting lots of advice, so I am going to take a different approach the problem.
I considered all this when I got panels and concluded that (for me) it was better to permanently mount panels on the trailer roof. No, you don't get as much of a charge when in the shade (surprisingly, I often do get enough, especially under conifers ..... but not so much under deciduous trees). However, IMO, the advantages of roof mounted panels outweigh the negatives with; shorter (and heavier i.e.; larger diameter) cable runs, no worry about theft, the batteries charge when on the road and parked at home, no set-up and monitoring of the panels, no storage space needed for the panels/wire/controller, and no fussing (more time for hiking, etc.). And I suspect if you made this change, you would wonder why you hadn't done it sooner.
Additionally, there is no reason (other than cost) that you couldn't use a combination of permanently mounted panels and your portable system if you wanted that occasional extra boost when in the deep shade.....though I suspect that after a few trips you will start leaving the portable system system at home.
Anyway, there you have it. A different approach to the problem.
Regards.
