We have a solar suitcase we implement from time to time to supplement the solar panels we have on the roof, particularly when camping in forests or on cloudy days. Nothing wrong with trying to eek out an extra .25A/.50A, but as you have stated it may be more work than it's worth.
We have a Renogy solar suitcase and use the rear mounted solar charger until it went through one heck of a monsoon storm, ordered a slightly better water resistant solar charger from Renogy. We did go with a heavier gauge wire mounted directly to battery, simply deploy and connect.