Outfitter Pop-up Truck Camper

Glad to help, Mtngrrl. LOL!

Thanks Oldtymeflyr - It looks like you're just down the hill from me...I'm in the foothills above Golden.

Super helpful information, thanks. I actually bought the same solar panel (Windy Nation, z clips) through Amazon. When I drilled the pilot hole to route the cables, it looked like the roof composition was only very thin veneer wood, over a foam core, which made me nervous running anything that wouldn't be a self anchoring screw.

My camper has a boat rack type thing on the roof, with three raised bar sections. I am planning to put the panel between the middle and rear rack sections, essentially right over the battery bank. I've already mounted the controller and have wired it into the battery bank, so the panel mounting and wiring are my last steps.

I did pick up some Dicor lap sealant, so I'm all set there...just need to figure out the particulars of actually mounting it. I'll take another look at the roof composition and depth, and will check out those screws that you've mentioned.

Mtngrrrl wrote:
I'm new here, first post...appreciate any and all help in advance.

Last fall I bought my third TC, a new to me 2002 Outfitter Apex 8. I've been dealing with some issues mostly stemming from the neglect of the last owner who hadn't touched it in 4 years. I've just had the roof re-sealed, and had the lift system rebuilt.

I'm now in the process of installing a solar panel, and have never installed one myself before. I've searched a bit, which is how I've come across this forum, but I haven't found the answer to my question, and I thought I'd ask here. I drilled a small core hole out of the roof which is where I'll run the wires, and it also helped me get a better idea of the roof composition...which doesn't seem very strong to hold a solar panel.

For those of you who have installed one, what sort of mounting bolts or mounting system are you using? Again, sorry if this is a stupid question...I'm pretty new to all of this, and thought that people with the same or similar roofs would be better able to direct me.

Thanks!

Mtngrrrl,

The Apex 8 roof is VERY strong. I would not worry about it.

I installed my solar panel without much hassle. I used the Z brackets sold by most solar panel vendors. I used an electronic stud finder on the roof to locate the aluminum tubing and marked them with a pencil line. I then carefully drilled holes through the roof membrane and the aluminum tubing but not all the way through the roof. I inserted the appropriate-sized threaded inserts in those holes liberally coated with Dicor and then set them with the tool. I used stainless steel hex head bolts to fasten the Z brackets to the roof and coated them with more Dicor.

The solar panel wiring went into a 1/2" PVC LB fitting installed in a hole I drilled completely through the roof. Liberal amounts of Dicor on this before I installed it too, for sealing and for gluing it to the roof membrane. And once the wiring was completely installed for the entire installation, I filled the LB fitting full of Dicor to "pot" it.

No leaks, everything works great.

I use a MPPT controller on my solar panel. Much more efficient than the PWM type....in my experience.

I can provide pics of my installation if you want. Send me a PM.

Mtngrrrl:

I have a 2007 Apex 8 with the electric roof option this lift allows the roof lift to have a greater capacity but does not affect the strength of the basic roof. We have an Outfitter installed roof rack and one Outfitter installed solar panel. This solar panel has been on the truck since 2007.

Our 2007 roof is plenty strong, I have walked on the roof, with it down and carried 200# on it with no problems.

On your question: I have reconfigured the solar panel that Outfitter installed and installed a second panel and will be installing a third panel when I get around to it and a new controller as well.

The second panel has been on the Outfitter for a little over a month and one trip of about 2000 miles at speeds up to 80 mph (this was to test the panel, I do not usually travel at this speed). The new panel has not moved.

I essentially used Outfitter's approach. Z clips from Windy Nation-ebay, they are commonly available. The Z clips are set in Dicor and I use a structural large round head screw about 1 1/2 inches long (These are not giant screws they have a 1/2 inch head and maybe a #10 shank but with slightly larger flight, I get them at Home Depot in a clear box of maybe 50 to 100 for $10, where they keep the various metal plates for structural lumber) going through the Z clip and Dicor, they do not penetrate to the inside of my roof. Top off with a generous amount of Dicor. Use wire cable clamps to hold down any wires more than say 18 inches long and maybe less, more Dicor.

The front edge of the solar panels is about an inch back from the face of the Outfitter. In this area the airflow is pretty disturbed and does not have the force necessary to rip off a solar panel.

Check the thickness of your roof to see what length screw you need.

Plan your system to include upgrades now so you know where you are going to put things and how much controller and battery you will need.

Good luck!

Rick

I'm new here, first post...appreciate any and all help in advance.

Last fall I bought my third TC, a new to me 2002 Outfitter Apex 8. I've been dealing with some issues mostly stemming from the neglect of the last owner who hadn't touched it in 4 years. I've just had the roof re-sealed, and had the lift system rebuilt.

I'm now in the process of installing a solar panel, and have never installed one myself before. I've searched a bit, which is how I've come across this forum, but I haven't found the answer to my question, and I thought I'd ask here. I drilled a small core hole out of the roof which is where I'll run the wires, and it also helped me get a better idea of the roof composition...which doesn't seem very strong to hold a solar panel.

For those of you who have installed one, what sort of mounting bolts or mounting system are you using? Again, sorry if this is a stupid question...I'm pretty new to all of this, and thought that people with the same or similar roofs would be better able to direct me.

Thanks!

I don't know the dry weight, Outfitter doesn't weigh their campers.

From their website, I'd estimate the dry weight at around 1000 lbs.

I may eventually weigh it but with my 350 I'm not too concerned about the weight.

Looks great!

What is the dry weight?

Very nice indeed. thanks for posting pics.

Thanks.

It's my first camper. I've previously done nothing but tent camping and historical trekking. It's a big step up from sleeping on the ground.

In doing the extended cabover they have to increase the depth of that section so they can use a 5" mattress. Much more comfortable than I expected.

Looks really nice. This looks like the new series camper. Great looking interior cabinetry, too.