Forum Discussion

caver's avatar
caver
Nomad
Mar 23, 2015

Carrying portable solar panels

I have a 160 watt folding suitcase panel where the cells are on the outside when folded up. I'm tempted to carry them on my bed in the camper while traveling to prevent damage. Plan B is to slide them in the cardboard box they shipped in and store them in my large storage
compartment in the front of the camper. The downside is I have a lawn chair and some other items that compete. I would carry them in the bed of my pickup but it carries a dual sort bike and firewood etc.
It was my first dabble in solar for boondocking and I didn't want permanent since I may sell camper in the next year or two. Any other ides you've tried???
  • I carry my 120W solar panel kit on the bed, of my travel trailer. It gets moved aside if I need to overnight before driving again the next morning. Don't know if I'd feel safe about in the bed of a pickup that's 3/4 or 1 ton ride quality in roughness.
  • While of no help to those with the standard types, I recently saw some of those flexibile frameless type panels (intended to be secured down with adhesive) being used as portable temporary power. Being thin and lightweight it would seem fairly easy to store them face to face while taking up much less space. You'd probably still want a protective wrap of some sorts though.
  • Community Alumni's avatar
    Community Alumni
    My portable 120 watt kit came with a zippered duffel bag and I store it in the back of the SUV when traveling.
  • We've been carrying 2 245 watt panels in the bed of our pickup for a few years now with no problems. Just protect the front of the panel. :) :)
  • Thanks for the ideas, jogged my brain a bit. The maiden voyage with these panels is fast approaching.
  • Mine came with a lightly padded cloth bag which offers some protection. Stored on edge in the back of the tow vehicle...
  • I store mine in that compartment but they're not in the cardboard anymore. That broke up pretty fast. I use a hockey goalie's bag and a furniture blanket that is folded onto each panel. It is then laid flat on the bottom of the compartment and everything else goes on top, as flat as I can make them. So far so good, although that front compartment gets pretty full.

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