Buuta4, you bring up a good point. Since they are mounted very high, I think they might be too high to be damaged from flying rocks, but bugs are another matter. While they are hail rated to take quite an impact, especially if the angle if incidence to the impact is only 10 degrees, (unlike a windshield mounted at about 70 degrees) I'm not worried about them breaking or even chipping from rocks, but I will need to watch for low hanging limbs (though this is no different than if they were roof mounted,) They will need cleaning more often than panels mounted at zero degrees, but cleaning them will be much easier than roof mounted panels, especially with the angle which will allow water to run off more easily than a flat panel. Alternately, I could mount them absolutely flat, flush with the cab of the truck during travel. However this would necessitate building a lower topper which would prevent me from being able to ride my 2 motorbikes into the bed.
I could cover them with a canvas or nylon cover during transport. Though they would stay cleaner, the flapping and chafing of the canvas might cause scuffing of the glass and be worse in the long run than simply cleaning them a little more often. Plus the canvas would prevent collecting sunlight during the time the truck is in use.
I think many people envision the panels at a 30 degree angle, however I will be dealing with a 13.6 ft. length of panels making the angle to the wind very small. I'm just using 10 degrees as a max estimate, however I think the angle of attack will actually be more like 8-9 degrees once the precise measurements are taken. For instance, a 2 ft rise over the cab in the rear would equal an 8.5 degree angle. I would have to go 2' 5" over the cab to make a 10 degree angle, which is more than I think will be needed.
Chip
