Simple Solar Panel Mount

So I don’t think anybody has come in and been disrespectful or made any personal attacks. I think they’re having real, straight forward discussion because the situation is unsafe and calls for direct communication. Some say it a little bluntly, others with a bit of humor. Either way, OP posted and wanted opinion and he’s getting it. You’ve been more upset from response than he has been, so I don’t think it’s that big of an issue.

It’s a creative concept, just not the right one for something with size and mass that isn’t actually attached to anything reliably. Would be a great solution for something else, I’m sure.

 

Oh really?

How are these not rude? Would you say it to a stranger's face? Nope.

I like how you assert that I'm "more upset" than the OP, considering he hasn't been back and responded since before the vitriol. I'm not upset, I just think there could be more civility. It would be a real shame if the OP didn't read ANY of the comments on this thread about the genuine safety concern because someone said his idea was "dumb ass."

 

Rude is tying a metal panel to the roof of your truck and risking it flying off and potentially killing someone. That's rude and then some.

And yes, I would say it to a stranger's face if I saw him getting ready to pull onto a highway with that contraption tied to his roof.

 

Gotta love an internet tough guy.

 

It was a questionable idea in the first place, admittedly my only test run was late at night on a seldom traveled road. Yes, cross bars are the easy answer but I was experimenting with the idea of a low profile roof mount. I don't mind the hate, just be constructive. Tell me why it won't work. I recognize that the way the line is run is not ideal to hold against a vertical torque on the front edge, but the current line configuration does hold the panel the best if you are only cinchinging two anchor points, if you cinch four anchor points and come off the panel at a 45 degrees and use amsteel and load rated hooks why wouldn't this work? At this point it is a curiosity more than anything.

 

I'm actually pretty tough in real life and at least I go by my real and good name on the internet which stands behind what I post.

 

Here is another idea: https://www.cascadia4x4.com/product...6-present-vss-system-85-watt-hood-solar-panel

 

Pot, meet Kettle.

 

You could do some clamps/whatever attached to the rack bars with a plate attached to the clamps. Then attach solar panel to plate

 

It's all good, as some one who is prone to dumb ideas and enough curiosity to see how dumb they really are I recognize there is a personality/view that runs contrary to my way of thinnking. I see something that I find questionable and possible unsafe I ask myself, "Is it as bad as it looks and/or could it be made workable?" My brother who is a professional safety guy just calls it "dumb assery" and moves on. I am not saying one point of view is better than the other, it takes all types to make the world go round.

 

Absolutely right. I was just concerned about the harshness of the replies.

But if you don't care than neither do I.

 

This thread isn’t about you, buddy.

 

The right attitude.

 

PM me if you want to continue this.

 

I've had good luck so far with a flexible panel vhb taped to the roof. Highway, rain, and sun so far have not been an issue. The flexible panels don't have the same lifespan as the rigid ones but for the convenience of not having to drill any holes or mount any racks... I have a 1st gen though so the roof on yours might be more problematic? Just my 2c.

 

I'll leave this here.....

 

Here is the current iteration, while it is not nearly as revolutionary as my Darwin nominated soft mount it is still fairly simple and inexpensive. Only issue is wind noise which starts about 40mph. I have some ideas to remedy this with Gorilla tape and some foam.

 

My panel is left over from a camper I built. It was mounted with vhb and Gorilla tape. It went across the US and back with no issues. The only reason I don't want to mount it to my truck in the same way is it took the better part if an afternoon to pry it off the camper I don't want a mount that permanent on my truck.

 

If you are not using permanent mount then you don't need the hardware, just place the solar on the crossbars... when you leave, just take it off and place it in cab or topper before you go on the road. That's simple. You can even place the solar on the ground or wherever you place it at so you can charge whatever you use it for.

 

Thought that looked pretty good until I saw the price.