house Posted February 7, 2020 Report Share Posted February 7, 2020 I have seen many of the newer trucks now have solar panels on the wind deflectors, it looks like from the factory. I was thinking about adding this to my truck. It seems like they have plenty of them for sale on amazon. I am wondering if just putting some machine screws through the grommets with washers would keep it on there? has anyone retrofitted anything like this on their trucks? any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted February 7, 2020 Report Share Posted February 7, 2020 Glue them down, if you absolutely want them. Dollar per watt, they are expensive, and their life can be short. Buyer beware. Quote I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 2000 Kenworth T 2000 w/N-14 and 10 speed Gen1 Autoshift, deck built by Star Fabrication 2006 smart fourtwo cdi cabriolet 2007 32.5' Fleetwood QuantumPlease e-mail us here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim & Wilma Posted February 7, 2020 Report Share Posted February 7, 2020 We mounted a rigid 50W panel on top of the cab to keep batteries topped off during extended parking. Used VHB tape to secure mounting brackets. Works well and can’t see the panel from the ground. Quote Jim & Wilma 2006 Travel Supreme 36RLQSO 2009 Volvo VNL730, D13, I-shift, ET, Herrin Hauler bed, "Ruby" 2017 Smart Class of 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyretired Posted February 7, 2020 Report Share Posted February 7, 2020 We have a short cab with a flat top. I anchored a 35 watt panel just like on the RV. It works great. Quote Randy 2001 Volvo VNL 42 Cummins ISX Autoshift Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
house Posted February 8, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2020 I have a pretty big airfoil on both of my trucks so there is no flat place to mount them, at least a decent sized one so this seemed like it might work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim & Wilma Posted February 8, 2020 Report Share Posted February 8, 2020 Our 50W panel measures 22” x 27”. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DCDQKII/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1 Quote Jim & Wilma 2006 Travel Supreme 36RLQSO 2009 Volvo VNL730, D13, I-shift, ET, Herrin Hauler bed, "Ruby" 2017 Smart Class of 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRum Posted February 8, 2020 Report Share Posted February 8, 2020 As said by other they don’t last long so I wouldn’t glue them down too good... Quote I've always been a tinkerer and a fixer... So what better way to stay active in my retirement than to buy an RV... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad NSW Posted February 8, 2020 Report Share Posted February 8, 2020 Portable panel here. Pull it out when parked. 2 mins to hook it up. It works when the truck is in the shade. Cheap easy and panels don't weather when not in use or on the road. Permanent mounts are great too. Just a matter of when want to spend the time: a. Upfront - mounting/drilling/waterproofing/securing lines. b. or a few minutes EVERY time you park for an extended period. Quote 2010 Freightliner, DD15 Eaton Ultrashift, 2015 New Horizons 5th Wheel. Occupants - Dena/Brad/Hershey BLOG LINK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
house Posted February 8, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2020 one of the ideas I like about mounting it on the air deflector, is that I dont actually need to drill holes in the roof, plus if I can just get away with using the grommets it will be easy to change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sculptor Posted February 8, 2020 Report Share Posted February 8, 2020 My first impression in comparison, would be similar to a blue poly tarp fastened by grommets. It would last until the first trip at highway speed. Unless you meant to remove it while traveling and only mount while parked? I don’t have solar panels yet and have not examined any so I could be wrong. Quote Kevin and June 2013 Volvo VNL 730 D13 Eco-Torque @ 425 Ratio 2.47 2014 DRV 36TKSB3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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