Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: New member with questions re Solar

New member with questions re Solar

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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15333
Printed Date: 19 Jun 2025 at 3:28am
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Topic: New member with questions re Solar

Posted By: jpeacock
Subject: New member with questions re Solar
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2022 at 8:02am

Hello. I am a new member here and a new owner of a 2022 R-Pod 202. One of my first projects with the new R-Pod is to install solar panels on the roof. I purchased two 100w panels with Z brackets. I have a some questions regarding the best way to affix the panels to the roof.

1. With the Tufflex roof can you use 3M VHB tape to mount, or are screws needed for a secure attachment.

2. If using screws, stainless of course, how long can they be? The ones that came with my panels are 1 1/4" long.

3. Is the roof structure strong enough for me to just drill into any location and get adequate attachment or do I need to secure into supporting beams?

4. If the Tufflex roof is ok for just adhesive tape securement, I am thinking of using the 3M VHB tape on the Z brackets then covering each one with a length of Eternabond tape say about 6 to 8" long by 4" wide. Will this work?

Thanks in advance for advice and help. We are excited to begin using our new R-Pod. Been an advid camper/RV'r for over thirty years and have owned just about every RV style available. Where we are in life this trailer is perfect for out adventures.

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jpeacock

Replies:

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2022 at 1:07pm

Here's my comments.

I wouldn't depend solely on pressure sensitive adhesive tape to hold someone big like that on the roof. The uplift forces can be really high, hundreds of pounds. There have been solar modules which have come off when just using that stuff.

You can certainly use the VHB tape but use mechanical fasteners as well, and prep the surfaces properly and be sure there is no moisture on them or the stuff won't stick. Ask me how I know. LOL

I'm not certain what the roof structure of you trailer is like, it sounds different than the older trailers were. But you want to attach to the roof structural members, not just to the sheet material. The older trailers roof and walls were 1 inch thick so 1.25 inchesight be a little long depending on how thick the z bracets are.

Eternabond should do a good job sealing the attachments.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: jpeacock
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2022 at 2:05pm

Is there someplace I can get a diagram or drawings that might indicate where the structural beams are at?

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jpeacock

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2022 at 7:09pm

I very much doubt FR would share comstruction drawings. Look about 2/3 through and this shows how the smaller pods are constructed. Don't know how pertinent this is to the larger ones.

https://youtu.be/QXNYA73rCNE - Rpod construction video

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold