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03-14-2016, 06:24 PM
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#21
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 978
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The roof rail thing looks like the absolute best way to do this, bar none. Plus, if the panel breaks, it isn't too hard to pull it out without creating a mess, or adding more holes to the roof.
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03-14-2016, 07:14 PM
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#22
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 251
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mlts22
The roof rail thing looks like the absolute best way to do this, bar none. Plus, if the panel breaks, it isn't too hard to pull it out without creating a mess, or adding more holes to the roof.
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what if there`s none ?
__________________
1996 C-21 Triple E ..... 86 Jeep CJ quite modded , 84 olds cutlass resto mod ,
On or off road , I`m on the road ! roadtrips !
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03-14-2016, 09:34 PM
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#23
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 978
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigdan
what if there`s none ?
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Found that out the hard way that this is an issue. When looking at Transits today, I was pretty sure they had rack rails as an option. Apparently, not in the US, although I could have missed the code for it.
Would be nice though.
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03-14-2016, 09:37 PM
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#24
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Platinum Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Greer, South Carolina
Posts: 2,611
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There aren't mounting pegs like on the Promaster?
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03-14-2016, 09:43 PM
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#25
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 978
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Maybe this is a good reason for me to visit the local Ford or Sportsmobile place to go check for myself and snap some relevant photos.
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03-15-2016, 01:40 AM
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#26
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,197
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mlts22
Found that out the hard way that this is an issue. When looking at Transits today, I was pretty sure they had rack rails as an option. Apparently, not in the US, although I could have missed the code for it.
Would be nice though.
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Roof rail tracks can always be added. Either from the OEM or from Rhino-Rack or Yakima.
https://www.etrailer.com/Roof-Rack/R...ck/RTS514.html
https://www.etrailer.com/Roof-Rack/Yakima/Y01135.html
__________________
2024 Airstream Interstate 19
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03-15-2016, 02:58 AM
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#27
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,380
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The Transit has mounting points on the roof that accept standard metric bolts that can be used for attaching rails. Here is an example of a rail kit for the Transit.
Model 2102-0-01 Mounting Channel Kit, Transit, 102 in
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03-15-2016, 07:51 PM
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#28
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 978
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Definitely appreciate the info on this, especially for the Transit.
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03-15-2016, 09:30 PM
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#29
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Bronze Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: NE
Posts: 25
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I ended up using exploding (tri-pod) pop-rivets for my install. The same type of rivets kayakers use. They worked like a charm to attach my brackets to the fiberglass.
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03-16-2016, 12:23 AM
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#30
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New Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: TX
Posts: 8
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This 2016 Roadtrek CS-Adventurous XL 4X4 ETrek has both the raised solar panel and "embedded" flex panel
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03-16-2016, 12:48 PM
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#31
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,380
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oliver
This 2016 Roadtrek CS-Adventurous XL 4X4 ETrek has both the raised solar panel and "embedded" flex panel
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Have not seen that before, looks like Roadtrek has a large insert on the roof that has a flat surface to mount the panel. They have also attached a solar panel on the air conditioner cover on another recent delivery to maximize panels on the roof.
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03-16-2016, 01:29 PM
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#32
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Posts: 8,828
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Looks like it's embedded in an ABS shroud that is somehow attached to the roof. There were reports of the front shroud blowing off some Roadtreks so maybe this is the solution to that problem. The larger shroud would have more attachment options.
You probably have to find the exact same sized panel for replacement but that could be years down the road. There's a panel on my van that's over 20 years old.
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03-16-2016, 01:36 PM
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#33
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,380
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Yes, I found a picture from the front and it does replace the wind deflector that has come off while driving on a few occasions. I think it is a nice design change from the wind deflector...
I expect there will be some comments coming on problems with flexible solar panels but good ones mounted on smooth surfaces seem to work just fine in many applications...
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03-16-2016, 02:44 PM
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#34
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Posts: 8,828
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Next step for RT might be to hide the rest of the roof mounted stuff on the higher priced models.
I thought Leisure Travel's roof kit looked great when I saw one of their vans on a dealer lot last year.
Here's a poor quality animation I just made:
leisure travel roof kit.gif
The other side of the van looked even better.
Things like this could speed production as these type roof kits might be able to be pre-wired for solar, TV, satellite, cell & wifi boosters etc. Just paint, put them in place & add ordered options.
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03-16-2016, 08:08 PM
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#35
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,197
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markopolo
Next step for RT might be to hide the rest of the roof mounted stuff on the higher priced models.
I thought Leisure Travel's roof kit looked great when I saw one of their vans on a dealer lot last year.
The other side of the van looked even better.
Things like this could speed production as these type roof kits might be able to be pre-wired for solar, TV, satellite, cell & wifi boosters etc. Just paint, put them in place & add ordered options.
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I agree it was a great look, too bad LTV stopped making B-vans.
__________________
2024 Airstream Interstate 19
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