T6 Roof dimensions for solar panel

[ChrisG87]

Hi,

Random question, but does anyone know the roof dimensions for a 2018 swb T6?

The reason I'm asking is Im wondering if a 375w solar panel would fit (1769 x 1052 x 30mm)? I don't have the van yet so I can't measure the roof, and searching online I just keep getting different answers and not sure which is correct!

Cheers!

 

[TallPaul_S]

Hi,

Random question, but does anyone know the roof dimensions for a 2018 swb T6?

The reason I'm asking is Im wondering if a 375w solar panel would fit (1769 x 1052 x 30mm)? I don't have the van yet so I can't measure the roof, and searching online I just keep getting different answers and not sure which is correct!

Cheers!

Is that a rigid panel? Or semi flex?

My rigid 305w panel is 1658 x 1002 x 35mm.

 

[ChrisG87]

Cheers for the photo! I'm currently thinking this one, it's rigid.

I'm wondering if it might be a bit too big for the roof actually if it's 11cm wider than yours Might have to stick with the 185w to be safe

 

[TallPaul_S]

Cheers for the photo! I'm currently thinking this one, it's rigid.

I'm wondering if it might be a bit too big for the roof actually if it's 11cm wider than yours Might have to stick with the 185w to be safe

View attachment 274220

How are you going to be mounting it? Is it on a std roof or pop top? The std roof is curved quite a bit in both directions and the big panels are hard to fit well. You can fit between roof bars and rails or on a rack like me.

1002mm Vs 1052mm is only 5cm so not that much bigger width wise.

 

[ChrisG87]

Just on a standard roof, no pop top or roof bars or anything. Decided to go for the 185w in the end, not sure I'd actually need 375w but was being greedy haha Cheers mate

 

[TallPaul_S]

Just on a standard roof, no pop top or roof bars or anything. Decided to go for the 185w in the end, not sure I'd actually need 375w but was being greedy haha Cheers mate

You can never have enough solar! But yeah a big rigid panel on a std roof isn't easy to fit unless you want to drill your roof. I looked at the abs plastic corner mounts but wasn't happy with the gaps at the front and back, and certainly wasn't going to have just 4 mounts held down by glue securing a big 300w panel!

Mine is very securely mounted to my roof rack.

 

[Afx]

where did you get these mounts please? I’ve used the front runner ones and the frame of the panel is coming apart as it’s only a few attachment points

 

[TallPaul_S]

where did you get these mounts please? I’ve used the front runner ones and the frame of the panel is coming apart as it’s only a few attachment points

Was that aimed at me? If so, the mounts I've used on my rack are basically just aluminium L section/angle cut down into shorter bits, drilled for the mounting bolts, then rubber pads added between the mounts and the rack. The big old nyloc bolts and nuts securing it all down. I've done thousands of miles on this now and it's not moved a mm.

 

[Afx]

Hi Paul
Thanks yes I’d meant to quote you but clearly failed. (Like my panel!) do you get much wind noise out of interest? Cheers

 

[TallPaul_S]

Hi Paul
Thanks yes I’d meant to quote you but clearly failed. (Like my panel!) do you get much wind noise out of interest? Cheers

Not a huge amount, it's sometimes noticeable if the wind is in a particular direction but otherwise not at all. I recently drove back from Spain on the French autoroutes, sitting at 130kph (ish...) and can't say I noticed anything.

 

[Afx]

Great, I shall do some construction then. Mine sounds like the roof is coming off!