Well, not much changed on our trailer between 2022 and 2024, however we did install a panel on the truck.
Over the last couple of years, we’ve done some upgrades to the truck including radios (ham/CB), and a sound system. We also installed a GPS based alarm system. This alarm system unfortunately is a noticeable parasitic load, so we were running down the batteries every 10 days or so. We were always having to worry about either being able to park close enough to run out an extension cord to the truck to plug into the trailer with (so it could tend it’s own batteries) or having to start the truck and drive it every few days.
We finally had a spare moment this spring, and decided to install a panel so we could stop worrying about it.
For this, we went with a Rich Solar 150w panel. Using Unistrut, we created a mount which attached to the original brackets this truck had on it from a previously installed satellite dish. The dish was something that used to commonly come on these Sport Chassis trucks. The prior owner had removed it, leaving the brackets on the roof. This worked out perfectly for us.
We fed the line through the roof using a Seaview Stainless gland, then though the ceiling and rear interior trim panels. Here, we decided to utilize a 75/15 Victron MPPT. We then connected it into the truck’s power system, which also includes a Victron 2000a Shunt.
Now the truck stays topped off, and we don’t even have to think about it.
