tilted panels and wind speeds

[Jims94vmx]

What wind speeds concern you to lay the panels flat? Would you keep them tilted up to 20mph gusts?

Thanks

[KamFlyer]

What wind speeds concern you to lay the panels flat? Would you keep them tilted up to 20mph gusts?

Thanks

It would depend on a number of factors. How big are your panels, how are they mounted, wind direction, etc. Our previous rig had large residential sized panels mounted with 1/4" lag bolts into the roof skin and they easily withstood 20-30 MPH wind gusts when tilted at 40°. The whole trailer shook though!
-Rob-

[Jims94vmx]

Thanks. As a follow up, when you went to larger lag bolts, did you prefer drill or just zip them in?

[KamFlyer]

Thanks. As a follow up, when you went to larger lag bolts, did you prefer drill or just zip them in?

What I did was to set the panel in place with mounts attached then mark the bolt locations with a felt pen. Removed the panel and predrilled the holes with a 3/16 bit. I then injected some lap seal into the holes and a bead around the holes before setting the panel back in place. A bit more lap seal on the lag bolt threads then screwed them in. Finally covered the mounts and bolt heads with more lap seal. Also make sure your lag bolts have threads right up to the head.

-Rob-

[Jims94vmx]

What I did was to set the panel in place with mounts attached then mark the bolt locations with a felt pen. Removed the panel and predrilled the holes with a 3/16 bit. I then injected some lap seal into the holes and a bead around the holes before setting the panel back in place. A bit more lap seal on the lag bolt threads then screwed them in. Finally covered the mounts and bolt heads with more lap seal. Also make sure your lag bolts have threads right up to the head.

-Rob-

Nice, thanks. The bolts I got from tilt manufacturer were self tapping and the heads are barely large enough to cover slots. Hitting Lowe's today for some supplies.....will take a tilt bracket to size up bolts. While I am sure what I have is fine, I would rather over do it.....thanks

[KamFlyer]

Nice, thanks. The bolts I got from tilt manufacturer were self tapping and the heads are barely large enough to cover slots. Hitting Lowe's today for some supplies.....will take a tilt bracket to size up bolts. While I am sure what I have is fine, I would rather over do it.....thanks

Make sure you get stainless steel bolts and its a good idea to use washers as well.

[Jims94vmx]

Make sure you get stainless steel bolts and its a good idea to use washers as well.

Thanks....for the 3rd bracket I used 4 ss lags and 2 of the self tapping that came with bracket. Waiting on my 4th panel.....