Community Forums

Smaay · 09-08-2022, 04:21 PM

I have a 2004 Monaco Knight 38 PPD. I am going to install a few solar panels on the roof and I want to know what im drilling into. I plan on caulking and sealing of course. I just need to know if there is structure for the screws to bite into.

Thanks

donr103 · 09-08-2022, 09:41 PM

The great members here post.. use stud finders and use pencil to mark structure.. and many say.. just screw in gently.. don't strip out.. then seal all up.. they claim the roof has about 1/4 To 1/8 wood and it holds just fine.. so you will be fine either way.. I just glued mine down.. no holes and eternabond tape.. oh.. some use 3m double sided tape.. industrial type..claim it last for yrs..
Good luck and keep us posted

Isaac-1 · 09-09-2022, 01:27 PM

I am not sure about your coach, but a lot of Monaco products of that era had a 2 part Aluminum roof with a seam down the middle covered by a strip of about 4 inch wide tar backed tape.

Sinyyl · 09-14-2022, 01:57 AM

Need pictures.
Overall, metal is rear other than on buses. Rubber roof is not often seen on diesel pushers. Most likely fiberglass. It is thin, screws can't grap, you will be screwing to the plywood deck panel or better the metal frame. For solar panel, screw to the deck will do.

153stars · 09-17-2022, 05:17 AM

If you remove the interior bezel from fan/vent ,you should be able to see some layers. The insulation layer will be behind vent framing cut out.

Mike in Austin · 09-17-2022, 05:23 AM

Screen shots from the 2004 Monaco Knight brochure…
Maybe a stud finder would help you locate the roof framing members.

Smaay · 09-19-2022, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike in Austin

Screen shots from the 2004 Monaco Knight brochure…
Maybe a stud finder would help you locate the roof framing members.

Mike thanks, thats a big help. What length screw do you suggest I use and what type? I assume a self tapping type?

I dont feel comfortable just gluing the panels down, at 65MPH with a 30MPH headwind is just asking for trouble.

Mike in Austin · 09-20-2022, 04:12 AM

Click on the HOME button at the top left of this page and scroll down. I suggest you ask the question in the CLASS A MOTORHOME discussions forum. Lots of folks have installed solar panels on the roof and should be able to advise you.

RobRoy · 09-23-2022, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike in Austin

Click on the HOME button at the top left of this page and scroll down. I suggest you ask the question in the CLASS A MOTORHOME discussions forum. Lots of folks have installed solar panels on the roof and should be able to advise you.

The last one doing so that I remember reading about here at iRV2 went sideways pretty quick when one of the solar panel mounting screws he installed had punctured the insulation for the 110vac wiring in the roof that feed the refrigerator.

The easy part was figuring out why the fridge didn't work due to the circuit breaker kicking out.

The hard part was finding out which screw was causing the issue and then they were not able to access the wiring from the inside without a major amount of work......so they had to cut a hole in the roof big enough to get their hands in to make the repair to the wiring and the sealing the roof back up

Just saying for the OP ...... he needs to know specifically where the studs are...and where the wiring runs thu the roof.

Anything less is a guess and good luck Charlie on that.

( there is a post in the archives here ...Ill be darned if I can find it )

Happy Trails