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08-03-2013, 06:20 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Trailer: none
Posts: 737
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Protecting Solar Panel
Is anyone doing anything (other than storing the trailer under a shelter) to protect their roof mounted solar panel from hail damage? Has this been an issue for anyone?
Thanks,
Fran & Dave
__________________
Fran & Dave Albuquerque, NM
2013 to 2022 had a 2008 Escape 5.0 Classic
2011 Frontier Crew Cab Short Bed Pro4x
Sold both 7/22
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08-03-2013, 06:57 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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I believe they are hail proof, as are most solar panels, they are not glass, maybe some kind of plastic coating.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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08-03-2013, 07:53 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Kelowna, British Columbia
Trailer: 2008 Escape 17b
Posts: 1,868
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I put a piece of high density foam ( similar to blue insulation foam ) on top of the solar panel cut to size, then cover with the Escape provided cover. I do this mainly because the framework of the solar panel is sharp and I don't want to rip the fabric cover. I now have the TV antenna ..... I'll get back to you on that in 2 1/2 months!!
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08-03-2013, 07:57 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Trailer: none
Posts: 737
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Quote:
Originally Posted by J Mac
I put a piece of high density foam ( similar to blue insulation foam ) on top of the solar panel cut to size, then cover with the Escape provided cover. I do this mainly because the framework of the solar panel is sharp and I don't want to rip the fabric cover. I now have the TV antenna ..... I'll get back to you on that in 2 1/2 months!!
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We don't have a cover for our trailer..it is a 5.0. But we were thinking about a plexiglass panel so that the solar would still be functional while the trailer is parked at home. We occasionally get some unexpected killer hail storms here...
__________________
Fran & Dave Albuquerque, NM
2013 to 2022 had a 2008 Escape 5.0 Classic
2011 Frontier Crew Cab Short Bed Pro4x
Sold both 7/22
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08-03-2013, 08:04 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Kelowna, British Columbia
Trailer: 2008 Escape 17b
Posts: 1,868
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Contact Escape if they did the installation. They know what is in the framework.
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08-03-2013, 08:45 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Reston, Virginia
Trailer: none
Posts: 212
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Quote:
Originally Posted by J Mac
I put a piece of high density foam ( similar to blue insulation foam ) on top of the solar panel cut to size, then cover with the Escape provided cover. I do this mainly because the framework of the solar panel is sharp and I don't want to rip the fabric cover. I now have the TV antenna ..... I'll get back to you on that in 2 1/2 months!!
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I have the antenna as well and don't know if I should remove the antenna before covering or if it will survive being covered ...
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08-04-2013, 08:47 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,365
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Mine has survived a 1/2" hail storm.
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08-04-2013, 10:30 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Newnan, Georgia
Trailer: 2013 Escape 5.0 "Day Break"
Posts: 140
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Speaking of covers, I keep my 5er outside and want to purchase a cover. Escape doesnt off any (they used to, but stopped for some reason) any longer. Does anybody have a suggestion where I may purchase one that would work on a small 5th?
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08-04-2013, 02:56 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: ,, Oklahoma
Trailer: 17
Posts: 840
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calmarkcovers Sunbrella
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08-05-2013, 02:03 PM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: North Bay, Ontario
Trailer: sold it
Posts: 82
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Quote:
Originally Posted by J Mac
I put a piece of high density foam ( similar to blue insulation foam ) on top of the solar panel cut to size, then cover with the Escape provided cover. I do this mainly because the framework of the solar panel is sharp and I don't want to rip the fabric cover. I now have the TV antenna ..... I'll get back to you on that in 2 1/2 months!!
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Same here. We have a great cover for our 5.0 but I too was worried about the sharp corners on the solar panel cutting it - so I cover the panel with a padded cloth first. We don't get hail here, but the trailer can have a lot of snow on it in the winter. I leave the trailer plugged in all winter with a timer to charge the batteries a bit every night, plus run a low-power heater to fight the moisture.
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John - North Bay, Ontario
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08-05-2013, 02:14 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: North Bay, Ontario
Trailer: sold it
Posts: 82
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gocamp
calmarkcovers Sunbrella
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We got ours from Calmark Covers as well, and are very pleased with it. They didn't have a ready-made one for the Escape 5.0 so I had to send them a bunch of measurements. Plus I pointed them to the Escape website and sent a picture of our trailer. I can email you the measurement sheet if you wish - although you will of course want to check it out.
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John - North Bay, Ontario
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08-05-2013, 05:19 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Cottage Grove, Minnesota
Trailer: 2013 Escape 19
Posts: 365
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jcrob
We got ours from Calmark Covers as well, and are very pleased with it. They didn't have a ready-made one for the Escape 5.0 so I had to send them a bunch of measurements. Plus I pointed them to the Escape website and sent a picture of our trailer. I can email you the measurement sheet if you wish - although you will of course want to check it out.
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Has anyone purchased a Calmark cover for their Escape 19?
__________________
John and Brenda
Cottage Grove, MN
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08-05-2013, 06:35 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Santa Cruz, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19
Posts: 755
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I bought a Calmark for my 17, and am pleased with it. I, too, send them my measurements.
I use foam pipe insulation around the perimeter of the solar panel to protect the cloth from sharp edges. The solar even continues to provide a small charge through the cloth.
__________________
2019 Tundra CrewMax Limited TRD 4WD
2014 Escape 19
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08-05-2013, 11:33 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Washington State, Washington
Trailer: 2013 Escape 19
Posts: 43
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We've only had a Calmark cover for our 19 for a couple of months but so far so good. It seems very well made and Calmark has a great reputation. They were so busy we had to wait 5 weeks for it, though!
Lisa
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08-06-2013, 07:11 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Cottage Grove, Minnesota
Trailer: 2013 Escape 19
Posts: 365
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FamilyFun
We've only had a Calmark cover for our 19 for a couple of months but so far so good. It seems very well made and Calmark has a great reputation. They were so busy we had to wait 5 weeks for it, though!
Lisa
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I wonder if they have the measurements on record for an Escape 19. We won't be able to take measurements until we are back from our trip at the end of September.
__________________
John and Brenda
Cottage Grove, MN
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