Looking for grand design dealers who will do solar installs

[Horta42]

Hi all I am new here and looking to do a major upgrade on my RV experience. I have done a lot of research and settled on the imagine 2670mk as my model of choice(coming from a wolf pup 16FQ). I am in the Midwest and the local dealer is extremely hesitant to take on any kind of a solar install on a new trailer. I am wondering where others have bought their grand design rigs with solar added. I am willing to travel a good ways if need be. Granted I am looking to go a little beefier than what it is prewired for but as far as I can tell it just has the wire run down from the roof (which is to low a gauge for anything over 300 watts)and the rest has to be added anyway (controller, inverter, sub panel etc.)

Anyway if you bought your trailer with solar from the dealer can you let me know where you got it from?

Thanks in advance and Happy RVing all.

A Grand Design wantabe.

ps. sorry if this isn't the right forum for this question.

[Jkwilson]

I wouldn’t shop based on finding a dealer who can install solar. Few dealers are good at such installations, and many dealers won’t service a trailer they didn’t sell or will push you to the end of the line for service.

Find a dealer you are happy with to buy the trailer, then find a specialist to install the solar.

[Horta42]

Was kind of wanting to roll all of the cost into one big spend, but that is another way to go. If you use an independent installer would you end up with any warranty problems?

[openrangeowners]

I have not heard of very many solar panel installations causing issues with leaking. Most installers are very good at sealing the many penetrations they make in your roof. I did a DIY install and used Super Strut. I also used lots of Alpha self leveling lap sealant - first in the holes I drilled, then around the area the 3/8" lag bolt goes through, then all around the area in the Super Strut and covering the lab bolt and washer used for each mounting point. This becomes another area to check when maintaining my roof, but in reality I don't expect to have issues. As for warranty, if my camper leaked because of my solar install, then it is my fault anyway. Done right it won't leak. As for warranty, unless what you do is a cause/contributor of a failure and can be proven as such, your warranty will still cover everything it is supposed to.

I learned to do most things myself on all the campers I have owned. I trust my own work more than others in most cases. I good independent solar company will know how to do things correctly and will be held responsible if you have problems associated with their install (so do your homework ....)

If I were looking to have someone install solar, I would reach out to the Dry Campers (look on YouTube) and ask them for a recommendation - they are very busy but are also very helpful.

I would NEVER have my dealer install a complete solar package - they don't have the time to do the job I would expect. An independent installer with a good reputation will do a good job and you won't need to worry about warranty problems associated with their work. I feel the same way about my own DIY Solar - I did tons of research and took my time to do things right. I ended up tweaking a few things (overkill) but I know it is going to be reliable. So far so good. It has performed flawlessly and I have put it through it paces (running the AC unit for a couple of hours, running the Fridge (gas) on AC for a couple of days, testing out the microwave, the electric fireplace (should never use that with batteries - it is the most inefficient way heat your camper - like running a hair dryer ... but a good test otherwise).

The pre-wire 10 awg wiring and roof-mounted MC4 connections are great for my 1200 watts of solar (6 x 200 watt panels). I could add more panels if I do so in series and still keep the same wiring.

[Country Campers]

I have not heard of any RV dealers that will install a larger than factory solar system , but if they are out there and are reputable they would probably get a lot of work. I did see here on the east coast that there was a company that did travel to do installs but do not recall much about them. I would do some research to find a good company that does this type of work all of the time and have them do it then you have there warranty.

Brian

[ncitro]

I second everyone else here, I did my own install but if I was looking for someone to do it the dealer would be the last person I would ask. They do not have the time or work quality I would want on something like that. If you have any familiarity with electricity I would suggest you look into doing it yourself. You will save a ton of money, but most importantly you will know your system inside and out. At some point (probably at the most inconvenient time possible) something is going to break, and if you installed it you will know how to troubleshoot and bypass things to get you running again. I have had a few things go out on mine, and I was always able to get some kind of workaround going to continue our trip.

That said not everyone has experience in that area. If you need an installer I would suggest one of the Grand Design or RV solar Facebook groups, I see installers on there sometimes posting their work and where they are going to be located doing installs. I would trust someone who does them for a living to do a quality job much more than the dealer.

[Horta42]

Thanks, I'll check out Dry Campers. I am pretty handy and have done a lot research. I was hoping to avoid another project. My list is quite long at the moment. I am also coming to realize that the dealer might not be the best place.

Thank you both for the input.

[Trail Nija]

I know this comes very late in the game, but I agree - not to have a solar upgrade done at an RV dealership.

Solar installations require certification in AC and DC electricity. Although this highly trained individual might work at an RV dealership, it's highly doubtful.

Instead, I would recommend seeking out a solar installer who specializes in RV installations that will come to you. Check out YouTube, there are a number of guys who have reputable credentials.