Anyone know what this may be on the roof?

[Orca Brody]

Hi all. I viewed another motorhome this morning and found 4 metal plates on the roof. I can only assume that they are to cover mounting holes from something, perhaps solar panels? The current owner has no idea as it was like that when he bought it. Anyone got any ideas? Thanks.

 

[Jim]

You are likely guessing right, but post a picture so we can have a butchers

 

[JJ]

Any photos?

JJ

 

[Orca Brody]

Sorry. Thought I had included photo.

 

[Orca Brody]

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[Gromett]

That looks like solar panels were removed.

 

[Orca Brody]

That looks like solar panels were removed.

Thanks for confirming. I wonder why they were removed.

 

[The Wino]

Given the even spacing I wonder if a previous owner had something rigged up on the roof to carry something like canoes.

 

[Brains]

Either solar panel removal, they don't last forever, they may have found it was cheaper to simply patch rather than replace.
You would expect evidence of a control panel inside.

The other option is some sort of rack or roof box with four feet that sat on top as was secured on the rails.
Maybe something like a canoe or windsurfer rack, you may be able to see wear on the rails.

 

[Guigsy]

If they were a pair of small solar panels, there should be a hole for the wiring too somewhere?

I'm with The Wino, I think they carried something up there. There's marks on top of the rails as if stuff has been dragged across. Maybe those plates were just to distribute the load for some feet?

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[Phill D]

Is there anything on the inside underneath the plates ?

 

[Orca Brody]

No, I could see nothing inside directly underneath where they plates were. I think the thinking of perhaps the plates being there to help distribute the load of some carrier feet could be right.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[pappajohn]

Nobody with any sense would stick plates that big over a few small holes and aluminium chequer plate isn't cheap.

Again, canoes etc

 

[Nigel P]

As they are either side of the Heki it may simply be anti-slip plates for escape hatch/walking on the roof. I have them on mine from the rear ladder onwards, quite useful as I stand on the roof to jetwash all the crap off that falls from the trees in our drive!

 

[IRHP]

It would be unusual to have a solar panel across the skylight.

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[Bailey58]

It would be unusual to have a solar panel across the skylight.

That was my first thought, must be for something that bridged th skylight unless they were panels each side.

 

[wolfie2]

Do you think they could be "reinforcement" plates for use when standing on the roof to clean it? Also less slippery than standing directly on the roof. just a thought

 

[The Wino]

Do you think they could be "reinforcement" plates for use when standing on the roof to clean it? Also less slippery than standing directly on the roof. just a thought

You'd have to be very accurate where you stood and the jump across the skylight would be interesting!

 

[SeanF1]

There's also a TV aerial fitting up there but the aerial has been removed

 

[gus-lopez]

Given the even spacing I wonder if a previous owner had something rigged up on the roof to carry something like canoes.

My first thought a canoe/kayak rack

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[BouncyBoatFolk]

Unlikely to be for kayaks as they would need to be more centrally mounted, where they are would be below the front or back kayk rocker.
Footplate's I'd go with, possibly to stop burglars slipping on the roof when making an elicit entrance?
Mike

 

[old-mo]

2 Solar panels, one either side of skylight..

 

[Peregrinator]

Hi all. I viewed another motorhome this morning and found 4 metal plates on the roof. I can only assume that they are to cover mounting holes from something, perhaps solar panels? The current owner has no idea as it was like that when he bought it. Anyone got any ideas? Thanks.

Look like foot plates

 

[Burgo]

Look like foot plates

Was it a French van? They do some very strange things, those French, and that roof light is in just the right place.

 

[BillyKontiki]

I would guess they are foot plates to know where to stand and get some grip while washing the roof.

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[Guigsy]

I would guess they are foot plates to know where to stand and get some grip while washing the roof.

I find it hard to believe that people would go though that much faff to clean the roof. Especially as you'd only be able to get there by going up through the roof light.

 

[BillyKontiki]

I find it hard to believe that people would go though that much faff to clean the roof. Especially as you'd only be able to get there by going up through the roof light.

Through the roof light, not a ladder or steps.

 

[Guigsy]

Through the roof light, not a ladder or steps.

If you've got steps and something to reach the rest of the roof, why do you need something to stand on just there? There's another 4m of roof beyond.

 

[BillyKontiki]

It’s a lot easier to wash the roof once you up there.

 

[Gromett]

Nobody with any sense would stick plates that big over a few small holes and aluminium chequer plate isn't cheap.

Again, canoes etc

If the solar panels were mounted with aluminium angle...