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.

 

[Simon Select]

Could be reinforcement plate to walk on the roof, could be that the old owner took whatever off his old van for his new van!

 

[Hymerboy]

Maybe a couple of granny boxes secured to roof bars

 

[TonyEmm]

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

It’s a Rapido! Mine has nothing like that…. They’re in the wrong places for standing on, you’d break your neck getting on there in the first place!
i’d put money on there being holes under there, whatever it was.
that amount of aluminium chequer plate isn’t expensive, it’s only off cuts. I’ve chucked bigger pieces away….and I’m Yorkshire born.

 

[The Wino]

It’s a Rapido! Mine has nothing like that…. They’re in the wrong places for standing on, you’d break your neck getting on there in the first place!
i’d put money on there being holes under there, whatever it was.
that amount of aluminium chequer plate isn’t expensive, it’s only off cuts. I’ve chucked bigger pieces away….and I’m Yorkshire born.

Maybe it was the start of an extreme hop scotch game!

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[Phill D]

i’d put money on there being holes under there, whatever it was.

That’s why I asked a number of posts back what was on the inside? The op said nothing whatsoever

 

[gwyntaxi]

That looks like solar panels were removed.

I would say they were definitely where solar panels were mounted, a previous owner probably removed them cos he's a bloody skinflint, same as a lot of standard and afterfit items had been removed from my van before we took delivery.

 

[dawsey]

There’s an easy way to find out, just remove it. My money would be on there being holes underneath, as others have stated.

Removing it should be easy if whoever put it there has simply beaded the edge, however if they have slopped polyurethane everywhere, you will need a bit more time and a long sharp knife.

Once you discover why it’s there, if indeed it is holes, you can then either repair them properly, install your own version of whatever it was that was removed, or simply glue the plate back on again. At the very least you would know.

 

[The Wino]

If it's showing no signs of leaking I'd leave well alone or if concerned buy a different one.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

There’s an easy way to find out, just remove it. My money would be on there being holes underneath, as others have stated.

Removing it should be easy if whoever put it there has simply beaded the edge, however if they have slopped polyurethane everywhere, you will need a bit more time and a long sharp knife.

Once you discover why it’s there, if indeed it is holes, you can then either repair them properly, install your own version of whatever it was that was removed, or simply glue the plate back on again. At the very least you would know.

Or, live in blissful ignorance. Perhaps check around the same footprint inside the van for any sign of damp.
I've been unable to see any signs that the plates have been to put any use as there's no evidence of fixing holes, studs, or old adhesive. Bit small for solar panels of much generation.
Mike.