solar panel mounts?

[Jeepin'WNC]

Hello, I'm just starting out on converting a 5'X8' cargo trailer for mild off road camping (mainly forest service access roads, logging roads etc.) and also for camping at bike rallies. I would like to incorporate some solar power. I bought a partially completed cargo trailer conversion. The trailer was wired for shore power by the last owner, The shore power supplies three 110 AC outlets, and there is a DC converter to power 2 DC lights and a thermostatically controlled roof vent fan. I'm thinking of using 2 pole flat connectors in the output of the converter so I could still run off of 110 shore power if I were to camp in a campground, or connect straight to the 12V power from a deep cycle battery/solar panel(s).
I'm looking for any ideas as to how others have mounted solar panels to the roof of cargo trailers. I was thinking of buying a ladder rack, and mounting panels to that...Any ideas or comments would be appreciated.

[Shadow Catcher]

I have two solar panels one mounted to the roof and the other is a flexible panel that can be set out in the sun when needed. One of my big concerns is that I did not want holes in the Filon roof. I also wanted a mount that would make stealing the panel as time consuming and difficult as possible. I found ABS plastic mounts with recessed holes to bolt to the panel and found theft resistant screws not in the Harbor Freight 100 piece set. The seller of the mounts available in Europe were not willing to export them to the US. So I tracked down the manufacturer in China who was.
The mounts are attached with 3M VHB tape (no holes in the roof) after consulting with a 3M engineer.

[BC Cargo]

There is a guy on the web that used one side of an aluminum ladder to disguises the edges of his solar panels so he could park in a city and not be noticed as much…
I was thinking by buying a short cheap aluminum extension ladder and separating the ladders into the two units that you could mount the ladders to the roof and then the solar panels to the rungs. This would be light weight and rust free. The panels mounted to the rungs would be lower than the edge of the ladder and protected somewhat from trees as you drive down the forestry roads. It would also disguises the panels as well for down town city camping or thieves. The panels I just got are 1 foot wide and would be perfect for this.
Personally I like to park in the shade when in the bush to keep the heat down. Doing a little testing with my new panels show a very big difference in output between in the shade and the direct sun. Since my panels are made for portable use and have legs to sit on the ground in a sunny area…that is what I will be doing. Simple and much more efficient.
I guess you could also mount the solar panels to the two ladders and if parked in the sun leave them on the roof. If parked in the shade remove the two ladders with solar attched and put them in the sun. Best of both worlds... Kind of like that idea the more I think of it...

Good luck with your project.