Tucson, Arizona
Add more solar over the A/C unit.
Desert Vans designs simple, rugged, bolt-on roof-rack parts. Our Desert Vans™ Mesa Riser turns roof space that was unavailable into usable space, so you can fit more panels and more solar power on your van.
Featured product
Desert Vans™ Mesa Riser
Raise your solar panels nearly 8" above your roof rack and use the roof space over your A/C. More panels means more power.
- Panels install over the A/C, turning unavailable roof space into usable roof space
- More panel area on the same roof means more watts to charge your batteries
- A shaded A/C and a cooler roof come along as a bonus
- One-piece 14 gauge steel with no welds to crack. Bolts to your existing rack with no roof drilling
Real-world example
One van, four times the solar.
This Class B van left the factory with 200W of solar. Two 200W panels filled the front of the roof, the most that would fit. Then Desert Vans™ Mesa Risers made the roof over the A/C usable, and two more 200W panels went on over the A/C at the rear, for 800W in all.
Results depend on your roof, your A/C, and your panels. See the Mesa Riser.
Why Desert Vans
Built simple. Tested on our own van.
We make the parts we wanted for our own roof, then test them there first.
Unavailable roof space, made usable
The A/C unit blocks some of the best real estate on a van roof. Risers raise your panels so they install over the unit, and you can add power where there was no room.
Rugged, no welds
Each part is formed from a single piece of steel and finished in tough black powder coat that helps resist rust.
No roof drilling
Everything bolts to your existing rack with basic hand tools.
How it works
Three steps to more solar
Bolt on the Mesa Risers
Four risers bolt to your rack's two rails, one at each corner of the layout you choose.
Span with crossbars
A crossbar spans each pair of risers, nearly 8" above your rack.
Mount your panels
Panels bolt to the crossbars and install over your A/C unit.
Not sure it fits your rack?
Tell us your van and rack and we will help you check fitment before you order.