We all have stuff we want or need handy while seated and belted in the driver’s seat. The easy thing to do is buy a suction cup mount and stick it to the windshield. That is what most drivers do and in most cases, they are in violation of FMVSS 393.60(e). This rule concerns itself with "prohibition on obstructions to the driver's field of view- (1) Devices mounted at the top of the windshield" and "(2) Decals and stickers mounted to the windshield."
Antennas, Transponders or similar devices must not be mounted more than six inches below the top edge of the windshield. They must not be within the sweep of the wipers, or in the sight line of the driver to the road, signs or signals. An alternate is easy enough to create if you are a little handy with tools and have some imagination.
We run with two GPS's, not mounting to the windshield was some of a challenge since the Cascadia doesn't have a smooth enough place to mount a suction cup. I chose the top of the dash just right of the steering wheel but needed a smooth enough place to mount to. I was in a chrome shop walking around one day and spotted a permit plate that would work perfectly. It's about ten by five inches with a ninety-degree bent mounting lip about an inch wide. I first laid the plate on the dash where I wanted it to figure out how to mount it.
I really don't like drilling holes in the dash so I just looked from the outside and there it was. All I had to do was use a small piece of flashing riveted to the plate in the mounting holes already in it to make the short lip of the plate about two inches longer. I then loosened the two screws of the defrost vent, the ones to the most left and top left. The flashing was thin enough to slide between the dash and the defrost cover. I did put a piece of two-sided tape between the top of the dash and the plate to keep it stable. Tighten the two previously loosened screws and install was complete. The defroster vent cover has enough clamping force to keep the plate in place, along with the tape, no vibrations no squeaks and moveable from Cascadia to Cascadia with no drilling.
The bracket I made for the dash cam was a little more difficult. It required some cutting and bending of two-inch aluminum angle material. I first chose the location to give the camera the best view. It had to be where it wouldn't interfere with our view or the privacy curtains when pulled closed. I had a six-inch piece of two by two angle material so that is where I started. I have a vise in my shop so after clamping the material in it, I started cutting. Having a basic idea what I wanted the bracket to look like helped. I knew I had to get the cameras view in a clear area of the windshield, so a ninety-degree bend would be required to get away from the center windshield divider.
After many trips in and out of the truck for fitting, I was finally happy with the fit and started working on the finish. Some filing and sanding and it was done. I hid the wires the best I could but I did have to drill two holes to mount the bracket. These holes will not be noticeable when I remove the bracket as I will put them back in to fill the holes. Unless you knew that a bracket had been there, the holes won't be noticed.
Keeping things off the windshield is following the law, most accessories come with a suction cup mount with the only place to utilize it being the windshield. Creating brackets is one of the things I really enjoy. Trying to use existing holes or panels to clamp a bracket, so when removed there is no trace the bracket was ever there.
Create brackets of your own, be legal, and be safe.We all have stuff we want or need handy while seated and belted in the driver’s seat. The easy thing to do is buy a suction cup mount and stick it to the windshield. That is what most drivers do and in most cases, they are in violation of FMVSS 393.60(e). This rule concerns itself with "prohibition on obstructions to the driver's field of view- (1) Devices mounted at the top of the windshield" and "(2) Decals and stickers mounted to the windshield."
Antennas, Transponders or similar devices must not be mounted more than six inches below the top edge of the windshield. They must not be within the sweep of the wipers, or in the sight line of the driver to the road, signs or signals. An alternate is easy enough to create if you are a little handy with tools and have some imagination.
Create brackets of your own, be legal, and be safe.