cannot remember if I had posted this before but as I was having the Awning out to clean and service all the mechanism I thought I would take a few photos of my centre support. This awning is long and needs some help to keep the tube from bending especially if it rains. I made this out of aluminum sq tubing and this is the first time I have really tested it. A few years ago we left our awning out overnight while in Mexico and during the night had a real downpour. Woke up to find a nice bend in roller pipe and had a heck of time getting it back to shape. This was my answer for future times even if it did not rain. If you like it and need any sizes I will gladly send them. It really makes a solid support and does not hinder walking around.
John h
Nice John. I had the same thing happen to me up in Maine. That was the wildest thunder storm I had ever experienced. Zip Dee web site has instructions on how to straiten the roller tube. That sure saved me.
Mark
Nice idea John!!! BTW do you turn off the leveling system to avoid damage should the coach lower its self?
We had our awning messed up in Maine last summer. I went to Zip Dee to have the thing replaced, then they told me how I could have straightened the tube.....oh well.
Roland
Are you going to keep it a secret on how they told you to straightened the tube ;)
I do not leave the auto mode on for HWH as it never changes.
To straighten mine I put a ladder support under both ends of tube then 3 of us grabbed the middle and hung on with feet off the ground. It pulled tube back to almost straight, not perfect but it rolls up easy now. I think it actually shows this method in the little booklet.
John H
Here are the instructions from the web site. http://awningsbyzipdee.com/media//DIR_50701/2d99233bd9c7072effff82ecffffd524.pdf (http://awningsbyzipdee.com/media//DIR_50701/2d99233bd9c7072effff82ecffffd524.pdf) I used a ladder in the middle since we only had two people.
Mark
Yea, they told me to have a big guy support the awning in the center while two other guys pulled on the opposite ends, supposed to take the bow out of the thing. Will have to give it a try next time I get a rain cramp.
Roland