I have opened up the window awnings - very nice!
I would like to open the large patio awning, and so far I located instructions on the web for ZipDee NX patio awning (which appears to be the type I have) but there does not appear to be a loop to grab onto for this one as the illustration shows, and as there is for the window awnings.
Can anyone tell me what you need to do after unhooking the latch and pulling moving the Z-Lock lever down? According to the illustration there is supposed to be a strap - but I don't see one...
Any help would be appreciated!
The strap may be missing or up inside the awning out of sight but that is how the awning is usually opened. You may be able to partially unroll the awning with one person on a ladder at each end of the awning tube and hopefully the strap will appear.
Thank you! That's the confirmation I needed - there *should* be a strap. I will get some help and give that a shot! Will let you all know how it turns out.
Most likely the tail of the strap might have gotten tucked inside and out of sight. That shouldn't have happened if it was rolled up gently while holding on to the strap. In the middle of the awning (where the strap should be), I would use a ladder to reach up and unroll the awning by untwisting it with your hands and try to find the strap. The spring on the big awnings is usually just strong enough to make it roll up (sometimes needing a little hand twist to get it started). What the big awning lacks in spring tension (compared to window awnings) it gains in momentum due to its larger mass - so slower and more gentile motion is called for. That would be my first step - trying to find the strap tail.
Rich,
We have a 99 U270 with what I believe is the same main awning. We have only set it up a few times and it seems we have to reverse engineer it every time we do. Once you have found the strap and get started make sure to have at least one other person to help as you learn it.
And welcome to the club!
Len & Deb
There should be a awning pull rod that you hook in the strap, Once you find the strap! If someone rolled it up without holding the strap with the pull rod it will roll up into the awning, It happened to me and the ladders had to come out to get the awning open enough to retrieve the strap.
Awning Pull Rod - Dometic 830152.102 - Awning Accessories & Hardware -... (http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/awning-pull-rod/4430)
That happened to me recently, I rolled the strap into the awning. I took a long nylon rope tied each end of the rope to the top of each awning leg pulled the awning down using the centre of the rope until the loop was visible. Didn't have anyone to help me so I used a friendly nylon rope.
Roland
I'll try solo first - thanks VERY much for the confirmation and tactics - I will report back!
Before consulting the collective wisdom, I had already asked Paul - he had never used the large awning.
He had explained to me earlier how the coach had been on consignment in FL (I believe that is where) when Paul bought it 5-6 years ago. Before he got it a tire-kicker had made off with the original manuals, etc. Paul did a good job pulling together those resources, and I'll take it the last mile I hope.
So the "tire-kicker" (my term) probably deployed the awning. One thing is for sure - it wasn't stowed properly as the spring-loaded hooks were still attached to the roller. I unfurled one end a bit, couldn't go far enough to see the strap, then the other until I could see the end of the strap peeking out. Because of the way it had been stowed I needed help to grab onto the loop while I held tension unfurling the aluminum shield against the spring. I don't know how a rope would have helped unfurl the spring - it is very tight, and simply pulling against the end of the stay does nothing - at least not with the way it had been stowed. Once my helper had the loop caught with the hook opening it was straightforward, and I was able to extend it fully. It's in pretty good condition! Looks like someone opened the door at some point before it was fully deployed - and then stitched the tear. I bet that is more often the case than not... ::)
In any case it's exactly what I need right now. I'll see how it is going forward.
Thanks very much to all who responded - your advice was right on!
Rich
You have not had a coach long enough until you have an awning story. What I finally did with the big awning, was to put a extra loop of poly on to the existing pull strap. Looked rather tacky, but saved the fun of finding the strap if it got buried! ^.^d
Yes, if the strap is not visible, you need to pull out from the very top of the arms. Can do from a ladder or with a rope attached to the top of the arm. Once it is out a couple of inches, the strap should "pop out".
The proper way to stow the awning is the slowly move rearward on the coach as it rolls up. That way all the strap is not "piled up" in one place. The secret (may take a time or two to master it) is to neither "pile it up" nor move so far rearward that the whole strap disappears.
Sounds like an excellent idea! I'll try to color-coordinate... ;)
Rich,
If properly stowed, the strap should be the correct length.
I see in the ZipDee instructions for the "NX" manual awnings that there is a step that was missed the last time the awning was stowed:
http://awningsbyzipdee.com/media//DIR_50601/3828f573897472a7ffff8002ffffd502.pdf
"Release the ratchet stud (pull outward on the cap). Lift the claw from the roller shaft and place on the stud located on the inside of the main arm." (None of this makes sense unless you can see the illustration in the instructions.)
Because this step had not been done it was impossible to unfurl the awning by pulling on the arms without breaking something. I ended up having to uncoil the aluminum shield and awning on one end by hand till the end of the strap was barely visible. At that point my helper (on a ladder) was able to open the flattened loop and hook on the puller tool. From there it opened just fine. Now that I have been made aware of awning pitfalls, with all the advice given here it will be my own fault if I mess it up again!
You're blessed to have Zip Dee awnings! We've seen some el cheapo awnings that the owners could not get to retract! Do I walk over to help?, nope, unless they're Zips. ^.^d I've had it happen when the wind came up in the middle of the night, so I'll give some advice here: Roll all awnings up before bedding down; nothing like being half-nekkid (or worse) trying to find the wand in your bare feet! Oh, I forgot, it will prolly be pouring rain!
Nice thing about the Zip Dee window awnings is that, during the night--if you need to--you can just slide open the screen, unhook the awning strap, and then hold the strap and let the awning close slowly. Don't even have to go outside---or get dressed!!
Sounds like more good advice! I can picture it - and the big one would be the most trouble.
Must reduce weight and clutter - so downsizing continues under the awning... Shared album - Richard Thibodeau - Google Photos (https://goo.gl/photos/TS5eZv1SAm5FNBVR9)
A couple of suggestions. I purchased some assist handles from Zip-Dee that make it easier to extend the arms out and then bring them in. They fold and store easy with the arms. Also don't forget the additional arms that help keep awning firm also in the evening lower oneside so any night time rain has a way to go. I made the mistake of not doing that and bent my roller. I also found the zip-dee web site helpful.
Rich,.
I suspect you may NOT have the NX awning modification.
see NX Hardware Upgrade Kit (http://awningsbyzipdee.com/60401/60422.html)
Notice the above NX Upgrade page talks about REVERSING the rafter arms.
The original awnings had the rafter arm attached to the ends of the rollers.
After rolling the awning out you unhooked the coach end, lifted it up, and attached the end to a metal 'comb' attached to the end of the silver assembly at the roof.
See http://awningsbyzipdee.com/media//DIR_50601/2d99233bd9c7072effff82e9ffffd524.pdf
for instructions
Contact me if you need more.
( I installed the NX upgrade because it is easier to raise and lower.)
HTH
Wow. I feel like there is a huge pool of talent and experience along with me on this new journey - I guess because there actually is!
Last night just before I turned in it got very gusty - so much so that after going to bed I noticed the coach was being buffeted as a vehicle on the highway. So thanks to Mike's warning, before I turned in I stowed the awnings. Potential damage averted.
I had to use a kitchen step ladder to help the roller along, but as it reached the side wall it pulled itself in. I noted that as Brett said, the loop at that point was just visible and reachable with the tool from the ground.
This morning I deployed it again, but noted that when I had closed it up the spring-loaded claw arm was in the same position as always - so the NX instructions didn't apply after all.
Then along comes Elliott Bray with the *actual* ZipDee awning type AND a link to the instruction set for it. Minutes ago I moved the "extra" arm up to where it belongs - hooked at the top - so now there is a nice, stable supporting geometry and the awning is just as it should be. Fantastic! Thank you all!
When you do roll awning up make certain that the strap doesn't wind up rolled up all in one spot. The instructions from ZipDee is to pull the strap to the side a bit so that it does not double up on itself. Don't want it to bunch up all in one spot.
Roland
Good advice, and it takes some practice to get "the roll" right. We met a couple who had never put down their big awning because they were freaked-out that they would screw it up upon retraction!
No wonder all the new awnings (Zip included) are available with electric controls, prolly have remotes, as well!
Now that you have figured out how to use your big awning...
x2 on the NX upgrade. ScubaGuy and I love to use the big awning, when we are in our "camping" mode. We learned about the NX upgrade, and decided to spring for it. (notice the pun here ;)) ZipDee came to our coach while we were at the FMCA rally, and installed the NX kit, and straightened out a small sag on the big awning. Best $300 we spent so far on the coach.
The ZipDee guys were super nice. They told us that the only place they do this kind of work is at a rally, and that they no longer do work on customer coaches at their factory in Chicago. Every square foot of their factory is being used for production now. If you plan on going to a rally where they will be (such as a national FMCA rally), just call ahead to make sure they bring an NX upgrade kit to match your coach. ^.^d
We visited ZipDee and had work done before they stopped this service. Had the main awning fabric replaced, and the NX upgrade. Very happy. At a local Mpls RV shop we were told to just replace the awning, didn't realize the value...
Hi all,
Just a further note to Peter Fleming's: when we purchased our 1999 U320, the big awning had the all-too-frequent door arc inscribed in the fabric. No attempt had been made to sew it closed or patch it, so the awning was pretty much useless.
We had ours replaced at Tennessee RV. The only reason for mentioning this is because some of the posts say (apparently?) ZipDee doesn't do this type of work any longer? Maybe that only referred to the NX upgrade. Sorry if any misunderstanding.
Whatever — if you cannot salvage your awning, Tennessee RV's Bob Evans did a great job replacing our big one. TN RV took measurements in advance and the awning had to be ordered from ZipDee, but the installation went flawlessly and we are going to be glad to have it during summer's south Texas sun.
For anyone who has read this far, we will ask: anyone have experience with ZipDee manufacturing an awning wrong?
We had our slide topper/awning replaced at the same time as the big one. The strap is sewn outside the flap, instead of inside, as it normally would be. That results in the flap being pulled inward, toward the coach, and a kind of odd appearance. In addition, the strap was much, much longer than necessary. We are just winding it around the anchor; the loop is useless. The awning *IS* installed correctly, i.e., looking at the fabric, where the folds are made, and all the seams, it is not installed upside down, which was our first thought.
Richard & Susan