Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Peter & Beth on May 06, 2016, 04:22:28 pm

Title: Manual Zip Dee
Post by: Peter & Beth on May 06, 2016, 04:22:28 pm
 So the old Zip Dee awning was getting harder and harder to rewind.  So once I set up camp, I decided to give the arm a couple more turns.

It worked all too well. The awning got away from me as I attempted to rewind it. Now the pull down strap is not visible.

Any ideas on how to unwind the awning without the pull down strap?
Title: Re: Manual Zip Dee
Post by: Rich Bowman on May 06, 2016, 04:34:25 pm
Peter,

I think I've seen folks suggest that you tie a strap to the top of each arm near the end of the roller and then pull on them until you can reach the regular strap.

Rich
Title: Re: Manual Zip Dee
Post by: Peter & Beth on May 06, 2016, 04:40:56 pm
 Thank you Rich. I will give that a try.  But will have to wait until I can get some straps.
Title: Re: Manual Zip Dee
Post by: prfleming on May 06, 2016, 04:48:20 pm
Also a long rope tied at each end of the awning, long enough to make a big V, so one person can pull the center of the V standing on the ground.
Title: Re: Manual Zip Dee
Post by: bbeane on May 06, 2016, 04:59:25 pm
I have had that happen, I was able to get a person on each arm and pull it down enough to get hold of the strap.
Title: Re: Manual Zip Dee
Post by: wolfe10 on May 06, 2016, 05:08:30 pm
And, before deciding that you do need to retension (a not uncommon issue) liberally lube the ends (pivot points) with spray silicone.

Squealing/squeaking as you unroll and reroll are symptoms of needing to silicone the ends.
Title: Re: Manual Zip Dee
Post by: nitehawk on May 06, 2016, 07:52:44 pm
Try using awning pull rods. One on each end. Then someone grab the pull strap and HANG ON!!
Title: Re: Manual Zip Dee
Post by: Roland Begin on May 07, 2016, 03:45:33 pm
Also a long rope tied at each end of the awning, long enough to make a big V, so one person can pull the center of the V standing on the ground.
This works for me.

Roland
Title: Re: Manual Zip Dee
Post by: Peter & Beth on May 07, 2016, 08:33:37 pm
Went to Lowes & got 50' clothes line $5. Awning is now the way it should be. Easy wind up process.