Foretravel Owners' Forum

It just poured all day yesterday and most of overnight.  Almost 4".  Ted and Karen headed south.  We had a great visit.  Thanks for coming to see us.

The sun came out so we got the coach out so we could deploy the patio awning, take pictures and figure out how to do this with embedded pictures.

Click or tap on the pictures for a larger view.

Deploying the patio awning is easier with two but I have done it many times myself.  We struggled with this for a while until we just figured out how to do it the best way for ourselves.  It takes some practice but the patio awning adds comfortable living space.

Close the coach door. Undo the roller latches at each end and in the middle if you have one. 
When you put the awning back up be sure to lock all of the latches.
Our middle hook lock was installed incorrectly. The loop end attached to the coach should be aligned just to the left of the screw in the hook end. I moved our loop end.








Use the hook to grab the strap and pull the awning down all the way.
If you have a helper they can hold the awning down with then center strap while you set the rafter arms.








I use a short step stool to help set the rafter arms.
Release the pin latch and the hook end.
Raise and extend the rafter arm.








Place the rafter arm hook in the slot on the end of the awning cover.
Pull down on the rafter arm near the awning end extend the rafter arm and set the pin latch. It doesn't take much.








Do the rear rafter arm in the same way.
Release the pin latches on the lower arms. Raise the front and rear ends of the awning to extend the lower arms until
You need to do the front one in order for the awning to clear the front door.
Do the rear one as it suits your need for shade or water runoff in the rain.








Raise the coach end of the lower arms.
You don't need to raise these except to increase the height of the outer edge of the awning.  You can raise one or the other or both.








Enjoy the view and the shade.

If you are going to be away or there is going to be strong winds or gusts
it is a good idea to put up the patio awning.
Some put all of the awnings up.








It doesn't take long.  We set a stopwatch and then raised the awning. 
Close the coach door.
Lower the coach ends of the lower arms.
Lower the awning at each end.
Disconnect and stow the rafter arms.
Roll up the awning.
Set all of the locks.
Double check.
Start to awning locks set it was less than 2 minutes.

Roger and Susan

Thank you both! It might take a while to practice, but we will get it down pat. Thanks for the effort. Full report to follow. Other owners will try this, I'll bet!

Very nice description.  I've found that a very light application of Tri-Flo greaseless lube on the sliding surfaces makes everything go more smoothly. 

Excellent tutorial!  We use our big awning so seldom that I forget how to erect it between deployments.  Brain fade...

If the center lock on awning is broken (ours was when we got our coach), or one wants to add a second lock, they are available:

Awning travel latch (http://airstreamsupply.com/Awning-travel-latch-Z299344?search=awning%20travel%20latch)

Here are two more good sources for Zip Dee parts.  The patio awning travel latch is not the same as the latch for the smaller window awnings

http://www.nwrvsupply.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=SRCH

Zip Dee Patio Awning Travel Latch | WOODLAND TRAVEL CENTER (https://www.woodlandtravelcenterstore.com/product/zip-dee-awning-travel-latch/)

I have been using a silicone lube on my awning parts thinking it will not stain the fabric.  I will have to try Chuck's suggestion.

Thanks, Roger. You and Susan might have a new gig on the road helping some us dunderheads get 'awning activated'.  b^.^d

"Use the hook to grab the strap and pull the awning down all the way.
If you have a helper they can hold the awning down with then center strap while you set the rafter arms."

Rodger you don't lock down the roller latches once the awning is fully deployed?

The person I spoke to at ZipDee said to leave the roller latches unlocked. Mine will stay while I deploy the side arms. I have to give it a little push to put it away.

Most of the time I'm the one who puts out and takes in the big awning, and I do it solo. Some days I spend more time trying to get the hook to grab the strap. That strap can twist, turn, and hide in an amazing number of inconvenient ways. Once I get hold of it, though, the process is pretty easy. The spring on mine is weak enough that I can hold onto the fringe until I get to an end to latch it. Then I go to the other end and latch that one. Set up the step ladder and hook the "claw" at that end, then do the other one. As I go past it, I wind up the strap. Once both claws are attached I start moving the awning out. I start at the end where I just attached the claw and move it out one notch, then go to the other end and move it out to the second notch. Then back to the first one and put it out to the second notch. Put on the pool noodles and raise the lower arms. Put step stool away and enjoy.

Roller Latches

When the awning is unrolled you must leave the roller locks unlocked.  If you lock them when unrolled there is a good chance that will get stripped and then it is hard to roll the awning up and no way to lock it in place.

The repair parts for the rear end are about $100.  The repair is not too hard and takes about an hour.  The other end is a bit cheaper.  Maybe less time.

Pool Noodles

I just got some 1-1/4" or 1-1/2" foam pipe insulation at the hardware store for ours.  They go on right away to prevent head banging.

Awning Flap LED Lighting

This is easy to do and very nice.  Dimmable and discrete.
Night Lighting (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=31161.msg273446#msg273446)

Putting the Awning Away

If your spring tension is correct the awning will stay down when you roll it all the way out.  You should have to push it up a foot or so to get it to start rolling up on its own. We just rebuilt the lock at the expensive end and it involves unwinding the spring to do it and then rewinding the spring.  Zip Dee gives good guidance on how to do this and what spring tension is right.  Ours rolls up better now with not much effort to get it started.

Reply #10 – 7 minutes ago
Roller Latches

"When the awning is unrolled you must leave the roller locks unlocked.  If you lock them when unrolled there is a good chance that will get stripped and then it is hard to,roll the awning up and no way to lock it in place"

Okay thanks, makes sense...

The Zip-Dee hook/wand has a very interesting gizmo on the other end.  It is used to pull the locking pin and raise the side arms into place and also lower them.  That way, you don't need a stool.  I'll try to get a picture and post it.

Rich

The goofy gizmo on my pole is long gone, that is what made it so hard to do and why so many never use the patio awning.  A folding step stool makes it easy to do and has many more uses as well.

Amazon.com: B&R Plastics 103-6BK E-Z Foldz Black 12" Step Stool: Automotive (https://amazon.com/gp/product/B009NHPZR4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

12 and 15" sizes.

If you have the gizmo, here's how it fits on the arm.

Rich

We deploy our Large awning, almost everyday.  To help ease the rafter arm connection (Roger's step three), we had the Zip Dee NX Upgrade installed.  Here's my post from several years ago: Zip Dee Awning NX Upgrade (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=16233.msg103215#msg103215)
Link to Zip Dee NX Upgrade: NX Hardware Upgrade Kit (http://www.awningsbyzipdee.com/nx-hardware-upgrade-kit.html)

Was that a expensive upgrade, Dave? Looks like a cool idea!

Dave beat me to the post. I got the tip about the NX from him

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A couple of comments about techniques we used. We deployed the big awning often.

First:  Look at installing the NX awning kit. It reverses the rafter hook so you don't have to try to 'stab' the holes at the top of the  coach but rather just hook them at the roller.  Well worth it!!

NX Hardware Upgrade Kit (http://www.awningsbyzipdee.com/nx-hardware-upgrade-kit.html)

Second:  When you roll the big awning up by yourself, insert a longish strap or rope into the loop at the middle of the awning (long enough to double - ie go up and back).
You can use it to control the roller and when finished just pull one of the ends to retrieve the strap.

I often deployed and retrieved the awning by myself.

The NX upgrade kit, including installation, a repair on the big awning (including a replacement z-lock),  and another small window awning removed and repaired, out the door for $401.  Very pleased with the quality of the material, installation and the costs.

Like Elliot, I deploy and retrieve the large awning by myself.  Like everything in life, the more you do the deployment/retrieval, the easier it gets.
Good Luck, Dave A

I installed the NX Hardware Upgrade Kit and that solved the problem of trying to set the hook arm up over my head on the awning while having the sun in my eyes or having to use a ladder or stool. The install is a one man job and not difficult.
The second best item I installed were the Lift Handles from ZipDee. On one occasion while retracting the awning I got the skin on the palm of my hand caught in the telescoping arms  causing a lot of pain, bleeding and the loss of using my hand for a week or two.
Since installing the handles all is well.
Life is so much easier since I did those two things.
ZipDee (800) 338-2378

Sam7 How about posting a Photo demonstration of the New Arms and Handles I am interested.

Guess the NX upgrade has been around for a while.  Here is a older post with a bit more info (but no photos):

Zip Dee Awning upgrade (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=21257.0)

I have seen these.  Zip Dee used to install them but I guess they are only available for DIY now.  I helped Rudy reattach the front upper anchor point after the screws began pulling out.  The rivets that they supply would be a better choice than screws.

Have auto zip Dee 02 works great now tends to get water in arms and must be removed before air up will function.