Bought this last October and haven't opened the large awning yet. All the others work fine. Read the manual and was wondering if you all have a step by step procedure for opening and closing it? Looks brand new. The two previous owners used it very little. I hear there are tension adjustments that need adjusted?
Thanks
Check out youtube.com. Some helpful videos there. Or look here: Instructional Videos (http://www.awningsbyzipdee.com/instructional-videos.html)
jk
Also, here is the instruction booklet from the Zip Dee site.
jor
ZipDee (https://nebula.wsimg.com/fda1a42bcf98814b963347055e70b902?AccessKeyId=C8A729CF410B06765C18&disposition=0&alloworigin=1)
If it's the manual awning, I use a step stool so that I can begin pulling straight out on the awning. You can bend the tube on which the awning is stored.
You first have to unlock it by pulling down on the 2 levers with holes in them at each end.
There may also be one or more small swivel locks toward the center of the awning cover that need to be twisted to open.
And when putting it back up, must make certain that the two levers are ALL THE WAY back in the locked position. Sometimes one needs to pull on the rafters a little to get the levers all the way back into the locked position. If this is not done, it is possible to launch that very large sail at the most inopportune moment!
When talking to Zip Dee they made a point to tell me to not re-lock the awning while it is extended, that it could damage the roller assembly. I still don't understand that one, but I leave it unlocked as the arms lock it out anyway.
Mine only has a lock on the front roller . So I keep a note next to the speedo that says ." stay under 77MPH or zip tie the awning".
The awning on my 99 U270 was removed prior to purchase. Am thinking "will I use it?". Have been think on maybe just having a xx pct shade cloth made up to use in place of large awning, cost would be 1/3. Designing it to attach and be detached during usage times. I have a company that does great shade cloth such as this. Just need to figure out attachment methods. Thinking maybe using outrigger poles as way to hold extension.
Questions
1. Are the big awnings really needed?.
2. Wind is huge factor in usage at what mph do you pull in?.
3. Opinion of doing this?
1. I use it all the time. Shade for me while working on that side of the coach. Shade for the coach when the sun is intense.
2. Wind & Rain are indeed huge factors if you want to use the awning ever again! I put mine up every night or when we leave. PIA but I've seen too many RV with ripped up awnings.
3. Worth a try. The ZipDee awnings are expensive. Remember the WAF if you DYI. (wife acceptance factor)
see ya
ken
1. in our situation almost a must have. We dry camp for over a month each of 3 trips in sunny Ca. sit under the awning for shade in order to be outside.
2. Judgement call. If we are going to be away for several hours we roll it up just incase. I can deploy the awning in under 5 minutes, same with rolling it up.
3. Shade is shade, if you could come up with a convenient way to have it, go for it.
Personal opinions (everbody got one):
1. For us, the longer we will stay in one spot, the more likely I will deploy the patio awning. One day stay - no way - too much hassle.
2. I'm always wary of wind if the big awning is out. Thunderstorms nearby - I stow it. At night - I usually stow it. If in doubt, I stow it.
3. Might work. Would keep coach "cleaner" looking and be more "aero" than the big ugly tube hanging off the roof edge.
4. You could consider a portable popup canopy. They go up/down quickly, and you can move the shade where you want/need it. Example:
Amazon.com: Coleman Instant Pop-Up Canopy Tent and Sun Shelter, 13 x 13... (https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Instant-Pop-Up-Canopy-Shelter/dp/B0033990N8/ref=zg_bs_3258963011_21?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=G6BK7KTKWDX6ZBD9HK82)
Evidently crane operators are nicer people than tool makers, but since we're going all Kumbya here:
ZipDee does not use one-way ratchets on the roller the way some other brands do, so until the "hold
'em out there arms" are installed the awning can roll back up on its own. If we're talking about a manual awning.
When I got my 1996 U320 in 2010, the patio awning would not unroll more than a foot and even MOT technicians could not get it to roll out. It was a "no use and no lubrication" problem. I used a spray can with penetrating oil and kept injecting oil inside the big tube at each end. After a couple hours of work unrolling and rewinding it could be used. Over the next year I put oil into the big tube on several occasions and it became easy to unroll. Today, ten years later, it still rolls out easily. The first time it came out ten years ago, it looked new when it was actually 14 years old. Today, it looks experienced.
What I do...
ZipDee Patio Awning Deployment (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=34935.msg324158#msg324158)
Tell us your location and there may be another Foretravel owner close by that can hopefully, help you out with the deployment of your awning.
Tex; if you order a new ZipDee awning, it will cost just under $2k with shipping. I believe I paid $1981 for a new awning and choice of fabric color. Like others have stated on here, we had 2 rules; Rule #1, never leave the awning unattended; Rule #2; see Rule 1
Our 24-yr old Zip Dee awnings were showing their age and then I let the patio awning roller tube get bent because I didn't have the proper slope in a heavy rain. I ordered a completely new patio awning and window awning fabric from Zip Dee and installed them myself and have been extremely pleased. They offer excellent support and are a pleasure with whom to work!
A illustration of a place not fun to be; The pic is 'fixing' a bowed awning; I've come close by having a spring break with the awning out; took three of us to get it back and wired up for travel to the Zip Dee pros at the Airstream dealer in Tucson.
I feel your pain. It took me a while to get the hang of ZipDee manual awning after many years using other brands.
I carry a four step aluminum step stool to hook up the support arms. ZipDee recommends not using locks while awning deployed. Also says to roll up pull strap when deployed and put it into a loop at base of pull strap as an extra measure against runaway roll up. When rolling up move strap back and forth six inches from center to keep it from bunching up.
As others say it's always a good practice to store when away from rv and at night. Trying to store it in middle of night during wind storm is a memorable experience. I actually have two big awnings that span the full 36 feet of my U270. I've learned to like them and after 21 years still in great condition. I like everything else on the Foretravel, the awnings have a steeper learning curve.
In our case, we began our Foretravel journey one year ago. Regarding the awning, one of the claws was broken, and not understanding the use of the stretcher arms I pulled the awning out to caravan position and left it there, my being used to ratchets. Until it suddenly retracted itself. Scared the dog.
Your spring must be tighter than mine, it won't roll up without help for about a foot.
Dans,
When you first deploy that awning it just seems ridiculously complex, however, after doing it 10 times or so it will seem "relatively" easy. To avoid having to carry a stool to reach that just-out-of-reach top bracket, you can buy ZipDee's NX upgrade which makes the process much easier (no stop stool). Good luck.
jor
I rewound the spring on our patio shade. The Zipdee instructions tell you how many turns per foot of length and say that correctly done it will not roll up on its own until you push it up a foot or two.
If you use the NX conversion make sure you are attaching to underlying metal framing at the top. I helped another member whose front top connection pulled almost completely off. It was a challenging repair.
Just curious, what do you need a stool to reach? I just drop the top brace in the slot at the top and push out on the roller and the pin drops down.
I can reach up and latch my upper arm from the ground, a 12" folding stool help. Some are vertically challenged.
When we replaced our patio awning I also ordered the "NX Upgrade" kit. The rafter arms attach to the motorhome at the top and it makes awning operation easier and faster. To me, at least, it was a very worthwhile upgrade.
As I have mentioned before the optional center rafter is easy to use and adds significant strength to the long roller tube.
Times 2 on NX upgrade. Much easier out and in for myself.
Optional center rafter... Sounds interesting, do you have any pictures? I am trying to picture how that would work on our 21' patio awning. How does it attach?
Don
I will post a picture or two later today. In the meantime the Zip Dee Website may show an illustration. The center rafter is hinged to the upper side of the motorhome and swings out with a spring-loaded pin inserted into a hole in the awning tube.
Craneman, Caravan Position is with the awning only extended part way. Done properly the extension arms are fully retracted. Without using the extension arms, and expecting a ratchet wheel to hold the awning out a gentle breeze was enough to retract the awning.
I, too, have no difficulty hooking the claw from the ground. But I like to use a step stool to give me some height to pull the awning out the first few feet.
Sorry didn't understand the term Caravan Position. Mine would reel back from that position also.
Here are some pictures showing it deployed and one of the lower attachment point when stowed.
Thanks for the pictures ^.^d
Learn something new every day! I have to say, I do like that Third arm idea. It looks like a quarter inch thick stick of aluminum flatstock is riveted to the awning roller tube, and the third arm has a dowel that fits into a hole drilled to receive it?
Don
Your description is accurate (although the aluminum flatstock is thinner than 1/4"). It was a straightforward installation and seems (at least to me) to significantly strengthen the long roller tube.
Here is a link that covers some key points even if it is not just like ours.
https://youtu.be/dYtYqk_05oQ
Ok. When it's sunny and no wind, I'll go for it. All your help is invaluable and very much appreciated.
1st. Lube everything cause I don't know when it was opened last and let it set a few days.
2nd. release the hardware in 3 places on the roller.
3rd. Say a prayer.
4th. Continue!
Thanks again
One thing I learned (the HARD WAY) is to put a short loop of thin rope on the end of the pull cord. I also put a subtle mark on the coach to indicate where the pull cord ends. Digging that pull cord out is least fun! ^.^d
Then why not open the awning some with the arms? With something to stand on, and a couple of blocks of wood you can accomplish the task by yourself*.
*I break enough stuff all by myself, I don't need help.
:) ;) :D . Ok. got it opened today and all is well! Awning is like new. Probably never used much.
Thanks for all the help. Way easier than the instructions make it seem. I'm 6-4 so no stool needed and I lengthened the pull rope for easier access.
Thanks again
Congratulations!
In the summertime I run mine in and out seemingly every day. Sometimes under weather related duress.
Well being that other systems can utilize the cost of a new awning.
I think by using earth magnets along the side and suitable magnetic leading edge. I am going to speck out nursery green house fabric shade cloth at xx % of shade. Extended end. Will most likely use fiberglass whip for vertical. On edge to keep straight I may go with a batten (think sail) or 2. Still brain storming idea. Was thinking uv velcro. But like magnets due to can use VhB tape to affix. Ideas, laughter is welcome.
Close your eyes, open your wallet, and repeat after me: "Help yourself."
Long after you've recovered from the expense of a new ZipDee awning, you'll appreciate the quality construction and ease of use of a manual ZipDee awning. There are times in my past when I should have gone all in and didn't. Being cautious can be synonymous for being stupid. In the end, I am where I am and I've always been here.
Remove awning, buy portable umbrella, and large rim Mexican type hats for you, family, and all guests. In most humor there is some truth, my post, probably not.
Sorry Dan, I just had to respond to Texhub.
It had been a while when I first got my FT since I opened a ZipDee awning. As you can see there is a learning curve. Once you have it mastered, it is a great awning. I much prefer this manual awning to an electric, as long as I'm fit enough to get up on a step stool.
Instructional Videos (http://www.awningsbyzipdee.com/instructional-videos.html)
I tie down the corners of the big awning when it is out and roll it up is winds get over about 15 mph.
Two years ago I got an add-on sun shade from Zipdee for the big awning. It attaches to the roller with snaps they provide as well was special rivets. It is 15 ft long and comes with extra rivets so you can attach it anywhere you want along the roller. It has ties to hold the rolled up shade and came with stakes and ties for the lower edge. As I recall it was about $250. It was very nice to have out in the desert.
This pad was gravel over pavement so we tried buckets. Filled with water they just tipped over and made a mess. Filled with what was easily found, desert sand and gravel, they worked well.
McDowell Mountain Regional Park near Phoenix, AZ
Water--about 8# per gallon. Gravel/sand--More #
I camp in the Moab area and the wind can come out of nowhere, awnings are always at risk so I tie mine down and stake both ends. Once the wind arrives you just hope nothing happens as it's to late to retract it.