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Topic: Zip Zee Awning (Read 1341 times) previous topic - next topic

Zip Zee Awning


My Zip Zee 21' awning roller tube bent in a downpour and has a bad crimp in it now. Has anyone had any luck finding a replacement other than from the factory ? The factory replacement cost more to ship than to purchase. Locate in South Carolina now.
Michael Alexander
Hilton Head Island, Sc
2001 U320

Re: Zip Zee Awning

Reply #1 –
Welcome to the ForeForum.

In most cases the bend roller tube CAN be straightened.

Takes three people and/or 2 ladders and a human.

Rotate the roller until the bent part is "up".  Have humans/ladders at the ends so the ends can't move down.  "Hang" from the center of the highest point.  Sight down roller until level.

Replacement is only if half an hour of doing this (and a lot of 4 letter words-- YES OF ENCOURAGEMENT) don't get it back in shape.

And, at that point, I would call Zip Dee to find out the name of their nearest dealer.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Zip Zee Awning

Reply #2 –
Thank you for your help.
Michael Alexander
Hilton Head Island, Sc
2001 U320

Re: Zip Zee Awning

Reply #3 –
Michael,

Had the same thing happen to me last year, waiting on a shop to give me an estimate to replace the main roll, spring and 2 support arms which snapped. Lesson learned. Don't leave your awning out overnight accidentally, especially flat, when an unexpected storm might pop up and dump 3" of rain on you :o

Larry
Larry Warren
1996  U320 36' SBID "Lola" sold 2020
Build #4970
Motorcade #18318

Re: Zip Zee Awning

Reply #4 –
I tried doing it Brett's way but couldn't generate enough force downward with my "slightly fluffy" 230#.
So I used two vehicles with hitches on the back ends. One on each end of the awning. Then a ratchet strap on each end from the awning tube itself to the hitch. DO NOT use the arms or the axles on the ends!
I then rotated the awning so the "sag/bend" was down. I put a sturdy stand under the middle of the awning, with a 3' 2x4 setting on top of my jack and on the underside of the awning tube.
Then I proceeded to jack the center up.
Trial & error comes in here, along with putting more spacers under the jack stand as needed.
Thus a one (1) man job.
Oh, forgot to mention: make sure the ratchet straps are only tight enough to prevent upward movement of the awning roller.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Zip Zee Awning

Reply #5 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
And, at that point, I would call Zip Dee to find out the name of their nearest dealer.
Airstream uses Zip Dee awnings, also. Most dealerships have the expertise to fix 'um. BTW, they make it look EASY!
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Zip Zee Awning

Reply #6 –
TN RV in Knoxville fixed mine. I know you are in SC, it may be an easy ride for you. Give James Holder, the service manager a call.

‭(865) 933-7213‬
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: Zip Zee Awning

Reply #7 –
Quote
Have humans/ladders at the ends so the ends can't move down.  "Hang" from the center of the highest point.  Sight down roller until level.

Here's the photo from the ZipDee awning. Always got a kick out of it.
jor

93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Zip Zee Awning

Reply #8 –
This is all very helpful, Thank you.
Michael Alexander
Hilton Head Island, Sc
2001 U320

Re: Zip Zee Awning

Reply #9 –
I will be removing my AUTO/WN in a few weeks. Every thing works on the awning except the front arm (12v wire in arm is broken otherwise arm is OK).  The awning will go in and out since I bypassed the internal wire on the front arm.  If anyone is interested in the complete awning feel free to contact me.

Don and Donna Steele
2002 U320 36ft

Re: Zip Zee Awning

Reply #10 –
pm sent

Re: Zip Zee Awning

Reply #11 –
How about adding some heat in the form of a torch to "help" it go back into shape? Can't see getting a crimp out though. Just now taking out the zip dee awnings for replacement. Easy to bend them I would think.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: Zip Zee Awning

Reply #12 –
No, can't get a crimp out.  But you can take a surprising amount of bow out of them.

I would not use heat--  it would require removal of the Sunbrella fabric. No idea what it would harm inside the roller.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Zip Zee Awning

Reply #13 –
Quote from: jor –
Here's the photo from the ZipDee awning. Always got a kick out of it.
That's about the same human lash-up I had to round up when my awning spring broke in the 'down' position!  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Zip Zee Awning

Reply #14 –
For awhile I didn't use my patio awning and now it will not unroll.  Have been in contact with ZipDee and they think a lock is broken, but they appear to work ok to me  Absolutely no movement of the roller with locks released.  Have sprayed it several times with silicone lub with no result.  During last trip, I didn't try very hard to get it open as I didn't want to get it open and not be able to get it rolled up.  When I get it fixed, I will lub and unroll it more often.  I did replace a broken front lock several years ago.
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt
 

Re: Zip Zee Awning

Reply #15 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
No, can't get a crimp out.  But you can take a surprising amount of bow out of them.

I would not use heat--  it would require removal of the Sunbrella fabric. No idea what it would harm inside the roller.

Brett, I took off the end of the roller. There isn't much in there besides the spring. If you put heat in the middle where the bow was shouldn't hurt anything. Depends on the length of it though. You could always remove everything first, its just a few rivets.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired