Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 11, 2025 ...

Girard awning vs. Zipdee

April 27, 2022, 09:15:59 am

Hello all.... Considering having the large Girard awning removed from the coach and putting a big ZipDee on instead. We have found the Girard fairly useless, comes straight out from coach 13 ft. In air,  and problematic, retracts crooked without help... At the point where fabric need replacing on awnings and thought now would be as good a time as any. I know it will be expensive, but what isn't . Just wondering if anyone has any experience or thoughts on this. P.S. would probably have Extreme or MOT do work....

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Re: Girard awning vs. Zipdee

Reply #1 – April 27, 2022, 10:53:27 am

I found my GIrard useless since I had it put on 8+ years ago. Then about a month ago I stopped in San Clemente CA at Girard for service.

• They installed new electronics that measured motion at the end of awning instead of wind speed at the top of the coach - now it doesn't retract all the time in a light breeze. This made the awning usable instead of frustrating and worthless. SHould have done this years ago
• my awning did not retract fully into one end of the cassette - the technician adjusted the awning, now it pulls in perfectly, lots of adjustments can be made on the GIrard....
• I added at the same time a strip of LED's in the bottom of the Girard cassette - the metal portion that goes in and out to extend and retract the awning. (groove for these lights was already in my 10 year old Girard, interesting)  The lights are wonderful and work with awning retracted or extended. Huge upgrade

Total cost about $2,500.  most of that was parts, labor was 4 hours @ $150 an hour.

you get there the day before - they bring you in and park you and plug you in at 3:00 PM, start work on your coach about 7:30 AM.  one day will fix most anything...good restaurants nearby....

Give them a call and let us know what you decide to do

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Re: Girard awning vs. Zipdee

Reply #2 – April 27, 2022, 12:06:12 pm

And for the view from the other side of the table,

I take the hook for my ZipDee awning, hook the loop and start walking away from the RV until I've pulled all of the fabric from the roller.  First one side, then the other I move the arms that hold the fabric taught from store to in use.  When the second one is latched I pull the spring loaded pin and push the roller out to the first click.  The I walk to the other side and push the roller out to the second click.  Then I walk to the fist side and push the awning our two more clicks ending the the third click, and finally move the second side to the same position.

Conversely, I can roll the awning out part way and move the keep the fabric taught arms without extending them and end up with the awning in what ZipDee calls Caravan position, nearly horizontal 12' in the air.

Either way you're going to the vendor for service.

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Re: Girard awning vs. Zipdee

Reply #3 – April 27, 2022, 12:50:11 pm

I replaced the Zip Dee because my Mom lived in coach in Fl 6 months of the year and could not manage it.
Girard was supposed to be improvement.
It wasn't until I went to Girard last month, now it is amazing.
All done via remote control BTW.

I would not replace the zip dee if it wasn't for Mom I wouldn't replace the Girard (now), it is a better more convenient solution now that it has been upgraded and serviced

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Re: Girard awning vs. Zipdee

Reply #4 – April 27, 2022, 01:16:54 pm

I can't comment on the Girard since I have no experience with it. However I can say that I'm extremely well impressed with our Zip Dee awnings. Back in 2019 I had our old Zip Dee patio awning set improperly for drainage and a sudden downpour filled it with water and bent the main roller tube. We took advantage of the opportunity to replace it with a new one in a color we preferred and also replaced the fabric on the window awnings. We were pleased with the customer service from Zip Dee and we are pleased with the strength of the Zip Dee hardware. Other brands of awnings around us have been broken by moderate winds while ours has experienced no damage. I'm glad I stuck with the Zip Dee design.

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Re: Girard awning vs. Zipdee

Reply #5 – April 27, 2022, 08:46:51 pm

Are you going with manual or powered Zippers? Our two 24 year old Zipdee awnings have been durable, reliable, and rugged. They require some manual effort and it helps to be tall. Also, here in the Southwest, if you leave the coach, you  probably want to stow the awning as those winds are unpredictable. Even a quick burger run can get you in trouble.

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Re: Girard awning vs. Zipdee

Reply #6 – April 27, 2022, 09:16:00 pm

If I do replace it will be with manual Zip Dee.. kind of like the simple old school stuff myself. The Girard just goes straight out at a 90 degree angle. It's literally 12 feet off the ground when out. Unless the Sun is directly overhead or on the drivers side of coach, it throws little shade. I would consider keeping the Girard if there are adjustments to be made that would make more usable. I will check into that.... Thank you..

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Re: Girard awning vs. Zipdee

Reply #7 – April 27, 2022, 09:45:12 pm

I've had a Zipdee on a Newell and my FT.  Never used either since it was so difficult to open and close.
Had a Fiamma on a LazyDaze and now on my Roadtrek.  Simple to operate and you can extend a foot or anywhere to fully open with just turning a rod.  But nowhere the quality of the Zipdee.
I also had a Girard on a '98 Newell.  Loved it.  Press a button to open or close and with the wind sensor didn't have to worry.  If yours is the same as mine, 120vac operation, there is a way to adjust the angle.  Should be in your manual or online.
If you do replace your Girard let me know and I'll post it on the newellgurus site.  I'm sure you could sell it quickly.

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