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Topic: Zipdee patio failure - fixed? (Read 784 times) previous topic - next topic

Zipdee patio failure - fixed?

Tried to put out the patio awning this morning, the metal opened and about 6" of fabric, then it stopped. Opened and closed the locks a few times, checked all the arms, no joy. Wouldn't open or close. Tried more force, opened about a foot more and stopped.

Searched the forum, seems as if could be the spring. Anything else I should check?

We're already planning a stop at MOT early March to have the fabric replaced. Any significant risk to folding the fabric and strapping the tubeuntil we get there?

Thanks
Mike & Molly Patronick
2001 U320 40'
2011 Forester

Re: Zipdee patio failure

Reply #1 –
Quote from: morninghill –
Tried to put out the patio awning this morning, the metal opened and about 6" of fabric, then it stopped. Opened and closed the locks a few times, checked all the arms, no joy. Wouldn't open or close. Tried more force, opened about a foot more and stopped.

Searched the forum, seems as if could be the spring. Anything else I should check?

We're already planning a stop at MOT early March to have the fabric replaced. Any significant risk to folding the fabric and strapping the tubeuntil we get there?

Thanks

other than internal failures the shafts corrode inside the ends.  spray 6-56 in there.  may loosen them up
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Zipdee patio failure

Reply #2 –
After lubing ends real well.
One, Make sure locks are  released and then manually roll up and secure with heavy duty zip ties at each end.
Two, Call Zip Dee, they have always been real helpful.
My GUESS is that spring has failed, if so don't try to deploy manually.
Gary B

Re: Zipdee patio failure

Reply #3 –
Be very careful if you try to disassemble any part of the mechanism as the spring has enough force to break bones or worse.  Call Zip Dee.
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: Zipdee patio failure

Reply #4 –
If you do unwind it is usually--usually-- one turn per foot of awning length plus ten turns. Even then hang on tight in case it has been preloaded more turns than that.
When I took ours apart I had the wife hold the awning roller up about 5' away from the end and me and away from the coach. I unbolted the main support arm lower end from the coach and used the length of that support as my turning lever. (The spring end, by the way, is the end toward the rear of your coach.)  Anything less and the torsion can really take off. Keep both hands on the arm at all times. Once you are sure there is no more tension on the spring you can proceed with dismantling that end.
Once you slide the assembly out after chiseling or grinding the rivets away ( I drilled mine out then punched the remainder of the rivet inside) the entire spring assembly can be slid out. Crazy how the inside is nothing more than a square spring wrapped around what looks like a broom handle 5' long!  The broom handle far end has the spring anchored to it.

Your spring may have come loose from the wood, climbed over itself and bound up, or even broke. A new spring is available from Zip Dee if you have your manual or know the part number.
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: Zipdee patio failure

Reply #5 –
Thanks for the cautions.

I tried lots of corrosion-x on both ends, no luck so far. Don't feel any tension pushing or pulling so suppose it's the spring. Will talk to zipdee Monday, see if anybody locally has one in stock.

If zipdee tells me a simple way to secure this for travel, will wait until we get to Nac. Let MOT do it when they replace the fabric. We're in a campground South of Miami right now, about six weeks and 2000 miles from Nac.
Mike & Molly Patronick
2001 U320 40'
2011 Forester

Re: Zipdee patio failure

Reply #6 –
This may appear simple but the spring inside should be taken seriously! Mine broke my arm.. If just lubing the ends and trying to work it free doesn't work I would strap it up and let a pro deal with it.. Good luck!
Andy 1989 U300 40'

Re: Zipdee patio failure

Reply #7 –
When FOT looked at our non functioning Zip Dee awning they told me it was crap and I should not invest another penny in it.  They also offered us a nice new Girrard for about $6500.00. 

Many here do not like the Zip Dee awning and have replaced theirs.  Since ours was repaired by Zip Dee it has been flawless. 

I'm guessing that you will get many opinions on the Zip Dee here.  :D

I think you have the same awning we have  One square tube at each end of the awning drum - front and rear and 2 long silver round tubes under the fabric.

The 2 long round arms attached to the coach and the awning are spring loaded and they push your awning out.  The springs are quite strong.  The square arms are air actuated and they raise the awning while it's unrolling.  Must have 110 psi to ooperate if yours is like ours.  Also a very strong spring in the drum that the fabric is wound on.

We talked to Jimmy @ Zip Dee and they fixed us up.  - 847-404-5091.  Elk Grove, Ill.

Zip Dee traves to many RV shows and often repair stuff there.  That's what we did.  They replaced the rear arm.  You can also get the canvas, Sunbrella, from them too- cut to your size.  ID #s are on a small piece of paper on the corner of the awnings.

Good luck -  ;D
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: Zipdee patio failure - fixed?

Reply #8 –
Talked to Randy at Zipdee. He said if the spring was broken, awning would just fall open when zlocks were released. He thinks the most likely problem is a broken zlock. Says when the lock is engaged, a pin keeps the roller from turning. If the pin breaks, the roller will be partly or completely jammed.

Randy recommended several good techs, the best only 3 miles from me. Now I find out that January in southern Florida puts me in competition with thousands of snowbirds who had problems on the way down here. I can't even get a call back.

Went out this AM to see if we could force the awning into a stowed position for safe travel. Voila! Molly on the pull strap, locks released, me on the ladder, forced it to reroll a few inches, the spring took over, awning snapped into place. Plan to leave it there until we get to Nac.

Not sure if the corrosion-x did the trick or we were just lucky. Will order two zlocks from zipdee for delivery to our next stop.

One more note, Randy said I shouldn't have used the corrosionx, only recommends silicone on their awnings.

Thanks to all for your help.
Mike & Molly Patronick
2001 U320 40'
2011 Forester
 

Re: Zipdee patio failure - fixed?

Reply #9 –
I had Foretravel rework mine.  They did a great job, had all the parts in stock, and charged me very little.  I was very pleased.
Current coach 1996 U320 40'
Previous coach, 1990 36' U280