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Topic: Dee Zee Awning and 60 MPH Winds (Read 717 times) previous topic - next topic

Dee Zee Awning and 60 MPH Winds

Guess what? I'm back! Just a quick question, I had taken Ole Furry out to have it serviced last week, and by the time I was ready to go back to the barn, The winds had kicked up to 40 mph + with gusts to over 60 mph. To cut to the chase, as I rounded a curve, the wind gusted as I turned her tail into the wind, a big gust and off the awning came. $165.00 worth of broken brackets and attachment hardware, and some labor to re-thread the cover back onto the britework, and I should be good to go. It broke the travel lock like it wasn't even there, so I am replacing one and adding another towards the back to hopefully keep it from happening again.
After an online search in the forum, I did not find much on the awning and the Z-lock assembly. Any advice on working it over? It looks pretty straight forward, but it doesn't hurt to ask. Also, any advice on keeping it attached to the coach that maybe I have missed?
1989 Grand Villa 3600  Our "Furevertravel",  "Ole Furry" for short.....
Cat 3208T  250 HP
Allison MT-643
36SBIORED
Motorcade Number  18541
Build # 3388
2014 Ford F-150 flat towed (My Bride wants "her" MKX in the garage)
Big John, my Bride Miss Mary Lou, and Buddy, Robbi, Gizzy, and Mack ( our furry kids)

Re: Dee Zee Awning and 60 MPH Winds

Reply #1 –
Might help if you looked for Zip Dee in El;k Grove Village, IL
Give me a bit of time and I can probably find the locking end of the awning part # and the other end spring end assembly part #.
Anything else, contact Zip Dee.
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: Dee Zee Awning and 60 MPH Winds

Reply #2 –
I use zip ties now.  Mine has come undone twice at 60+mph.  Makes a heck of a racket and will scare the bejesus out of you.

2000 GV320 4010 build #5712  2019-?
1999 Bounder 2000-2008
Bardstown, KY
🥃The Bourbon Capital of the World🥃

Re: Dee Zee Awning and 60 MPH Winds

Reply #3 –
Last year I put new ends and the plastic rope on ours. The lock really locks up tight now.
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: Dee Zee Awning and 60 MPH Winds

Reply #5 –
Thanks to all. The first place I contacted was Zip Dee and got the parts ordered that I needed. I also ordered 2 travel locks from them also. While it is off the coach, I want to go thru everything and be sure its all working. I had some problems at first getting the Z-lock to release, but Randy at Zip Dee walked me thru the possible problem there.
Chuckle Chuckle, thought about a chain and boomer to keep it from coming loose, but My Bride said NO!!!!! I think she thought I was dead serious. I'm glad she wasn't along when that happened. I really thought someone had hit us from behind until I looked in the mirror!!!!!
1989 Grand Villa 3600  Our "Furevertravel",  "Ole Furry" for short.....
Cat 3208T  250 HP
Allison MT-643
36SBIORED
Motorcade Number  18541
Build # 3388
2014 Ford F-150 flat towed (My Bride wants "her" MKX in the garage)
Big John, my Bride Miss Mary Lou, and Buddy, Robbi, Gizzy, and Mack ( our furry kids)

Re: Dee Zee Awning and 60 MPH Winds

Reply #6 –
I just received a large shipment from ZipDee on upgrades for our main awning.  Normally, the lock is toward the back of the coach for the main.  I do use velcro straps on both of our main struts for extra security.  Seems to work fine.  I am going to order 2 additional straps and hooks for the slide awning, as in a wind, it comes up on one side or the other.  That noise will scare you as well!  Will post photos when we order the straps and install on ours. This is a must have when  you are in windy conditions and need it out over the windows!  May have to wait until we come back from Mexico.
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Dee Zee Awning and 60 MPH Winds

Reply #7 –

We use 2 of these on each arm, as well as the Zip Dee locks on the awning case.  Very cheap insurance.  We were out in 70+ mph winds here in Colorado and they held tight.  Just takes a few seconds to put them on.  Seem to work great.

Amazon.com: Camco 42503 13" Awning Straps: Automotive

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Mark & Bev
2001 U295 36' Slide
Cummins ISC 8.3 350HP
Build #5802
Jeep Wrangler Toad

Re: Dee Zee Awning and 60 MPH Winds

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Tommy D –
I use zip ties now.  Mine has come undone twice at 60+mph.  Makes a heck of a racket and will scare the bejesus out of you.
This is a understatement. It is far worse than Tommy describes. A collapsible ladder is a must have. I tryrap the locks closed also. Last thing I want to deal with is a deployed awning in 40+ mph winds.
Scott
 

Re: Dee Zee Awning and 60 MPH Winds

Reply #9 –
If you have a slide there is nothing to keep the awning from unfurling at speed.  It just unwinds.  I added a ziodee strap hook on the roof (into framing) near each end and put a bungee cord over the rolled up awning to keep it from unrolling.  Be sure to remove bungee cords before extending the slide.  I have a hook for the end of a pole and can do it from the ground.

Same with the patio awning. Ours opened up in OK in a huge wind. The vertical arms were tied, the ties shredded, the awning lock was stripped, broke the hook.  One of the upper arms broke. Someone stopped to help get it wound up and we used ropes to tie it up.  Hooks and bungee cords now if there is any wind concern.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN