Patio Awning ZIP DEE

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Patio Awning ZIP DEE

July 23, 2021, 05:28:20 pm

As we are in Bayfield Col. Doing a tour of this area looking for a place to consider a summer/fall "home". For the future mid 80's..
decided to tackle this awning problem AGAIN. After talking to Zip Dee lady, trying to decipher there pixs of what this new part would do for me W/O SUCESS.
Looking at all the trailers am parked in with, the simplicity of there awnings. decided was going to go with SOB awning. Ttl.
Ours is as new doubt it has been out 10 times. A shame.
Any others given up, on zip dee,
Looked at zip Dee current offering, powered, the one that looked perfect they no longer make. The other which mounts on the roof, or maybe the side, left no change from $5000, plus freight.

As a side note Bayfield is off the list, although we ask for a quiet spot in Jan when we made the res.. we are maybe 75 yds from the hi way which is a 2-3% grade, exhaust brakes all night/day.

Re: Patio Awning ZIP DEE

Reply #1 – July 23, 2021, 06:33:37 pm

My coach had an awning. It was removed prior to me. I have no plans to spend the cash asked for an awning. There are so many ways to do an awning. Not to mention the new large pop up rooms that provide 100% bug blocking.
Just my opinion.
Mark

Re: Patio Awning ZIP DEE

Reply #2 – July 23, 2021, 07:24:41 pm

Quote from: Billbag – July 23, 2021, 05:28:20 pm

As we are in Bayfield Col. Doing a tour of this area looking for a place to consider a summer/fall "home". For the future mid 80's..
decided to tackle this awning problem AGAIN. After talking to Zip Dee lady, trying to decipher there pixs of what this new part would do for me W/O SUCESS.
Looking at all the trailers am parked in with, the simplicity of there awnings. decided was going to go with SOB awning. Ttl.
Ours is as new doubt it has been out 10 times. A shame.
Any others given up, on zip dee,
Looked at zip Dee current offering, powered, the one that looked perfect they no longer make. The other which mounts on the roof, or maybe the side, left no change from $5000, plus freight

As a side note Bayfield is off the list, although we ask for a quiet spot in Jan when we made the res.. we are maybe 75 yds from the hi way which is a 2-3% grade, exhaust brakes all night/day.

Bill; we installed a new manual zipdee on our coach and removed the air awning which never worked right. Happy campers now! Use it all the time and if I remember, it was $1700 from ZipDee, not the $5k you are looking at!

Re: Patio Awning ZIP DEE

Reply #3 – July 24, 2021, 09:13:41 pm

X2 on what Joe Allen's comments. We went to Zip Dee a year ago after seeing Joe's manual awning.

Use it all the time, love the simplicity, easy out easy back in. Makes life great!

Jeff & Kristen

Re: Patio Awning ZIP DEE

Reply #4 – July 25, 2021, 02:31:37 am

Beeman
Can you advise about the extra guide ropes supporting the awning. Do you use them all the time and do they help with wind situations?

Re: Patio Awning ZIP DEE

Reply #5 – July 25, 2021, 08:12:53 am

Peter, if you are going to leave your awning out over night or when you are gone, I use straps with springs that are anchored into the ground for any wind that may come up. Of course it depends on the wind, but in most cases, it gives the awning better stability in breezy conditions!

Re: Patio Awning ZIP DEE

Reply #6 – July 25, 2021, 09:07:42 am

Peter- just as Joe said, the cord/rope is simply an inexpensive Camco awning stabilizer. These Zip Dee Awnings are very strong, though doesn't hurt to have some extra help keeping it from becoming a sail. I don't use them all the time if we're in a really protected area. Simple hook at the top, a quick unhook drops the lines to the ground anchor.

If in a site that could be exposed to wind, like on a hill, open field, near a body of water, we will put them on, its cheap insurance. We always check the weather for the day prior to leaving camp for excursions. If there's ANY risk of wind, storms, etc we bring the big awning in. Probably 90% of the time, don't want to loose this investment. It's a one person job, takes no more than a minute, easy. Again, cheap insurance.. I have have small three step aluminum ladder that helps. I've seen some horrible messes at campgrounds where folks leave their big awning out and a storm kicks up!

The vertical matching material we use is for sun protection when facing south, keeps the area cool, also works to keep wind blown rain out. It's attached to the main awning with plastic tarp clips from Harbor Freight, and some small steel key rings. The HF clips are plastic, they don't have an aggressive bite, so won't damage the awning valance material but hold well. A couple twists and they drop off. The screen is a Cool-a-Roo sunscreen from Cosco, about $26. Couldn't justify the $150+ ones for RV's, it works really well.

Best, Jeff & Kristen

Re: Patio Awning ZIP DEE

Reply #7 – July 25, 2021, 09:32:30 am

Two things I have found that we have that you might want to investigate.
One is an additional awning rod for the one in a million times that the pull strap disappears up under the awning roll. Hook each end axle with a rod and pull down and "magically" the awning strap appears as the awning unrolls. Quick, easy, and no one has to climb up on a ladder.
Second is you might want to look at adding the vertical sliding bars that enable you to slide the lower awning arms up high enough to walk under them without banging your head. They raise the awning way up so it is parallel to the ground. Not all that expensive but we do really like ours. Our coach is 31 years old and I added them about four years ago. Wouldn't be without them now.

Go to Zip Dee website/products/accessories/slide bar and see how simple it is to install and how to use.

Re: Patio Awning ZIP DEE

Reply #8 – July 25, 2021, 10:10:07 am

I replaced the nut on the bolt at each end of the patio awning arm with an eyenut. I replaced the bolt too with one 1/4" longer. On the slide topper awning and most of the other awnings I replaced the original bolt with a stainless steel eyebolt at the end of each arm.

We got a set of 4 - 12" screw-in anchors, 2 for the patio awning and 2 for the slide awning. A simple rope with a carabiner at one end clips to the awning eye. The rope loops through the anchor and a basic adjustable midshipman's hitch (Boy Scouts know this as a taut line hitch) keeps the rope snug

The anchor loop folds flat so the mowers go over it easily.

If it is very windy or we will be away and are not sure the patio awning gets stowed.

We have a ZipDee sunshade as well.

Solar Shade

Re: Patio Awning ZIP DEE

Reply #9 – July 25, 2021, 10:40:41 am

OH OH OH one thing I forgot to mention.
On each end of the patio awning is a #10-32 bolt and nut holding the axle end in to the pewter casting. They are made of stainless steel (not the hardest material in the world).
I have had one end bolt wear out and cause major problem with replacement of an obsolete pewter part and the front end bolt and nut fell into my hand when I was putting the awning out down at Cranes Mill CG on Canyon Lake, TX. Imagine what could have happened.
I replaced the 3/16" diameter (#10-32) bolt with a 3/16" diameter spring hitch pin on the spot. That was eight years ago and is still holding the axle in place.
I recommend you check those bolts for wear and tightness EVERY time you open your awning.

Re: Patio Awning ZIP DEE

Reply #10 – July 25, 2021, 11:05:42 am

Quote from: Billbag – July 23, 2021, 05:28:20 pm

Looked at zip Dee current offering, powered, the one that looked perfect they no longer make. The other which mounts on the roof, or maybe the side, left no change from $5000, plus freight.

I would go with mounting a "manual" awning. Strong and reliable. They aren't difficult to deploy and retract. But it does require one to leave the recliner to accomplish. I figure when I can't be bothered with deploying a manual awning, that might be my clue to hang up the keys.

Just my opinion, But auto awnings along with electric toilets and window shades are simply tech for the sake of tech and being lazy. And is a sure fire way for manufacturers & dealers to relieve you of your dollars when that fancy tech goes south.

Re: Patio Awning ZIP DEE

Reply #11 – July 30, 2021, 05:47:45 pm

Mark, have been in several parks where those 10 x 10 pop ups our not allowed, temp. Or permanent, I consider them ideal. Thx.

New design, 1700. Or close, credit card is on the way if they can show up & down. Without pulling this out while stretching that while pulling a pin, then stretching this while trying t find a hole in something. The going to the other end etc, 82 -100# wife, 84 old guy, 175#. neither out of shape for 5 yrs younger.

Joe & Jeff, cant get any detail from the pix, am going to take the ? Back to Zipp Dee. Cant find a friendly face for Zip Dee among my quick look at Nacogdoches .

AS A SIDE NOTE, BAYFIELD Co. , we were moved to a nice spot close t the river, still pretty stuffed full, my guess if your plans call for this area next yr. GET YOUR NAME IN SOON..

Re: Patio Awning ZIP DEE

Reply #12 – July 30, 2021, 05:51:26 pm

Quote from: nitehawk – July 25, 2021, 09:32:30 am

Two things I have found that we have that you might want to investigate.
One is an additional awning rod for the one in a million times that the pull strap disappears up under the awning roll. Hook each end axle with a rod and pull down and "magically" the awning strap appears as the awning unrolls. Quick, easy, and no one has to climb up on a ladder.
Second is you might want to look at adding the vertical sliding bars that enable you to slide the lower awning arms up high enough to walk under them without banging your head. They raise the awning way up so it is parallel to the ground. Not all that expensive but we do really like ours. Our coach is 31 years old and I added them about four years ago. Wouldn't be without them now.

Go to Zip Dee website/products/accessories/slide bar and see how simple it is to install and how to use.

Re: Patio Awning ZIP DEE

Reply #13 – July 30, 2021, 05:55:20 pm

Got a extra pc on the pull down, got the push op lower bars or track as u might call it. Still no joy, someday will be someplace with a FT owner who will show me a magic method. Thanks have a good weekend

Re: Patio Awning ZIP DEE

Reply #14 – July 30, 2021, 07:20:24 pm

And make sure you "DO NOT" have the zlocks engaged when the awing is down.....Ask me why...ughhhhh

Re: Patio Awning ZIP DEE

Reply #15 – July 30, 2021, 09:47:27 pm

Quote from: Billbag – July 30, 2021, 05:47:45 pm

Joe & Jeff, cant get any detail from the pix, am going to take the ? Back to Zipp Dee. Cant find a friendly face for Zip Dee among my quick look at Nacogdoches .

AS A SIDE NOTE, BAYFIELD Co. , we were moved to a nice spot close t the river, still pretty stuffed full, my guess if your plans call for this area next yr. GET YOUR NAME IN SOON..

Bill- I would contact Zip Dee directly, as we did. Zip Dee no longer performs "installs". They do have a long list of professions that will do the install all over the country. We elected to have a shop right outside of thier main Chcago facility to do the install as we were traveling through the area... I believe Joe had a solo guy install his in Florida.

Like many things today... Call ahead, there may be a production shortage on materials that they use. Our lead time for the awning last July was about 35 days...

Jeff

Re: Patio Awning ZIP DEE

Reply #16 – July 31, 2021, 06:38:57 pm

Bill, I had a guy in Florida install my awning. It can be done with 3 people, but you need tall ladders to assist! Just about any RV shop can do this for you. You will need the color of the old awning or the other small ones on the coach to give to ZipDee for conformity!

Re: Patio Awning ZIP DEE

Reply #17 – July 31, 2021, 10:21:14 pm

Beeman
I took your idea and have put up stabilizer ropes. I attached the rope to the awning thru the holes on the lock ( is that ok?)

Re: Patio Awning ZIP DEE

Reply #18 – July 31, 2021, 10:41:01 pm

Quote from: dicksop – July 31, 2021, 10:21:14 pm

Beeman
I took your idea and have put up stabilizer ropes. I attached the rope to the awning thru the holes on the lock ( is that ok?)

Peter, personally, I would not run that cord through the eye of the lock. Too much of a chance to break it. Bring the rope over the ends of the tube near the end of each side. Much safer. I use a strap from Camco and it has a quick connect to attach the strap to the tube. Much easier and little chance of damage. Just an FYI.

Re: Patio Awning ZIP DEE

Reply #19 – August 01, 2021, 08:45:29 am

I agree with Joe, not a good idea to use the locks like that.

Re: Patio Awning ZIP DEE

Reply #20 – August 01, 2021, 09:45:33 am

Noooooo! Those lock levers are brittle, and expensive to replace when you snap one off.

Quote from: dicksop – July 31, 2021, 10:21:14 pm

Beeman
I took your idea and have put up stabilizer ropes. I attached the rope to the awning thru the holes on the lock ( is that ok?)

Re: Patio Awning ZIP DEE

Reply #21 – August 01, 2021, 10:10:01 am

The lock levers are made of pewter. Easily cast, not repairable, resistant to weather, and cheap--until you need to replace one.
Your awning will NOT stay rolled up if the lock is inoperable.
Replacing the locking mechanism involves unrolling the awning, unwinding the spring tension, drilling out the pop rivets, pulling out the old assembly, inserting the new assembly, pop riveting it in place, reloading the spring tension, and then you are done. EASY PEASY, RIGHT??
How do I know? I replaced both ends of our patio awning. Spring end (rear) and locking mechanism (front end). Mostly by myself but with a little bit of help from the DW. We (and I do mean we) replaced the flex strip--the piece that goes into the coach trim strip and the metal cover of the awning.

Re: Patio Awning ZIP DEE

Reply #22 – August 01, 2021, 10:25:38 am

One of my locks was broken when I bought the coach and we took a stainless steel
bolt and welded a washer on it and drilled and tapped the broken lock mechanism
and it works great.

Re: Patio Awning ZIP DEE

Reply #23 – August 01, 2021, 10:38:17 am

Not everybody has the knowledge, facilities, and expertise to do what you did.
Experience also plays a great part in improvising when an emergency occurs.
You are the type of individual it is nice to know and have for a friend.

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