Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Big Patio Awning (Read 917 times) previous topic - next topic

Big Patio Awning

I pulled out my patio (Zipdee) awning but I couldn't control it's descent (too heavy for me) and it rolled out to it's full length. When I pulled on the strap in the middle  of the awning to trigger it rolling back up it didn't go anywhere. It now requires two people (on ladders) to manually roll it back up, but it never goes back inside it's nice little metal roll around container, even with two people rolling it up like a sushi.

Any ideas?

I am reminded of the old sash roll down blinds that had to be rewound on the end to rewind the spring. Is that the case with this awning? Or have I completely destroyed it?

I tried to research this topic in the Foreforum awning dept, but I couldn't find anything pertinent. I apologize if it has been recently posted about.

Any ideas will be very appreciated.

Susan
Susan
Chimayo, NM
1990 U280 36'

Re: Big Patio Awning

Reply #1 –
You are on the right track with thinking about how roller shades work.  There is a huge coiled spring inside the awnings, and it is likely broken.  Go to the ZeeDee site and look at the parts breakdown.  And you can also read about how the spring is preloaded with turns on the end bars.  I know John Kerbs just found his broken, and cleaned and replaced his coils on his 1997 last month.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: Big Patio Awning

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Susan –
I pulled out my patio (Zipdee) awning but I couldn't control it's descent (too heavy for me) and it rolled out to it's full length. When I pulled on the strap in the middle  of the awning to trigger it rolling back up it didn't go anywhere. It now requires two people (on ladders) to manually roll it back up, but it never goes back inside it's nice little metal roll around container, even with two people rolling it up like a sushi.

Any ideas?

I am reminded of the old sash roll down blinds that had to be rewound on the end to rewind the spring. Is that the case with this awning? Or have I completely destroyed it?

I tried to research this topic in the Foreforum awning dept, but I couldn't find anything pertinent. I apologize if it has been recently posted about.

Any ideas will be very appreciated.

Susan

Spring tension is low from wear and/or corrosion has built up between the steel shaft and the aluminum cap.

Spraying crc 656 lube helped free mine up.  Rear awning arm needs to have its spring re tensioned.

Lower bolt pulled and the awning arm rotated a number of turns increases the spring tension.

Might take ten turns. 

Rest the awning on a ladder to support it.

Needs servicing after 25 years
"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: Big Patio Awning

Reply #3 –
You could contact Jimmy in Tech Support at Zip Dee.  He was very helpful when we had problems with our awning.
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: Big Patio Awning

Reply #4 –
My large awning over my slideout failed like that.  I bet it is your spring.  If so, the repair process is to drill the pop rivets out on the spring mount end (3? 4?) after you take the arm off, then pull the likely-rusted spring out.  Insert the new spring, pop-rivet it back on, then wind the arm carefully as per the instructions with the new spring.  Then remount the arm.  Be very careful with the tension if you do this!
The selected media item is not currently available.Brad & Christine Slaughter
Was:  1990 U280 36'
Was:  2002 U270 36' (With a bathroom door) Build #5981
Is:  2021 Leisure Travel Van Wonder 24RL
2015 Jeep JKU, 2003 S10 QC 4x4 or 2017 C-Max
Lake Havasu City, AZ (or Gillette, WY)

Re: Big Patio Awning

Reply #5 –
Heard a person could brake an arm if not careful!

 Richard B
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Big Patio Awning

Reply #6 –
I'd contact ZipDee and find an authorized repair shop in you area and have them fix it. It's big and heavy and awkward to work with. It's one item that is worth paying someone else to work on.

see ya
ken
The selected media item is not currently available.ken & dori hathaway & Big Agnes
🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X

Re: Big Patio Awning

Reply #7 –
Ken has it right. Sometimes it is cheaper to pay someone who has the equipment, experience, and staff to do the dangerous work.

Re: Big Patio Awning

Reply #8 –
Susan,
Don't know where you are located, but if anywhere near the Foretravel factory in Texas, they can fix it super fast and cheap-- they stock all the parts.  Mine was frozen on my 1990 36' U280.  It took 3 people and ladders to safely remove and get it dismantled.  They replaced the latch mechanism and end cap, the fabric attachment point to the coach and cleaned, lubricated and reset the spring tension all for about $220.  I was very satisfied.  Spring problems on the large awnings can be dangerous, proceed with caution if you attempt to do this yourself, and you will need help.
Current coach 1996 U320 40'
Previous coach, 1990 36' U280

Re: Big Patio Awning

Reply #9 –
I did my spring removal, reinstall and retension all by myself (just goes to show how dumb I am). I lowered the awning all the way unrolled, supported the awning roll on a ladder, strapped it in place so it couldn't go anywhere. Then I unbolted the lower arm from the coach and proceeded to carefully unwind the spring tension, using to arm as my lever. I unwound around 20 turns and then checked for any spring tension--normal tensioning is, I believe, one turn per foot of awning length plus 10 turns-- and found I had to turn a few more turns. Our awning is around 18 feet long. I then drilled out the rivets on the end that holds the spring. I carefully pullet out the assembly. The spring has a square cross section and had "climbed " over a few coils. Also, when I installed poprivets for a Patio Sunshade two rivets caught the spring.
I called the Zip Dee factory and got a price of $128 plus shipping for a new assembly.
Reinstall and retension is just the reverse of the removal. Just keep a firm grip on the lower arm as you preload the spring and use the simple formula to determine the number of turns. After you try to roll the awning up you might find you need a couple more turns. Lower the awning, have someone support the spring end, unbolt the lower arm, add turns, rebolt the arm and then try a rollup. Repeat if necessary.
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: Big Patio Awning

Reply #10 –
youtube also has video.. pc
S/W Houston 95" U320C SE/40' 
Build #4778  Cummins M11
Repairs & Covered RV Parking (BAO)
PPL is close..

Re: Big Patio Awning

Reply #11 –
Quote from: rbark –
Heard a person could brake an arm if not careful!

 Richard B

Unless you are very good and/or know what you are doing, it is pretty dicey to try and fix these things yourself. People have been injured badly messing with those springs and the arms attached.  I watched the actual ZipDee guys service our manual awning at an FMCA convention, where you can make an appt and they will come to your site and fix or install things.  They use a special, shortened "arm" to adjust the tension, but you can tell that they have done it over and over and know what they are doing.  Personally ... I would do as suggested and call ZipDee for the location of an authorized repair location.  Order the parts YOURSELF and take them with you ... some repair locations will double the price of the item if they order it for you!  (For real ... I had that happen!) 
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Big Patio Awning

Reply #12 –
The Zip Dee factory is in Elk Grove, Il, just West of Chicago.

They tightened the spring on ours while there. The service tech (the owners son) warned to be VERY careful when winding it.
If you go there (or order any parts) I would suggest the  NX Hardware Upgrade.
NX Hardware Upgrade Kit
It will make a world of difference.

I suspect you have already figured out that a few tie wraps will let you secure your 'less that tight' sushi roll.

HTH
Elliott & Mary Bray
ex. 1996 36' U295 - Build 4879
ex. 2018 Coachmen Leprechaun 319MB
 

Re: Big Patio Awning

Reply #13 –
Thank you, everyone.

I have looked up Zip Dee dealers in my area, (north of Seattle) and found several. You have convinced me that my Tie Wrap sushi days are not over and that I am going to leave this awning repair to the professionals. I replaced my own water pump the other day and was feeling pretty confident and frisky. But this is obviously out of my physical strength zone.

Thank you again!

Susan
Susan
Chimayo, NM
1990 U280 36'

Re: Big Patio Awning

Reply #14 –
Smart decision. Something that large with a preload spring can inflict pain in a hurry. 
Steve DeLange
2005 U320T 40'
Pearland, Texas

Re: Big Patio Awning

Reply #15 –
Three years ago we were in Cagle campground between Conroe and Huntsville, TX. I had the patio awning out in the "caravan" position. It rained that night like I had never seen it rain that hard before. The rafter arm end pewter casting at the rear of the awning broke. Pewter is not repairable. We contacted Zip Dee and were informed that the casting we needed was no longer available but they had an alternative that the end was mounted on the awning axle and I would have to drill new holes for the change in location. What was I to do? We had just got there from Wisconsin. The awning could not be placed in the stored position. So I got instructions from Zip Dee and my manual on how to unload the spring and how to change out the parts. Once you learn how to do it the entire process becomes very simple. Just be DARN CAREFUL when manipulating the spring tension. Use the lower arm for your lever, hold the awning away from the coach so the arm doesn't hit the coach, and loading the spring tension becomes very easy to do--even for a 90# weakling. (I don't dare say my DW because sometimes I think she is stronger than me!!)
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: Big Patio Awning

Reply #16 –
Quote from: TheBrays –
I would suggest (if getting new parts) the  NX Hardware Upgrade.
NX Hardware Upgrade Kit
It will make a world of difference.
Pamela and Mike asked me how the new top end support was fastened to the coach.

As you can (maybe) see from the picture, the bracket is forward of the seam into the front cap.
The techs worked the standard bracket over several times until it conformed to the curvature.
Elliott & Mary Bray
ex. 1996 36' U295 - Build 4879
ex. 2018 Coachmen Leprechaun 319MB