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Topic: Manual Zip Dee (Read 605 times) previous topic - next topic

Manual Zip Dee

 So the old Zip Dee awning was getting harder and harder to rewind.  So once I set up camp, I decided to give the arm a couple more turns.

It worked all too well. The awning got away from me as I attempted to rewind it. Now the pull down strap is not visible.

Any ideas on how to unwind the awning without the pull down strap?
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Manual Zip Dee

Reply #1 –
Peter,

I think I've seen folks suggest that you tie a strap to the top of each arm near the end of the roller and then pull on them until you can reach the regular strap.

Rich
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15

Re: Manual Zip Dee

Reply #2 –
 Thank you Rich. I will give that a try.  But will have to wait until I can get some straps.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Manual Zip Dee

Reply #3 –
Also a long rope tied at each end of the awning, long enough to make a big V, so one person can pull the center of the V standing on the ground.
Peter and Tammy Fleming
1991 U300 GV 40 - Sold, owned for 4 years
Downsized to Roadtrek Popular 210 class B

Re: Manual Zip Dee

Reply #4 –
I have had that happen, I was able to get a person on each arm and pull it down enough to get hold of the strap.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Manual Zip Dee

Reply #5 –
And, before deciding that you do need to retension (a not uncommon issue) liberally lube the ends (pivot points) with spray silicone.

Squealing/squeaking as you unroll and reroll are symptoms of needing to silicone the ends.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Manual Zip Dee

Reply #6 –
Try using awning pull rods. One on each end. Then someone grab the pull strap and HANG ON!!
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: Manual Zip Dee

Reply #7 –
Quote from: prfleming –
Also a long rope tied at each end of the awning, long enough to make a big V, so one person can pull the center of the V standing on the ground.
This works for me.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Manual Zip Dee

Reply #8 –
Went to Lowes & got 50' clothes line $5. Awning is now the way it should be. Easy wind up process.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH