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Topic: Zip Dee Awning (Read 1420 times) previous topic - next topic

Zip Dee Awning

I would like to know how the Zip Dee sunbrella material is attached to the roller, is it stitched around the roller or does it have that plastic piece sewn into it that slides into a slot on the roller?

Mine looks like someone has added some stitching to it but it does not hang straight, the ends look like more material has been pulled up or something.

Thanks



Steve

1997 U270 36' build 5179
Motorcade #18147
1980 CJ5

Re: Zip Dee Awning

Reply #1 –
Mine is stitched.
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Zip Dee Awning

Reply #2 –
It slides on the tube and is attached with revits through the material into the tube. You may try extending the arms out and raising the sliders on the motor home up it will tighten the awning up. Your awning looks like it may have been stretched from rain water buildup at some point.
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: Zip Dee Awning

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Moby –
Mine is stitched.

Thanks, guess I will see if I can find someone to fix the stitching without taking it off.  It been repaired once but not a very good job of it.
Steve

1997 U270 36' build 5179
Motorcade #18147
1980 CJ5

Re: Zip Dee Awning

Reply #4 –
Quote from: bbeane –
It slides on the tube and is attached with revits through the material into the tube. You may try extending the arms out and raising the sliders on the motor home up it will tighten the awning up. Your awning looks like it may have been stretched from rain water buildup at some point.

Thanks, I did not know how to extend the arms until early this morning when I found a youtube video on it.

I will go back down there in a couple of weeks and extend the arms but I don't think that will help where the stitching has broken.  :(
Steve

1997 U270 36' build 5179
Motorcade #18147
1980 CJ5

Re: Zip Dee Awning

Reply #5 –
I just removed one of my window awnings and had it re stitched. It's a two person job. The main would require a couple of extra hands. Mine had to come off to be repaired, if you check the price of new awning fabric prices it's worth the effort to have it repaired.
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: Zip Dee Awning

Reply #6 –
If the awning has to come off, I can add to Bruce's comment: "two men, and BE CAREFUL, physical damage can happen! Airstream uses Zip Dees, also. A local dealer might be of help.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Zip Dee Awning

Reply #7 –
Quote from: bbeane –
I just removed one of my window awnings and had it re stitched. It's a two person job. The main would require a couple of extra hands. Mine had to come off to be repaired, if you check the price of new awning fabric prices it's worth the effort to have it repaired.

Thanks, I figured they were probably a bit pricey.  I am close enough to FOT I will probably just take it back over there next fall.

I prefer the repair route if possible so it stays matched to the other 6 window awnings.
Steve

1997 U270 36' build 5179
Motorcade #18147
1980 CJ5

Re: Zip Dee Awning

Reply #8 –
I disconnected the main awning by myself, to replace the 2 inch wide piece of awning material between the aluminum cover and the awning rail attached to the motorhome. I first clamped the awning roller at the left arm because the left arm has tension on it (to roll the awning up). The right arm has no tension. I then removed some screws and crimps and slide out the short piece of awning with the first piece of aluminum cover. I pulled it to the rear with 10 foot long 2x4s resting on the roof to support the 22 foot long pieces removed. Once removed, I could have removed the entire awning by lowering it to the ground, but that was not required.

My window awnings also have the rewind spring attached to the left arm. Count the number of rotations required to remove the tension before removing the awning and put that many turns back when replacing it, unless you want more tension, then add a turn or two.

The tension on the main awning is much greater then the tension on the windows awnings. If the arm with tension pulls out of your hand, it could give you a nasty surprise.
Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: Zip Dee Awning

Reply #9 –
Thanks for the info Wyatt, that will probably come in handy for me  ^.^d
Steve

1997 U270 36' build 5179
Motorcade #18147
1980 CJ5

Re: Zip Dee Awning

Reply #10 –
The polyester V92 thread that is used to hold the seams together is deteriorating.  You might get a canvas shop to resew the loop and the seams.  I was quoted a min. of $150.00 but was told they would charge by the hour and not sure how long it would take.  Many these days are using a "teflon" based thread. The Sunbrella will rot before the thread.

The awning is "crimped" into the "channel" in the aluminum cover panels.  Must open the channel to allow the canvas to slide out.  Needle nose pliers or channel-locks  will work  Either slide out of the channel toward the nose or the stern. 

If you take the large awning off for repair I would suggest you also replace the 1 1/2" fabric key that is between the coach and the aluminum cover assembly.  Call the plant and they will make one for you - to size.  Color may not match but I would guess that that key is getting a bit worn and beaten.
 
http://nebula.wsimg.com/c663901fa4b59d442c0dc5932c1491b9?AccessKeyId=C8A729CF410B06765C18&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

PM if you want to chat.

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

Re: Zip Dee Awning

Reply #11 –
Thanks Scott, I will have to see how things work out the next couple of week when I get it home.  ^.^d
Steve

1997 U270 36' build 5179
Motorcade #18147
1980 CJ5

Re: Zip Dee Awning

Reply #12 –
If you give Zipdee a call they will tell you an easier way to remove the awning than fooling with the flex key
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: Zip Dee Awning

Reply #13 –
Thanks Bruce, I will give that a try too.  I did watch some of their videos this morning.

My coach should have come out of one shop at FOT today and into another one next Tues or Wed. 

For me to run over there and look at something it is a 400 mile round trip
Steve

1997 U270 36' build 5179
Motorcade #18147
1980 CJ5

Re: Zip Dee Awning

Reply #14 –
You might check with FOT and see what they would charge to remove, sew and replace the awning.  3 hours? - or maybe replace?
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: Zip Dee Awning

Reply #15 –
Looking at your first photo in this post it strikes me that you apparently don't have the awning deployed correctly. It should be rolled up tight and pulling against the arms. Do you have the little booklet from Zip Dee? Look in the plastic pockets of the big books that hopefully came with your coach. It requires skill to use this awning correctly. If you do it correctly it'll withstand wind gusts that'll tear other awnings off newer coaches. Note that I don't suggest testing this theory in an actual windstorm but no doubt someday you will, inadvertently. The Zip Dee is super expensive so make sure it isn't operator error before you start spending bucks on it. If you can't find the booklet, and Zip Dee doesn't have it, contact me and I'll scan my booklet and post it on here. I see the damage in the photo but I doubt that'll matter if you get the awning deployed correctly. You've only taken the first steps in your photo. That damaged portion should be rolled up and won't even show after you get the awning deployed correctly. It takes about a minute or so to get the awning deployed correctly. This doesn't sit well with today's RV people who want something motorized.

Scott

(615) 482-7650
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: Zip Dee Awning

Reply #16 –
Quote from: Carol & Scott –
You might check with FOT and see what they would charge to remove, sew and replace the awning.  3 hours? - or maybe replace?

I left them a message earlier this afternoon but they must have left early today for some reason  :D
Steve

1997 U270 36' build 5179
Motorcade #18147
1980 CJ5

Re: Zip Dee Awning

Reply #17 –
Quote from: RRadio –
Looking at your first photo in this post it strikes me that you apparently don't have the awning deployed correctly.
Scott (615) 482-7650

Thanks Scott, it was not deployed all the way, I found  a video this morning on how to do it correctly.  I took the picture last week when I was down there but the thread is busted for about 12 inches where you can see the roller showing through.
Steve

1997 U270 36' build 5179
Motorcade #18147
1980 CJ5

Re: Zip Dee Awning

Reply #18 –
If you decide to handle this yourself, get aluminum rivets from Zip Dee.  The heads are a bit larger than what I could find at the depot or ace so they have more surface area to hold the material to the aluminum roller drum.
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: Zip Dee Awning

Reply #19 –
Quote from: Carol & Scott –
If you decide to handle this yourself, get aluminum rivets from Zip Dee. 

Thanks Scott, I know sometimes on aircraft we used washers under the rivet head for more surface but if they make rivets like that it should be a safer way to do it.
Steve

1997 U270 36' build 5179
Motorcade #18147
1980 CJ5

Re: Zip Dee Awning

Reply #20 –
Lager head aluminum rivets can be sourced from many vendors, including Amazon, Fastenal, and Mc Master Carr etc;
McMaster-Carr
However, perhaps Zip Dee has a version which has a softened edge under the head so as to reduce the tendency to cut the fabric.
Don
Quote from: Carol & Scott –
If you decide to handle this yourself, get aluminum rivets from Zip Dee.  The heads are a bit larger than what I could find at the depot or ace so they have more surface area to hold the material to the aluminum roller drum.
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Zip Dee Awning

Reply #21 –
Quote from: Don & Tys (AKA acousticart) –
Lager head aluminum rivets can be sourced from many vendors, including Amazon, Fastenal, and Mc Master Carr etc;
However, perhaps Zip Dee has a version which has a softened edge under the head so as to reduce the tendency to cut the fabric.
Don

Thanks Don We do have several Fastenal's around here, and to soften the underside of the rivet a O-ring or small flat rubber washer might work?
Steve

1997 U270 36' build 5179
Motorcade #18147
1980 CJ5

Re: Zip Dee Awning

Reply #22 –
If you roll up the awning so it pulls against the arms properly that bad spot won't even show. I'm pretty sure it'll work just fine. Find the booklet and follow the instructions, you'll see what I mean. The bad spot also won't show when the awning is folded up. The only time you'll see that bad spot is for about a minute or so when you're opening or closing the awning. If it really bothers you try to stitch it with a heavy duty needle made for canvas or leather. That Zip Dee awning is probably over $2,500
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: Zip Dee Awning

Reply #23 –
I just went through the rivet deal could not find them at Fastenal unless you want 500, or done of the big box stores.  I just called Zipdee had them in 4 days.
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: Zip Dee Awning

Reply #24 –
Z-Locks fail over time, tearing from the end of the awning.  Xtreme replaced all of mine when I noticed they were starting to fail.  I'd get a quote from ZipDee for new material to confirm it's not financially viable for you.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R