Awning difficult to open?

Topic: Awning difficult to open? (Read 1262 times) previous topic - next topic

Awning difficult to open?

July 13, 2019, 10:47:40 am

Our main awning opened with ease but it was very difficult to get the arms to move up and down the slide bars, tried cleaner on the slide bars, used silicone spray, tried waxing and then noticed that the aluminum was being damaged.
At last I did what I should have done first, called ZipDee and the lady there knew exactly what the problem was; the Teflon tape that adheres to three sides of the slider on the end of the arm was worn out. Three days later by mail at no charge, enough tape to make repairs probably 10 times over arrived (that is real service)
Took twenty minutes to cut six 1" pieces and adhere them inside the sliders after removing what was left of the worn tape, and the awning works like new!

Re: Awning difficult to open?

Reply #1 – July 13, 2019, 11:19:46 am

Didn't even realize there IS teflon tape on the inside of the slider. Good thing to know!

Thanx for the tech tip!

Re: Awning difficult to open?

Reply #2 – July 13, 2019, 02:46:01 pm

Excellent tip. I have the same problem on one of my sliders. I'm calling them Monday. Thanks.
jor

Re: Awning difficult to open?

Reply #3 – July 13, 2019, 03:04:20 pm

Quote from: jor – July 13, 2019, 02:46:01 pm

Excellent tip. I have the same problem on one of my sliders. I'm calling them Monday. Thanks.
jor

x2!

Re: Awning difficult to open?

Reply #4 – July 13, 2019, 03:08:17 pm

Me too. They're gunna run out of tape.

Re: Awning difficult to open?

Reply #5 – July 13, 2019, 04:44:22 pm

I'm trying to picture the taping procedure and I wonder if we are talking about the same thing. Is this the slider you're referring to. Thanks.
jor

Re: Awning difficult to open?

Reply #6 – July 13, 2019, 05:39:06 pm

Quote from: jor – July 13, 2019, 04:44:22 pm

I'm trying to picture the taping procedure and I wonder if we are talking about the same thing. Is this the slider you're referring to. Thanks.
jor

That's it. Think about this for a moment. The product is non-stick teflon tape, that's sticky on one side.

FWIW I used "axle grease" on mine until I can get around to getting some tape. If someone comes over and grabs the bar, that's entertainment.

Re: Awning difficult to open?

Reply #7 – July 13, 2019, 06:27:47 pm

Somebody told me to vigorously rub the bars upon which the sliders slide with wax paper...which I have done several times. Seems to help...

Re: Awning difficult to open?

Reply #8 – July 13, 2019, 06:32:27 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – July 13, 2019, 06:27:47 pm

Somebody told me to vigorously rub the bars upon which the sliders slide with wax paper...which I have done several times. Seems to help...

I thought of that but you need an extreme pressure lubricant to keep the two aluminum surfaces apart. Something the teflon tape does with ease.

Re: Awning difficult to open?

Reply #9 – July 13, 2019, 08:58:58 pm

I have one that is missing the black tape/thick plastic also. Pull out on the bar and guide the little bracket as you slide it up, still hard to do, but I can use mine.

Re: Awning difficult to open?

Reply #10 – July 13, 2019, 09:48:35 pm

Yes JOR that is the slider,
the tape is on three sides of the bracket that slides up and down the vertical bar.
You have to remove the awning arm from the slider, then remove one end of the vertical bar and the slide piece comes right off, the old tape comes right out with a flat headed screw driver and you stick in the self adhesive Teflon tape,

Re: Awning difficult to open?

Reply #11 – July 13, 2019, 10:49:36 pm

Quote

Yes JOR that is the slider,

Thanks, David. Now I get it.
jor

Re: Awning difficult to open?

Reply #12 – July 14, 2019, 08:02:41 am

Been using WD 40 for years and slides fine. Hey,, for the price I will try tape but I figure the free offer won't be long lived. I do know yanking on a awning on a hot day with wife on one end and me on the other and one word from me in the wrong tone can piss off a partner that can last a while. May do tape and 40 until the lady sees fit to put on an electric porch.

Re: Awning difficult to open?

Reply #13 – July 14, 2019, 11:22:06 am

Quote from: Dub – July 14, 2019, 08:02:41 am

Been using WD 40 for years and slides fine. Hey,, for the price I will try tape but I figure the free offer won't be long lived. I do know yanking on a awning on a hot day with wife on one end and me on the other and one word from me in the wrong tone can piss off a partner that can last a while. May do tape and 40 until the lady sees fit to put on an electric porch.

Maybe for a beer or five, you can show me how to open our's when you come visit; I've not needed it, because of the small ones, but would like to know! Our Airstream awnings, though Zip Dees, were all different.

Re: Awning difficult to open?

Reply #14 – July 14, 2019, 11:28:39 am

Quote from: mike leary – July 14, 2019, 11:22:06 am

Maybe for a beer or five, you can show me how to open our's when you come visit; I've not needed it, because of the small ones, but would like to know! Our Airstream awnings, though Zip Dees, were all different.

Use the awning hook to pull down the locks at each end.

Pull down the pull tab in the middle (just like the small awnings).

If someone has added the small circular locks, open them. Your coach did not have these.

If the pull tab is not visible, use a person at each end of the awning to unroll it enough to expose the pull tab. It IS long enough if the awning is properly stowed.

Won't even cost you one beer.

Re: Awning difficult to open?

Reply #15 – July 14, 2019, 12:39:40 pm

I watched a youtube video from highway rv dealer 2 years ago.very informative ,as i had no zipdee manual. Zipdee website has limited drawings. Highway Rv zipdee video is still up.
Watch it several times, good luck

Re: Awning difficult to open?

Reply #16 – July 14, 2019, 12:40:50 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – July 14, 2019, 11:28:39 am

Use the awning hook to pull down the locks at each end.

Pull down the pull tab in the middle (just like the small awnings).

If someone has added the small circular locks, open them. Your coach did not have these.

If the pull tab is not visible, use a person at each end of the awning to unroll it enough to expose the pull tab. It IS long enough if the awning is properly stowed.

Won't even cost you one beer.

I know where the lockers are on each side up above, but do I loosen ALL the knurled circular lockers (and remove the velcro keepere, natch) before bringing it down?

Re: Awning difficult to open?

Reply #17 – July 14, 2019, 12:47:59 pm

We carry two (2) awning pull rods in case this dumbass rolls the large patio awning, or even one of the small ones, up so the pull strap has disappeared. Makes it easier to open the awning until the pull strap appears, without having to use two ladders. Just "hook" the axle on each end & pull down.
Oh, by the way, I also altered a 1 iron. Rumour has it that even God couldn't hit a decent shot with a 1 iron.

So I put it to a better use. Works great when wet outside or the hands are cold or arthritic. Nice covered grip for your hands.

Re: Awning difficult to open?

Reply #18 – July 14, 2019, 12:51:07 pm

Quote from: mike leary – July 14, 2019, 12:40:50 pm

I know where the lockers are on each side up above, but do I loosen ALL the knurled circular lockers (and remove the velcro keepere, natch) before bringing it down?

All those were added after we had it. But, yes, loosen/open all the circular locks and remove any velcro keepers. None were original equipment.

Re: Awning difficult to open?

Reply #19 – July 14, 2019, 01:12:27 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – July 14, 2019, 12:51:07 pm

All those were added after we had it. But, yes, loosen/open all the circular locks and remove any velcro keepers. None were original equipment.

I'm thinking it was modified so the support arms could be adjusted, not only for height, but a way to avoid 'smackin your noggin' when walking underneath.

Re: Awning difficult to open?

Reply #20 – July 14, 2019, 01:43:45 pm

Quote from: mike leary – July 14, 2019, 12:40:50 pm

I know where the lockers are on each side up above, but do I loosen ALL the knurled circular lockers (and remove the velcro keepere, natch) before bringing it down?

I have a question. By "circular lockers" so you mean the knurled knobs that pull out the locking pins? Or has a previous owner done something interesting?
Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maximum culpa. I didn't read the instructions, and had extended by awning in caravan position, when it rolled itself back up there went the lanyard.

Re: Awning difficult to open?

Reply #21 – July 14, 2019, 02:50:50 pm

Quote from: Old Toolmaker – July 14, 2019, 01:43:45 pm

I have a question. By "circular lockers" so you mean the knurled knobs that pull out the locking pins? Or has a previous owner done something interesting?
Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maximum culpa. I didn't read the instructions, and had extended by awning in caravan position, when it rolled itself back up there went the lanyard.

Yes, there are circular lockers all over, AND, the lanyard getting rolled up into the awning is not much fun! Don't ask me how I know.

Re: Awning difficult to open?

Reply #22 – July 14, 2019, 05:23:15 pm

Quote from: mike leary – July 14, 2019, 02:50:50 pm

the lanyard getting rolled up into the awning is not much fun! Don't ask me how I know.

That should be a "it happened ONCE". Lesson learned. The tail is plenty long, but you do need to keep some tension on it as you stow it.

As with all the awnings, move the lanyard slightly to the rear as you stow, so you don't end up with a "wad" in the center of the awning and loose ends.

Re: Awning difficult to open?

Reply #23 – July 15, 2019, 10:28:18 am

Found zipdee site has many instructional videos.
Awningsbyzipdee.com

Re: Awning difficult to open?

Reply #24 – July 15, 2019, 10:55:51 am

Quote from: Irish – July 13, 2019, 10:47:40 am

At last I did what I should have done first, called ZipDee and the lady there knew exactly what the problem was; the Teflon tape that adheres to three sides of the slider on the end of the arm was worn out. Three days later by mail at no charge, enough tape to make repairs probably 10 times over arrived (that is real service)

They now charge .67 cents per inch for their tape plus tax and shipping....not complaining, it is the "right stuff" for the job after all....

Ralph
96 U270

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