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Topic: Zip dee air actuated awning help (Read 917 times) previous topic - next topic

Zip dee air actuated awning help

We looking at a 2002 Foretravel 320. It has air actuated big awning. When we activated it, I guess you could say it was pretty lethargic and did not completely open. The sales person at MOT said this type awning is no longer in production and parts are not available. Anyone have experience with this awning?  Really don't want to replace the entire awning.
Miles and Kim Pepperd
Pep6@cox.net
2002 Foretravel U320 4020
  2017 RAM truck
  2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
1994  Foretravel 36 ft Unihome
1978  Foretravel 36 ft FTX

Re: Zip dee air actuated awning help

Reply #1 –
Quote from: Miles and Kim Pepperd –
We looking at a 2002 Foretravel 320. It has air actuated big awning. When we activated it, I guess you could say it was pretty lethargic and did not completely open. The sales person at MOT said this type awning is no longer in production and parts are not available. Anyone have experience with this awning?  Really don't want to replace the entire awning.

I'm sure Carol S. will chime in.

Friends of ours had one on a 2002 and replaced it with a manual awning as soon as they could.
 Read some of the posts in this topic ZipDee Awning Manual Raise (air-operated awning on a 2002)
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Zip dee air actuated awning help

Reply #2 –
Everything we've read indicates that it's best to just replace it. The roller tube in our 1995 manual ZipDee patio awning bent badly due to a storm and (because the fabric was showinig its age) we installed a completely new ZipDee manual awning. It looks great and is very easy to operate. The people at ZipDee are excellent to work with.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Zip dee air actuated awning help

Reply #3 –
Quote from: D.J. Osborn –
Everything we've read indicates that it's best to just replace it.

Maybe make replacement with a manual one a contingency as part of an offer?
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Zip dee air actuated awning help

Reply #4 –
Last I knew you could return any defective parts to zip dee for rebuild.  Ours worked fine after that as long as we had the coach. 
Rick & Rhonda
2003 U320 4220  Build #6199
Was
91 36' GV 300 Caterpillar, 92 40' U280 300 Cummins, 97 36' U295 300 Cummins, 2002
U320 450 Cummins
(Guess we're hooked)

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Re: Zip dee air actuated awning help

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Johnstons –
Last I knew you could return any defective parts to zip dee for rebuild.  Ours worked fine after that as long as we had the coach.

Get the batteries up to snuff in the basement .. it will have 2 small 12v batteries that are connected to give it 24v (this is what makes the motor in the awning tube work.

You can make the awning come out and not air actuate .. with the arms point in the downward position... there is a bolt on the top face of the arm that you can remove and put some Oil in it to lube the arms and also while they are pointing down will help get any water out that might be in there. Clean the arms (air will extend them) if all is lubed up it might work properly.. If dirty it will be sluggish.. I have replaced or rebuilt most of the parts on the arms and motor... when working it is great.. Something else that will help a sluggish awning if everything else is good... A couple more cranks on the spring but you better understand what you are doing as it can harm you if you dont. I replaced the motor in mine thinking it was worn out but it just needed more twist on the inner spring (in the tube)... I have a dedicated compressor for the awning and tires or whatever I need.. The Thomas Compressor they installed originally isnt up to par.. so they say.. never tried mine.. its new also.

If having issues the board (electronic part in the basement has lights to help diagnose any issues with it working)

Re: Zip dee air actuated awning help

Reply #6 –
We just replaced our 2000 ZipDee Air Awning with a manual one.  ZipDee does have parts for these awnings, but not worth the trouble to fix, as other issues will follow and you will be throwing good money after bad!  We are getting ready to send back the two vertical arms and the control box to ZipDee for a $400 rebate.  We purchase a new manual awning and installed it and happy we did!  If you need any other information or wish to talk, please email me at joe@angelsonwheels.com  or send me your phone number in the email and I will call you.
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Zip dee air actuated awning help

Reply #7 –
Quote from: juicesqueezer –
We just replaced our 2000 ZipDee Air Awning with a manual one.  ZipDee does have parts for these awnings, but not worth the trouble to fix, as other issues will follow and you will be throwing good money after bad!  We are getting ready to send back the two vertical arms and the control box to ZipDee for a $400 rebate.  We purchase a new manual awning and installed it and happy we did!  If you need any other information or wish to talk, please email me at joe@angelsonwheels.com  or send me your phone number in the email and I will call you.
They charge $750 to rebuild them arms and not sure on the control box.. Cheap.

Re: Zip dee air actuated awning help

Reply #8 –
The lift arms need to be lubed see instructions. Also extend arms,with out lifting , and check for watering the tubes. You may have to loosen the four screws on the black plastic caps, that will allow any water to escape. After draining and lubing my arms work fine. After they are raised and lowered a few times the speed will amaze you. Everything needs a little maintenance,  I would rather repair, if possible, than replace parts !! Good Luck.
Safe Travels
Dave
2001 U320 40ft
Build #5867
2003 Tracker
VE7DOD

Re: Zip dee air actuated awning help

Reply #9 –
We had an AutoAwn on our last coach and wound up never using it because it was SO temperamental. We spent 2 full days parked beside the Zip Dee shop while they tried to fix every glitch and headscratching bit of that beast. My sincere best advice to you would be to take it off and replace it with a manual model. The awning was always "my job" and the manual awnings on the 2 previous coaches were super easy and maintenance free.
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