Re: How to open the large Zipdee awning help Reply #20 – February 13, 2020, 09:31:47 am Quote from: Realmccoy – February 13, 2020, 12:52:04 amI feel your pain. It took me a while to get the hang of ZipDee manual awning after many years using other brands. In our case, we began our Foretravel journey one year ago. Regarding the awning, one of the claws was broken, and not understanding the use of the stretcher arms I pulled the awning out to caravan position and left it there, my being used to ratchets. Until it suddenly retracted itself. Scared the dog. Quote Selected
Re: How to open the large Zipdee awning help Reply #21 – February 13, 2020, 10:09:35 am Quote from: Old Toolmaker – February 13, 2020, 09:31:47 amIn our case, we began our Foretravel journey one year ago. Regarding the awning, one of the claws was broken, and not understanding the use of the stretcher arms I pulled the awning out to caravan position and left it there, my being used to ratchets. Until it suddenly retracted itself. Scared the dog.Your spring must be tighter than mine, it won't roll up without help for about a foot. Quote Selected
Re: How to open the large Zipdee awning help Reply #22 – February 13, 2020, 10:12:58 am Dans, When you first deploy that awning it just seems ridiculously complex, however, after doing it 10 times or so it will seem "relatively" easy. To avoid having to carry a stool to reach that just-out-of-reach top bracket, you can buy ZipDee's NX upgrade which makes the process much easier (no stop stool). Good luck.jor Quote Selected
Re: How to open the large Zipdee awning help Reply #23 – February 13, 2020, 10:18:45 am I rewound the spring on our patio shade. The Zipdee instructions tell you how many turns per foot of length and say that correctly done it will not roll up on its own until you push it up a foot or two.If you use the NX conversion make sure you are attaching to underlying metal framing at the top. I helped another member whose front top connection pulled almost completely off. It was a challenging repair. Quote Selected
Re: How to open the large Zipdee awning help Reply #24 – February 13, 2020, 10:22:11 am Just curious, what do you need a stool to reach? I just drop the top brace in the slot at the top and push out on the roller and the pin drops down. Quote Selected
Re: How to open the large Zipdee awning help Reply #25 – February 13, 2020, 10:24:23 am I can reach up and latch my upper arm from the ground, a 12" folding stool help. Some are vertically challenged. Quote Selected
Re: How to open the large Zipdee awning help Reply #26 – February 13, 2020, 11:10:59 am Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – February 13, 2020, 10:24:23 amI can reach up and latch my upper arm from the ground, a 12" folding stool help. Some are vertically challenged.When we replaced our patio awning I also ordered the "NX Upgrade" kit. The rafter arms attach to the motorhome at the top and it makes awning operation easier and faster. To me, at least, it was a very worthwhile upgrade.As I have mentioned before the optional center rafter is easy to use and adds significant strength to the long roller tube. Quote Selected
Re: How to open the large Zipdee awning help Reply #27 – February 13, 2020, 11:14:36 am Times 2 on NX upgrade. Much easier out and in for myself. Quote Selected
Re: How to open the large Zipdee awning help Reply #28 – February 13, 2020, 11:40:43 am Optional center rafter... Sounds interesting, do you have any pictures? I am trying to picture how that would work on our 21' patio awning. How does it attach?DonQuote from: D.J. Osborn – February 13, 2020, 11:10:59 amWhen we replaced our patio awning I also ordered the "NX Upgrade" kit. The rafter arms attach to the motorhome at the top and it makes awning operation easier and faster. To me, at least, it was a very worthwhile upgrade.As I have mentioned before the optional center rafter is easy to use and adds significant strength to the long roller tube. Quote Selected
Re: How to open the large Zipdee awning help Reply #29 – February 13, 2020, 12:00:09 pm Quote from: Don & Tys – February 13, 2020, 11:40:43 amOptional center rafter... Sounds interesting, do you have any pictures? I am trying to picture how that would work on our 21' patio awning. How does it attach?I will post a picture or two later today. In the meantime the Zip Dee Website may show an illustration. The center rafter is hinged to the upper side of the motorhome and swings out with a spring-loaded pin inserted into a hole in the awning tube. Quote Selected
Re: How to open the large Zipdee awning help Reply #30 – February 13, 2020, 12:40:44 pm Quote from: craneman – February 13, 2020, 10:09:35 amYour spring must be tighter than mine, it won't roll up without help for about a foot.Craneman, Caravan Position is with the awning only extended part way. Done properly the extension arms are fully retracted. Without using the extension arms, and expecting a ratchet wheel to hold the awning out a gentle breeze was enough to retract the awning.I, too, have no difficulty hooking the claw from the ground. But I like to use a step stool to give me some height to pull the awning out the first few feet. Quote Selected
Re: How to open the large Zipdee awning help Reply #31 – February 13, 2020, 01:09:37 pm Quote from: Old Toolmaker – February 13, 2020, 12:40:44 pmCraneman, Caravan Position is with the awning only extended part way. Done properly the extension arms are fully retracted. Without using the extension arms, and expecting a ratchet wheel to hold the awning out a gentle breeze was enough to retract the awning.I, too, have no difficulty hooking the claw from the ground. But I like to use a step stool to give me some height to pull the awning out the first few feet.Sorry didn't understand the term Caravan Position. Mine would reel back from that position also. Quote Selected
Re: How to open the large Zipdee awning help Reply #32 – February 13, 2020, 03:30:12 pm Quote from: Don & Tys – February 13, 2020, 11:40:43 amOptional center rafter... Sounds interesting, do you have any pictures? I am trying to picture how that would work on our 21' patio awning. How does it attach?Here are some pictures showing it deployed and one of the lower attachment point when stowed. Quote Selected
Re: How to open the large Zipdee awning help Reply #33 – February 13, 2020, 04:17:58 pm Thanks for the pictures Quote from: D.J. Osborn – February 13, 2020, 12:00:09 pmI will post a picture or two later today. In the meantime the Zip Dee Website may show an illustration. The center rafter is hinged to the upper side of the motorhome and swinds out with a spring-loafed pin inserted into a hole in the awning tube.Learn something new every day! I have to say, I do like that Third arm idea. It looks like a quarter inch thick stick of aluminum flatstock is riveted to the awning roller tube, and the third arm has a dowel that fits into a hole drilled to receive it?Don Quote Selected
Re: How to open the large Zipdee awning help Reply #34 – February 13, 2020, 04:41:54 pm Quote from: Don & Tys – February 13, 2020, 04:17:58 pmThanks for the pictures Learn something new every day! I have to say, I do like that Third arm idea. It looks like a quarter inch thick stick of aluminum flatstock is riveted to the awning roller tube, and the third arm has a dowel that fits into a hole drilled to receive it?Your description is accurate (although the aluminum flatstock is thinner than 1/4"). It was a straightforward installation and seems (at least to me) to significantly strengthen the long roller tube. Quote Selected
Re: How to open the large Zipdee awning help Reply #35 – February 13, 2020, 09:39:38 pm Here is a link that covers some key points even if it is not just like ours. https://youtu.be/dYtYqk_05oQ Quote Selected
Re: How to open the large Zipdee awning help Reply #36 – February 13, 2020, 10:48:36 pm Ok. When it's sunny and no wind, I'll go for it. All your help is invaluable and very much appreciated.1st. Lube everything cause I don't know when it was opened last and let it set a few days.2nd. release the hardware in 3 places on the roller.3rd. Say a prayer.4th. Continue!Thanks again Quote Selected
Re: How to open the large Zipdee awning help Reply #37 – February 14, 2020, 11:45:05 am One thing I learned (the HARD WAY) is to put a short loop of thin rope on the end of the pull cord. I also put a subtle mark on the coach to indicate where the pull cord ends. Digging that pull cord out is least fun! Quote Selected
Re: How to open the large Zipdee awning help Reply #38 – February 14, 2020, 01:13:59 pm Quote from: mike leary – February 14, 2020, 11:45:05 amOne thing I learned (the HARD WAY) is to put a short loop of thin rope on the end of the pull cord. I also put a subtle mark on the coach to indicate where the pull cord ends. Digging that pull cord out is least fun! Then why not open the awning some with the arms? With something to stand on, and a couple of blocks of wood you can accomplish the task by yourself*.*I break enough stuff all by myself, I don't need help. Quote Selected
Re: How to open the large Zipdee awning help Reply #39 – February 20, 2020, 07:14:54 pm . Ok. got it opened today and all is well! Awning is like new. Probably never used much.Thanks for all the help. Way easier than the instructions make it seem. I'm 6-4 so no stool needed and I lengthened the pull rope for easier access.Thanks again Quote Selected
Topic: How to open the large Zipdee awning help