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New Awenings need advice

February 28, 2020, 06:51:57 pm

Hi im looking at replacing my Zip Dee 21 foot awning.
I want a automatic one but not break the bank.
Girard wants $7000 for a 21 ft awning.
Looking at Shade pro and Dometic.
Any advice is welcome
Rick Maddox
rlmlimited@comcast.net
509-939-0740

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Re: New Awenings need advice

Reply #1 – February 28, 2020, 07:07:06 pm

My question would be: WHY would you want to replace the finest awning in the world with another brand?  I've seen two coaches with the automatic that deployed out of nowhere doing serious damage. I waved to these folks as they left our park; all of a sudden the awning retracted, taking out the very sturdy lamp housing (pic in next post) and bending the heck out of the awning!

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Re: New Awenings need advice

Reply #2 – February 28, 2020, 09:38:44 pm

Replace like for like for $2000. $7000 is outrageous!

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Re: New Awenings need advice

Reply #3 – February 29, 2020, 08:50:35 am

Here's the damage to the light stanchion, I felt so bad for the couple, I took no pics of the damage to a brand new coach, the awning looked like a total to me. I'd wonder, in this day and age of remote 'bippers', that she wanted to watch 'All My Children' whilst traveling and used the WRONG BIPPER ?

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Re: New Awenings need advice

Reply #4 – February 29, 2020, 09:28:26 am

My opinion, I had an automatic Girard in a previous coach and loved it.  Had no problems, used it frequently.  Many occasions would come back and find it stowed because of wind gusts.  I seldom use my Zipdee since it's so difficult to set up and don't want to have to take it down when leaving then have to set it up again.  Expensive?  yes, but IMO worth it. 
Now on my LazyDaze I had a manual awning that operated with a single rod, very easy to open and close.  Could open partially.  Can't remember the name, think it was a european make.

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Re: New Awenings need advice

Reply #5 – February 29, 2020, 09:58:15 am

Just replaced our auto awning ZipDee for a manual one.  $1700 and easy to put out and lower!

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Re: New Awenings need advice

Reply #6 – February 29, 2020, 10:46:20 am

Last year our 24 year old Zip Dee patio awning was damaged because I didn't have it properly tilted to drain during a storm. After carefully researching all brands and styles I replaced it with a new Zip Dee awning and I'm very happy. It is much stronger than the other brands and is very easy to operate.

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