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Topic: Zip dee Flex Keys (Read 543 times) previous topic - next topic

Zip dee Flex Keys

Just ordered replacement slide cover that was damaged from being open for 12 years. Also as a preventative measure ordered replacement flex keys. Mine are all showing there age and don't want to deal with them on the side of the freeway in the wind. Any install insight would be appreciated. Will make up the modified vise grips and install spacer.
Can they be installed as the old one is removed?
Zip Dee gets $1100 for the one awning and flex keys. Glad the rest of the awnings are in satisfactory shape.
Scott

Re: Zip dee Flex Keys

Reply #1 –
I believe there is a post showing the new key going in behind the old one being removed.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Zip dee Flex Keys

Reply #2 –
Quote from: dsd –
Just ordered replacement slide cover that was damaged from being open for 12 years. Also as a preventative measure ordered replacement flex keys. Mine are all showing there age and don't want to deal with them on the side of the freeway in the wind. Any install insight would be appreciated. Will make up the modified vise grips and install spacer.
Can they be installed as the old one is removed?
Zip Dee gets $1100 for the one awning and flex keys. Glad the rest of the awnings are in satisfactory shape.
Scott

You might want to check with Shade Pro, as they just changed our slide awning out and it was $900!  Very happy with their job as well!  Also, flex key can be installed as old one is removed, but they did the whole thing with shade on our coach.  Easy with 2 people who don't mind hanging off ladders!  We did our main awning with 3 people.  Now that one was fun!  NOT!

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 Flex Keys

Reply #3 –
Scott,

I changed out all my window awning flex keys by myself last January.  I have the new flex key for the main side awning but am waiting until I have at least one competent friend to help with that job.  I followed Zip Dee's easy to understand instructions: removing the old flex key and first metal slat to the ground, replacing old flex key with new on that first metal slat, then reinstalling the new key/slat to coach.  I suppose that the old flex key could be replaced with the new while on the coach but I don't think it would be any easier than using Zip Dee's method. 

The job is not difficult, definitely not rocket surgery.  When done solo there is a lot of ladder repositioning involved and some ingenuity needed to properly support the slats on the long awnings while removing and replacing. 

Hope this helps.

Richard
Jan & Richard Witt
1999 U-320  36ft WTFE
Build Number: 5478 Motorcade: 16599
2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited w/Air Force One
Jan: NO5U, Richard:KA5RIW
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