Zip Dee Awning weak roll up

[Paul Dobbin]

Our Land Yacht DP34 has 4 Zip Dee canvas awnings in the classic Airstream blue/white stripe pattern. The big one (18"0) decided it didn't want to roll up
as usual and I've had to do it by hand. In its younger days I could start it to roll up and the internal spring would take it the rest of the way, with me controlling the speed by the strap.
Anybody have experience in fixing this problem? There must be a spring or something that has retired or gone on limited duty. Also, anybody tried pressure washing the canvas awnings?

[Bill M.]

Yes, there is a big spring. And the tube and the spring are steel and can rust. It is not unusual for the awning to be weak rolling up. You need to determine if it is just binding or if the spring is actually broken. If the spring is broken you have to roll it completely by hand. If it is bound up a little you have to assist but it still has some roll on its own. If it is bound just opening and closing it a few times should help. According to the ZipDee Rep at national rally the more you use it the better it will be. I would not fool with it if it seems the spring is intact and just bound or weak. I would just assist it until it works better with use.

If it is broken you will need to take the spring out of the roller and replace it. It is a pretty strong spring and if you loosen the arm to try to mess with it it will wack you very hard. Look at the ZipDee site for a parts list. You can order what you need. The spring is the ID of the tube and is about 3 feet long. The spring assembly is pop riveted into the tube. The wire size of the spring is about 1/4 by 1/4 so it is a pretty darn strong spring.

[CRH]

I would loosen the rear arm and wind it about 3 more turns.