Awning install pics on the 27FB

[Westfalia]

After feeling the need to drill lots of holes in a perfectly good trailer, a quick call to Lewster got new matching roadside and rear awnings on order for the 27FB. The awnings arrived, but after a small shipping snafu, I ended up picking them up myself at the terminal and stuffing the 18 plus foot tube into the back window of the trailer. I pulled up to Lewster's location near Denver as he was passing thru a few weeks ago. The kind folks at AquaHot were nice enough to lend us their RV service bay to let us install out of the wind and sun for most of the install.

In the process, Lew got to play with their electric lift. Personally, I think he enjoyed it too much and had a BIG grin on his face when moving the lift around by joystick. For me, it was a great initiation to Airstream modification and Sikaflex sealants. The job took longer than I thought, but the end results are fantastic and the extra awnings started a lot of conversations at the campground last weekend. The new shade is invaluable for such a large trailer.

Below are pics documenting the install, as I hadn't seen many threads documenting the actual process.

[Westfalia]

More pics from the series:

[Steve & Susan]

I think you made a wise investment.

We didn't have ours in the first year of ownership and got them for the second. The temperature difference in full sun is remarkable with the extra awnings extended.

I'd like to get one of those lifts for the twice a year roof cleaning and waxing, but I'm guessing that even with a 30-year lifespan, those roof cleaning and waxings would cost me about $1,000 each! I'll stick to my ladder.

[Over59]

How much trouble was loading the spring?

[lewster]

Originally Posted by Over59

How much trouble was loading the spring?

Just thought I'de chime in here.......

Actually, tensioning a Zip-Dee spring is easier than the other awning brands because you use the front awning arm to do the winding, rather than a Vice-Grip pliers clamped to the end cap.

Patio awnings are a little more difficult due to the length of the lower arm, but it does give you a lot of leveredge.

[Westfalia]

Not much trouble at all. It was a two person job: one to hold the tube and another to rotate the awning arm 16 (or was it 17?) times without hitting the side of the trailer.

[2airishuman]

ok, good show n tell!

looks like a fine job, but what else would u expect...

from a guy with those legs

here is another how/to, diy on this topic...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f442...ide-23835.html

looking at your new street side shade

it appears the fabric isn't one piece, but a series of 4 ft sections sewn together?

isn't the streetside awning usually one continuous section of fabric?

cheers
2air'

[azflycaster]

Here are the instructions from Zipdee on adjusting the spring tension. It is pretty easy to do with 2 people.
Awnings By ZipDee

[Westfalia]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

it appears the fabric isn't one piece, but a series of 4 ft sections sewn together? isn't the streetside awning usually one continuous section of fabric?

Good point and I had not noticed that until now. Yes, the main awning appears to be a one piece unit. I wonder why they would produce the two differently?

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by Westfalia

Good point and I had not noticed that until now. Yes, the main awning appears to be a one piece unit. I wonder why they would produce the two differently?

it would seam wear on all those stitch lines or unraveling,

and the potential for small leaks will be greater.

maybe it has to do with the sheen or color pattern on the gray/silver cloth...

on edit, nope that's not the reason. this thread has pix of 'one piece' gray and red and blue on the streetside...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f468...pkg-37136.html

i'm sure z-d has an explanation.

cheers
2air'