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08-20-2011, 11:08 AM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
1969 21' Globetrotter
Springfield
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 23
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Awning Advise Please
We've been restoring our "dream come true" 1969 Globetrotter for the past couple of years and are now in the final stages of polishing. We love this trailer and it looks so good now that we are considering adding an awning. There is an existing awning rail, but no signs of supports. Our two previous Airstreams had Zip-dee awnings and I have to admit that I did bump my head on the supports more than once I sort of like the look of the pole-type sold by Vintage Trailer Supply, but wonder how difficult they are to put up and down. Does anyone have experience with this type of awning??
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08-20-2011, 11:39 AM
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#2
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4 Rivet Member
1963 24' Tradewind
Anderson / Sun City
, Indiana / Arizona
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 444
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By 1969 pole awnings were on the way out in the Airstream world. Zip Dee awnings were introduced about 1966.
In my humble opinion, vintage style pole awnings are good if you occasionaly want an awning for a show or open house. If you want to use your awning regularly when traveling, then go with a Zip Dee. The Zip Dee is a 1 minute, single person up or down operation. The pole awning takes two people and several minutes to do the same. Another issue with the pole awning is they have to be stored someplace when not in use.
__________________
Mike Brumback
WBCCI #1200
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08-20-2011, 11:46 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1965 22' Safari
Vassar
, Michigan
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 848
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I agree with Grand Master - Zip Dee is so easy to put up and down when we travel and it made our 65 Safari restoration spectacular.
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Tim
TAC MI 14
Everyday is a Saturday
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08-20-2011, 11:51 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2019 27' Flying Cloud
Albuquerque
, New Mexico
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,917
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Don't Rule Out Carefree
While Mike is right about the shortcomings of pole awnings, I would add they will always collect rain, so they must be taken down when you see rain coming. The modern, retractable awnings handle rain well, and actually provide an outdoor space to sit and enjoy a gentle drizzle.
One more thing, some new Airstreams in the late '60s and '70s were equipped with Carefree awnings. We had one on our 1976 Safari 23' and we loved it. The Carefree design seemed inherently stronger that the Zip Dee awnings we have had since then on our '76 Sovereign 31', our 2000 Safari 27', and now our 2007 Classic 30'.
It would be fun to research your Airstream and determine whether it had a Carefree or Zip Dee awning. Then, return it to its original condition.
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Ken L 2019 Flying Cloud 27FB
2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab 6.2L Max Tow Four Corners Unit WBCCI #5783
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08-20-2011, 11:53 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1988 25' Excella
1987 32' Excella
Knoxville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,118
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Pole type awning is lighter in weight and does not require drilling the airstream. Know of a very expensive new Timeless trailer with a pole type awning for the look and the weight. It looks great set up. Try the pole awning and see if it fits your needs. Could still add the Zip Dee later if you wanted to.
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08-20-2011, 11:57 AM
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#6
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2 Rivet Member
1963 28' Ambassador
Lyme
, Connecticut
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 99
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I love my awning from VTS. It takes my wife and I about 10 minutes to set up. My awning is on the large size too at 17' x 9'. Once we set it up I leave it up, I don't worry about wind or sudden downpours.I like the clean lines of my trailer also without an attached awning and arms mounted to the side. There is also someone on the forums named Kristi that make awnings that people here recomend highly.
Good luck.
__________________
2019 Ford F350 Platinum
Gen-Y Torsion 10,000 lb Hitch
Rock Tamers
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08-20-2011, 11:58 AM
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#7
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4 Rivet Member
1958 22' Flying Cloud
Folsom
, California
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 468
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Pole awnings are great. Our globetrotter took all of 10 min to set up. I found the poles and ropes could easily be adjusted to lower the end of the awning for better drainage.
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08-20-2011, 12:27 PM
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#8
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2 Rivet Member
1969 21' Globetrotter
Springfield
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 23
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Thanks for all your responses. I can see that this will take some mulling over. I've looked at the ZipDee website, but can't find info on price or ording. Anyone know about how much they cost? Our awning rail is about 10' long.
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08-20-2011, 01:16 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2019 27' Flying Cloud
Albuquerque
, New Mexico
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,917
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Order From Inland Rv
They will know exactly what you need, and they will provide valuable advice on how to ( and how not to) install your awning. Remember, when it is time to tension the roller, you must know what you are doing, and you must have help. This step can be dangerous.
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Ken L 2019 Flying Cloud 27FB
2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab 6.2L Max Tow Four Corners Unit WBCCI #5783
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08-20-2011, 03:57 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1964 17' Bambi II
Vintage Kin Owner
Schererville
, Indiana
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,637
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 69trotter
Thanks for all your responses. I can see that this will take some mulling over. I've looked at the ZipDee website, but can't find info on price or ording. Anyone know about how much they cost? Our awning rail is about 10' long.
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My daughter had a Zip Dee installed on her 19 foot Argosy at the Zip Dee factory this spring. She ordered a special fabric, so it cost about $100 more than normal. Installed it cost about $1800. A pretty big investment! (She loves it, though. Her trailer had a Carefree or A & E and she hated that one!) I have a Zip Dee on my Sovereign & love it too. Don't know how I feel about one on a little Bambi II like I'm working on. It's alot of arms in such a short space.
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Becky
1964 Bambi II
1988 Avion 32S
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08-20-2011, 05:17 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1978 31' Sovereign
Texas Airstream Harbor
, Zavalla, in the Deep East Texas Piney Woods on Lake Sam Rayburn
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,435
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Check this unusual awning out:
All Aluminum Slat Awning for a mid 60's 22' Safari - Airstream Trailer Classifieds - Airstreams Trailers For Sale
I have never seen one like it, but it sure looks cool.
It is not mine, but I helped take it off. Uses conventional "ZD" starting channel.
The owner took it off and replaced it with a new ZD at a costing of what was stated earlier. The owner has several small AS's of the same vintage and he wanted them all to look the same - thus the new ZD awning.
Best way to describe it is that it is just like the wrap around aluminum strips at the start of the ZD awnings next to the trailer - only the whole thing is constructed of aluminum slats.
The owner has it stored next door and I could get get measurements for you if interested.
__________________
Dennis
"Suck it up, spend the bucks, do it right the first time."
WBCCI # 1113
AirForums #1737
Trailer '78 31' Sovereign
Living Large at an Airstream Park on the Largest Lake Totally Contained in Texas
Texas Airstream Harbor, Inc.
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