Awning - Help!!

[mello mike]

I can't figure out this awning.


I've got a 1972 Sovereign and I need help extending my awning. It's very different from my 1997 Excella and other RVs I owned. A step-by-step procedure would really be appreciated.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by mello mike

I can't figure out this awning.


I've got a 1972 Sovereign and I need help extending my awning. It's very different from my 1997 Excella and other RVs I owned. A step-by-step procedure would really be appreciated.

Hopefully it is a Zip-Dee.
It may be an A&E, which I have owned and can give you a blow-by-blow of the operation.
If it is an A&E, you should find your little lever on the front spring of the awning, make sure you rotate it counterclockwise so it will extend. After that, release the catches front and rear on the arms, and loosen the black knobs that hold tension on the braces. Then, hook the nylon strap that goes inside and around it and pull outward, the awning should unroll and extend. When it is fully extended, slide the braces up to the catch at the top of the arm, and tighten the knobs up again. Then release the levers front and rear and lift up until the awning is at the desired height.

[SafeHarbor]

Hi, Mike,

If it's a Zip-Dee, it might not have changed for a long time. You can tell by looking for circular threaded hold down clamps on either end, or it may have a Z-lock lever on the front. A Zip-Dee will notably have the name shown in castings on the front and back parts at the ends of the rollers when in the up position.

Maybe you can post a picture for us?

Lamar

[enduroryda]

Well today I couldn't resist attacking my awning figured it was something I could drag in the house to tackle seeing it's sooo cold out here. I managed to pull it all apart and find I do indeed have a snapped spring. My question to you is after ordering this 3' 3" long spring how do I re-attach from one end to the other of my 12' 2 3/4" awning tube??...is there a special spring puller out there that I am going to need? Thanks in advance for your reply

[azflycaster]

Mike,
If it's a ZipDee go here. http://www.zipdeeinc.com/CurvedAwnOp.html

[enduroryda]

Thanks for the link but I've gotten to the part of actually pulling the awning tube apart taking out all rivets ect. Zip Dee's site does show 2 separate springs in the awning but mine had one. Also had a very rotted 1 1/4" dowel in there as well not quite sure of the length as it was in two pieces. Has anybody taken there's apart and was able to reasemble the spring? I need to know how to stretch the spring inside the tube from one end to the other. Thanks! Ann

[enduroryda]

aww come on...nobody has taken a zip dee apart??

[smily]

I have and you only need one spring. Although I am aware of the ZIP DEE depiction on the website. I have not seen one with more than one spring It is friction operated witihin the awning tube.
The dowel is the core for the spring assembly.
Remove the old awning (Pieces)
The new spring will be in one piece and you simply insert it in the tube and rivet it back in the same holes that you drilled the old rivets out of.
Oh and by the way, your awning needs to be rolled up to install the new spring.
The spring is typically at the rear end of the awning tube.
You also may consider replacing your z lock mechanism. These typically corrode from moisture and will fail over time. A seized Z-lock will make it very difficult to unroll and roll the awning.

[enduroryda]

Thanks Smily for your responce.....I guess I'm missing something here...still not quite sure once I put the new spring in how it attatches from one end to the other....I know where it attatches on ends but how do you stretch the spring inside the tube???Z-lock seems to be good to go...took that apart and lubed it up.

[smily]

You do not attach the other end to anything. It works on friction alone.You simply insert the spring and affix the exposed end and that is it.
The spring does not stretch from end to end of roller tube. What you see is what you get. The spring is relaxed when shipped. It will coil when you unroll the awning. (spring is only about three +- feet long in its installed state)
Good luck.

[enduroryda]

ok....I think I got you now cause one of the ends that the spring is attached to is like a claw....that must be a grab so to speak. Have posted a pic to help clerify things for anyone in the future. Thanks for your help Smily