Awning ideas for 65' Caravel

[SJKunnath]

Hey folks,
My wife and I are new owners of a 65' Caravel and are new members to the forum!
We are hoping to install an awning. I know I've read somewhere about the Zip Dees not working.
Does anyone have an awning on theirs and what are you running?
Thanks for the advice!

Steve

[StPierre]

Hi Steve I have a 65 Safari that we restored and went with Zip Dee without any problems. Great people to work with, although I spent more for the awning than I did for the trailer

[amigaman]

What did you end up going with?

[vanster]

I'm looking for an awning that is not a Zip Dee. Something that is unique. If it takes a half an hour to put together I'm OK with this. I just don't want to be like everyone else on the block.

[Bubba L]

Originally Posted by vanster

I'm looking for an awning that is not a Zip Dee. Something that is unique. If it takes a half an hour to put together I'm OK with this. I just don't want to be like everyone else on the block.

On both our trailers my wife made the rope and pull style period correct awnings. I think she used Sunbrella material on one and some other manufacturer on the other. We added a spring and pulley to the pole ropes so the awnings could handle winds. It takes us under 10 minutes to set up.

[David F]

I have a vintage rope and pole awning on the way from Vintage Trailer Supply for our 67 Caravel. Does yours already have the track/slot on the trailer?

[Bubba L]

Originally Posted by David F

I have a vintage rope and pole awning on the way from Vintage Trailer Supply for our 67 Caravel. Does yours already have the track/slot on the trailer?

Yes it does. Each time I put it up I spray the track with dry lube. The springs on the ropes really help with the wind. Ours do have the channel on the top side. If yours doesn’t, I guess you could attach one with Olympics. I think VTS sells the channel.

[Peter417]

I have Zipdee all around on my 66. I can post pictures if anyone still wants to see them.

[vanster]

I have a track which isn't a problem. I don't want something that is permanently attached to the roof.

[David F]

Originally Posted by Bubba L

Yes it does. Each time I put it up I spray the track with dry lube. The springs on the ropes really help with the wind. Ours do have the channel on the top side. If yours doesn’t, I guess you could attach one with Olympics. I think VTS sells the channel.

My '67 has the track. Awning showed up Friday, but still in the box as my trailer is in remote storage until next trip...can't wait. Saw a video on Youtube of a guy setting up his awning by himself. He rig a pulley system that he stuck in then end of the track and pull the awning through the track with a rope as he feed in the fabric. Might try the same thing.

[Flostream66]

Originally Posted by David F

My '67 has the track. Awning showed up Friday, but still in the box as my trailer is in remote storage until next trip...can't wait. Saw a video on Youtube of a guy setting up his awning by himself. He rig a pulley system that he stuck in then end of the track and pull the awning through the track with a rope as he feed in the fabric. Might try the same thing.

Hi David - Could you please provide a link to this video? I too am trying to sort out the best solution for an awning. Thanks.

[Bubba L]

David, I tried the pulley at the end of the track. It kept binding. I’m sure you can get it to work, but it doesn’t take any time to start the cord and pull the rope. We spray our track periodically with some dry lube for sliding ease. Also, we clean the track one a year. Takes less than 5 minutes. You can take a 22 caliber barrel cleaning wire brush on the end of the first section of a gun cleaning rod. Bend the brush at 90 degrees. The brush slides in the track with the rod perpendicular to the track. Cleans any dirt daubers out. Lastly, we got fiberglass paint poles at Lowe’s and the paint roller screwed on the end. Cut the roller thingy off leaving a couple of inches for your rope loop. Also, where you hook your rope over your landscape spike (with a 3/8” washer) place an 8” spring with a rope pulley. That helps when the wind blows allowing the awning to bellow a bit without pulling out the spikes. Good luck

[docflyboy]

Originally Posted by vanster

I have a track which isn't a problem. I don't want something that is permanently attached to the roof.

Vanster- thanks for posting your pics. I don't have a track and when I was eyeballing my trailer, I thought my Fridge vent and my stove exhaust vent didn't align, but I'll take another look. I don't want a bulky Zip-Dee on the curb-side. Jerry

[Zed2]

We installed a Zip Dee awning on our 1965 Caravel. There are two issued that need to be addressed:
1) the awning arm cannot interfere with the door handle
2) the vent cover over the cooktop cannot interfere with the awning tube
Here is ours (sold several years ago):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/531162...7631706699412/

Keith