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04-04-2010, 10:06 AM
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#1
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Rivet Master
1979 31' Sovereign
Milford
, Ohio
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 565
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Awning 'twisting as it rolls up
When rolling up the awning this weekend I noticed something odd. It seems to roll faster at the front end than the back. The result is a slight twist in the fabric as it rolls up. The twist lets the forward end roll up almost completely, but the rear end has an inch or so of fabric hanging out under the slats.
I rolled up the awning after the wind started gusting a bit, but nothing the awning hasn't experienced in the past and nothing seems to be bent or broken. The amount of tension when the awning rolls up seems to be normal. It is even possible to lock down both ends for travel.
The trailer is a 31' and I believe the awning is original, whatever the standard length is, maybe 20'. I've attached a few photos, though they are a little dark, showing each end as rolled up. I do plan to call ZipDee tech support but wanted to post this situation here to see if anyone has experienced it before.
Christopher
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04-04-2010, 10:28 AM
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#2
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Site Team
2002 25' Safari
Dewey
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,606
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First check to make sure that the arms are not bent. You should have the same angles on both arms. If the angle of one arm is now greater then the other it could cause this problem.
Also check that the awning has not moved in the rail. You should have a screw into the awning rail at each end to prevent that, but it's worth a look.
__________________
Richard
Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
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04-04-2010, 10:53 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,742
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The sleeve on the awning fabric on one side looser than the other side can also cause this problem.
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
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04-04-2010, 11:06 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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fabric twist
If the fabric was ever replaced, that becomes the cause of the twist.
The fabric is installed on the roller tube, in a "jig".
To do so, in the field, is near impossible.
I gave up trying years ago.
Andy
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04-04-2010, 11:39 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1979 31' Sovereign
Milford
, Ohio
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 565
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I took a few more photos under better lighting conditions but will have to step outside now that I've read replies and check for bends up at the top.
FWIW here are a few more photos. Something I noticed was that while the edge of the fabric is lined up even with the edge of the slat at the forward end, it is ablut half an inch shy at the back end. See the photos. Also included is a shot looking down the length of the trailer so you can clearly see the lopsided roll.
Andy, as far as I know, this is the original fabric and all original hardware from '79. Built to last a long time, but I know not forever.
Christopher
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04-04-2010, 12:35 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1979 31' Sovereign
Milford
, Ohio
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 565
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Follow-up: I just checked more carefully for bends but saw nothing unusual. The upper and lower arms, when in the stored position, are nice and parallel at the top on both ends. No problems in telescoping them either, which I think would be a sign of a bend in the middle somewhere.
Christopher
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04-04-2010, 01:27 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blickcd
I took a few more photos under better lighting conditions but will have to step outside now that I've read replies and check for bends up at the top.
FWIW here are a few more photos. Something I noticed was that while the edge of the fabric is lined up even with the edge of the slat at the forward end, it is ablut half an inch shy at the back end. See the photos. Also included is a shot looking down the length of the trailer so you can clearly see the lopsided roll.
Andy, as far as I know, this is the original fabric and all original hardware from '79. Built to last a long time, but I know not forever.
Christopher
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Chris.
The end of the fabric being a little short, just suggests a little shrinkage.
That being the case, the fabric may need to be loosened at the roller tube and refastened.
BUT don't do anything to it until you talk to Zip Dee.
Call them tomorrow at 800-338 BEST.
Andy
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04-04-2010, 01:58 PM
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#8
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30' 1999 Excella
Kingwood
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 295
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another awning problem...
at the risk of hijacking this... my problem is that the left side of the curbside awning on our '30 doesn't seem to go up high enough for the safety latch/wheel to engage. No fabric is showing. Everything seems to roll up just fine - nice and tight. But to latch the left side, I have to get on a stepladder and push it up, hold it in place, and rotate the latch in place.
Any ideas? I'll call Zip Dee, but just wondering.
This started about a year or so ago... it used to be just fine.
Thanks.
__________________
Hey, its the only way to be sure!
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04-04-2010, 02:59 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1979 31' Sovereign
Milford
, Ohio
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 565
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Tin Diesel, if I understand your situation (a photo might help) I think I've encountered that before. That is the awning is properly rolled up, just not wound that last little bit.
For that, I can just lean against the awning arm and that snugs the roll up just right so the locking wheel can be popped into place.
Regarding my situation, I'll post whatever the solution is after I talk with ZipDee and fix it.
Christopher
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04-04-2010, 04:08 PM
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#10
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4 Rivet Member
2006 19' Safari SE
Nawthin'
, Hemisphere
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 325
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My guess would be that it has to do with spring tension .... one side could be getting a little sleepy.
__________________
*** KEEP LOOKING UP ***
T & K
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04-06-2010, 04:28 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1979 31' Sovereign
Milford
, Ohio
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 565
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Fixed - That was easy.
After rolling out the awning and giving everything a very close look, I noticed a heavy binder clip had been left on the flap at the front end of the roller.
We use those clips for holding our patio lights on the awning. Since the awning was hastily rolled up during some high winds, it looks as if one clip got left on by mistake, causing the uneven rolling.
Too bad not all repairs are so easy.
Christopher
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04-07-2010, 04:46 AM
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#12
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4 Rivet Member
2006 19' Safari SE
Nawthin'
, Hemisphere
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 325
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Heh, heh, heh.... good one !
__________________
*** KEEP LOOKING UP ***
T & K
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07-23-2010, 08:50 AM
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#13
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Ready-to-Travel
2012 30' International
Walkerton
, Virginia
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,165
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On the last day of our most recent trip, my ZipDee would not retract all the way. The right side failed to roll all the way up. When I tried to help that side, I felt a vibration and heard what I think was the rrrrr of the sprint losing tension.
It still rolled up fine on the left side, and the right side was not too bad, so I secured it using the awning lock and tied the arms in with a couple of velcro straps. This is where I am today. Been too danged hot to work outside lately.
I have read the instructions on how to re-tension. What I am unclear about is how do de-tension before performing the winding operation that is provided on the ZipDee website. Anyone done this before?
By the way - I suspect the problem was caused by my failure to lubricate the arm - I think it wanted to slide but could not due to a buildup of dust, sand and road crud.
Thanks - Pat
__________________
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Somebody, please, point me to the road.
AIR 3987
TAC VA-2
WBCCI 4596
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07-23-2010, 09:24 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pmclemore
On the last day of our most recent trip, my ZipDee would not retract all the way. The right side failed to roll all the way up. When I tried to help that side, I felt a vibration and heard what I think was the rrrrr of the sprint losing tension.
It still rolled up fine on the left side, and the right side was not too bad, so I secured it using the awning lock and tied the arms in with a couple of velcro straps. This is where I am today. Been too danged hot to work outside lately.
I have read the instructions on how to re-tension. What I am unclear about is how do de-tension before performing the winding operation that is provided on the ZipDee website. Anyone done this before?
By the way - I suspect the problem was caused by my failure to lubricate the arm - I think it wanted to slide but could not due to a buildup of dust, sand and road crud.
Thanks - Pat
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Pat.
If your not one gazillion percent positive as to how to detension and then tension the Zip Dee awning back up, then DON'T TOUCH IT.
If you make a mistake, the arms can cause many bodily injuries, up to possible death, faster than you can blink an eye.
CALL ZIP DEE AT 800-3382378 to get the "CORRECT" instructions.
Once you have the correct instructions, handling the tension spring becomes a piece of cake.
Andy
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07-24-2010, 11:15 AM
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#15
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Ready-to-Travel
2012 30' International
Walkerton
, Virginia
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,165
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Thanks, Andy. I'll try to go against my natural instincts to plunge forward and instead seek help.
Good thing it's been too hot to work on it, though.
Pat
__________________
--------------------------------------
Somebody, please, point me to the road.
AIR 3987
TAC VA-2
WBCCI 4596
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