Awning Upper Arm Snapped

[newroswell]

Originally Posted by LAWBC

So help where on their web site do you get that info ? I would like that upgrade !!

http://awningsbyzipdee.com/media/19b...07ffffd523.pdf

But call 800-338-2378 ask for the parts department. You're looking for a pair of part #2.

[Big Mac 44]

It is on the parts listing, they have aluminum and stainless steel listed. I got word back from dealer, not covered. I am very disappointed to say the least that a $72 grand camper has an awning that cannot withstand a shower, this was not a storm, and when I talked with customer service at Zip Dee, she was very combative, their product is the best, but it is not designed to hole any weight at all. I asked what is it rated for, because when I am camping, every camper had awnings out, most with tie downs, permanent sites with campers with vinyl screen rooms, all still standing, even the 1978 Airstream with the Stainless Polls, still standing, mine broke right on the pin hole. I am 45 years old, been camping since I was 1 in a Coleman popup, then a various campers and have never had an awning break on me, I anchor it down, bring it down slightly, and all is good. I cannot believe you design a camper awning that cannot handle some amount of rain without breaking. My first disappointment about my Airstream purchase for sure.

[lsbrodsky]

I talked with Zipdee and looked at the info on the website. I would do the upgrade except that you have to release and retension the springs to replace the arms. That does not look like a project I can do on my own so I will be sure I keep my awning rolled up after dark, when I am gone and in any wind.
Larry

[Big Mac 44]

Here is a ytube video to show you how to take it off, it is not hard, you are only replacing the top #2 Arm on the diagram, not sure if you can make the entire awning stainless steel, but this was pretty easy to get off, of course I looked up this video to try to unbend the one that did not break, and got it off and bent back pretty well, but I am replacing both with stainless and taking it in when strong storms come from now on, but in a light rain I want to hopefully be able to tilt it to one side and let it out to sit under and enjoy the soft rain. Ironically, I found another video showing how great these awnings are in the rain, lol. I thought that quite funny. http://youtu.be/yBIPa_jasBw

Good Luck.

[lsbrodsky]

You can replace #3 without messing with the spring but that is always aluminum. To replace #2, according to ZipDee, you need to take tension off the spring.
Larry

[newroswell]

My stainless steel bars just arrived. They appear to be a lot stronger than the aluminum.

[AtomicNo13]

Indeed, I leave mine out (within reason) in the rain, tipped.

[Big Mac 44]

we had to wind up the tension manually to get the awing back in as the #2 part on the rear of the trailer is the one that snapped, so had to wind up the broken part to get the awning back in. I am not sure why that is the case, since it is up and I can replace it without taking it down, but in the owners manual it tells how to adjust the tension, which mine might need since I have no idea if it is good or not, just got it back against the trailer in the rain to get it home, lol. The pole is duct taped to the other pole, lol. It does not look too bad, but I am sure the dealer might not charge much to switch them out if you are not comfortable with it.

[Aironius]

bigmac44, I had a misaligned bracket like in the video you linked in this thread. Didn't know how to release spring tension and was fearful of a sudden release so I didn't take the arm off like in the video. I just took a heavy rubber mallet and smacked the end of the rolled-up awning a couple times. Seemed like something slipped because now both ends line up fine. Sorry for your misfortune but now I am warned about the problem, so thanks for posting.