Extra Awning Support Bar??

[Zenstream1]

Hi Guys
I have just purchased this '78 excella and there is an extra awning bar in the middle. How does this work?

[bwoodtx]

When you unroll your awning, it will go into a hole in the awning tube to support the middle of that big awning.

[badkat]

There is a youtube video that is a great guide for setting up a Zipdee. We rarely take the big awning out but he is correct...there is a hole in the awning tube but somehow I have managed to let the middle pole wack the side of the trailer. Please do not make my mistake.

[PaulnGina]

Here is that video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLsKflCqhkY

[bruceganoe]

BG I use my awning a lot but seldom put up the center bar, easy to do as others have said but not a necessity.BG

[jimfa440]

You need to use it on your 31'.

[featherbedder]

Originally Posted by bruceganoe

BG I use my awning a lot but seldom put up the center bar, easy to do as others have said but not a necessity.BG

If awning is deployed while raining w/one end dropped def. use center rafter or else you will have awning collapsed, plus w/wind helps to stabilize. When you deploy awning step back you will see bow in awning tube center rafter straightens out this bow. Zip-dee highly recommends center rafter for long awnings I would never deploy awning without putting rafter in place. Awnings are not cheap so why take chances of damage?

[spclkaz]

I have a 30 foot Airstream and usually always use the awning with the center rafter...unless there are very winds in the area or storms predicted. I use the center rafter all the time and wrap the strap around it to keep it from falling back against the side of the trailer... I also raise the forward part of the awning one hole higher than the arm in the rear to let any rain collect and run off in the rear. I also use a set of Camco Awning Deflappers on each end of the awning to help with high winds... see this Amazon link and read the reviews to understand why you need these...

http://www.amazon.com/Camco-42251-Aw...ning+deflapper

I also use a couple of small ten quart buckets filled with either water, sand or rocks with a strap tied to the ends of the awning arms. In over 20 years of RV camping I have never lost an awning to high winds with these precautions, but I have seen plenty of folks who have who were less cautious than I am ...

Finally, my old 94 Excella has an older Zip Dee awning that does not have a travel lock only the round locking wheels on each end. I do not believe that is enough so I also use 4 six inch ball bungee cords to secure the rolled up awning arms two on each end one at the high point of the arm and one at the mid point... once again if you have ever seen a fellow lose an awning going down the freeway... it is not a pretty sight...

Those are my tips...

Wishing you happy and safe travels...

[spclkaz]

I just posted a few photos under Awning Tips to illustrate what I just wrote about... maybe you can find them...

[featherbedder]

Originally Posted by SKP46015

I have a 30 foot Airstream and usually always use the awning with the center rafter...unless there are very winds in the area or storms predicted. I use the center rafter all the time and wrap the strap around it to keep it from falling back against the side of the trailer... I also raise the forward part of the awning one hole higher than the arm in the rear to let any rain collect and run off in the rear. I also use a set of Camco Awning Deflappers on each end of the awning to help with high winds... see this Amazon link and read the reviews to understand why you need these...

Amazon.com: Camco 42251 Awning De-Flapper Max: Automotive

I also use a couple of small ten quart buckets filled with either water, sand or rocks with a strap tied to the ends of the awning arms. In over 20 years of RV camping I have never lost an awning to high winds with these precautions, but I have seen plenty of folks who have who were less cautious than I am ...

Finally, my old 94 Excella has an older Zip Dee awning that does not have a travel lock only the round locking wheels on each end. I do not believe that is enough so I also use 4 six inch ball bungee cords to secure the rolled up awning arms two on each end one at the high point of the arm and one at the mid point... once again if you have ever seen a fellow lose an awning going down the freeway... it is not a pretty sight...

Those are my tips...

Wishing you happy and safe travels...

I do same only lower back arm 2 notches. I do not have lock on spring end only hook and wheels, have not used any ties on arms as I use step stool to tighten wheels, they are not going to let awning unroll as this way much tighter than w/wand provided, as far as hook on side of awning and eye on trailer, you can pur. from zip-dee easy to install. Also I have 2 screw in dog anchors and use motorcycle tie down straps, or if can not screw in ground, then if to windy put away as they are expensive item. Also have tied down to front of pu and heavy picnic table or end of trailer. I choose to enjoy my awning. Last outing I took precautions as noted above but a AS and Argosy did not, both had heavy damage to awnings. Other AS owners secured awnings w/no damage or rolled up Also every time awning deployed center rafter is put up, [mandatory for me].

[MelGoddard]

Screw in anchors and ratchet straps also work for me; on previous Hi-Lo and current Flying Cloud. No damage yet, thank Heavens.

[CLKIESER]

I faithfully use the center arm on my Zip-D, and keep one end of the awning lower than the other. I also have the de-flappers and tie downs. I use sticky hook and loop ties when the awning is stored, for extra assurance when gliding down the road. I had a storm damage my old Class A awning, it was a hard lesson to learn.

Safe travels!
Connie n Bruce

[Zenstream1]

I must be missing some pieces on this middle arm. I contacted Zip Dee,no reply.

Anyone have photos of the centre assembly? I can't find the parts list for the centre on Zip Dee website.

Thanks Guys for the info!!

[featherbedder]

Originally Posted by Zenstream1

I must be missing some pieces on this middle arm. I contacted Zip Dee,no reply.

Anyone have photos of the centre assembly? I can't find the parts list for the centre on Zip Dee website.

Thanks Guys for the info!!

By the looks of pics all is there. back of arm is round knob to release tension on spring to take bar down. Lift arm out of bracket on side of trailer when awning fully deployed, will be pin at bottom of arm this goes into hole in center of awning tube, then push out on arm to lock in place, do not do this before awning deployed or you take chance of bar banging side of trailer as qouted post above damaging side, then to take down do as stated above but before rolling up awning or lowering over 2 holes as will slip out of tube. There is only pin and spring on end of insert into arm. Any Q. pm me and will explain exactly what to do.

[Zenstream1]

Looks like a bracket on the trailer is missing to secure the arm in travel?

Also is there a pin missing from the end here that's supposed to go in the awning tube?

[Zenstream1]

Think I found it here!

Thanks for the help guys.

[TLBIJOU]

Look on Zip-Dee website, they have drawings/pictures of all awnings made by Zip-Dee. Here's the link Parts Lists