incomplete rollup-zipdee

[wmarsha]

the awning seems to be just fine. When I fully retract it, or rather as it rolls itself back up, it stops just shy of a complete retraction. There is about 1 to 1.5 inch of the awning material showing outside of the aluminum casing. I have not cleaned the fabric itself, nor have I done anything to the rolling mechanism. I have lubed all the arms and mechanical parts that are below the roller. Will a superb cleaning and lubing get this thing to roll up completly, or is there a sinister "event" awaiting me around the corner?
thx ahead of time
ol' bill

[Nuvite-F]

Hi,

I don't know much about the awning mechanism and would be concerned if this symptom showed up, but just to make sure all the bases are covered, one question.

When you retract the awning, are you hanging on to the cloth pull tab the whole way, or are you letting go for the last foot or two of retraction? When we bought our Airstream the previous owner told us to be sure to let go of the tab and let the awnings run free the last foot or two. That way they snap shut with some velocity, ensuring that they retract all the way. So far that's worked for us.

Good luck,
Nuvi

[wmarsha]

hmmm, that's good advice-I will try that. thank you!

[Aage]

If that doesn't do it, call their help line (number is on their website). Very helpful people!

[Ganglin]

Post back please if you find the solution to this. Ours does exactly the same thing.

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by wmarsha

...Will a superb cleaning and lubing get this thing to roll up completly, or is there a sinister "event" awaiting me around the corner?...

hi bill

it's unlikely cleaning will help unless there is a 1 deep layer of moss on the fabric.

25+ years, most likely the tension spring INSIDE the roller is tired.

that spring can be tightened, but do so carefully, no more that 1 or 2 turns.

does it START to roll up quickly or slooooooowly? that's another sign of spring fatigue.

the z/d website has tech stuff on this, and an faq on the issue, as i recall.

they do sell parts and surely can help.

providing the end tie down nuts are tighten no sinister event is likely.

btw the tension spring is just on one end of the roller...

guess which one?

cheers
2air'

[DaveFL]

Originally Posted by Nuvite-F

Hi,



When you retract the awning, are you hanging on to the cloth pull tab the whole way, or are you letting go for the last foot or two of retraction? When we bought our Airstream the previous owner told us to be sure to let go of the tab and let the awnings run free the last foot or two. That way they snap shut with some velocity, ensuring that they retract all the way. So far that's worked for us.

Good luck,
Nuvi

Mine hangs up where the arms come together, slight miss alignment.
Letting go of strap gives the alignment a better chance of moving passed hangup point, but you can't let go too early as the pull tab disappears.

[Ganglin]

Here you go Bill - thanks 2Air.

Awnings By ZipDee

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by wmarsha

the awning seems to be just fine. When I fully retract it, or rather as it rolls itself back up, it stops just shy of a complete retraction. There is about 1 to 1.5 inch of the awning material showing outside of the aluminum casing. I have not cleaned the fabric itself, nor have I done anything to the rolling mechanism. I have lubed all the arms and mechanical parts that are below the roller. Will a superb cleaning and lubing get this thing to roll up completly, or is there a sinister "event" awaiting me around the corner?
thx ahead of time
ol' bill

I have a similar problem, just not as extensive. I was told by the Camping World folks at the Florida State Rally that my roller tube was bent and the arc kept the roll-up from completing. They suggested a new roller tube. I suggest going to the Zip-Dee web site and follow the instructions in the maintenance section if this is your case. Look at the roller tube from one end with the awning deployed but not elevated or with it partially deployed (use a ladder to get eye-ball level with the end of the tube). Or, this may not be the case at all. It's 3:30 am and I'm having an insomnia moment here.

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by DaveFL

...Letting go of strap gives the alignment a better chance of moving passed hangup point, but you can't let go too early as the pull tab disappears.

Been there done that.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Older Zip Dee awnings, can pose a roll up problem, sometimes.

Lubing the shafts at the end caps can help.

Making sure that the stove exhast vent cap is the Zip Dee type. If not, it interfers with the complete roll up.

Springs, in time, can become weak.

Adding one or 2 more turns to the spring, usually correct the problem as well.

CAUTION

DO NOT attempt to add turns to the spring without having the complete and exact knowledge of how to do so.

Many years ago, a want-to-bee did so, and the arm severly slit his throat. He luckily survived.

Zip Dee will happily provide spring tension instructions, including the proper number of turns for the spring, which depends on the awning length.

This is one of those things that "look so easy" that can cause very severe injury to you body.

If your not exactly sure how to do it, then don't. Take the trailer to a dealer that has "been there and done that".

Andy

[easyride]

A few days ago ,a thread was posted on Zip Dee ,it said as rolling up awning,move strap left and right so the bulk of the strap does not build up in one place,making it too big to do the last little roll. Dave