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Cedars · 04-05-2005, 10:52 AM

After a near disaster, and an emergency call to Zip Dee, we managed to save our window awning and continue driving.
Zip Dee has a lock available for window awnings over ten feet in length.... not the patio awning lock, but the window awning lock! Cost is about fifteen bucks. Easy to install, and stops those heart pounding moments as the awning attempts to deploy as one is motoring down the road in a high wind!

Elizabeth in Iowa

overlander64 · 04-05-2005, 12:05 PM

Greetings Elizabeth!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cedars

After a near disaster, and an emergency call to Zip Dee, we managed to save our window awning and continue driving.
Zip Dee has a lock available for window awnings over ten feet in length.... not the patio awning lock, but the window awning lock! Cost is about fifteen bucks. Easy to install, and stops those heart pounding moments as the awning attempts to deploy as one is motoring down the road in a high wind!

Elizabeth in Iowa

Those little catches are wonderful! My dealer installed them on my coach when the awnings were new (my longest window awning is less than 5 feet) as he knew that I often travel in the windy areas of the High Plains. It surprises me that they - - aren't (or at least weren't) a standard part of the installation (my window awnings are about five years old).

Kevin

Distantdrummer · 05-25-2009, 06:02 PM

Anyone have a picture of this piece of hardware? Would you kindly post a pic if possible?
A part # ?
A price ? (the above one is 4 years ago)
Do you need just one or a pair? If a pair are they priced per pair or each?

thanks

GStephens · 05-25-2009, 07:09 PM

You just need one lock per window awning. Call Zip Dee. That is about the only way to get the current price of any of their products as they do not post these on their website, or go to a dealer that sells Zip Dee products and inquire if the exact current cost of a $15 part is so important. I'd think their cost would not have increased significantly in the past four years. What I can say is that they work! They are not needed on the individual side and end windows, only on the longer road side awnings.
GStephens

Okiegent · 12-20-2009, 09:59 PM

I will take a picture of mine tomorrow and post for you in my pictures.

Okiegent · 12-28-2009, 05:04 AM

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Well I did not do what I said I would do when I said I would.

My apologies everyone. Here is the picture of my awning lock down for long awnings. I also have a small hook for the street side. I will take a photo of that one and post this week .

**azflycaster** · 12-28-2009, 05:12 AM

I believe the hook you are refering to is called a travel latch. I have one on my window awning as well as my patio awning and they were included with the awnings when I purchased them. They are to prevent the awning from unwinding if the wind catches the roller.

Okiegent · 12-28-2009, 05:19 AM

Elizabeth do you have any photos of your trailer inside and outside. That you would not mind sharing. I just purchased a 83 excella and I am trying to get a feel for what one had on it when new. For instance there is a hole surrounded by a rubber grommet at the bottom of my LP bottle cover. I wonder if this is a different cover on my bottles or the original. Also what is the hole for hahaha-ha.Many thanks for your reply.

Okiegent · 12-28-2009, 05:40 AM

Richard that is what my street side hook looks like except my hook just hooks into a open curved hook. Still both are nice to have.This company really made some nice awnings.

Mike Leary · 12-28-2009, 09:20 AM

Everyone should have travel latches; we took a 80 mph side gust on the Oregon coast; imagine my suprise when I looked in the mirror and saw both roadside awnings up! A tribute to Zip-Dee that they held, needless to say, I installed latches.

Al - K4GLU · 12-28-2009, 09:31 AM

These can also be ordered from the Airstream Store at JC for around 15 bucks.

Lumatic · 12-28-2009, 12:27 PM

I salvaged my Zip Dee roller from a SOB and it had a Z lock system. A few folks have these on Airstreams but they do basically the same thing as the little wheely thingy. I figure more is better so I use both. It consists of a lock at each end of the roller. One locks the spring, the other locks the roller.

Melody Ranch · 05-28-2011, 07:53 AM

Yesterday on I-35 just south of the Oklahoma border...northbound.
A 60's Avion passed me doing about 70mph. It looked beautiful....when he pulled into the right lane again the awning deployed....looked like a square rigger pirate ship. Only the rear awning arm stayed attached and extended....the front arm looked secure.....the fabric ballooned completely out. I don't know how he maintained control with the sail deployed, but he maintained about 60 mph till the next exit where he pulled his land yacht into port.

Antique Pedaler · 05-28-2011, 08:34 AM

I installed additional travel latches on both the patio and window awnings for more wind protection. The awnings are now secured at both ends.

crazeevw · 10-22-2011, 10:10 PM

Hi all,
I've got a 21 ft patio awning, a 21 ft streetside window awning, and 2 3ft window awnings. The only one of these four that has the travel latch, is the streetside window awning. What is everyone's thought about having travel latch on all of them? Thinking about getting rear window awning at some point. Travel latch on it as well?
Thanks, Derek

TBRich · 10-23-2011, 02:22 AM

Derek... We have hook latches on the street side and the curb side awning, but not on the rear awning...I don't think a latch is necessary on the rear awning. We also use zip-ties around the curb side awing arms & supports in the closed position, of course ... one high up and one low on each end ... to help prevent an unintended deployment....just in case.

dwightdi · 10-23-2011, 05:30 AM

I use a latch pin system as a "just in case" safety.

Silver Otter · 10-23-2011, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwightdi

I use a latch pin system as a "just in case" safety.

Nice idea. Just walked out and installed on curb side big one. Belt and suspenders.

Mike Leary · 10-23-2011, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazeevw

Hi all,
I've got a 21 ft patio awning, a 21 ft streetside window awning, and 2 3ft window awnings. The only one of these four that has the travel latch, is the streetside window awning. What is everyone's thought about having travel latch on all of them? Thinking about getting rear window awning at some point. Travel latch on it as well?
Thanks, Derek

Yes, yes, yes! I've had my street-side awnings blow open, though the patio awning latches so well (actually a double lock) that I've not seen a need for them. Any of the little guys should have latches. Nothing like the awnings opening up in a 60 mph side wind!