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StingrayL82 · 08-21-2007, 12:13 PM

The other night we got 9 inches of rain, and I woke up to a miniature pond in the awning (I did have one side of the awning tipped down for drainage, but to no avail). I have one helluva time retracting the awning now, because the weight of the water bent the main roller. Any suggestions on getting the roller straight again? Thanks in advance for the replies.

Frederic

richinny · 08-21-2007, 12:53 PM

there IS a procedure for straightening the roller if it has a slight bend. try the zip dee site or search here. i am 1500 miles from my manuals.

2airishuman · 08-21-2007, 01:09 PM

hi frederic...

basically the awing is rolled up until the bend is on the high side...

then while 2 strong folks support the roller ends, another person grabs or hangs from the high spot...

a graphic of this is included in the newer manuals and the details are spelled out...

at the z/d web site.

Awnings By ZipDee

please take pictures and post them when you do the deed.

these will be fun AND useful to view...

cheers
2air'

Minnie's Mate · 08-21-2007, 01:30 PM

I have bent two support arms within the last year from forgetting to lower one arm or to retract the awning altogether. I now keep a spare under the sofa.

I didn't know you could straighten the roller once it was bent. In process photos would be appreciated.

StingrayL82 · 08-21-2007, 02:10 PM

2air,

For a second, I got the "hey, put your tongue on this frozen metal pole" vision, but I followed the link to Zip Dee and saw you weren't goofing. My neighbors are going to help me this evening. I'll take before and after pics. Thanks.

Frederic

richinny · 08-21-2007, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

hi frederic...

basically the awing is rolled up until the bend is on the high side...

then while 2 strong folks support the roller ends, another person grabs or hangs from the high spot...

a graphic of this is included in the newer manuals and the details are spelled out...

at the z/d web site.

Awnings By ZipDee

please take pictures and post them when you do the deed.

these will be fun AND useful to view...

cheers
2air'

you can also use two "a" frame ladders. you should have someone watch from a distance to avoid over-bending.

gparker · 08-21-2007, 03:13 PM

I had a bow in my boom that I tried and tried ti straighten using the zip dee method, but it was only after I took the boom off, placed the ends on sawhorses, and bounced on top of the boom thay I got it straight. Hanging like an ape just didn't do the trick.

Wayne&Sam · 08-21-2007, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gparker

Hanging like an ape just didn't do the trick.

You need a bigger ape.

StingrayL82 · 09-01-2007, 01:41 PM

Well, it happened again last night.....30% chance of rain in Texas means 100% apparently. Middle of the night lightning and thunderstorm. I wasn't getting up for anything. I woke up to the awning bent again. Seeing how I forgot to take pictures last time, I took them this time. Here are the results. You can see the sag in the awning in the first picture and how it's more taut in the second.

Frederic

Silverhobby · 09-01-2007, 02:48 PM

As simple as it is to deploy and retract the awning, storing it before leaving or bedtime is the only thing to do. When you are not under it, what purpose is it serving for you? Sorry for the "bends." Hope it is easy to repair.

**jcanavera** · 09-01-2007, 03:49 PM

You might reconsider the angle that you lower that awning arm by. Just making one side lower by one stop on the arm is really not adequate when you get a good storm. It will pool faster than it can run off.

Jack

StingrayL82 · 09-03-2007, 08:00 AM

Jack, I dropped the one side down another two notches, and it worked perfectly. I thought that dropping it one notch would be okay, but this Texas rain comes down quick.

Silverhobby, It's only me living here for right now, and retracting the awning every night is a pain in the kiester. The repair was extremely easy and, with Jack's suggestion, I shouldn't have any more problems. The only time I plan to retract the awning is when there's a lot of wind.

Frederic

Wabbiteer · 09-03-2007, 08:24 AM

With my AS in a state of permanent overhaul I extended the zipdee awning for weeks at a time this summer certain I would not be there to retract it when the rains finally hit. What I did do was lower the tongue jack a couple of inches from level - it worked like a charm, the weight built up enough to lower the downhill edge and automatically dump 6 or 8 gallons at a time as the fabric shifted with the weight build up.

I went out after dark in the rain to attend to it, negotiating the maze to get under the awning, and had it relieve itself as I ducked under the downhill support arm - had I dawdled half a second more I would've been drenched.

I know its not the wisest plan but it sure worked well in this instance... The awning is well protected by buildings, vehicles and another trailer so straightline winds were not an issue.

thecatsandi · 09-03-2007, 08:26 AM

Have you considered retracting the awning at night?

Inland RV Center, In · 09-03-2007, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StingrayL82

Jack, I dropped the one side down another two notches, and it worked perfectly. I thought that dropping it one notch would be okay, but this Texas rain comes down quick.

Silverhobby, It's only me living here for right now, and retracting the awning every night is a pain in the kiester. The repair was extremely easy and, with Jack's suggestion, I shouldn't have any more problems. The only time I plan to retract the awning is when there's a lot of wind.

Frederic

Zip Dee has "center supports" that help the awnings strength, especially during a rain storm.

A few people use two of them.

Works great even during a huge down pour.

Andy

Ray Eklund · 09-03-2007, 11:17 AM

My new 2006 Safari Zip Dee awning needed two people to retract one side. I was tired of appearing to be the 90 pound weakling, so I figured out how to remove the "retractable rod" using the Zip Dee manual in the AS new owners pack. Obviously, while on the dealer's parking lot or trailer show, this bar was bent. So here is my temporary fix while in the Red Desert of Wyoming.

I eye balled the wave (like you check lumber for warps) in the rod and took my 3 pound sledge (for rock hounding) and my 3 foot section of 2x12 that I keep for "fun projects" and began to lightly forge the aluminum rod back to straight (another term for beating the hell out of it). The best I could. On a FLAT surface you can see any irregular waves in the normal straight rod. It now could be adjusted by one person, but I called Zip Dee upon my return and explained my situation. Salesperson JJM said I should not have that kind of problem with a new trailer and in 2006 sent me a "goodwill part". Works perfect now. So you now can temporarily straighten the "main arm bar" part #71300R or L. I should have asked the salesman at the AS dealership why he was having a hard time operating the awning. We newbies learn a lot on those break in trips.

Another spare part to carry is the claw section that latches onto the awning when extended. The original was cracked on the same side of the bent main arm assembly. I keep the new one handy in the event the cracked one finally gives up. With a spare part in tow, it will probably out last me...

StingrayL82 · 09-03-2007, 12:18 PM

I considered it, but what it comes down to is that I am LAZY!!!! LOL!!! It's a real pain in the neck to retract, extend, retract, extend.....I might as well not have the doggone thing. Using Jack's suggestion, I don't think I'll have any more problems. If the wind kicks up bad, I'll retract it.

Frederic

john hd · 09-03-2007, 12:50 PM

my buddies excella from the 70's has a couple of large brass grommets installed in the center about a foot up from the roller.

they act as drains in case the rain tries to " bathtub " the awning.

i have seen it in action and does work.

i keep mine one notch lower on the back end with good results even in heavy downpours.

john

StingrayL82 · 09-03-2007, 01:03 PM

John, that is a damn good idea! Of course, I wonder if the strength of the awning is affected. About four months ago, I saw a derelict Airstream that had an optional support bar in the middle, which I think is a good idea, but not all of the parts were there, so it was pretty useless to me. I'll call Zip Dee tomorrow and ask the experts their opinions on these questions.

Frederic