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KK4YZ · 01-11-2020, 01:48 PM

Hello,

We have a 2020 28RBT Flying Cloud that we’ve had out twice. During a recent trip while putting the awning away, I couldn’t get the left “retention wheel” to properly line up with the slot on the awning. However the right retention wheel and the hook are lined up perfectly, which tells me the entire awning is NOT shifted to the left, but it appears to be longer than it should be. I don’t recall having this problem in the first trip.

This is not my first AS so I’m familiar with how to operate the awning. Could there be something out of adjustment? Notice that the two arms don’t sit right next to each other like they should.

Attached is a picture of the affected side. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Jim

GMFL · 01-11-2020, 02:00 PM

What happens if you split the difference? You may need to get a ladder out and check to make sure the awning end cap has not slid over

FishByFly · 01-11-2020, 04:09 PM

Squeeze the arms together?

VeloBuckeye · 01-11-2020, 04:17 PM

Like FishBy Fly suggests, I gently squeeze the arms together. My wheels don't seem to have the gap your picture show, but there is a gap. I find partially tightening one side, then the other side fully, then going back to the first allows it to even out and clamp properly.

Caffeinated · 01-11-2020, 05:48 PM

If I were you I’d call Zip Dee and see what they say.

Mike

KK4YZ · 01-11-2020, 08:04 PM

Thanks, everyone for the suggestions. I did indeed try to push the bars together to get the left side to line up, but they just spring back. BTW the left side was the first side of the awning that I tried to secure.

I will contact Zip Dee as suggested to see what they have to say.

Jim

**GCinSC2** · 01-12-2020, 06:08 AM

This is a 100% swag cause sounds like you are still having a problem.

Open awning like normal. Inspect frames etc, all looks ok?

Now close awning but make sure you do a barber pole wind up of pull strap as opposed to a single spot windup for strap.

I did say that was a SWAG.

MAJORJDB · 01-12-2020, 07:18 AM

While we have an older AS (1989), it has a Zip-Dee awning. Sometimes it rolls up like yours and you have to jiggle the support arms to align the locking wheel nuts. It may just be how it rolls up as we don't always have an issue. We can't barber pole our strap as we lose the strap into the awning roll, lol!! Good luck!!
Jim, KD2RBT

Mollysdad · 01-12-2020, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caffeinated

If I were you I’d call Zip Dee and see what they say.

Mike

Good luck with that!

I'm sort of an expert on out of alignment Zip Dee awnings and I have the scars to prove it.
My left arm does not align with the notch, but in a up/down plane, your issue seems to be a left/right error.

I'd like to see a picture of the right arm alignment also.
Keep in mind the roller is only positioned by the fabric in the roof channel. It's possible you could extend the awning, then firmly grasp the cover from a ladder and see if you can scootch it forward 1/2". (The way these are attached at the factory is the roller is positioned next to the roof channel, then a small strip of canvass is slid in between the roof channel and the metal cover.)

We get in the habit of closing one first, the front. Try closing the back wheel first, see if that makes a difference.

Many people have problems with the Zip Dee. Most just accept it and carry a short stepladder to fasten the wheel.

I've had the Dealer's experts look over mine and all left scratching their head.

Your curved roof latch is positioned correctly, on the rivet line.
I don't think you can move the fabric in the roller to equalize the alignment, because it's pop riveted in, yes? Mine seems off also.

Note. It makes absolutely no difference on mine if I zig-zag the tape or wind it forward or wind it rearward.

CAUTION: If you're thinking of removing the arm to do anything, be aware the roller/arm joint is under TREMENDOUS spring tension.
I'm talking "trip to emergency room" type tension. That acorn nut in the lower left of your photo is all that holds the upper arm in the roller casting. BEWARE!

Here's the parts list for our Zip Dee awnings. If you want to learn more. One thing Zip Dee does very well is sell you parts at a reasonable price if you want to experiment.
http://nebula.wsimg.com/36853a1e4185...&alloworigin=1
http://nebula.wsimg.com/86b8ddb41bf5...&alloworigin=1

SYC2Vette · 01-12-2020, 08:48 AM

FWIW mine will do the same thing if I perfectly align one end, so I have just ended up "splitting the difference" with both slightly angled, which as stated is pretty easy to control when it is winding up. Never had a problem with them loosening up. As a side note I always use my folding stepladder to operate the wheels by hand as opposed to using the rod.

KK4YZ · 01-12-2020, 02:13 PM

Thanks guys. I thought about taking photos of the right side and the hook but didn’t because those pics would be very boring... ie perfectly positioned.

I think I’ll forego the trip to the ER and not do any disassembly of the mechanism😀

I think I’ll unfurl the awning any try to guide it closer to center as suggested when closing.

Mollysdad · 01-12-2020, 02:36 PM

I learned in trying to make mine perfect is that Zip Dee standards are rather loose. I purchased a new lower hinge bar to try and raise my roller a tiny bit and discovered the holes Zip Dee put in the new piece didn't match the holes in the original piece. They must use the "Looks close enough" standard.
I obsessed with mine and finally gave up. Everything I tried to improve caused something else to go whacky.