Need replacement fabric for ZipDee - where's the best deal

[guy99]

Title pretty much says it. I want to replace the fabric on my 1984 patio awning. ZipDee quotes $43 per lineal foot. Is it available for less?

[HiJoeSilver]

Is that $43 per foot for a completed awning or just the fabric. If completed probably not a bad deal.

It's just sunbrella fabric. You can get it online for about $30 per yard but 2 pieces need to be seemed together to get the width out from the trailer. You could probably get a local marine/RV upholstery shop to make one. I was just at one yesterday, labor rate was $125/hour. So that adds up quickly.

[guy99]

$43/foot is the material completely fabricated and ready to install.

[HiJoeSilver]

So I think you have to look around for labor rates where you are and get an idea of what they would charge to build an awning from scratch. Considering the amount of cutting, sewing and dealing with heavy fabric I bet this would be a full day assembly. Add fabric cost. Zipdee price may not be all that bad.

[Jacob D]

Originally Posted by HiJoeSilver

So I think you have to look around for labor rates where you are and get an idea of what they would charge to build an awning from scratch. Considering the amount of cutting, sewing and dealing with heavy fabric I bet this would be a full day assembly. Add fabric cost. Zipdee price may not be all that bad.

If i'm not mistaken, Zip Dee will guarantee their work and can make the awning exactly like the original. That seems like a good choice.

[2dabeach]

Originally Posted by guy99

Title pretty much says it. I want to replace the fabric on my 1984 patio awning. ZipDee quotes $43 per lineal foot. Is it available for less?

guy99....Try sailrite.com, they sell Sunbrella fabric as well as everything you need to sew it. Sunbrella marine grade charcoal gray 60" wide sells for $24.95/yard.

[Larry C]

I bought a replacement awning for our 34'er last fall, $1,350.00 and that included the new roller, springs, etc. Expensive? Yes, but it fit, and it was the SunBrella material. Hopefully, it won't have to be replaced as long as I intend to use the trailer....

Larry C

[dcasr]

My 1990 29'er has a 19' awning, and it is the original, now 26 years old and in great condition. Treat your new one well and it will last you for the rest of your trailering days. Amortized over 20 to 30 years the price isn't too bad.

[CRH]

The seam threads in mine were rotten by 25 years. The fabric was like new. I paid an upholstery shop 75 bucks to restitch it.

[rucos]

hey LarryC ...whos product was that?? ....zip dee was a lot more than that last year I believe.

[Larry C]

Originally Posted by rucos

hey LarryC ...whos product was that?? ....zip dee was a lot more than that last year I believe.

I talked to the customer service guy at Zip Dee, he told me how to measure the old one, and gave me their specs. They won't sell directly to the customer, so my repaid guy had to order it. If I remember correctly, this was a 24' awning for the 34'er. It included a new roller, springs, and latch, as the old roller was bent.

I was not correct on the price, but the actual price was $1,425.00, that included freight, and the complete assembly. My service guy charged me $100.00 to remove the old awning, and installed the new one.....

At the time, I thouht it was expensive, but considering how long these last with the premium fabric, it's not that bad...

Larry C

[HiHoAgRV]

I replaced 2 awing fabrics on my '63 with zipdee materials. Very simple, fast and fit perfect. The price is expensive but there was nothing to fuss with. My main awning was missing and I probably would have used a rope and pole if I didn't have the Zipdee rear and street side, still on the trailer.

[CRH]

Originally Posted by Larry C

I talked to the customer service guy at Zip Dee, he told me how to measure the old one, and gave me their specs. They won't sell directly to the customer, so my repaid guy had to order it. .

Larry C

On the Zip Dee website, they say you can order awning and parts directly.

[Larry C]

Originally Posted by CRH

On the Zip Dee website, they say you can order awning and parts directly.

I know you can order parts and chairs directly, I've done it. But when I wanted to order this main awning roller and fabric assembly, I had to go through their dealer organization....it really didn't matter to me, because the price was the same as I was quoted and my repair guy was going to install it anyhow...

Larry

[CRH]

I think the reason you had to order yours thru a dealer is because you got a roller that had to go by freight.

[prairieschooner]

I would think that by going back to Zip Dee would be the easiest and maybe even the best way to replace your awning. They still have old stock for most of the older patterns.
The Sunbrella canvas can be found online easily and ebay has it for about $20.00/yard and up.
We are currently making a rope & pole for our '58 Traveler. It isn't simple and there are hidden expenses like thread, needles, guides different feet and attachments. We already had the industrial walking foot machine and these materials will be used for other projects so I am not complaining.

[Melody Ranch]

Go to EBAY, Search Sunbrella and pick your poison. Then take the awning roller (or in some places.....just take the Airstream) to an awning/tarp dealer. They will custom make and fit the Sunbrella to your Zip-Dee. My last big replacement cost less than 350 total.

[Ldytraveller]

We have a 1998 34 ft Excella. The full side awning needs restitching. The dealer will arrange to have this done for us at NC. Given the age I thought I would see what it would cost to replace it with new Sunbrella fabric. The dealer's source would make us a new awning for $990 + tax. I also got a quote from a local awning and boat cover place we have used in the past. He quoted us $519. including tax, Canadian! Our roller, springs, frame etc are fine so this is just for the fabric and labour. SunBrella fabric is $20.00 Canadian a metre (39 in.) You may want to shop this in Canada.
Cheers,

[passenger56]

Hey can you tell me where in Canada you had this work done?
Thanks,

Originally Posted by Ldytraveller

We have a 1998 34 ft Excella. The full side awning needs restitching. The dealer will arrange to have this done for us at NC. Given the age I thought I would see what it would cost to replace it with new Sunbrella fabric. The dealer's source would make us a new awning for $990 + tax. I also got a quote from a local awning and boat cover place we have used in the past. He quoted us $519. including tax, Canadian! Our roller, springs, frame etc are fine so this is just for the fabric and labour. SunBrella fabric is $20.00 Canadian a metre (39 in.) You may want to shop this in Canada.
Cheers,