No spring to my Zip Dee

[GaCamper]

New to AS but I assume my ZipDee Awning is supposed to be spring loaded and retract itself???? Any suggestions/advise on how to get the spring back in my step (awning)?

[azflycaster]

The tension may need need to be adjusted.
Awnings By ZipDee

[klattu]

Yes, it should.
Possibly the spring has unwound, or broken.
Check the end caps, look for a missing cotter key first.
You can rewind it kinda easy.

[BigAl]

Check the Zip Dee website. When the awning is out you need to push on the roller to start it rolling up. Once it starts to close it should keep going.
Al

[klattu]

I installed a new main fabric on mine.
The spring load was opposite end that has the lock, as in photo.
seems like I twisted about 15 to 17 times, but it was years ago.
Zip Dee may have instuctions available.

[azflycaster]

The starting point for a patio awning is one turn for every foot of length of the awning plus 7 additional turns. A 31 foot trailer's awning should be around 22 feet long, so the starting point would be around 29 turns.

BE CAREFUL! That is a lot of tension, one slip and you can have some serious damage (trailer and you).

[Silver Otter]

Thanks for the advice, all of you. Our main is also reluctant to roll up, but will do so with some pushing. If the spring is wound OK, perhaps some lubricant would help? If so, where shall I put it and what kind shall I use?

[klattu]

where shall I put it and what kind shall I use?

ENTRAPMENT

[Bill M.]

We bought and older trailer with a Zip Dee that was a little reluctant. At the International rally a nice guy from Zip Dee cam and looked at the awning in the campground. He suggestede using spray Silicone almost everywhere to lubricate the sliding parts and the ends of the rollers. He stated that the more you use this thing the better it will work. He also stated that if you can get it to roll all the way up with a little nudging that is tight enough on the spring. He suggested not trying to tighten the spring. Basede on the theory that it was tight enough when it installed and it will be too tight with it extended if you tighten it more. The springs stick and break, but do not weaken much with time. Biggest issue is the steel spring inside the galvanized steel tube and it stays damp. Lots of rust. No way to get any lubricant into it. But if you use it a lot it wears the rust out of the way, I guess.
We bought another trailer with 2 broken springs on the little awnings. Lots of rust inside on the broken springs. My advise is to spray and pray and keep on rolling it up. It will get better. If you can get to a rally with Zip Dee in attendence they can be very helpful.

[idmtman]

Lubricate it first with silicone and if it still needs a little more rolling power, follow the Zip Dee directions. It isn't difficult if you follow the directions and use a ladder to hold the bar. I found our awning needed more turns than the 1 turn per foot.