Retrofitting a used ZipDee awning

[rcscanada]

Greetings all,

First post of many I suspect. I am the proud owner of a 1971 Overlander. This trailer is a complete restoration project and is coming along very nicely. It was abandoned in the forest in 1993 and sat there until I had the brilliant notion that I could fix it up....So far so good! Anyway I am retrofitting a used Zip Dee awning to it that I can make work but it would be better if it was about three inches shorter...of course! Is it possible to shorten the tube on these units? Has anyone done this before? I am replacing the material so that won't be an issue.
Thanks,
Wayne

[perryg114]

I suspect you can remove the spring assembly and cut the tube. I don't know the details for the spring and how it is housed. I wonder if someone has an exploded view of how all the parts fit together. I do know you need to unwind the spring before you start messing with it or you could get hurt. The hard part is getting a perfectly square cut without a lathe. It would be nice if there was an online shop where you could just buy replacement canvas for these awnings.

Perry

[Smartstream]

It's not difficult to shorten the tube. Drill out the rivets and remove the non spring end. Measure very carefully and then measure again and then cut the tube. Reinstall the end cap and rivet into place. You will also have to cut the cover slats after measuring carefully. Since you are replacing the fabric have it made to the new size. Here is a link to an exploded drawing of the parts. http://awningsbyzipdee.com/media/19b...04ffffd523.pdf

Good luck, Dan

[rcscanada]

Hey Dan,

Thanks for that info. I think that is all I will need to give it a go! Sounds like a good project for this weekend. I did see a youtube video on unwinding the spring.

[webspinner]

Here's a link to the original Zip Dee instructions:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f442...tml#post481948

And here's a link to the blog post about the new awning we made for our Zip Dee:

Tin Pickle Adventures: New Awning - sewing and metal repair

Wishing you the best with your restoration!

[rcscanada]

Thanks for all the info. Is there anything out there on safely unwinding the spring? The throat severing example has me a little nervous. I see how to wind it and put it all back together but there isn't anything on detensioning it that I have seen.

[perryg114]

Leave the arm attached just unwind it slowly and don't let go of the arm.

Perry

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by perryg114

Leave the arm attached just unwind it slowly and don't let go of the arm.

Perry

For a photographic explanation of the above post see this thread:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f483...ies-51182.html

[rcscanada]

Thanks Perry, I downloaded a great explanation from the zipdee site. Thanks for the photographic insight. Really hoping I don't have anything to add to that thread...