travel latch for ZipDee?

[tm77510]

My Zip Dee travel latch (the part screwed to the trailer, not the hook itself) has been rubbing on the fabric when you pull the awning open, so much so that it has made about a 3 or 4 inch rip. I took the latch off the trailer. My question is this. Want the "clamp wheels" at each end of the awning swing assembly be enough to keep it secured when on the highway? Also how do I repair the rip? Thanks.

[HowieE]

Short of replacing the whole awning fabric you could sew a patch over the rip. I am quit sure Zip Dee will send you a piece of the fabric if you explain what has happened.

How about a picture of the latch? Can't determine much from the description.

[azflycaster]

The wheels will keep the roller and arms secured to the trailer, but that is not the problem. Wind could still catch the awning and cause the fabric to unroll while still attached to the trailer. It would look like a spinnaker on a sail boat and most likely tear off. The travel latch prevents the fabric from unrolling. My awning is a couple of years old and is showing signs of wear in this area as well.

[tm77510]

I have heard that the awning will open like a sail from several people, so i will take your word for it and figure out how to make the hook work without the rub on the awning. My son is a welder. I think we will make a smoother hooking device that fits a little lower than the original piece where the awning will not touch it as it rolls. Thanks for your help.[IMG]file:///Users/tommymcafee/Desktop/awninghook.jpg[/IMG]

[HowieE]

tm77510

Thanks for the picture but I would ask for one more just for my education. What is the other half of this system look like. Does that hook set just below the rolled up awning and the awning in turn rub against this hook?

If so this is either a poor design or a poor installation.

Have you contacted Zip Dee to see if you can determine which.

[azflycaster]

Here are the instructions for installing the latch. Awnings By ZipDee
Here is what it looks like on my trailer.

[DEITZ645]

Here is a closeup of the one on our '06. I can see where it might rub. When I stowe mine I always get up on a step ladder and push up on the rolled up awning to make sure that the fabric won't rub on the hold down.

[HowieE]

Looking at the installation instructions and the picture of one my question is how does the fabric ever come in contact with the hook. The hook should be at least 1/2 the dia. of the rolled up awning from the fabric when the awning is extended.

Is the rip in the fabric at the end closest to the trailer and thus being torn when the awning is out or is it at the end closest to the barrel and thus ripping the awning while you are traveling?

If the second I would assume the awning is bouncing as you travel and actually attempting to unroll as you go down the road. I have seen SOB awning bounce as much as 4 in. in the center while traveling but an encased awning should not do that.

[tm77510]

My awning hook setup looks exactly like the photo in the post right before yours, from DEIZ645...not the "hook" that rubs, but the other part attached to the coach. As you pull the awning out or roll it up the fabric slides across the top of the part attached to coach. Originally that part had a sharp edge on it, I filed it more rounded, but I may have waited too late to do it..the damage has been done...just hate to keep causing more damage.

[tm77510]

My setup looks just like yours. Using a ladder would be perfect, but that's a two person task. One one the ladder and one releasing the awning. I travel alone so that makes a problem. Thanks for the help.

[HowieE]

tm77510

I would call Zip Dee and discuss this with them. I have found them to be quite helpful on mechanical questions. This is either an install error, the location of the LOOP, or a design error.

If the loop is as shown in the installation, wider than the hook, the loop may have been installed a bit to high on the trailer. Look at the loop/hook assembly after the awning is rolled up to see if the loop could be mounted lower on the trailer and the hook still catch the loop. If this is possible I would remove them and remount them with the loop lower on the side of the trailer. This will leave 2 holes in the side of the trailer that you will have to fill with large pop rivets. The hole in the case can be left open as it is on the bottom of the case and a pop rivet there may cause problems to the fabric.

[tphan]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

The wheels will keep the roller and arms secured to the trailer, but that is not the problem. Wind could still catch the awning and cause the fabric to unroll while still attached to the trailer. It would look like a spinnaker on a sail boat and most likely tear off. The travel latch prevents the fabric from unrolling.

I don't understand how this can happen. If the 2 ends of the roller/awning are secured to where they cannot move, how can the middle of it move? I thought I was good with the 2 wheel things- is this latch in the middle really necessary? -tim

[tm77510]

I agree with you, tphan....when i have the wheels at each end of the awning tight and not locking the travel latch..I can't pull the awning out...the locked wheels hold the entire awning metal case against the coach..you expressed my thoughts exactly...How can the middle move if the ends are secure?