What's your advice on this awning????

[dragonnfly]

OK heres what I have now on the 27" Overlander....

Its a carefree, but I do like the curved post. But they are rusted in place the knobs do not turn and the awning has sun spots in it (you can see sunlight through the awning in about 5 spots). Its ugly, pea green and white.

This is what I have to work with.

Its from a 31" Its too long to fix the bend and put on mine. My hubby says to just cut it down and put on ours. I like the blue better then green. But will this work.

Continued below

[dragonnfly]

You can look in my photo album and see the bends in the blue awning tube and the top cover. The ends of the cast zip dee awnings are broke. A tree fell on it. Any advise appreciated. Thank You Dragonnfly

[uwe]

Call Zip-Dee and ask for prices of the parts you need to make it work.
Looks to me like you might be better off buying a new ZipDee awning, as the awning tube and cover are damaged. Plus you might need new tension ends.
You really can't decide unless you know the repalcement parts cost.

[vajeep]

I agree with Uwe on that one, Give Zip Dee a call. They are a pleasure to talk to!
We had the carfree awning before our restoration. The new Zip Dee is a pleasure to put up and down, and it just seems to "fit" better.

[Foiled Again]

I too like the "looks" of the curved awning arms, but everything I've heard about Carefree is that -- it ain't! It's not as good an awning, BUT would it be possible to use everything else from ZipDee and fit it on the Carefree arms or are the arms a big part of the problem.

Just curious.

Paula Ford

[Condoluminum]

I'd agree a conversation with ZipDee is in order... As I understand it, roller and shield were bent but are too long for your 27' trailer anyway, and thus you'd need new roller and new metal plus maybe some end caps from ZipDee. Side arms and fabric look OK to re-use. If that is case, cost of ZipDee parts might be close to a wash for new canopy fabric for the Carefree plus new hardware for rusted bolts, etc...

It might also be possible to use ZipDee fabric to replace Carefree fabric (though ZipDee rivets to roller, and Carefree uses slot and nylon insert..). That might be cheapest option, retaining Carefree hardware as much as possible. Fabric easy to cut, though a hem of sorts on side would help prevent tears and unraveling.. Not sure if Carefree still sells parts for that awning, since it was made originally by a company they purchased...

John McG

[thenewkid64]

The rusted knobs, and other misc parts on the carefree can be replaced. they are for the most part the same as is in use today. The fabric can also be ordered form carefree and will slide right on. The unique parts that are not available are going to be the curved arms. If you have the misfortune to damage one, there are two options, find one in a bone-yard or get a Zip Dee.

[Chaplain Kent]

Originally Posted by Foiled Again

I too like the "looks" of the curved awning arms, but everything I've heard about Carefree is that -- it ain't! It's not as good an awning,

Paula Ford

I could not disagree with you more. I had a Carefree awning on my Tradewind and it was just that: Carefree. It is a very well made product, good customer service, available parts and worked a heck of a lot better than the the blankety blank A & E I suffer with now.