Zip Dee Awning Frustration

[funkill]

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

We had the same problems with extending the awning and it took my wife looking at the video several times to figure it out. The written instructions are not easy to understand.

I noticed the Airstream store has some handles for too much money that may make it easier to pull out the awning to avoid rubbing the door.

We don't use it much, so we forget how to open it by the time we use it. Nice awning, hard to open unless you do it a lot. The awning material probably needs to be stretched periodically to work better.

Gene

I bought the handles and although it does help me extend the awning to it's highest position. it's still tough. Maybe it's due to my rather limited arm strength??? I still end up pulling up a picnic table, ladder, large cooler, etc so that I can stand on it and push up-n-out on the roller to extend the awning to it's highest position.

Laura

[danlehosky]

Laura, I don't think it's hand or arm strength. It's just in an awkward position. If you get the angle right, it will slide. My wife did it when I couldn't make it budge. Gene, you're right about the use factor. The same thing happens to me when I have to change my car clock from daylight savings time to regular time. It's become easier with the new vehicles though. If for no other reason than the brutal pinch points Zip Dee should change this set up. How long has the current extention design been in use?

If people avoid using a product because it's difficult to operate, it needs to be looked at by the manufacturer. I won't extend mine again without some gloves, or better yet I'll just refuse to do it and eventually my wife will do it herself.

Dan

[ROBERT CROSS]

Finger savers....arm strength enhancers.

Bob

[StreamRollin]

I don't quite understand what the extende handles do, and how do they attach.
Jim

[danlehosky]

Bob, if you need them they should come as part of the package I haven't been able to use my right hand since the incident. This may end up in court. I assume those are from Zip-Dee....

Dan

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by StreamRollin

I don't quite understand what the extende handles do, and how do they attach.
Jim

Originally Posted by danlehosky

Bob, if you need them they should come as part of the package I haven't been able to use my right hand since the incident. This may end up in court. I assume those are from Zip-Dee....

Dan

Gent's.........They do werk.

Bob

[danlehosky]

Bob, thanks. I wish I had known about them before the injury.

Dan

[ROBERT CROSS]

Dan,

We got the Classic, excited that we now had an awning, first time up, nasty pinch on my salute finger, saw the handles on the Zip site, why the he** don't they come with the awning??

Bob

[Gene]

That's the same with the pop out screen on the Fantastic Fan—make something with an obvious problem, then sell another thing to the unwary consumer. That reminds me—I have to contact FF because the gears on the cover aren't meshing correctly and it won't close electrically.

Gene

[dznf0g]

Gene, I noticed on the new AS my brother in law just got, that the FFs now have the Pop-A-Screen standard. At least on AS factory installations.

Relative to the handles posted above. I have a pair and took them off. I found they didn't grip well enough, especially after siliconing the tubes. I prefer a small step stool, when necessary, one hand on the latch knob and one hand pushing up on the ROLLER in the fabric area, as shown in the YouTube videos. That way your angle of push is correct and your hands are away from any pinch points. Just my preference.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

That's the same with the pop out screen on the Fantastic Fan—make something with an obvious problem, then sell another thing to the unwary consumer. That reminds me—I have to contact FF because the gears on the cover aren't meshing correctly and it won't close electrically.

Gene

Gene,

Theres a roll pin that holds the lift arm in position, I'll bet it's worked it's way out, happened to ours. Campground fix with a small machine screw, lockwasher and nut. Was going to contact FF but forgot,, three years and still good.

Bob

[Gene]

Thanks Bob, but it works manually and the motor will put it up and not down (except sometimes, rarely) so I think there's something else going on in the gear box. I think the gears don't mesh properly for down, though I don't know why. I might take it apart to see how it works, or I may just ask FF.

dzn', I have learned to leave the awning mechanics to Barb and be the dumb guy with muscles to help her. She thought the handles were too expensive too (something like $30) for the number of times we use it. Glad to hear they didn't work for you because that saved me money just in case we decided to buy them. That didn't come out right—not glad you wasted the money, thank you for sharing….

Gene

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

Thanks Bob, but it works manually and the motor will put it up and not down (except sometimes, rarely) so I think there's something else going on in the gear box. I think the gears don't mesh properly for down, though I don't know why. I might take it apart to see how it works, or I may just ask FF.

dzn', I have learned to leave the awning mechanics to Barb and be the dumb guy with muscles to help her. She thought the handles were too expensive too (something like $30) for the number of times we use it. Glad to hear they didn't work for you because that saved me money just in case we decided to buy them. That didn't come out right—not glad you wasted the money, thank you for sharing….

Gene

I'll sell you mine for $20. See, I can save you $10!

[Gene]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

I'll sell you mine for $20. See, I can save you $10!

I know, shipping and handling will be $19.95, just like those TV offers.

Gene

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

I know, shipping and handling will be $19.95, just like those TV offers.

Gene

"Operators are standing by....."

[danlehosky]

Gene, have you started the pleadings yet?

Dan

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Gent's.........They do werk.

Bob

Would these be called the zip de dodahs ?
I couldn't resist ... roflmao
We shall seek them out for purchase.

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by mefly2

Would these be called the zip de dodahs ?
I couldn't resist ... roflmao
.

Got them on tody and the handles are great especially when the tubes arlubed and slippery!

[nairnchyz]

We have a 1974 31' International with full length Zip Dee awning in excellent condition. I have noticed in pictures of several other coaches of similar length and vintage as ours that there is a centre "rafter" installed. Our '74 does not have this centre "rafter" and there is no evidence that one was ever installed. Would this have been an optioanal add on accessory from Zip Dee or? Would I be correct to assume that the purpose of this centre "rafter" would be to afford additional support?

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by nairnchyz

We have a 1974 31' International with full length Zip Dee awning in excellent condition. I have noticed in pictures of several other coaches of similar length and vintage as ours that there is a centre "rafter" installed. Our '74 does not have this centre "rafter" and there is no evidence that one was ever installed. Would this have been an optioanal add on accessory from Zip Dee or? Would I be correct to assume that the purpose of this centre "rafter" would be to afford additional support?

Yep...on our 25' it helps support the awning high enough so the entrance door does not rub the fabric when opened/closed.

Bob