Zip Dee or Vintage?

[Jim Foster]

Here is our Caravel with the Carefree. One support extended, the other one not. We sometimes use this configuration.

[CaddyGrn]

Hello,

We have vintage... it is easy to put up and manage on small Airstreams. With the vintage awning you never have to worry about clipping the parts that stick out from the side. When you have nice shade and such, you don't have to put up the awning if you choose not to, or if you are wanting to keep the travel accessories "light" you can leave it home if you know you likely won't want it. The arm things in the way, can be a real head knocker, especially at night... on the Zip Dee's.

I am sure the awning that came on the 65 Caravel was similar to the vintage ones...

It is mostly a matter of personal choice ~ perceived appearance, or perceived convenience. Good luck on making a decision!

Mrs. NorCal Bambi traveling in S Tardis from the Great State of Jefferson
My blogs: Yreka History
Siskiyou County Camping

[Sheridan]

Gerr, where did you get a frame like that for your awning? Not having ropes looks like a great idea. Is there a rigid square frame under the awning and how does it break down for storage?

Dan

[jjagnew]

Hey there, as far as price, I believe the Zip Dee for my 1967 22' was close to $2,500. I had it installed last summer. It's not cheap, but it sure is handy. I thought long and hard about going with the "vintage" pole awning set up, but I went for convenience and the quality of the Zip Dee is exceptional.

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by Gerr

It is free standing with no wires to trip over.

That's what we have for our '56...can't wait to set it up! So clean & tidy looking!

Shari

[ts8501]

Originally Posted by InsideOut

That's what we have for our '56...can't wait to set it up! So clean & tidy looking!

Shari

Shari:

I am not farmiliar with the frame version. I am very interested. Can you tell us more?

-Tim

[Sheridan]

Shari:

I'm also interested in your frame-type, rope-less, awning. You and Gerr seem to on to something here, a third option.

Dan

[Sheridan]

I've been burrowing deep into the forums under the "awning" section and came up with a partial answer to my own question. I think ts8501 was also interested in this frame-type awning.

Awning

I believe this was found in an old post by "InsideOut" (Maxwell). Thank you.

I wonder if there are any newer incarnations of this frame-awning idea?

Dan

[Grand Master]

ZipDee awnings were first made in the around 1966. My Dad bought one of the first ones and replaced the pole awning on his 1962 Overlander. It was a great improvement, and we used the awning much more often.

My experience says that "vintage" pole awnings are OK on up to 18' Airstreams. Longer than that they are a real pain to put up.

I personally believe that ZipDee awnings look appropriate on 7 panel and new Airstreams. 13 panel vintage Airstreams might look better with pole awnings.

Just a personal opinion from a long-time Caravanner.

Mike Brumback
1963 Tradewind

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by Sheridan

I've been burrowing deep into the forums under the "awning" section and came up with a partial answer to my own question. I think ts8501 was also interested in this frame-type awning.

Awning

I believe this was found in an old post by "InsideOut" (Maxwell). Thank you.

I wonder if there are any newer incarnations of this frame-awning idea?

Dan

Yep, that's like the one I got for our '56. As a matter of fact, I bought it on ebay from Arlen & Shirley, the owners of the trailer in the picture you linked to. That's not our awning, but ours is like it in a different fabric.



As I mentioned, I haven't set it up yet - our trailer has been in our yard without moving for over a year while undergoing restoration - that is, until yesterday! We took it out and pulled it out to get her new linoleum installed! WooHoo!

I have searched, and not found a modern version of the "ropeless" type - they may be out there, but I haven't found them. Your best bet is to look at estate/garage/yard or ebay sales. I paid more than a rope/pole awning but less than a ZipDee for ours.

You may want to look at this old thread I started years ago for some other examples:

Vintage Looking Awnings

Shari

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by jjagnew

Hey there, as far as price, I believe the Zip Dee for my 1967 22' was close to $2,500. I had it installed last summer. It's not cheap, but it sure is handy. I thought long and hard about going with the "vintage" pole awning set up, but I went for convenience and the quality of the Zip Dee is exceptional.

We believe you paid a super premium for your Zip Dee. The Zip Dee price today is only $1404.00, complete, for 12 foot awning, plus freight.

Depending on size, and options, installation takes 1 1/2 to 3 hours.

The following are some of Zip Dee's regular price's for just the awning, that uses one of the 79 standard colors that they offer, as of this date.

Awning
length reg price
10' $714.00
12' 802.00
14' 885.00
16' 968.00
18' 1055.00
20' 1138.00
21' 1182.00

To that, you must add the price of the bright contour hardware, which is $602.00

As an option, adding a center support costs $110.00.

Prices for other sizes are comparable.

This should help clear the confusion.

Andy

[Gerr]

Originally Posted by Sheridan

Shari:

I'm also interested in your frame-type, rope-less, awning. You and Gerr seem to on to something here, a third option.

Dan

We found our awning at a garage sale for free! We just lucked out. But it is the same as the one featured in the archives. There is an inner framework that you can tension with springs. It works very well. In a rain storm you just lower one corner and it runs off. Way better system then the pole and ropes. I also contacted RJ the webmaster at VintageAirstream.com because he has one also that is new and looks very vintage.I like the look of the canvas. He tells me he had it made for about 1000$ including all the poles and side curtains. He sent me the name of canvasreplacements.com. I think you have to contact them and let them know what you are after. I have attached the photo he sent me. The poles all break apart and are stored in a bag.

[Kristi Foster]

I make the Vintage Look rope and pole awnings and rally window awnings for Airstreams. The awnings have scallopped valances on three sides, the window awnings have a scallopped valance on the front edge. I have a variety of Sunbrella fabrics available. PM me for more information.

[silverhawk]

Hi, Gerr.
I was just curious to know how your awning manages in a good breeze. You know with no tie down lines and all.
Bob,

[Mike Leary]

Zip Dee rules! Any awning needs to be attended to in gusty winds, though.

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by Gerr

We found our awning at a garage sale for free! We just lucked out.

You're not kidding!

Originally Posted by Gerr

...canvasreplacements.com. I think you have to contact them and let them know what you are after.

I spoke with them several years ago when I was first looking for my '64GT's awning. They were not very helpful or responsive t that time - as a mater of fact, the people I spoke with on two different occasions were down right rude. Oh well...maybe thay have gotten someone new in "customer service".

Shari

[Sheridan]

Thanks for the info Gerr. My dilema is that I have a new Zip Dee in a box that was part of the trailer purchase so paying a premium for a Zip Dee awning is not the issue, I already own one. I am leaning toward a pole awning though, especially one without ropes.
The picture you posted is very cool, I'll research the business that RJ used and see what I can come up with. Thank you.

BTW, I called Zip Dee and they found the previous owners purchase order (the PO's PO) and confirmed that it's the correct size for a 65 Caravel. He wouldn't tell me how much the PO paid for it but did say the if I were to buy one today it would be $1200 + 250 shipping and handling. I also asked him if I could just replace the fabric (different color) and he said yes for about $238. It's a very small awning at about 79" square.
I also had a chance to weigh the roller and the hardware separately, out of the box.
Roller = 32lbs
Hardware = 30lbs
62lb. total weight

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by Sheridan

Thanks for the info Gerr. My dilema is that I have a new Zip Dee in a box that was part of the trailer purchase so paying a premium for a Zip Dee awning is not the issue, I already own one. I am leaning toward a pole awning though, especially one without ropes.
The picture you posted is very cool, I'll research the business that RJ used and see what I can come up with. Thank you.

BTW, I called Zip Dee and they found the previous owners purchase order (the PO's PO) and confirmed that it's the correct size for a 65 Caravel. He wouldn't tell me how much the PO paid for it but did say the if I were to buy one today it would be $1200 + 250 shipping and handling. I also asked him if I could just replace the fabric (different color) and he said yes for about $238. It's a very small awning at about 79" square.
I also had a chance to weigh the roller and the hardware separately, out of the box.
Roller = 32lbs
Hardware = 30lbs
62lb. total weight

The picture in your post does not look like a patio awning. It looks like a window awning... Is that the only one you got with your trailer or is there the big patio one too?

If it is one of the small window awnings...and that's the only one you got, I wouldn't let that weigh in on your decision making. Those are not nearly as pricey as the entire patio awning which, for a Caravel would be about 10 feet long or so.

Shari

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Sheridan

Thanks for the info Gerr. My dilema is that I have a new Zip Dee in a box that was part of the trailer purchase so paying a premium for a Zip Dee awning is not the issue, I already own one. I am leaning toward a pole awning though, especially one without ropes.
The picture you posted is very cool, I'll research the business that RJ used and see what I can come up with. Thank you.

BTW, I called Zip Dee and they found the previous owners purchase order (the PO's PO) and confirmed that it's the correct size for a 65 Caravel. He wouldn't tell me how much the PO paid for it but did say the if I were to buy one today it would be $1200 + 250 shipping and handling. I also asked him if I could just replace the fabric (different color) and he said yes for about $238. It's a very small awning at about 79" square.
I also had a chance to weigh the roller and the hardware separately, out of the box.
Roller = 32lbs
Hardware = 30lbs
62lb. total weight

If it's the correct size awning, for your Caravel, it should be 6 feet 11 1/4 inches long.

In looking at the lengths of the arms, it is a "patio awning."

Sorry Shari.

Andy

[Sheridan]

Shari;

A Caravel measures 83.25" from rear rib to front rib on center. The picture is the patio awning at 79.75" long (material and cover) plus 2.25' for the roller cap (metal roller attachment) The awning in the picture is just under 7ft. long. It may look smaller do to the fact that I shot the picture from a second story balcony.

I'm sure a pole awning for a Caravel will not weight 62lbs. You could weigh yours and tell me, I could be wrong.

Dan