Door Reversal

[aztlanco]

Has anyone ever changed the hinges from where they are to the oposite side to change the swing? I dont have a suicide door swing on my trailer and even though I don't like the idea, it might be my only solution. Looking at my door from the outside, it opens from left to right. Now that I installed a Zip-Dee, my door only opens 90 degrees and then hits the awning leg (whether the awning is up or in the open position). I liked it beter when it opened all the way 180 degrees and up against the trailer, but I don't want to get rid of the awning. I thought that I had seen a thread on this before but I can't find it. My trailer is an 18 footer and the hinges are now right next to the front awning leg. Any sugestions?
Ernie
'58 Traveler 18ft.

[InsideOut]

I have seen a couple of the vintage ZipDee (and other brand) awnings that have a detachable leg that is installed next to the door. The bracket at the bottom has a removable pin that frees the leg and it swings out & down to the ground where it can be staked down. This allows the door to open 180-degrees when the awning is up. Actually, this bracket can be used on both the front & back leg brackets if you want.

We have an old stake & pole awning, if we were to decide to install a ZipDee awning...we would be in the same boat with our '64 GlobeTrotter. To me, it would be much easier to modify your bracket &/or pin than to reverse the swing of the door. In my opinion, that's only asking for trouble.

Shari

[RivetED]

I would agree that reversing the door would be asking for more trouble than it's worth. Actually, I'm not excited about our '04 Safari door because it opens "into the wind" while in tow. I figure it's only a matter of time before one of us forgets to double-check the door and it opens at 65 MPH !

[Silvertwinkie]

I agree it would be a PITA to convert the door.

One important note that 85MH325 pointed out at a gathering last year.

The door latch assembly and mechanics on newer coaches (at least 2003 and 2004 as far as I know) are VERY different than the vintage units. I would not be worried about a door on a 2003 or 2004 (possibly as old as a 2000 as well) opening during transit without the deadbolt engaged.

The newer style emulates that of an auto door. You'll also notice that the door on a new Airstream is slightly more difficult to close than a vintage (or pre 2000) unit. The new door latch assemblies really lock onto that holding pin very well.

FYI.....

[aztlanco]

Thank you for all your help. I will look into the Zip-Dee web site and inquire about the removable leg like Shari (InsideOut) suggested. That seems to be the better solution.
Ernie
'58 Traveler 18ft.

[InsideOut]

Thank you for all your help. I will look into the Zip-Dee web site and inquire about the removable leg like Shari (InsideOut) suggested. That seems to be the better solution.
Ernie
'58 Traveler 18ft.

This may be an older style 'vintage' bracket...I'm not sure it's still available "off the shelf"...you may have to modify the current standard bracket to get it to work. From what I've seen of the new ones, it would be pretty simple to change out the pin to a releasable one so the leg could be free swinging, although we haven't done this ourselves...we plan on sticking with the stake & pole awning.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do ~

Shari

[aztlanco]

Thanks again Shari;
The removable leg you mentioned is not available anymore from Zip-Dee, but you gave me an idea using the exsisting leg. Right now, that leg is attached at the bottom with a bolt and nut going through a hinge plate. All one would have to do is remove the bolt and nut and replace with a removable pin (like you mentioned). You would have to follow a procedure, first, you would open the awning the regular way and lock-it in the open position (this is important bacause otherwise the awning tries to roll back up to it's closed position and could be dangerous with one leg removed). After locking the awning on the open position, then and only then, you can remove the leg from the bottom hinge and plant it and stake it down on that corner. Thanks again for your insight.
Ernie
'58 Traveler 18ft.

[wahoonc]

Not sure what the Zip Dee hardware looks like, but CareFree still offers that style of leg. Maybe you could adapt a Carefree bracket to fit the Zip Dee?

Aaron

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by InsideOut

I have seen a couple of the vintage ZipDee (and other brand) awnings that have a detachable leg that is installed next to the door. The bracket at the bottom has a removable pin that frees the leg and it swings out & down to the ground where it can be staked down. This allows the door to open 180-degrees when the awning is up. Actually, this bracket can be used on both the front & back leg brackets if you want.Shari

my A&E is the same way. It has a spring clip on the bottom hinge, and two holes for staking the arm away from the trailer. It also helps keep you from cracking you head when exiting the trailer when you forget the awning is open.
Terry