Using your awning

[moosetags]

Very often, the RV salesman has never RVed.

Brian

[sbcohn]

Brian,

That's exactly how I had mine set up and routinely set it up with the end away from the door lowered one notch. Evidently that's not enough. Zip Dee makes the arms in stainless steel as well as the standard aluminum so I'm going to look into these as perhaps a sturdier alternative. We really enjoy the outdoor space created by the awning. Thanks for all the great feedback.

Steve

[ROBERT CROSS]

OK.....my turn to carp about the awning.

Well not exactly, it's great really, we use it all the time.

But we did loose the lower part of the rear support arm while on the road last year.

Turns out the main arm was never installed properly. It was off plumb by about three inches rearward. The support arm hook popped of the top-hat stud on the main arm. I zip-tie both arms together now when underway.
After It was fixed it I realized that was the reason the awning was rolling up cockeyed. ('Ya know like a window shade goes up when you don't hold it in the center). Even the lock down wheel is easier to use now.

Not your problem Zip-Dee, but we won't go into that, they got me the replacement ASAP, there CS is GREAT!!!

[Jack46]

It's not the rain that I worry about; it's the wind. Unless I'm fairly certain about the weather, I always close the awning before leaving the campsite. Sorry about your damage.

[Jack46]

And I also agree that more often than not and unless i have a specific reason to lower it, an awning is not worth opening.

[Aage]

When we are staying in the trailer, the awning is up on nice days, and even on so-so days.

However, if we leave the trailer, even for an afternoon, it goes away. And every night, it's closed up too.

When we bought Henri, he had a brand-new Zip-Dee. Can you guess why the entire unit was replaced...?

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Aage

When we bought Henri, he had a brand-new Zip-Dee. Can you guess why the entire unit was replaced...?

The one who must be obeyed said it was the wrong color.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Jack46

It's not the rain that I worry about; it's the wind. Unless I'm fairly certain about the weather, I always close the awning before leaving the campsite. Sorry about your damage.

Try using these:
Happy Hooker Awning Tie Down on Sale - PPL Motor Homes

[tkasten]

We use our awning all the time. It is only 11.5 feet long so it handles rain a bit easier than a longer one. We use it often in cold weather along with a 90% windbloc side screen to create a sheltered area to cook and sit. We put it up at night most of the time.

[idmtman]

I have very little confidence in my awning due to an unfortunate accident that occurred when I opened it (first time) and didn't realize the bolt was missing in the rear head. It snapped the claw bar and hit me in the arm. I was alone and head to put it back together without the aid of having a ladder or support under the awning. Big pain. Replaced the claw arm, didn't notice that I didn't get the rear main arm bar all the way into the head and the replacement bolt I put in was not through the hole in the head... needless to say, the same thing happened again while I was on the road in Florida.

Live and learn. I got another claw arm since I broke the replacement in the second "accident" and got the bolt correctly placed through the head. I now can use my awning but am so paranoid I don't feel comfortable until I roll it up again. Maybe I will eventually gain some confidence but when the wind comes up or I leave, I roll it up.

In addition to a about a four week repair on my arm, two claw arm replacements from the factory (shipped second-day air...) I now have a working awning and a lot of respect and knowledge about this item.