ZipDee Awnings Hooks Lost - Tip on Replacement

[interstateflyer]

The travel latch hooks fell off on both side awnings on my 2017 International.

I called ZipDee this morning. They were happy to sell me two hook/bolt kits which include a tube of Loctite shipped for $25.70, priority mail.

Their technician claimed that Airstream factory received Loctite with the awnings but apparently failed to use it on the retaining nuts.

The same thing happened to my 2012 International very early on in it's life.

Wake up Airstream!

[Mikenbern]

when packing up from our last trip I noticed one of mine was very loose- I applied loctite (blue) and retightened the hooks. I think it is good preventative maintenance.

[Tsunami-v2]

Would someone post a photo of the hooks? My interest has been awoken? Thanks

[interstateflyer]

Originally Posted by Tsunami-v2

Would someone post a photo of the hooks? My interest has been awoken? Thanks

I've used up my photo space allotment.

It is the hook like the one in this parts diagram.....part 12A. This one is for the Window Awning. The Patio Awing hook is slightly larger. http://nebula.wsimg.com/8334fd1879aa...&alloworigin=1

[Tsunami-v2]

I have also used mine up so I created another account and used "-V2" appended to the end of my original user-id. Thanks for the exploded view. I'll check mine just to be sure. Thanks again

[dfgarvin]

I lost one hook on my 2016 Flying Cloud and the dealer replaced it and installed it for free under the 2 year AS warranty.

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by interstateflyer

Their technician claimed that Airstream factory received Loctite with the awnings but apparently failed to use it on the retaining nuts.

It takes worker time and the buyer can fix it later.
It's the Thor way.

[m.hony]

I got an RV repair shop to tighten my big awning travel hook when I notice it was loose before it fell out.
I thought maybe they work loose over time.
Now I'm thinking the installers at Jackson Center left out a very important step- Lock-tite...
Also, If the travel hooks fell out I don't think the awnings would unfurl going down the road.
I think the spring tension on the tube and the clamp wheels will keep the awnings in place and the travel hooks are a redundancy.

[interstateflyer]

Originally Posted by m.hony

I got an RV repair shop to tighten my big awning travel hook when I notice it was loose before it fell out.
I thought maybe they work loose over time.
Now I'm thinking the installers at Jackson Center left out a very important step- Lock-tite...
Also, If the travel hooks fell out I don't think the awnings would unfurl going down the road.
I think the spring tension on the tube and the clamp wheels will keep the awnings in place and the travel hooks are a redundancy.

I always zip tie my awning arms together before driving. I've seen awnings open up on the road for a variety of reasons.

[nsbcpa]

Zip Tie used here also...

[crispyboy]

Our trailer has awnings on three sides. The only travel latches are the threaded wheels on the curb side, no hooks. I use a 2 step ladder to loosen/tighten the threaded wheels. I don't think the long arm gets the threaded wheels tight enough. Have not had any need to zip tie anything together.

[m.hony]

I stand on the ground and tighten the clamp wheels.
I push up on the clamp wheel with the awning rod.
I pull down on the clamp wheel with the awning rod and put all of my weight into it.
I weigh about 205# these days... Gets that little wheel pretty tight.
I keep pulling on the clamp wheel with the awning rod with all my might and strength and weight till it will not turn any more.
I can see wear on the clamp wheel where it seats into the notch on the awning arm.
It's tight.
I use the travel hooks as well...

[interstateflyer]

Originally Posted by m.hony

I stand on the ground and tighten the clamp wheels.
I push up on the clamp wheel with the awning rod.
I pull down on the clamp wheel with the awning rod and put all of my weight into it.
I weigh about 205# these days... Gets that little wheel pretty tight.
I keep pulling on the clamp wheel with the awning rod with all my might and strength and weight till it will not turn any more.
I can see wear on the clamp wheel where it seats into the notch on the awning arm.
It's tight.
I use the travel hooks as well...

Zip ties are cheap insurance.

[m.hony]

Never have seen or felt the need.

[centennialman]

I have a small aluminum step stool that I bought at Harbor Freight. I get on that and tighten the wheels by hand. I didn't feel comfortable just using the hook thing to tighten things down. I will check out the hook and see about using some Loctite.

[MWBishop]

Yep.
My new 26U had same problem.
Main awning latch was just about to fall off.
Luckily discovered it in time to tighten before lost.
But now need Loc-Tite and like the Zip-Tie ideas.
Thanks.

[zapper]

Question: Is the screw for the awning hook set into the awning cover? Or will it spin when you go to tighten the hook on the screw? My guess is that it will spin. Otherwise how does a locked hook come unscrewed? So....any suggestions on how you hold the screw while you tighten the hook on the screw?

[mythbuster88]

Originally Posted by MWBishop

Yep.
My new 26U had same problem.
Main awning latch was just about to fall off.
Luckily discovered it in time to tighten before lost.
But now need Loc-Tite and like the Zip-Tie ideas.
Thanks.

Me too.
Everything done by Airstream has to be done over again.
From one end of the trailer to the other, from top to bottom. Electrical, plumbing, cabinets, everything. Good thing I have time, money, tools, and fix-it skills.

[SpinWhite]

When we lost one or our awning hooks the dealer set us a hook installation package. There were 2 things in the package that was not on the second installed hook. A nylon washer and locktite.

[featherbedder]

I have collapsible 2 step plastic stool that folds flat. I tighten wheels by hand after wand slipped made big scratch on side besides gets wheels tighter than wand. Remember wand will slip out of wheels sooner or later. Wand IMO only good to turn travel latch and pull strap to deploy.