Removing the awning for polishing?

[KHarris]

I am wondering what to do about the awning while I polish our '69 Caravel. It's original, not a ZipDee or Carefree, and may even be a brand that's no longer available. It appears to slide into a bead style track on top.

My concern about removing it entirely, after reading so many awning threads, is that I will run into problems reinstalling it, particularly with tension (the awning's, not mine).

I'm sure lots of you have done this before though, any suggestions?

Thanks for your help.
Krista

[uwe]

Originally Posted by KHarris

I am wondering what to do about the awning while I polish our '69 Caravel. It's original, not a ZipDee or Carefree, and may even be a brand that's no longer available. It appears to slide into a bead style track on top.

My concern about removing it entirely, after reading so many awning threads, is that I will run into problems reinstalling it, particularly with tension (the awning's, not mine).

I'm sure lots of you have done this before though, any suggestions?

Thanks for your help.
Krista

Krista,

Generally, I think it is a good idea to remove as many obstacles as is practical from the trailer before polishing.
However, I do feel that it is important that you identify the awning, and get some sort of manual or other information about it, to make sure that the removal process is safe and does not damage the trailer, awning or even worse, vital and much needed body parts of yourself.
There is a fair amount of tension onthe spring loaded roller. Just taking out hardware will most likely end up being painful...if not on yourself, then on your wallet.

[Alumaholic]

Depending on the design of the awning, you may cause it to lift vertically upward and give you enough clearance to polish beneath it by leaving the awning arms partially extended and gently allowing the awning to retract into its case.

This process leaves the awning partially unrolled, straight up in the air. At least this is what happens with a Zip Dee.

Caution: If your awning is dry rotted or worn out, it may stress it.

Examine it very carefully. Send us some pictures.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by KHarris

I am wondering what to do about the awning while I polish our '69 Caravel. It's original, not a ZipDee or Carefree, and may even be a brand that's no longer available. It appears to slide into a bead style track on top.

My concern about removing it entirely, after reading so many awning threads, is that I will run into problems reinstalling it, particularly with tension (the awning's, not mine).

I'm sure lots of you have done this before though, any suggestions?

Thanks for your help.
Krista

Airstream has never made an awning.

Therefore you cannot have an "original" awning.

Please post a couple of photo's especially a closeup the the arms.

From those photo's, several people could then help you.

CAUTION: Do not attempt to remove the awning until it is identified.

The roller tube should have a spring in it that has considerable tension stored.

If you release that tension, and don't know what to expect, it could severely injure you up to the point of death.

Posting photo's will eliminate that for you.

Andy

[KHarris]

Thanks everyone for your advice and comments.
A picture is worth a thousand words as they say. I should have done this in the original post, sorry. Here's my awning. If anyone know what kind it is, I'd be interested. There was no documentation for it when I purchased the trailer and I am still looking for identifying marks.

So far I have managed to wrap some protective plastic around the rolled-up awning, propped it up a little more and begun the clearcoat removal with fair success.

[craftsman]

I think she meant original to the trailer not that Airstream made it because she does say that it "may be a BRAND that's no longer available.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by KHarris

Thanks everyone for your advice and comments.
A picture is worth a thousand words as they say. I should have done this in the original post, sorry. Here's my awning. If anyone know what kind it is, I'd be interested. There was no documentation for it when I purchased the trailer and I am still looking for identifying marks.

So far I have managed to wrap some protective plastic around the rolled-up awning, propped it up a little more and begun the clearcoat removal with fair success.

It appears that your awning is an old style Carefree, but it could possibly be an A & E as well.

Hate to tell you, but from your photo, it appears that your axle has had it.

The following article will help you check it out yourself.

Dura Torque Axle

Andy

[Alumaholic]

Originally Posted by klevan

Depending on the design of the awning, you may cause it to lift vertically upward and give you enough clearance to polish beneath it by leaving the awning arms partially extended and gently allowing the awning to retract into its case.

This process leaves the awning partially unrolled, straight up in the air. At least this is what happens with a Zip Dee.

Caution: If your awning is dry rotted or worn out, it may stress it.

I finally got around to taking a picture of my Zip Dee "standing on its head." I know you have a Carefree, but the same principal should work to give you access to the skin beneath the rolled up awning. Good Luck!

[mello mike]

Originally Posted by klevan

I finally got around to taking a picture of my Zip Dee "standing on its head." I know you have a Carefree, but the same principal should work to give you access to the skin beneath the rolled up awning. Good Luck!

Excellent, thanks for the tip! I really didn't want to remove the awning for this process. BTW, what are the stripes I see on your Airstream?

[cameront120]

Originally Posted by mello mike

BTW, what are the stripes I see on your Airstream?

The roof structure being reflected in the polished aluminum skin.