Awning fabric repair

[ZoominC6]

We've noticed a hole in the main awning that has been created by the material rubbing against the retainer clip recepticle; the vertical fin with the hole in it that receives the retainer hook itself. This occurs as the awning is recovered into it's tube against the Airstream.

Has anyone else had this problem?

What's the best way to repair the small hole before it gets larger?

Is the retainer clip an absolute necessity or can I do away with it by cutting it off and not suffer any consequence?

Thanks for any suggestions offered.

[sander17]

Our ZipDee awning is wearing holes along a row. (See photos) I am not sure why. There is not anything obvious in the area to be rubbing. I would also be interested in easy solutions to the fabric repair.

[azflycaster]

Zoomin ~ are you talking about the travel latch? If so, it keeps the rolls from vatching air as you go down the road. Even though the heads are locked to the trailer nothing keeps the roll from catching air and turning into a large parachute. I can not imagin why your roll would be hitting this catch. Mine is well below the roll. Look at this link: Awnings By ZipDee
and see if yours is setup this way.

sander ~ the marks / holes on your awning seem to be in a pattern that is roughly would fall on the same spot on the roll. What ever caused the hole is wearing the next spot as well (and the next spot). Roll up the awning and find where that hole is on the wound up roll. You should find something in that area like a rough rivet or possibly a rough spot on the aluminum awning segment (if it is inside a segment.

[ZoominC6]

Richard,

Interesting diagram indeed. My 'Travel Latch' is mounted higher than the one in the diagram and thus the problem.

Now to figure out what to do about the awning hole.

If I can get another 'Travel Latch' I guess I could mount it elsewhere in the proper configuration and remove the offending hardware.

Thanks,

[sander17]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

sander ~ the marks / holes on your awning seem to be in a pattern that is roughly would fall on the same spot on the roll. What ever caused the hole is wearing the next spot as well (and the next spot). Roll up the awning and find where that hole is on the wound up roll. You should find something in that area like a rough rivet or possibly a rough spot on the aluminum awning segment (if it is inside a segment.

Well, that is the problem. It is obvious that the hole source is at the top of the awning because the first hole is bigger than the others. The spacing corresponds to the circumference of the roll. The holes are sort of H shaped. With the awning open, I looked on the surface of the trailer in this area and there are no rivets, or any other suspicious characters. The holes are on the seam between two pieces of fabric. Does anyone know if this can be nicely and easily patched?

[Becky B.]

Originally Posted by sander17

Our ZipDee awning is wearing holes along a row. (See photos) I am not sure why. There is not anything obvious in the area to be rubbing. I would also be interested in easy solutions to the fabric repair.

I know this is an old thread, but I have the exact same problem with my awning. When I purchased the trailer, there was a patch installed on the top & underside of the awning.

I just got back from a 10 day trip & wore a hole in the patches as well as put a new hole down the line from the first one. I can't figure out where the rubbing is coming from. I've rubbed my hand all over the area & can't find anything sharp or rough that would seem to be the problem. I noticed that sander17 couldn't figure out what was causing the problem either. Did anyone else ever have this problem, and did you figure it out? I'm temped to drive out to the Zip Dee place (about an hour away from me) to see if they can find it before I repatch it all up!

[Becky B.]

I'm responding to myself here, but maybe someone else will benefit from it....
I took my trailer to the Zip Dee Awning factory. They told me to area where I had a patch that wore through was due to the rubbing on the stove vent when it was unfurled/furled. I was told to remove the lip from the vent & it should be fine. The other areas that are worn in a pattern have nothing to catch on when unfurled. The guys from Zip Dee said that it's from the type of stitching they used in the era of my awning. They called it a chain stitch. There is nothing that can be done for the wear in those areas other than patching. He did suggest a new awning would last another 20 years, but I think I'll patch it up for now. I've already removed the lip & am waiting for my Vulkem to dry before I patch it up.

[steven2themax]

thanks for that Becky, may I ask, how did you patch it? my awning has all of the seams ripped out! I am hoping I can get it fixed, as the trailer has other things I need to change first!

Samara

[Airtandem]

For the wear marks; do they also coinside with the pull strap that is used ot open and close the awning? Is there something inbeded in it?
ASs for the patchinmg, I also ripped my awning on the catch that locks down the awning. Zip dee gave me some matching patch material. And than after cutting the patch to size, I glued it inplace using clear silicone culk per their instructions. Let it dry BEFORE rolling up the awning. ALSO BEFORE DOING THE PATCHING, WASH THE AWNING WELL USING THE ZIPDEE CLEANING PRODUCT RINSE AND LET DRY.

[Becky B.]

Originally Posted by Airtandem

For the wear marks; do they also coinside with the pull strap that is used ot open and close the awning? Is there something inbeded in it?
ASs for the patchinmg, I also ripped my awning on the catch that locks down the awning. Zip dee gave me some matching patch material. And than after cutting the patch to size, I glued it inplace using clear silicone culk per their instructions. Let it dry BEFORE rolling up the awning. ALSO BEFORE DOING THE PATCHING, WASH THE AWNING WELL USING THE ZIPDEE CLEANING PRODUCT RINSE AND LET DRY.

Yes, that's how I applied the patches too.