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Old 12-19-2024, 07:57 PM   #1
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2021 30' Flying Cloud
Sioux Falls , South Dakota
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Awning questions

Our new-to-us FC 30 RBQ has been used very little. The awnings, for example, apparently have never been out until I put them out. Since this trailer is three years old, things are a bit stiff. The large street-side awning went out just fine the first time I put it out, but the second time the front arm didn't move. I tugged on it a bit and it came out. I'm assuming that it will loosen up with use. The manual says that only the roller should get any lubrication, so I assume that other moving parts are fine with just a cleaning.


The main awning went out for the first time today. It took quite a bit of work to get it going. The travel latch didn't want to move at all. I finally put a screwdriver into the hole, swatted it a bit, and the lock finally released. The rear lock came loose just fine, but the front one seems to be a bit out of adjustment. Again, I had to get up on the step stool and persuade it to let go of the arm.


The instructions don't mention the center arm at all, so we attached it at what seemed to be a logical point in the process.


When the awning is initially extended, the front and rear arms are in the first holes. I was able to get it to the third set of holes, but that took quite a bit of effort. Is there a fourth set?
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Old 12-19-2024, 10:34 PM   #2
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Lubricate all the moving sections with spray silicone, especially the solid aluminum parts that slide in the tubes. I lubricate several times a year, I assume that you have a manual awning.
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Old 12-20-2024, 08:28 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kb0zke View Post
The large street-side awning went out just fine the first time I put it out, but the second time the front arm didn't move. I tugged on it a bit and it came out.
My street side can be stubborn too. If the arms don't want to deploy, it's usually because I'm pulling down, not out. Stand farther away so the rod is pulling the arms out.

Quote:
The main awning went out for the first time today. The rear lock came loose just fine, but the front one seems to be a bit out of adjustment. Again, I had to get up on the step stool and persuade it to let go of the arm.
Mine is slightly out of adjustment also. All I can say is Zip-Dee makes a good product, but uses the "Looks good enough" template. When storing the awning, first, don't wrap the pull tape all in one lump, Zig-Zag or spiral it around the roller. Next, allow the last foot slam against the trailer. Don't baby it.

Quote:
When the awning is initially extended, the front and rear arms are in the first holes. I was able to get it to the third set of holes, but that took quite a bit of effort. Is there a fourth set?
Yes, remember, "Four by the door" Always have the door end in the fourth hole, that will assure it clears the door opening. Then you can let the other end in 3 or 2 so any surprise rain can run off. (I learned the hard way).
Spray silicon into the square awning arm to help it slide. Yes, the fourth hole seems too tall for anyone under 6' 5", but it's doable. It does get easier. Someone makes levers that attach on the arms to give you superhuman power.
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Old 12-20-2024, 08:38 AM   #4
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Ever try the "Rally Awning"* position?
Pull the awning out like normal, attach the 'rafter arms' as normal but don't lock them in.
Then, allow the awning to roll back up. The rafter arms will stop it about 6' from the trailer. It's super easy, you still get some shade, and it's so easy to store for the night. Just unhook the rafter arms, and allow it to roll up against the roof. Done!

* The name comes from crowded rallies where there's not enough room to fully extend the awning.
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Old 12-20-2024, 09:59 AM   #5
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Since I'm 5'6" that set of levers sure looks like it would help. Anyone know where I can get a set?
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Old 12-20-2024, 11:30 AM   #6
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We put the main awning out again this morning. The travel latch still is very stiff, but I think it will eventually work itself a little looser. It took both of us, but we did get the awning out to the fourth hole. I think we may have been very close yesterday, but since we didn't know it was there I didn't give it that extra push. We also put out the center bar as soon as the awning was pulled out, even before doing anything else. That seems to keep it from wanting to retract as soon as I turn my back on it.


We had a Zip Dee awning package on the old Foretravel, and the overall system is the same, but there are some improvements in 30 years. Overall, I like this system better than the power awnings we had on the Reflection.
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Old 12-20-2024, 12:55 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kb0zke View Post
Since I'm 5'6" that set of levers sure looks like it would help. Anyone know where I can get a set?
They are called Awning lift handles. Their from ZipDee and Airstream supply has them.
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Old 12-20-2024, 09:28 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kb0zke View Post
Since I'm 5'6" that set of levers sure looks like it would help. Anyone know where I can get a set?
Here is a link.
https://airstreamsupplycompany.com/p...-lift-handles/
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Old 12-21-2024, 11:16 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kb0zke View Post
Our new-to-us FC 30 RBQ has been used very little. The awnings, for example, apparently have never been out until I put them out. Since this trailer is three years old, things are a bit stiff. The large street-side awning went out just fine the first time I put it out, but the second time the front arm didn't move. I tugged on it a bit and it came out. I'm assuming that it will loosen up with use. The manual says that only the roller should get any lubrication, so I assume that other moving parts are fine with just a cleaning.


The main awning went out for the first time today. It took quite a bit of work to get it going. The travel latch didn't want to move at all. I finally put a screwdriver into the hole, swatted it a bit, and the lock finally released. The rear lock came loose just fine, but the front one seems to be a bit out of adjustment. Again, I had to get up on the step stool and persuade it to let go of the arm.


The instructions don't mention the center arm at all, so we attached it at what seemed to be a logical point in the process.


When the awning is initially extended, the front and rear arms are in the first holes. I was able to get it to the third set of holes, but that took quite a bit of effort. Is there a fourth set?
Link for a spray wax. Works great, last an entire season: https://www.amazon.com/Woody-Wax-16-...4801341&sr=8-3
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Old 12-22-2024, 09:12 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kb0zke View Post
We put the main awning out again this morning. We also put out the center bar as soon as the awning was pulled out, even before doing anything else. That seems to keep it from wanting to retract as soon as I turn my back on it.
The center "rafter" is only on longer awnings. Since the roller is under spring tension, it might try to get away when you turn your back. (Mine is just on the edge.) So I never let go of the roller until I hook at least one of the end rafter arms.
The rule of thumb for the spring is "One revolution per foot of roller + seven". The seven extra turns accounts for the rolling of the awning to the body. The point is, there's a LOT of stored energy inside that roller, so don't take it apart unless you're prepared for a hospital visit.
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Old 12-25-2024, 11:04 AM   #11
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This might have been mentioned earlier but when lifting the awning to its open position, push up on the roller instead of trying to push/pull on the arm. It’ll go much easier that way. You might need a step stool, depending on.
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Old 12-25-2024, 06:02 PM   #12
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Zip Dee has a number of instructional videos on their website.
https://awningsbyzipdee.com/resource...tional-videos/


They also sell parts directly such as the assist handles.
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Old 12-31-2024, 08:18 AM   #13
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Awning technique

There is a great video that shows the easy way to deploy the ZipDee awnings. Can't send the link right now because I just realized it is one of the things I lost in my HDD crash and I need to download it to my new laptop. But if you search ZipDee awning or Airstream awning you should find it quickly. I kept the video on my old travel laptop for easy reference when I had not used the awning for a year or so because it is easy to do it wrong and make it harder than it needs to be. That thing will fight you if you don't know the trick.
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Old 12-31-2024, 10:10 PM   #14
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Thanks, everyone. The awnings deploy much easier now. I think they had never been out before, so things were a bit stiff.
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Old 02-08-2025, 04:33 PM   #15
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We've had the big awning out several times now, and it works quite well. Yes, I need to get up on a step stool in order to get it all the way out, but I had that with the Foretravel, too (same awning setup). The street side and rear awnings are quite easy.


I won't put the big awning out unless all of the following conditions are met: no rain, wind under 10 mph, I'm physically present and awake. That means that the big awning doesn't get put out all that much here (too much wind), but it has been out some and we like it.


How much wind can the smaller awnings take? I've been taking them in when the wind is over 15 mph. Can they take more? Should I bring them in at a lower wind speed?
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Old 02-08-2025, 06:57 PM   #16
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On the larger awning it is possible to put it out in what's called Rally position. In this position it only goes out a few feet, is much more stable against the wind, and it still provides some protection against the sun. Should be in your manual how to do this.
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Old 02-08-2025, 07:52 PM   #17
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Thanks, Richard. Yes, I know about that. Winds here is SW NM generally don't even get mentioned unless they go over about 35 mph. 50 gusting to 85 happens several times a year. 30 gusting to 50 is almost weekly. That's why I was asking about the smaller awnings. Winds are generally from the west, which is the street side for us. There are some large pine trees on the east side of our lot, so we generally don't need a lot of morning shade. I've been putting the big awning out whenever I can have it out for an hour or two just to exercise it and me.
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