Awning Removal

[Pensacola]

In searching the post here I did not find an answer to my question. The awning on our 1975 is bad. Last time I opened it the tube broke as it was rusted. I managed to put it back up. We have a 1972 that has a good awning. Before switching them I need to know what to be careful of. The one on the 1972 has the lock on one end. The one on the 1975 does not. Do these slide out of the track? Does it take more that 2 people? I figure it's better to ask than mess something up. My only experence with awnings is pulling them out and getting sunburned from the trailer next to us.

[azflycaster]

You don't say what brand of awning you have, I can only tell you about a Zipdee.

You have to first take all the tension off of the rear arm. You disconnect the arm from the trailer and unwind it. Be careful it is spring loaded.

Then remove one of the aluminum segments that cover the awning when it is closed. You need to remove the screws that keep the segments from moving.

Then you can lower the arms to the ground and remove the heads from the arms. Two people would be the safe way to do this.

[overlander63]

First, are both awnings the same brand? Are they both Zip-Dee, or both CareFree? It's important to know this before dispensing advice.
When we performed some awning repairs, we utilized a neighbor for a third set of hands, it was very useful.

[lewster]

Originally Posted by Pensacola

In searching the post here I did not find an answer to my question. The awning on our 1975 is bad. Last time I opened it the tube broke as it was rusted. I managed to put it back up. We have a 1972 that has a good awning. Before switching them I need to know what to be careful of. The one on the 1972 has the lock on one end. The one on the 1975 does not. Do these slide out of the track? Does it take more that 2 people? I figure it's better to ask than mess something up. My only experence with awnings is pulling them out and getting sunburned from the trailer next to us.

First, what type of awning do you have?.......Zip-Dee, Carefree of Colorado or A & E??? The removal process for each is similar, but there are little differences for each manufacturer. Yes, they all slide out of the awning rail, but here is where it gets sticky.

All tension has to be removed from the torsion springs that are inside the roller tube (has the fabric wrapped around it) before attempting the removal. There is a different procedure for each type, and you may have 1 torsion spring, or one at each end.

After removing all tension, the C of C and A & E have the lower rafter arms removed and you then slide the roller tube with the fabric on it out of the awning rail at the top of the sidewall. With a Zip-Dee, you leave the lower rafter arms on to de-tension the torsion springs and then slide out the roller tube with the arms still on.

One thing to look for are little retaining screws at each end of the awning rail that keep the awning from shifting in the rail. These must be removed before sliding the tube out of the rail. Two people should be able to do the job.

Good luck!

[bobfowler]

I removed the A&E from our Argosy solo - I don't recommend doing that. I also put the new fabric back on and re-attached the awning solo - I don't recommend that either.

Even if your two trailers have awnings from the same manufacturer, I'd suggest leaving the good awning where it is and just buying a replacement fabric kit for the bad awning. They're not very expensive and once you're done, you don't have to worry about it for a good long time...

[Pensacola]

Sorry I did not mention they are both ZipDees of the same type. Also the rust and corosion on the bad one makes me want to switch.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Pensacola

Sorry I did not mention they are both ZipDees of the same type. Also the rust and corosion on the bad one makes me want to switch.

Are both trailers the same length?

[Pensacola]

Yes both are 31 ft. The 1972 has seen better days so it is becoming a parts trailer.

[overlander63]

Okay, now that we have most of the answers, the answer is, it should go right on. Make sure you undo the screws that hold the aluminum cover to the awning rail.
The rear part of the roller is the one that should have the spring and tension on it. When you remove the arm, have a tight grip on it, and unwind it carefully, you can get a smushed snoz (or worse) by flying awning parts. After you unwind it, you can remove the arm from the roller tube, then follow suit with the front arm. It should not be under tension. Grab the cover, and pull toward the front or rear of the trailer, with an assistant or two holding the awning tube in about the same relative position. It may need a bit of persuasion to slide off.
After you get the bad one off (take it off first, so you know what you're doing with the good one), repeat the performance with the good awning.
After you slide the good awning on the good trailer, have your assistant(s) hold the tube while you wind up the spring in the rear. I think it is 18 turns, plus a turn for every foot of awning length.

[richinny]

and when you undo that tension arm, hold it at the very end. if you hold it nest the spring it will make a nice propeller!