Awning Tube Replacement Source

[texascanuk]

The Zip Dee awning is a 3" tube of 18 gauge galvanized steel on my AS. Mine is bent and creased near the center so it is unrecoverable. My local metal shop has 24ft lengths of 14 gauge tubing for $45! I need to check them out. The 14 gauge will be heavier by 0.7 lbs/ft not to mention getting the hardware to fit the inside diameter. I'm not sure if this could be a possible substitute? Has anyone tried this change.

[featherbedder]

Originally Posted by texascanuk

The Zip Dee awning is a 3" tube of 18 gauge galvanized steel on my AS. Mine is bent and creased near the center so it is unrecoverable. My local metal shop has 24ft lengths of 14 gauge tubing for $45! I need to check them out. The 14 gauge will be heavier by 0.7 lbs/ft not to mention getting the hardware to fit the inside diameter. I'm not sure if this could be a possible substitute? Has anyone tried this change.

I don't think weight would be factor. I would not do if hardware does not fit inside. Zip-dee sells all parts for replacement.

[texascanuk]

It will add about 14 lbs to it but it will be stronger. Price is the big kicker. $45 vs $700 just for the tube from Zip Dee.

[Daguvanuh]

Originally Posted by texascanuk

It will add about 14 lbs to it but it will be stronger. Price is the big kicker. $45 vs $700 just for the tube from Zip Dee.

Did the metal shop 3" replacement "pipe" work with the slight thickness difference. Mine collapsed in the middle during a 3 inch monsoon downpour yesterday. I thought since it was only out a few feet I could leave it slopped and..... Well, if my IQ was three points lower I would have been a tomato.
So, Will the pipe be a fix or go to Zipdee??

[Daguvanuh]

Here is the fix I am using. Went to local muffler shop and had a 2 foot section of 14ga muffler pipe welded in the collapsed area. Feels strong, not much added weight, and I rust proofed the weld seems and new metal in splice.
$60 is cost right now. Installing it tomorrow.

[texascanuk]

I was thinking of going that direction too. The local auto parts store has 10ft sections of 3 inch OD exhaust tubing for 50 bucks. I was going to weld them together to get the length I needed. Trouble is, the muffler shops wouldn't weld them for me because of the risk of getting the final product nice n straight. I guess I could throw a 10 ft piece in the center of the total length. That would give it more strength too.

What did you rust proof the tubing and welds with? O'reilley's autoparts sells an aluminized tubing. I expect that is a coating as a protectant from exhaust acids etc and should, in itself, be rust inhibiting.

[Daguvanuh]

Rust proofed with some Krylon rust preventing paint my wife had for a steel swing on the patio of our home. It still will have exposure on the inside of the pipe but the splice itself is aluminized metal so those weld seams on the inside is the "time" exposure most critical.

[Daguvanuh]

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[GuitarmanFL]

I've considered this option as well. In reality, our Sip Dee tubes are really just long fence posts...

[texascanuk]

I just replaced the entire length of awning with a 3" exhaust tubing. Turned out great but it wouldn't wind up. I had to give it 12 extra turns of tension on the spring to get it to pull itself. Weight of the 14G exhaust tubing setup is 62 lbs vs the 18G original tubing at 34 lbs. I'll try this for a while and see if I recommend just removing the buckled portion and adding a section of heavier tubing in it's place.

[mccrosti]

I ordered one from zip Dee when mine was bent due to a bonehead maneuver on my part. Replaced it myself , I had to get real creative to do that job. But now and very careful about how, when and where I deploy my awning.

[texascanuk]

I had problems with the weight of the exhaust tube and it wouldn't roll up very well. I replaced bent section in the original tube and reinstalled it. Happier with the roll up now, although it took extra tension to make it work.

[trekerboy]

To those who tried to repair your awning roller tubes, curious how your modifications / repairs have held-up over the years... anyone have an update on how their awning rollers are doing today?

I'm in the same boat, looking for a cost effective repair option.

[heslinhotel]

Texascanuk,
Are you sure that tube is Steel? all the zipdees I have had were Aluminum. I would call ZipDee they are great with customer service. Hope all works out for you.
Steve

[texascanuk]

Yes, the tube on the '91 was galvanized steel. It looked original but when I bought it in 2010 it may have been replaced by the previous owners but I don't know.

The replacement of the bent section with just a short tube has been working well. Rolls up nice and is sturdy. I don't take it out a whole lot because conditions have to be just right, but whenever I have it worked nice.