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03-02-2007, 09:19 PM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
1970 31' Sovereign
Denham Springs
, Louisiana
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 121
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Bent awning roller repair
Has anyone successfully straightened a bent awning roller using Zip Dee's method? How much would I have to pay for a new one-- about 25 feet long?
Thanks,
Greg
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03-03-2007, 05:45 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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HI Greg,
I've attempted to straighten at least a dozen roller tubes with little success. I will usually remove the roller from the fabric and arms and place it on saw horses, then use a come-a-long to provide slow, constant downward pressure on the center or the tube. Sometimes yes, mostly no!!
The shape of a tube does not lend itself to being straightened by this method. I would suggest replacement.
Tubes are not that expensive. pricing depends on the length of the roller and freight to get it from the factory to you. PM me if you need more info.
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
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03-03-2007, 06:19 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1994 30' Excella
Mississauga
, Ontario
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,238
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Hi Greg,
If there is any kink in the roller tube then straightening is out of the question.
I had a bow in mine and removed 99% of it by using ZipDee's advice.
Then six months later I left it open and guess what? It poured and the tube buckled.
Now I have a totally new awning thanks to insurance.
Al
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03-03-2007, 06:38 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1994 21' Sovereign
Down on the corner...
, CT
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 997
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You might want to check into a local machine shop. My son ran over the end of our awning tube after I had it apart for repair and literally flattened it. My friend took it to his shop with the end cap and got it almost perfect. He also took the bend / bow out if it using his machines. This is a pic of the before... It wasn't too bad but my husband and his buddie couldn't get it any better than what you see using the zip dee method.
__________________
Ann & Eric
WBCCI 6274
TAC CT-4
NEU
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03-03-2007, 10:59 AM
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#5
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Round on both ends
1979 31' Excella 500
1975 28' Argosy 28
Rutledge
, Georgia
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 783
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I've done this to my awning roller three times so far, and I need to do it again. The trick is to get a little skinny dude in the middle, and then do just a little tug and see if it rolls up smoothly. When it does, STOP and don't mess with it anymore.
Lamar
__________________
1975 Argosy 28 "Argosy"
1979 Excella 500 31 "Betsy"
1992 Lincoln Mk 7 LSC
2003 Dodge 2500 Cummins "TowHog"
"Lucy Loosehair" the cat - Airstream mascot
Klaatu barada nikto
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03-03-2007, 09:25 PM
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#6
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3 Rivet Member
1948 16' Wee Wind
1964 26' Overlander
2007 19' Bambi
crossville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 190
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cost of tube is about the same as freight now days I think 6.00 per ' real cost is labour. straightening is a waste of time if you value yours.wether rain or fatigue is cause will bend again as soon as loaded. 6' step ladder in center of bend,clamp bottom of bend down 2 guys gently bounce ends down untill straight you may need to shift ladder but no need to take anything loose.then install and use center support and roll up if it is going to rain, cloth fabric awns will collect water even with a leg down especially older ones.
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03-08-2007, 01:01 PM
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#7
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3 Rivet Member
1970 31' Sovereign
Denham Springs
, Louisiana
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 121
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I have tried the Zip Dee method with the ends supported by ladders and me hanging in the middle and have gotten nowhere. I also am havinf=g trouble with the awning fabric pulling out of the metal cover where the awning meets the trailer. Got it back in and re-crimped it like Zip dee says, but some came out again as soon as I opened it. Im thinking new boom and new fabric; I understand one can get the fabric already attached to the first strip of the cover.
Greg
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03-08-2007, 01:24 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1994 21' Sovereign
Down on the corner...
, CT
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 997
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I didn't slide the fabric out of that crimped channel....I slid the whole metal cover out of it's channel that is mounted to the top. WD it really good ...let it sit and give it a good go with another person helping you. You might need to use a rubber mallet to get it going but be sure to use a block of wood so you don't hurt the soft aluminum. One more thing....I believe there are about 4 set screws holding the rail in place that need to come out also on the bottom side.
__________________
Ann & Eric
WBCCI 6274
TAC CT-4
NEU
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03-08-2007, 03:35 PM
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#9
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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Ol' Norby is gonna need to do this too...I'm gonna PM him this thread. Perfect timing!
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03-08-2007, 03:57 PM
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#10
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Retired Moderator
1992 29' Excella
madison
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
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i told norb just to drive to the factory and buy a new one. he can just toss it on the roof rack on the van!
then he can make a nice festivus pole out of the old one!
john
__________________
you call them ferrets, i call them weasels.
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03-08-2007, 05:03 PM
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#11
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
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, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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Quote:
Originally Posted by john hd
i told norb just to drive to the factory and buy a new one. he can just toss it on the roof rack on the van!
then he can make a nice festivus pole out of the old one!
john
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'Nuther good reason to have another rally at Norbs....nothing like some beered up guys trying to replace a zip dee!
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03-08-2007, 05:43 PM
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#12
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Retired Moderator
1992 29' Excella
madison
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
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i'm game, let's put in his 30 amp service at the same time.
perfect time for a bon fire!
john
__________________
you call them ferrets, i call them weasels.
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03-09-2007, 02:28 AM
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#13
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1 Rivet Member
1969 31' Sovereign
Chateauroux
, Indre
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 16
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Fix
Quote:
Originally Posted by gparker
Has anyone successfully straightened a bent awning roller using Zip Dee's method? How much would I have to pay for a new one-- about 25 feet long?
Thanks,
Greg
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I worked on mine the other day after a high wind bend, was bent real bad in the middle, enough to crack the aluminun when I tried to straighten it out! I just cut out two small aluminum plates, curved them out to the same radius of the roller and riveted in place on both sides, works Ok but this is just a temporary fix, I know it won't last for years!
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