How do the awnings function - 86 Sovereign

[coffeydelsol]

We have a deposit on an 86 Soverign that we are supposed to inspect tomorrow. The dealership is really selling the as is becaus of the age of the unit. However, my sales person went through the unit and says everything works but she could not get the awning out and she asked for one of the guys to help and they still could not figure it out. Is there some kind of process that we should know about so we can see if it works when we get there tomorrow.

[SteveH]

It's hard to explain in words, but generally speaking, the awning rolls out from the top, then arms are extended at each end to hold the awning out, and then the lower arms slip out and go longer to elevate the rolled out awning.

It really is easier than it sounds, if all the mechanism is working. Best done be two people.

[azflycaster]

This should help you out: Awnings By ZipDee
or maybe this one: Awnings By ZipDee
depending if the awning has a z-lock or travel lock or both.

[coffeydelsol]

Great links - Thanks- I am hoping it works!

[azflycaster]

They are really quite easy to open and close. I can set mine up in a minute or two.

[345bill]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

This should help you out: Awnings By ZipDee
or maybe this one: Awnings By ZipDee
depending if the awning has a z-lock or travel lock or both.

As Coffeydelsol mentioned these are great links. I know they will help me understand our awnings on the 345. THANKS for posting Richard !!.

[DEITZ645]

Coffeydelsol,
We have a 1987 and the opening of the Zip-Dee awning has one more step than the ones posted on the Internet. There is a little lever on the right hand side of the awning roller assembly. The lever has a little loop at the end of it that the awning pull down pole fits into. If the lever is in the up position the awning roller is locked. In order to lower the awning, use the pole to pull the little lever to the down position and then you can deploy / extend the awning. Once it is down you can put the little lever in the up position and that will prevent the awning from retracting while you mess with and tension the support poles.

By the way welcome to the forums and good luck with your inspection.

[azflycaster]

I believe you are refering to the z-lock. It is step 1 in the second link. The newer awnings do not have them, but older ones do.

[DEITZ645]

Richard,
The "Z" lock is on our '06 and it is towards the back of the trailer on the left site of the awning roller. The '87 does not have the "Z" lock. The little lever that I am speaking of is on the extreme right hand side of the awning roller. And of course I do not have any pictures of it. When I go down the orchard tomorrow I will take some photos of the "Z" lock on the '06 and the lever on the '87 and post here.

[DEITZ645]

OK, here are the pictures I promised. I risked life and limb going out in the frozen tundra to get these pictures.

The first four pictures are from the '87 and the last one is from the '06

This is the "Z" lock lever in the up and locked position. With the "Z" lock lever in this position the awning will not deploy or retract.



This is the "Z" lock lever in the down and unlocked position. In this position the awning roller will deploy and retract.



This is the wheel clamp in the closed and locked position.

\

This is the clamp open.



This is the travel latch that is only on the '06.



I hope the pictures help.

[azflycaster]

Nice pictures from the frozen tundra. I think we are getting our terms a little confused here. The first picture is what ZipDee refers to as the z-lock. Awnings By ZipDee
The part in the last picture is called the travel latch. Awnings By ZipDee

My awning only has a travel latch...

[DEITZ645]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

Nice pictures from the frozen tundra. I think we are getting our terms a little confused here. The first picture is what ZipDee refers to as the z-lock. Awnings By ZipDee
The part in the last picture is called the travel latch. Awnings By ZipDee

My awning only has a travel latch...

Richard,
You are correct. I was confused. I have edited my post to reflect the proper terminology. I did not see the "Z" lock page in your last post.

Our '06 only has the travel latch and the '87 only has the "Z" lock...Go figure. Why do they switch back and forth???

[coffeydelsol]

Well thanks to all your help and comments we were able to deploy the awning on the unit and it is in great shape - both of them. We ending purchasing the unit and are thrilled with it. Thanks for all your help, by the way - this unit only had the travel locks (wheel things) not other locks.

[azflycaster]

Congratulations on the purchase, nice looking trailer.

[Globeville]

We bought an '85 Sovereign in June 2008. I'll bet we'll have a lot in common learning all about the new toys. Feel free to let me know if there is any help I can render. I'm still very new to the experience but have at least one season behind me.