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Lumatic · 08-17-2010, 05:44 PM

Howdy,

Summer is almost over and I'm getting ready to install salvaged window awnings on my 71 25' Tradewind, roadside and in the rear. I am planning on one long awning roadside that will shade all three windows and a little bit more. The distance from the front of the front window to the back of the 3rd window is 12' I am planning cutting down a 20' awning to a length of 14' Any advice on the following will be greatly appreciated:

1. How do I attach the awning rails to the coach? Olympic rivets and Vulkem?
2. Where should the awning rails and the arm brackets be located, measurements?
3. The stove vent will be above the awning. Will I run into any problems there?
4.The rear awning I have is about 50" long. My rear window is about 45" wide". Am I thinking correctly I should shorten the length of the roller to 45" so I can attache the lower brackets into a rib, not just the skin and the awning rail will be on a straight line and not the curve of the corner?
5.What kind of fasteners to attach the bottom awning brackets?

Thanks
Marshall

**azflycaster** · 08-17-2010, 06:14 PM

1. How do I attach the awning rails to the coach? Olympic rivets and Vulkem?
That's what I used.
2. Where should the awning rails and the arm brackets be located, measurements?
I had to fit mine between the windows and the stove vent. Not a lot of room to work with, but it did fit. My awning runs from the first vertical rib to the last vertical rib. The arms are riveted to the vertical ribs.
3. The stove vent will be above the awning. Will I run into any problems there?
It was close on mine, but I have a different vent.
4.The rear awning I have is about 50" long. My rear window is about 45" wide". Am I thinking correctly I should shorten the length of the roller to 45" so I can attache the lower brackets into a rib, not just the skin and the awning rail will be on a straight line and not the curve of the corner?
Attaching to the ribs would be a better way to go, IMO.
5.What kind of fasteners to attach the bottom awning brackets?
Since I ordered mine new, it came with the hardware. The rivets are oversize flathead rivets with a solid stem. I think these are the ones that came with mine: Rivet, Large Olympic LOR - $0.39 : Out-of-Doors Mart!, More Airstream Parts on-line than anyone!

Here is the thread that shows my window awning install:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f442...ing-51914.html

2airishuman · 08-17-2010, 07:50 PM

hi marshall

follow DA LINKS in this thread...

with a very good DIY and a masterTECH each doing installations...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f442...5-a-57587.html

when in doubt z/d also has printed directions for installation.

cheers
2air'

Lumatic · 08-17-2010, 08:42 PM

Thanks 2air and Richard. That pretty much answers all my questions. Now I guess I will have to do the install before the next rally with Richard. Hey wait, I could bring the parts and the tools

Lumatic · 08-17-2010, 09:35 PM

Richard,
Your photo on the other thread is exactly what I want to do. Moreover the stove vent looks the same. If you have the time can you tell me what the measurement is from your window gutter line and the bottom line or rivet line of your awning rail and the measurement from your window gutter line and the bottom of your stove vent.

Lumatic · 08-18-2010, 07:49 AM

Would youse recommend installing a travel latch on the rear as well as streetside window awning?

Chuck · 08-18-2010, 08:18 AM

my street-side awning (zip-dee) doesn't have a travel latch. didn't even know there was such a thing.

I'm surprised that you can find a "salvaged" awning. I've seen rear-window awnings on e-bay...but I would think that most salvaged 'streams would have likely been rolled, and in which case, any long awnings would be pretty badly damaged. (?)

I'd love to replace my care-free patio awning with a zip-dee, if I could find a used one.

triplenet · 08-18-2010, 10:02 AM

Chuck,
I found salvage cases, roller tubes, etc at Colaws.
Yes, you have to pick them carefully as many are rolled.
I'm getting new canvas, so it all matches.
Bob

**azflycaster** · 08-18-2010, 11:49 AM

Marshall,
I will get those measurements after work and post them. My streetside awning came with a travel latch and I installed it.

Lumatic · 08-18-2010, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck

my street-side awning (zip-dee) doesn't have a travel latch. didn't even know there was such a thing.

I'm surprised that you can find a "salvaged" awning. I've seen rear-window awnings on e-bay...but I would think that most salvaged 'streams would have likely been rolled, and in which case, any long awnings would be pretty badly damaged. (?)

I'd love to replace my care-free patio awning with a zip-dee, if I could find a used one.

Every now and then they are on ebay. Shipping on the long awnings is the killer.

**azflycaster** · 08-18-2010, 08:37 PM

Here are the numbers for my awning rail install.

First of all the awning rail which was provided by ZipDee is 1" tall and the awning attaches to the very bottom of the rail. The top of the rail is 5/8" below the bottom of the exhaust vent cover. The bottom of the awning rail is 2 5/8" from the top of the windows.

I could have moved it up at least 3/8" higher because the awning roller sits below the top of the awning rail. This would have given me a little more room with the windows, but as it sits now, everything sits fine.

Lumatic · 08-18-2010, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azflycaster

The top of the rail is 5/8" below the bottom of the exhaust vent cover.

I could have moved it up at least 3/8" higher because the awning roller sits below the top of the awning rail. This would have given me a little more room with the windows, but as it sits now, everything sits fine.

So I could move the awning rail up so the top on the rail is flush with the bottom of the vent cover?

**azflycaster** · 08-18-2010, 09:56 PM

I don't see any reason why not. The roll would still not come close to the vent.

Lumatic · 08-22-2010, 06:51 PM

OK, I think I got the roadside window figure out. Now for the rear.

I have a window awing from a newer Airstream that is about 50". My window is about 45". I have to cut it down so the curve on the end of the trailer, and the ribs by the window line up for a secure installation. No big deal.

As I was contemplating my rear end, two questions came to mind:

1. Where should the awning rail be mounted in relation to the clearance marker lights.

2. The last couple of inches of the awning rail will be above the curved corner of the window. This is where the skin begins a compound curve.
Do I:
a. fasten the awning rail ends flush with the skin with a slight bent
curve
b: add a shim to fill the gap at the end of the awning rail so the
awning rail is flat, or
c. Leave the last couple inches of awning rail free floating.

Any one else have this issue? What did you do?

Any recommendations for rivets to attach the awning fabric to the roller tube?

heslinhotel · 08-22-2010, 07:10 PM

I bought a salvage ZipDee from a 2006. I was planning to install on a 78, called ZipDee to get recomended instructions. I was transfered to a gal who had been there many yrs and she was a great wealth of info. Seems AS has changed location of ribs several times over the years on the same length models. Was very helpfull in informing me the exact dimensions I needed to be sure to be able to mount arms to proper location on the specific ribs. If you mount on skin they will tear out.

Best of luck with the install.

TBRich · 08-22-2010, 07:16 PM

Marshall...

Our street side and rear awning were added after market. The street side does have a travel latch near the front, but the rear does not have a latch.

For what it's worth... Our rear awning also goes beyond where the curve of the end cap starts...ours is free-floating for the last couple of inches on both ends... I think if they were bent to fit the curve it might affect the roll-up. You could probably fill in the space somehow if you want, but ours has none.

You'll love having the new awnings.

Lumatic · 08-23-2010, 06:40 AM

OK, Yeah, I'm bumping this back up to the top again. Here is what I am down to:

Where should the awning rail be mounted in relation to the clearance marker lights.
What size/type rivets to attach the awning fabric to the roller tube?

It sound like the Zipdee lady at referred to above is Linda, and I plan to call her this morning.

Lumatic · 09-03-2010, 08:05 AM

Richard,
Hopefully the last questions:
How long are your window awning roller tubes?
How wide are your awning fabrics?
Thanks again and again,
Marshall

dznf0g · 09-03-2010, 08:48 AM

I read somewhere that Zip Dees over 10 feet should have a travel latch. Mine has them on curbside and streetside front. Not on the little single windows streetside and rear.