Looking for advice on removing awnings

[Re-Pete]

I'd like to strip the failing clearcoat from my 29' 1992 Excella. I have full-length awnings on both sides and also one over my rear window. I want to remove them before doing any stripping, but I'm worried about springs, tork, etc.
I sure like some advice on how to do it safely.

[CRH]

I removed mine. It was easy. I rolled it out. Unwound the spring with the rafter arm. Drilled out the rivets holding the fabric to the tube. Slide the tube out of the awning fabric pocket. Took out a screw on the end of the awning cover and slid out the awning fabric with one slat of the cover still attached to the fabric....it took about 20 minutes and two people.

[Re-Pete]

Thank you, will I need a tool for rewinding the springs when I reinstall the awnings.
Sorry for possibly dumb questions, My Airstream is currently in a storage lot, so I can't just check, how do I know which side the spring is on?

[Chatooga11]

You don't need a tool to wind your awning spring. It is done with the rafter arm. Just be careful as the spring tightens to not let go because it will spin like a propeller.

[CaCraig]

The Zip Dee website has detailed instructions.

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by Chatooga11

You don't need a tool to wind your awning spring. It is done with the rafter arm. Just be careful as the spring tightens to not let go because it will spin like a propeller.

Echo this...although it is a propeller that is typically stopped after one revolution as the arm bashes into the side of the coach!

[DavidsonOverlander]

Originally Posted by CaCraig

The Zip Dee website has detailed instructions.

http://awningsbyzipdee.com/media/DIR...efffffd524.pdf

[Re-Pete]

Originally Posted by Chatooga11

You don't need a tool to wind your awning spring. It is done with the rafter arm. Just be careful as the spring tightens to not let go because it will spin like a propeller.

Originally Posted by CaCraig

The Zip Dee website has detailed instructions.

Thanks,
i found the pdf's on the Zip Dee site. I even called Zip Dee and got a quote for new fabric as my awnings are getting a bit long in the tooth. I'm not saying they're shot, let's just say I can attest to the effectiveness and awesome holding power of awning tape.

[Re-Pete]

Originally Posted by martin300662

Echo this...although it is a propeller that is typically stopped after one revolution as the arm bashes into the side of the coach!

Originally Posted by DavidsonOverlander

http://awningsbyzipdee.com/media/DIR...efffffd524.pdf

Thank's for the link.
Yeah, I found out about the propeller effect the hard way working on the Butt Awning a month ago. I was replacing the thin plastic rub rail around the verticle midway point. I was really careful when I removed the right strut and there was no tension. I got careless and forgot to be careful removing the left strut and got whomped pretty good. Fortunately, I was positioned so that I and not the AS took the hit. So, no dents other than to the government plastic in my head. Really messed up my part, though.