Modifying a ZipDee awning

[Dixie722]

I have a 69 safari 23' with awning rail. I was fortunate enough to recieve an awning from an international, the awning is 15' long. My measurement on the safari 13 ' from end rib to front rib, for mounting. I want to cut the awning down, shorten it to fit my trailer. I have gotten sage advice from a member who has done this, and I am asking for the safari's exact dimensions for the awning, the location of the mounting brackets, and any instructions or pointers on how to install this on my trailer .. mine has never had an awning, so other than the rail being there, I am starting from scratch. Thanks in advance Richard

[m.hony]

I hope that works out for you. You could use the extra material you cut away to make some sofa pillows. That would be cool.

[tracker]

Originally Posted by Dixie722

I have a 69 safari 23' with awning rail. I was fortunate enough to recieve an awning from an international, the awning is 15' long. My measurement on the safari 13 ' from end rib to front rib, for mounting. I want to cut the awning down, shorten it to fit my trailer. I have gotten sage advice from a member who has done this, and I am asking for the safari's exact dimensions for the awning, the location of the mounting brackets, and any instructions or pointers on how to install this on my trailer .. mine has never had an awning, so other than the rail being there, I am starting from scratch. Thanks in advance Richard

Hi Iam in the process of getting the awning on my 69 safari repaired .My safari came with the awning frame and no fabric I can't find a name ie zip dee or carefree would it be possoble for you to post a photo of your frame so I could compare I would sure like to know who made this one. Thank you. Carl

[overlander64]

Greetings Carl!

Originally Posted by tracker

Hi Iam in the process of getting the awning on my 69 safari repaired .My safari came with the awning frame and no fabric I can't find a name ie zip dee or carefree would it be possoble for you to post a photo of your frame so I could compare I would sure like to know who made this one. Thank you. Carl

There were a number of awning manufacturers during the Vintage Airstream timeframe who supplied awnings for Airstream travel trailers. Some of the possibilities included:

Zip Dee -- probably the easiest to identify just from the arms -- square tubing where most others were rectangular tubing . . . .

A more obscure possibility is the EZ Awn by Atlas Enterprises:

Carefree of Colorado:

A & E Travel Awn or one of its stablemates:

I am sure that there are other, but these are among the more often found makes of awnings for the 1960s and 1970s era.

Good luck with your investigation!

Kevin

[Dixie722]

It is definitely a care free. I unrolled it and it is good shape, but not the right color for the wife. I am going to get another one., if anybody needs a 14 ft. vinyl carefree white with blue linear stripes.. let me know. I got it as a gift, but had to pay shipping.. dont use ups... they charged 325 from ohio.. Richard

[overlander64]

Greetings Richard!

Originally Posted by Dixie722

It is definitely a care free. I unrolled it and it is good shape, but not the right color for the wife. I am going to get another one., if anybody needs a 14 ft. vinyl carefree white with blue linear stripes.. let me know. I got it as a gift, but had to pay shipping.. dont use ups... they charged 325 from ohio.. Richard

If your only problem with the awning is the color of the fabric, you may find it more economical to just replace the fabric. There are two ways to replace the fabric. You can choose to replace only the fabric utilizing your existing roller-tube; or you can purchase a new roller-tube with fabric. Just replacing the fabric opens up a huge number of choices as you can have an upholsterer or awning shop utilize the fabric and color of your choice . . . Sunbrella fabrics tend to have the color combinations most often associated with Airstreams, and have the added attraction of being "breathable" rather than the heat trapping vinyl fabrics utilized by a number of the manufacturers other than Zip Dee.

Good luck with your investigation!

Kevin

[tracker]

Originally Posted by overlander64

Greetings Carl!



There were a number of awning manufacturers during the Vintage Airstream timeframe who supplied awnings for Airstream travel trailers. Some of the possibilities included:

Zip Dee -- probably the easiest to identify just from the arms -- square tubing where most others were rectangular tubing . . . .

A more obscure possibility is the EZ Awn by Atlas Enterprises:

Carefree of Colorado:

A & E Travel Awn or one of its stablemates:

I am sure that there are other, but these are among the more often found makes of awnings for the 1960s and 1970s era.

Good luck with your investigation!

Kevin

Thanks kevin for the info from the photos I'd say mine is similar to the A7E or the carefree of colorado but the frame on mine is galv.steel pipe. Iguess it could even be home made. I plan to keep researching .

[tracker]

Originally Posted by Dixie722

I have a 69 safari 23' with awning rail. I was fortunate enough to recieve an awning from an international, the awning is 15' long. My measurement on the safari 13 ' from end rib to front rib, for mounting. I want to cut the awning down, shorten it to fit my trailer. I have gotten sage advice from a member who has done this, and I am asking for the safari's exact dimensions for the awning, the location of the mounting brackets, and any instructions or pointers on how to install this on my trailer .. mine has never had an awning, so other than the rail being there, I am starting from scratch. Thanks in advance Richard

Hi Richard
I just thouhgt that if you are still planning to cut down your 15 ft awning I could tell you that the awning rolller or tube on my 69 sarfari is 12ft 10 inches long and was attached at four points with self tapping screws going into the ribs just aheadof the door frame and at the rear on the curbside of the trailer. I could send some photos if that would help if you PM me. I still haven't figured out how to post photos to this website. good luck. Carl