Zip Dee Installation

[barron64]

Received my new Zip Dee awning for my 1975 Tradewind earlier this week. Ran into a problem with the install...I have mounted the bottom two hinges with no issues but...When I tried to mount the front clamp assy at the top curve of the camper, the frame to the vista view window is partially in the way. Has anyone else had this issue?

[WineStream]

This happened on my recent installation, too. Although, I had mine installed rather that DIY. The install shop ended up having to build-up aluminum next to the frame to level things out and had to forego using one screw in the upper bracket because it would have meant drilling through the frame and into the glass. Maybe Zip-Dee has a special bracket for this case?

[azflycaster]

I had the exact same issue when installing the patio awning on my 75 TW. ZipDee suggested that I shim up the bracket with some gasket material, but I thought that it was too big a gap to just shim. Instead I ground down the backside of the bracket to fit over the frame of the vista view window. It's been over 5 years and it still looks good and holds well.

This was the problem


This was the fix

[barron64]

Thanks for the input...Just got off the phone with Zip Dee and they said the same thing about shimming it. I had not thought about grinding down the back of the clamp assy but that may be the easier path to take. Just wish something would bolt up easy sometimes without a lot of hassle.

[barron64]

Decided to grind down the back side of the clamp assy using an angle grinder and a dremel tool. Worked out well. Another issue I ran into was the location of the rear bottom hinge bracket. I followed the pop rivit line down the seam to mount the hinge as per the instructions. After I installed the rear awning arm and folded it up it was not straight with the seam. Puzzled and pissed off at the same time, thinking I would have to remove and remount the hinge, I stood back and took a look at the seam and rivit line. Looks like whomever did the riviting on that seam, 37 yrs ago, had a bad day. The rivit line drifts off towards the front of the camper as you move down towards the bottom of the seam. To solve the issue I just drilled out the awning arm, where it mounts to the hinge, to the next size up. This gave me enough slop to allow the arm to fold up straight.

[Excella CM]

Like so much with Airstreams, it comes down to a matter of "hammer to shape and file to fit."

[bredlo]

AZflycaster, that install looks fantastic. Great solution, and far more secure (and better looking) than an overly thick shim, I'd say.

[barron64]

Originally Posted by Excella CM

Like so much with Airstreams, it comes down to a matter of "hammer to shape and file to fit."

Looks like I will need a bigger hammer and a sharper file to finish this job...After getting everything installed I ran into this issue. Looks like the awning ia maybe 1" too long or the ribs are maybe 1" too close together...I tend to believe the latter. The front clamp assy fits fine when the awning is rolled up. The rear however is maybe an 1" out. My plan is to remove the two locating screws in the awning rail and shift the awning towards the front maybe 1/2" so I can get both clamps to engage. Anybody else have a better idea?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by barron64

Looks like I will need a bigger hammer and a sharper file to finish this job...After getting everything installed I ran into this issue. Looks like the awning ia maybe 1" too long or the ribs are maybe 1" too close together...I tend to believe the latter. The front clamp assy fits fine when the awning is rolled up. The rear however is maybe an 1" out. My plan is to remove the two locating screws in the awning rail and shift the awning towards the front maybe 1/2" so I can get both clamps to engage. Anybody else have a better idea?

For your 25 foot Airstream, the correct awning length is 14 feet 11 1/4 inches.

Andy

[barron64]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

For your 25 foot Airstream, the correct awning length is 14 feet 11 1/4 inches.

Andy

Andy, Thanks for the help on ordering the awning. It looks great and really impressive quality as well from Zip Dee. I just need to massage it a bit to make it fit.

[barron64]

Just an up date here...I removed the two small screws that secure the awning to the awning rail and shifted the whole awning towards the front of the camper maybe 1/2". It worked, although not a perfect fit, I can engage both clamps now! Yea! I wish Airstream had built their campers with the same level of quality the Zip Dee guys build awnings...Excellent materials and packaging.

[barron64]

Thought I would put up a finished install pic...Really sharpens up the old Airstream! Hides some of that oxidation as well!