[Peter]

That stretcher kit won’t fit on a XL because of the flat straight part at the top were it is mounted to the side of the coach, that is why they put the other kind on there where the arms are mounted to the roller arm then it hooks to the plate at the top of the coach, when you pull down awning, they make a rod to help put it up on top to hook the arm to the side of the coach, your coach has a flat wall that is why it works on yours Rudy

[Gerald]

you can see how the XL is curved at the top where the stretcher arms are, not like yours flat walled. You can see the little knob on the stretcher arm is 1/4 way down from the top , the stretcher arm ends 3/4 way down the inside of the main awning arm with the hook on it, which then is removed and placed on the top wall of the coach in a eye plate to place the hook into, once the awning is rolled down.Zip Dee said that the new arm won’t work because of that , But I could be wrong !! They said they do not use the arms that are on it , they use the arms like you have . Maybe they are mixed up about it !!!!!!!

[Archived]

Thanks Peter,

I did not realize your streacher arms were not on the axle, bummer. But I still like the stainless shine on your XL, sure is beautiful.

[Richard]

I had checked with Chuck @ Commonwealth and asked the same thing. While we are replacing the fabric, could we put a mod to reverse the hooking of the awnings? He checked with Zip Dee and the kit applies to XL2 but not XL. Just like Peter said, it is because of the curve in the roof line.

I was so looking forward to the chance of making the awning easier to open. I thought Rudy had some new change that I could work with. Oh, well. It’s okay, as long as I don’t fall off the ladder when putting the hook into the eyelet.

As as for leaving the awnings open, only when I’m here and only after I check the weather for the day. Any winds greater then 10 knots and I put them up. Since the patio awning is difficult, I don’t use it as much as I’d like.

We had a storm roll in around 10 pm last summer. A Class’-A motor home had the auto wind detector that was not fast enough to prevent damage. The camper was out when the storm hit. A straight line gust of the wind grabbed his awning and bent it so it was actually be beating a hole in his roof. We did what we could to help but it was futile. His awnings were destroyed and he had water penetration thru the gashes in his roof membrane. He never came back to the camp.

[Archived]

Chip no need for a ladder to do that job Zip Dee makes a tool that will undo the pin and use it to hook the hook in the plate get the longest one they have and you will be all good , they make two lengths I have had both and the longest one is better

[Archived]

Now that I see the photo of a XL, I think you could take the stretcher arm off where it attaches to awning roller and attach it to coach with a bracket. You might have to move the awning stretcher arm to the outside of the support as to being on the inside as it is now.

[Archived]

peter

i found would you were speaking about. I most definitely will get one.

The Awning Helper provides the assistance you need to safely and easily position or disengage the rafter arm on your Zip Dee awning during setup. With this additional four feet of helpful reach, you will never again have to rely on a step stool or ladder. The long handle and positive gripping action make short work of an awkward task, especially if you have a taller coach. Simply roll the awning down using the hook end of the Awning Helper, the cushioned grip provides steady control. Then use the cradle end in a pivoting action to release the rafter arm, and glide it into position. Quick and easy.

The Awning Helper is made of chrome-plated steel and comes completely assembled with easy to follow instructions. To prevent any scratching, the cradle and hook are rubber-coated. A two piece extra long version is also available providing six feet of helpful reach.

[Davy]

That’s the one , I think I might have one I am not using a long one let me look in morning if I do I will send it to you no charge.

[Archived]

Disassembled the awning and rolled up the fabric for storage while I wait for a new roller.

Tam called Zip Dee and they walked her through what is needed for measurements. Price is $500-$550 with freight shipping. They ship Tuesday’s and Thursday. Should ship out this Thursday and will take approx 5 days for shipping.

Comes with all needed rivets. Took the end caps off along with the tension spring assembly (that’s the expensive parts by the way) and will reinstall to the new roller when it gets here. We will be doing the installation ourselves. Wasn’t that bad to get it off the coach so can’t be that hard to get it back on. Couple extra helpers to help guide it in and hold it in place is all that’s needed. I think the worst part will be cutting up the 22′ bent roller and getting it to the recycler.

As for wind? This wasn’t wind damage, this was me setting the awning at the higher setting, flattening out the canopy. The heavy rain that I didnt even realize was coming in, collected, weighed down the roller and it bent beyond repair.

We actually keep our awning out most of the time, unless we know weather is coming. Anchor it down with canopy anchors (www.theclaw.com). Basically small plane wing anchors. Works great. When storms are coming, we still take it all in as a strong wind will do damage to the cloth I am sure even though the frame will still be in place. But for slight winds, it takes worries away. Just need to be diligent about tracking weather. I screwed up on this one with watching the weather. No wind, just RAIN and a bad setting on the awning level.

[Dorel]

Chip I have one of the long tools to open the awning did u want it????

[Dick]

Zip Dee as normal, was a pleasure to deal with. Since I had a couple three weeks of traveling for work, Tam took care of dealing with Zip Dee and getting the roller ordered. Zip Dee provided very specific and detailed instructions on measuring the roller to make sure what they were making/shipping was what we needed.

The roller is about 22 feet long. However, measurements are actually done on the vertical mounts to the coach.

Roller came packaged in a very heavy duty cardboard tube and shipped via frieght. Shipping was basically the same price as the roller per linear foot. Total was just over $400 (including the cost of the shipping tube).

Installation was rather straight forward with the instructions provided (and the package of rivets).

Couple areas that were not 100% clear was the placement of the end caps with the z-lock lever. Basically there are two positions you can get the lock lever in, to relation to the arm. So it’s a 50/50 chance to get it right. Well I got one correct and the other incorrect (so need to redo one).

Installing required about four people to handle the roller and mount everything, setting tension on spring, etc.

You can see the bent roller tube sitting on the ground under the coach…

[Archived]

The only thing I miss from my Monaco is the electric window Carefree(brand) awnings.

since I full time it sure was nice to push a button for afternoon shade, and pull them back in at bed time ( if there was a chance of storm/ high winds.Has anyone retro fitted the on a XL?

Would getting power to them be a big problem?

I am thinking ” use a remote / instead of mounting switches”

Jim