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/Zip Dee Awning
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The tool works great as long as you keep the arms working smoothly with silicone. If you don’t, your going to scratch the side of your bus when the tools slips off the button.
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I don’t see it mentioned in earlier posts but isn’t 100psi – or something in that range required for AutoAwn operation? On my Liberty there is a 12v compressor & tank in the coach battery area that is proprietary to the Zip Dee awning. You might also check the air guage at the Zip Dee control panel, mine is located in bay 3 on the passenger side. So far, I’ve had good luck with mine, but I lube the arms and drain the tank during regular maintenance.
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Jon, I think I have a visual in my mind of what you’re saying. I’ll have to take another stab at it. The first and only time I tried it I didn’t feel it held the awning arm well enough that it wouldn’t fall against the coach.
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Gil,
It is a skill that takes a few tries to get it right. But start with Tom’s suggestion and make sure the arm moves freely and does not drag or bind.
Then when you use the tool you are not met with resistance and the rod should extend easily and the tool will remain in place as long as you do not tip it too much. To prevent any scratches on the coach finish, extend the awning and just practice using the tool to unlock the pin and move the arm extension a foot or so. Once you are comfortable doing that it is easy to extend the rod to drop the hook in the slot in the top.
When you want to retract the awning the tool is inserted under the round head on the lock and with a slight tip it unlocks and you use the tool to retract the rod until it is easy for you to grab it with your hand and latch the arm in place.
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If you want to see what the air tank looks like in a Liberty, go here: ZipDeeComp
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When I am about to retract the awnings, after unlatching, I let the arm follow along the fabric of the awning itself as a way to prevent a possible mishap (ie scratch) on the side of the bus. Practice is of course the way….I actually stopped at an airstream renovater/dealer in Ohio and he showed me a couple tricks. Airstream uses ZipDee and carries parts & service for what it is worth. I bet Jim (Coloradobus) could chime in with 2cents worth.
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Instruction manuals for three types of ZipDee manual awnings are available for download on ZipDee.com. They have pictures, but I did not see any showing the tool that has been referenced by several posters. The instruction manual says “Revised 10/05.” Perhaps there are later versions.
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Brady, I feel your pain. Mine has probably had half a dozen or more issues in my 6 years of coach ownership including problem(s) after my pdi. I’ve even replaced a front arm twice because the first one “from a batch with bad wiring” outlasted zip-dee’s warranty!
I previously owned a manual zip-dee and, of course, it was trouble free. This is a poor and very complex design. I’ve considered replacing mine with manual, but by the time you figure out what to cover the extra holes in your coach with and carefully weigh the convenience of the auto-awn vs the manual, I decided to stay with it. All I’ve had to do for a year to get mine to extend is to bump the rear arm at the right time in the extension sequence. Woo-hoo!
Jimmy at zip-dee IS very helpful and knowledgable. I would recommend you take a couple vallium and attack the issue with patience, scotch, and thoughtfulness.
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Folks, I know this post has been here a little while, but I was reading it and I have a manual awning and have been getting on a ladder to insert and remove the arms in the slots at the top of my awning. After reading the post, I went back and studied my assisting rod and really felt like an idiot. LOL All this time, I wondered and was disappointed in how the awning was deployed and rolled up and how much of a pain it was. That cool little thingamajig on the end of the rod is the coolest new finding and it has worked flawlessly and I thank y’all for mentioning it because it has saved me already.
Richard
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Just keep the arms clean and lubed with silicone Richard and the tool works great.
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I had my coach for about 10 years and left the ZipDee awning tool in the bay because I had no clue what it did or how it worked.
I cannot remember where it was but I saw someone using it on his coach. So for all of you out there still struggling to put up your awning arms, standing on ladders and stools, trying not to beat the side of your coach up with the arm, keep the faith. You have come to the right place and are in good company when it comes to learning something new.
I could replace my air bags and brakes, but never knew how to put my awning out. Duh!
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I must get one of these. I’ve been a ladder guy.
From the ZipDee site:
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Bryan, where were you 23 years ago when I was needing a ladder to get the arms on my awning in place. Perfect post.
Just for that, we are paying your membership renewal fees.
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Thanks Bryan! Maybe I can use that thing now.
FWIW, I would use dry silicone spray over the oily one.
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I picked up my coach today with its new manual awning and “thingamajig” tool… I am a happy camper and may have the only Liberty XL II with a manual awning , so i am told. Had to patch exterior panels and paint match but came out great! One less air issue to worry about…
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