| Author | Message | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 792 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 70.221.123.137  Rating: N/A |
My question is has anyone installed their own Zip-Dee awning on their bus? I have to tell you, I ordered mine from a friend and that went very smooth. Order went in as promised and Zip-Dee shipped it when they said. Trucking company was asked to hold it at my local terminal but instead they delivered it right to my home. Very glad of that as it was 23 feet long. Soos I decided to get my mind off the everyday issues I have been dealing with lately and install the awning. The instruction manual became a week long bathroom novel and I studied it often or every time I took, well you get the picture! Looked easier than the visions I had so I thought what the heck! First up was to install the awning rail. That's the very top channel that holds the actuall material. It, the manual, says to make sure it's at least 6 inches above the drip rail or any door. Hmm, my drip rail is almost right at roof level. Looked at a freinds identical bus and they mounted it right on the drip rail. Works good so why not. Got that done and the next step says to mount the lower main arm hinge brackets. Located where they go and made sure I used the proper sized drill bit per instructions. Installed the first of six 1/4x2 sheet metal screws. Dang, pulled the threads right off. It was kind of tight going in so after talking to a machinist freind, he suggested going to the next larger bit, that being a 7/32. Second screw, same thing! Now getting frustrated with life in general more so than ever, I decided to just get a 1/4x20 tap and slowly tap the holes and use 1/4x20 machine screws with lock washers and lock tite! That went very smoothly and they are up! Did I mention the six screws sent to me wewre actually wood screws and NOT sheet metal screws? They were! I guess it was intended for a S&S and not a Prevost with SS framing!  Anyway, excited that things are NOW going MY way we, Susan and I, proceed to install the arms per the manual. That went very well. Next up was to lift the whole assy. up to the top so we can slide in what they call the flex piece or something like that. I got my end up to above my head but my helper just couldn't make the grade so without taking any chance of bending the assy, we layed it back down on the ground, where it sits, waiting for another helper to arrive. That should be sometime this week. All in all it went smoothly except Zip-Dee should really consider rewriting the manual so the general public can understand what the heck they are talking about! THEIR terms of individual pieces mean nothing to someone that has never installed one before and the pictures are not what I would call very informative! I guess the wood screws really did me in to start things off, not to mention, the top awning rail showed in the manual being pre drilled and it wasn't! Oh well, anyone else have this trouble? Ace | ||
| Manny (Buscrazyinfl)
Registered Member Username: Buscrazyinfl Post Number: 36 Registered: 6-2006 Posted From: 72.184.224.237 Rating: N/A |
Ace we just dropped our Eagle at the storage place and picked up the ladder and the scaffold so I'm ready any time this week or this weekend. I will be eating my wheeties. We made it back safe and sound, sure was windy on the way back. I forgot to ask you what color is the awning. So glad your dad is doing better! | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 321 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.33.36.66 Rating: N/A |
Ace, I installed mine by myself I put the rail up installed the flex key unrolled the awning laid the roller on a creeper fed the flex key through the cover housing installed the power heads on the roller adjusted the rollup tension wasn't bad that way, are you installing what most call the head knocker arms or the ones that slide up the side of your coach I have the slides love my Zip Dees good luck left out the part I had bar stools on the creeper (Message edited by luvrbus on March 30, 2008) | ||
| Paul Lawry (Dreamscape)
Registered Member Username: Dreamscape Post Number: 245 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 66.191.131.98  Rating: N/A |
Ace, Please take some pictures. I have one also that needs to be installed when I get some more parts from ZipDee. Sounds like you are having fun and getting some backup help. That's Great! Paul | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 322 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.33.36.66 Rating: N/A |
Paul, what other parts do you need I still have have parts arms,latchs, power heads, locks and brackets if you need them (Message edited by luvrbus on March 30, 2008) | ||
| Alan Baker (Alan_baker)
Registered Member Username: Alan_baker Post Number: 4 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 96.225.169.191 Rating: N/A |
I installed my Zip Dee myself. I also have a helper with limited reach, so I taped the "key" piece to a rake. Linda had no problem guiding it and I fed it into the channels. All in all pretty straight forward once you get going. Alan | ||
| Darren Upfield (Mwerks)
Registered Member Username: Mwerks Post Number: 9 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 69.19.14.43 Rating: N/A |
Hi Luvrbus have you any zip dee arms for a xl prevost thanks Darren. | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 323 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.33.36.66 Rating: N/A |
Darren, I have 10 sets of arm but I have no idea what they came off but all the new awnings had a Beaver logo on the covers so I presume they were all from Beavers (Message edited by luvrbus on March 31, 2008) | ||
| Ron Walker (Prevost82)
Registered Member Username: Prevost82 Post Number: 362 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 208.181.210.47  Rating: N/A |
I installed mine and used 3/16 rivits on the top channel, fastened to the roof ribs where I could and use 1/4 rivits on the arms brackets. | ||
| Paul Lawry (Dreamscape)
Registered Member Username: Dreamscape Post Number: 246 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 66.191.131.98 Rating: N/A |
Clifford, I will check when I'm home for the afternoon tomorrow and see what I don't have. Heading to Vancouver Wa on Thursday for six weeks. Thanks, Paul | ||
| Darren Upfield (Mwerks)
Registered Member Username: Mwerks Post Number: 10 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 66.82.9.83 Rating: N/A |
The arms we need are curved, at the top, do you have any images so we can get a look without purchasing blind. Thanks. | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 324 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.33.36.66 Rating: N/A |
Darren,I have 1 set of curved but they are only about 3ft tall for the windows take a look at www.zipdeeinc.com and tell me if that is the curved ones you are looking for they have so many different curves on these awning. I know if you can find your tag they can tell you what curve you have | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 793 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 216.9.250.36 Rating: N/A |
I can say one thing about you guys that installed your awning yourself and that is...yea right! It took everything I had and Manny had to lift it up. It took us 3 hours from where I had it and let me tell you it was NOT easy! In fact, I'm still not done but darkness prevailed. The awning IS up but still needs more tension on the spring. I also called zip-dee today to converse about their directions but I was told they have been making these since the 90's and my bus had to be built wrong since I didn't have the necessary 6 inches above my drip rail. Now they want me to send them pictures to show the engineers that the drip rail on a H3 is about 2-3 inches below roof level. Anything below the drip rail would put it over the windows! Like I said, the instruction manual has a lot to be desired! Ace | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 325 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.33.36.66 Rating: N/A |
Ace, you unroll that sucker and you will be amazed how much easier it is | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 794 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 216.9.250.101 Rating: N/A |
Maybe so but who would know that if they have never done it before? One would generaly follow the directions that were sent with the product but those are even hard to follow! It's up and working now, finally! Ace | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 743 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 70.0.205.160  Rating: N/A |
Ace, Is the next Jam under your awning? Jack | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 795 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 70.221.3.55 Rating: N/A |
Yea Jack good idea and I'm expecting you and your fiddle and or guitar! No excuses this time! Ace | ||
| Don Fairchild (Don_fairchild)
Registered Member Username: Don_fairchild Post Number: 8 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 66.17.9.74 Rating: N/A |
Clifford; Do you have any rafter bar assy's. I need one Thanks Don | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 329 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.33.36.66 Rating: N/A |
Don, do you need the arm or the tube | ||
| JR Lynch (Njt5047)
Registered Member Username: Njt5047 Post Number: 228 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 69.132.233.230 Rating: N/A |
The awning guys don't plan for buses. My A&E had all sorts of "things to do", and I essentially had to ignore all of the 'rules.' Never dinked with a Zip Dee, but A&E is an easy install. T and me installed it...and T is only half a helper when the strength part begins. She's a hell of a boss when the thinking (she thinks) part begins! My awning is 6" above the drip rail. The arms rest 1/4" off the drip rails. Perfect. Get that sucker finished Ace. T wants to see your bus again. She thinks you did a better conversion than me! Bummer. You did. I ah...had a limit to...material..that's it. I didn't bother to remind her that you have an H3 and I have a relic. Some things are just different. Anyway. Are you coming up to Charlotte? Bout time to try it. We'll leave the light on for ya. And Jack, the MAK board is down again...so I'll hijack Aces thread and offer this... I'll be digging out the bus this weekend. Hope that sucker starts! We'll be here all weekend and all day Monday. And I may need help!!! Come on by anytime! Gary has my home address. Give me a call if you need directions. Regarding the race-car shops...lots of those around LMS. Up towards Moorsville, Concord, really all over. Our community colleges even offer NASCAR automotive mechanical and even team management curriculum. Tell Gary and Linda HI! Hope all's going well for Gary and Linda. JR 704 650 0235 | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 796 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 75.200.0.175 Rating: N/A |
Hey JR how's it going? doesn't look like I'll be making the trip to your part due tomy dad still being in the hospital and my travelling partners couldn't make the trip but we ARE getting a small get together on the same weekend down here in Florida just to loosen up the juices in the coaches and use my NEW Zip-Dee! LOL I think so far we have 6 busses gathering and it will save us some fuel to boot! Maybe if the fuelprices drop some we can make it another time! Until then, looks like we'll be in state travelers! say hi to the BBQ guy for me. He knows who I'm talking about! Tell the wife to keep practicing that axe of hers! I love mine and play it often! Have fun and take care... Ace | ||
| JR Lynch (Njt5047)
Registered Member Username: Njt5047 Post Number: 229 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 69.132.233.230 Rating: N/A |
Yeah on travelling with todays fuel prices~! All is good here. It usually is. Believe we're going to see Jack here soon. Ya'll doing well I hope! Didja get the awning mounted? Was BBQ from Western SC? Drive a fishbowl with skirts? Hope to see him soon. Everyone's playing as much as time allows! It don't allow much. We are doing the same by travelling in state...or nearby. There's plenty to do around here. Hope your dad continues to improve! Best, JT |