Hi Glyn,
I've saved your post for when I make a final decision about my own
awning needs. Sounds like you had fun with the project which is what the
Airstream is about. lol
Bob
SW Florida USA
1960 Tradewind
> All,
>
> This little note is to let you all know that I just finished fitting a
>vintage Zip Dee awning to my 1969 Caravel. On the face of it, that's not
>earth shattering news but instead of attaching the bottom arm brackets
>partially up the side of the unit in line with the ribs, I attached mine at
>the beltline, where the banana skin meets the vertical sides of the trailer.
>The 2 1/2" stainless sheet metal screws actually screw right into the side
>of the 3/4" plywood flooring.
>
> I chose to attach the bottom arm brackets there because I had previously
>fitted a vintage, factory Airstream access door to the curb side right in
>line with the aft end cap and side seam. With that door there, I would have
>had to attach the bottom Zip Dee arm bracket to the door itself therefore I
>had no choice but to attach the bottom brackets to the beltline.
>
> I worked closely with the good and patient folks at Zip Dee and today I
>finally finished the installation. I might add that the awning I bought was
>almost 15 feet long and I had to cut the tube and everything else down to
>less than eight feet for it to fit my Caravel.
>
> It was a lot of fun with the usual measure 50 times, cut once issues and
>I took waaay longer than I really needed to because I couldn't figure out
>where in the heck to begin but once I jumped in, I was on my way and
>everything fell into place. The only custom parts needed were the lower
>ribbed aluminum bars that had to be much longer than stock. I got a pair
>locally (actually ratcheted rafter arm bars) that I cut down to the extra
>length I needed but much longer than the ones used to attach the arms to the
>side ribs.
>
> So should any of you need or want details and photos, please email me
>back channel and I'll share photos of it fitted with the pair of special
>horizontal bottom brackets Zip Dee supplied me with.