Dandy awning Zip

Hi!

We have recently purchased a 1980ish dandy 4/5 berth plus awning.  The awning zip doesn't work, in that we can't 'start it off'.... the end of the zip won't slot in to the other part... difficult to explain as you can see!!  The zip itself seems fine... if we could get it to lock in.  Does anyone know where we can get this sorted/repaired?  Riva Dandy say they don't do it  We want to go away in September but need to sort this problem first!

Thanks for any advice!

Cindy

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new dandy.

Not sure where you're based but these people can probably help.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Or any other tent or awning repairers near you. Perhaps your local caravan or camping shop may be able to help.

But is it that the bit it slots into has been flattened so that the slot is too narrow. Sometimes this can be very carefully opened up with a screwdriver. Just do it a bit at a time.

Hi again!

Thank you for that! We are based in Northampton. The bit it slots into seems fine... it's the other half that's the prob. Its difficult to explain but its not stiff enough to slot in!

Hi and  emmpccs

We had a similar problem with one of our awning zips, have you tried giving it a squirt of silicon spray to help get it in and started? Do the whole zip too, it make them go a lot easier.

Hello there!

Thank you... we will try this!  Itching to sort it as are having new curtains, couch covers and carpet etc.  Will look amazing when all done!!

Hope you get it sorted, love to see some pictures of all the work you've had done, we love pictures on here

emmpccs wrote:Hi again!

Thank you for that!  We are based in Northampton.  The bit it slots into seems fine... it's the other half that's the prob.   Its difficult to explain but its not stiff enough to slot in!  

Had that problem myself. Just not with zips.

If you can just get the teeth to line up the zip will still work. Have you over extended the awning a bit so everything is under stress?

If you end up sending it away to be re zipped. (which shouldn't be necessary) There is often a minimum charge you might consider putting additional zips on the awning see [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]  Other people have had this done and it does lighten the awning weight. Look at how they did it some may prefer 1 horizontal zip all the way back with no vertical zip. If doing it like mine the vertical zip needs to start at the top or it needs a 2 way zip.  You do end up using it as a side entrance.


Maybe the people who are doing the fabrics can help. I was with my mate last week when he went to pick up a new hot tub cover from someone who has offered to make the Vinyl covers. They do caravan upholstery. It turns out that they did the lush dark blue upholstery for the late 90's and 2000's Dandys.

Haha! Don't know what you mean!! Think we will open Dandy up on drive and have a good go with the zip, using all idea's! The velcro is missing also..... on the part that attaches to the Dandy itself.... the awning skirt so to speak. Once we have these two probs sorted, we are good to go to Cornwall in September! Took Dandy away for a weekend just to see how we got on with it & also to identify any probs before going away for a week or more. Glad we did as discovered these things as a result! Will post pic's when refurb complete.... leaving all original underneath though as in the event of a sale in the future, buyer may prefer to keep it original!

For the Velcro sticking to the Dandy is easy but if the velcro on the skirt is missing that is more difficult. HH-66 is the glue of choice for PVC but it wont work on the Velcro. On the Dandy it is almost always the Velcro on the tub that falls off the PVC is bonded to the Velcro.
How ??? You might be better off asking Ian at Dandy or Mick Withers [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]  It might be cheaper to get a small piece of pre velcroed PVC.

Thank you! Will give them a ring ! Brilliant to get so much helpful advice!

 Hi and welcome to the Dandy campers