Locating wall studs for interior handrail

[D2IKType]

Three steps to the bedroom are more like 30 with slow healing knees. I would like to put a handhold on the exterior to use as an assist. Does anyone know the location of the wall studs that I can screw into?
Thanks

[jimcol]

Would not count on any two models being consistent. Might try a stud finder. Jim

[DQDick]

I screwed a matching handle like was on the exit door onto the edge of our cabinets and it works well for us. Just ordered a replacement thru a Monty dealer.

[dieselguy]

Go outside in the morning of a good dew ... you'll see all the frame work outlined in the dew on the side of your fiver. Unfortunately not the best time of the year to use this trick ..........

[bncinwv]

Depends a lot on the model, but on an interior wall with 2 x 2 studs (if that), I would think that a backer plate would be your best bet. That would also allow you to do some trial and error to find the studs and spanning over a few would provide some strength to the backer assembly to which you could affix regular handrail brackets. For a model like the 3400 you could find the studs on the inside of the closet for instance, then measure accordingly on the outside wall of the closet adjacent tot he stairs. Dieselguys method would work on a side-aisle model, but those studs would be aluminum since they would be on an exterior wall. I would be curious if a stud finder would work since most of the attachments are by staples I believe? I think the old fashioned method of tapping and using small nails to explore would most likely work best.
Bingo

[steelpony5555]

Yeah, I would be interested too if a stud finder will work on Aluminum studs. When I get my trailer back I'll have to try it.

[8.1al]

quote:Originally posted by steelpony5555

Yeah, I would be interested too if a stud finder will work on Aluminum studs. When I get my trailer back I'll have to try it.

Depends on the type of detector. Mine detects changes in mass, does not use a magnet

[CORattler]

This is a good idea... can you attach pictures?? Thanks!

quote:Originally posted by DQDick

I screwed a matching handle like was on the exit door onto the edge of our cabinets and it works well for us. Just ordered a replacement thru a Monty dealer.

[NCFischers]

It would help to answer your question if we knew what year and model you have.

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

In response to how you find studs on outside walls:

CountyGuy used an electronic studfinder on the outside wall of Tana when he installed the 12 foot shelf over the "living room" slide.

You can see the shelf install here. Sorry, no photos of the stud location process.