Hallway grab handle - Montana Owners Club

northwestchill · 07-08-2016, 12:19 PM

Wife has sustained a permanent knee injury making it difficult to safely navigate the two steps going to the front of the coach on our 3610RL. I need to add a grab handle but can't locate one any where that's meant for interior use. I also spoke with Keystone on help on where the aluminum studs are located in that section of the trailer but that was a no go and my detector is of no help as well. If anyone has suggestions I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

**DQDick** · 07-08-2016, 12:44 PM

Older Montana's had an inside (suicide stair) and then three outside stairs. Those rigs, like ours, had an inside grab handle at the exit door. I just ordered another and installed it on the inside stairs. Older Alpines also had an inside curving handle going up to the bedroom. I'd discuss it with a Montana Dealer, you should be able to order replacements even though you don't own that particular rig. I have an older model of this type of detector and it will find the studs not sure about this one, but it should: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AHYDXGQ...arousels&psc=1

kdeiss · 07-08-2016, 12:54 PM

I made with the help of a friend with a wood shop a wood rail with brass brackets and attached to the metal studs on our 2955Rl works like a champ!

1retired06 · 07-08-2016, 01:14 PM

Our 2015 came standard with a nice metal handrail, covering entire stair run. you might check with your dealer.

Ishler · 07-09-2016, 01:14 AM

If your talking about the entrance to the bedroom on the 3610 there are no metal studs in the hall/steps area only wooden and probably 2x2

northwestchill · 07-09-2016, 06:19 AM

My thanks to all!
Got some great leads here which I'm sure will take me where I need to go. Safe travels.

psomers · 07-10-2016, 02:03 AM

We went to the 2013 national rally and plant tour. I mentioned these things need a grab rail for safety. I was given a blueprint of the exterior wall of my unit. Don't look for a stud every 16" because they are not on 16" centers. Mine has a stud by the entry door and not another one until bedroom window. The walls are made up of rigid foam for the support. Not many studs. Only around windows and doors. Agree 100% 5th wheels should come with grab handles.

1retired06 · 07-10-2016, 03:23 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Ishler

If your talking about the entrance to the bedroom on the 3610 there are no metal studs in the hall/steps area only wooden and probably 2x2

3910, solid installation

lfw · 07-10-2016, 03:31 AM

I installed one in our 3000rk.. found one 2 x 2 stud but on the other end of the handle was only a 1 x 2 but I still made it work..

Lfw

kdeiss · 07-10-2016, 03:58 AM

On my 2955Rl on the top rail mount I used brass through bolts and used a decrotive 3x3 oak back plate in the potty room.

Phil P · 07-10-2016, 03:14 PM

Hi

The Montana 3665RE has a wood handle on the right side of the door frame as you are leaving the trailer. I purchased 2 of these from Keystone when the trailer was new.

In order to find the studs you will have to find someone with a good treasure hunter’s metal detector. You can locate the studs using that. I have one made by a company named White. You should be able to find a local dealer and tell him what you need and he should be able to put you in contact with someone local that has a unit.

This is not a stud finder.

This is what they look like.

Phil P

CORattler · 07-11-2016, 04:34 AM

That's the same one I bought and attached to the wall studs. Looks OEM and very solid. Here it is: http://www.trekwood.com/products/104...y-Icarus-Pecan

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by DQDick

Older Montana's had an inside (suicide stair) and then three outside stairs. Those rigs, like ours, had an inside grab handle at the exit door. I just ordered another and installed it on the inside stairs.

northwestchill · 07-13-2016, 01:12 AM

To all thanks again. I've ordered the handle and will deal with the stud search issue when it arrives.

Drifty1 · 07-13-2016, 03:08 AM

At $51 each I guess I need to start making grab handles. It looks like there is a market for these.

maxjr758 · 08-07-2016, 06:40 PM

Drifty1 I was thinking the same, at least make myself a couple, as my M-I-L could use them, and I'm getting there fast !

Joe in Texas · 08-08-2016, 07:36 AM

My wood shop buddy looked at the hand bar inside the main door and made me two for the stair way. $5......

northwestchill · 08-08-2016, 12:49 PM

Got my handle but haven't installed it yet. Ordered from Tara RV for $32 including shipping.
Did a couple of small exploratory pilot holes looking for a stud but no luck. I may resort to dry wall anchors.

northwestchill · 08-13-2016, 02:21 PM

Installed the handle today and turned out just like I planned. Did a couple of more exploratory pilot holes and indeed no studs in the area, only styrofoam. I used molly screws to hold and give me the support I needed as the backing is quite strong. Had to clear out the styrofoam in order for the wings on the molly to open so a tool made out of a coat hanger attached to my cordless drill did the trick. Couldn't figure out how to edit picture showing the handle in the right direction, sorry.

Robert Behn · 06-19-2018, 02:01 PM

There was no inside stair railing in my 3121RL, and the dealer would not install one due to a lack of adequate structure along the outside wall. So, rather than a rail, I mounted two grab handles to the sides of the wood-framed cubby on the inside wall. (sorry about the sideways pics)

jeffba · 06-19-2018, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Behn

There was no inside stair railing in my 3121RL, and the dealer would not install one due to a lack of adequate structure along the outside wall. So, rather than a rail, I mounted two grab handles to the sides of the wood-framed cubby on the inside wall. (sorry about the sideways pics)

If you open the thumbnails you can see the handles. Nice Mod great workaround.

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