Emergency Window Latch Failure

[MDL]

Our new Big Sky recently had a failure of the emergency window securing latch. The metal actually seemed to fatigue and fracture at the hinge point attached to the window.

When I opened the window wide enought to see what the issue was, the window stuck open.


I tried to get it down, but it seemed as if it would break. I'm taking it to the dealer tomorrow, and I was able to remove the window so it won't break off in transit. Has anyone else had a problem like this? Have you opened your emergency windows wide (like you were escaping ) and not been able to get them to close? What did you do?

[rohrmann]

Maybe they figure, if you're crazy enough to open the window that wide, you must be diving out because the trailer is burning, so who cares if it gets closed again

[WaltBennett]

Now I've got to take a look at ours. On all the last rigs I owned, this thing was a really simple overlapping hinge thing so the window could be easily pushed off if you really had to get out. Did someone come up with another "better idea"?

[DarMar]

Another item each and everyone should check on their PDI.

[WeBeFulltime]

I just knew that there is a reason I did not like the frameless windows.

[DQDick]

This has been a problem with escape windows from day one. If you practice with them till you feel you could use them the hinge or something else fails. A thread on this pops up from time to time on other forums or in discussions with Mac the fire guy. The year I was rally master at Goshen I asked the Keystone tech guys if it was safe to practice with the Keystone bedroom windows and they didn't know. Said they would get back to me, but never did. Didn't give me enough courage to try until we need them. Just built the ladder and accessories and have it by the window.

[mhs4771]

Now don't quote me, be if memory serves me right, I seem to remember reading on some forum, don't think it was the MOC, that the way the emergency window was on some units was actually designed for the hinges to break if pushed open far enough to get out. On another note there has been numerous threads on the Keystone forum of Cougars and similar models loosing their bedroom emergency window while going down the highway.
We never had a problem with the window in our Montana or our SOB (identical design).