Hand rail - Montana Owners Club

psomers · 11-20-2012, 02:12 PM

Has anyone installed a hand rail on outside wall for stairs comming from bedroom? Wife and I are in our seventies and not very sure footed first thing in the morning. The stud spacing doesn't seem to come out right for install. Also stud finder doesn't seem to work on RV.

**DQDick** · 11-20-2012, 06:17 PM

I couldn't get that figured out either. We finally went with installing a handle, like the one at the door, in the space between the cabinets and the stairs. Not the best, but better than nothing and has worked well for us so far.

NCFischers · 11-20-2012, 11:47 PM

X2

kdeiss · 11-21-2012, 12:08 AM

In Installed one one our 2955 about 4 years ago would not be without it!

No problem finding the stud at the bottom. Used through bolts on the top with nice looking oak block and brass hardware as back up on the inside of the potty room.

Very sturdy

psomers · 11-21-2012, 12:38 AM

Installing on inside (bathroom) wall is where I would like it installed but my convenience panel is there. Don't want to cover my panel. Bathroom walls are wood studs and easily found.

CamillaMichael · 11-21-2012, 05:29 AM

We installed one under the light/switch panel in our 3400. Found a short towel bar at Home Depot that is a near-perfect match with the other hardware in the Montana. With a little push on the wall in the "hall" and the opposite wall in the laundry compartment we were able to locate the studs. The bar is more than adequate to use to steady yourself going up or down the stairs, but I doubt you could to pull ups on it!

Recumbent · 11-21-2012, 10:55 AM

We installed a grab handle (black to match one by door) after DW fell down stairs while swinging out to look around corner at clock. Now we both use the handle and like it, and she has not done any more swanging.

Sky · 11-21-2012, 04:57 PM

I wanted to install a railing in the same place along the outside wall. I've tried twice to find the studs for support and both times failed to do so. Stud finders don't seem to work so I tried using the smalles drill I could find and slowly went from the front door up the stairs to the window and once again failed to find any type of stud for support. I don't want to use the inside wall because the convenience panel is also there and I don't want to drill into the electrical wiring. I'll keep trying but it's starting to sink in that I may not be able to do it. If you figure it out please let me know. Good Luck

psomers · 11-22-2012, 01:38 AM

We camp in the winter and I have noticed on some mornings the condensation on the outside shows a pattern of the studs. I will try to get measurement from door to stud and take the measurement to the inside. I have noticed studs are not on 16" centers and seem to be spaced much wider.
It really looks like Keystone would have hand rail as standard. If you start falling there is nothing to grab to.
The bath towel bar is a good idea by the way.

snfexpress · 11-23-2012, 04:28 PM

Sky,

Do you have return air wooden vents under the stairs? If you do, remove them and then you will be able to see where the studs are located.

CamillaMichael · 11-24-2012, 02:13 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by snfexpress

Sky,

Do you have return air wooden vents under the stairs? If you do, remove them and then you will be able to see where the studs are located.

Also, I found that by pushing on the wall I was able to feel where the studs were at....

psomers · 11-24-2012, 02:31 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by snfexpress

Sky,

Do you have return air wooden vents under the stairs? If you do, remove them and then you will be able to see where the studs are located.

I do have the return air under stairs and will check. I would have thought the paneling would come all the way to the floor though.

psomers · 11-24-2012, 02:35 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by CamillaMichael

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by snfexpress

Sky,

Do you have return air wooden vents under the stairs? If you do, remove them and then you will be able to see where the studs are located.

Also, I found that by pushing on the wall I was able to feel where the studs were at....

My unit is a Mountaineer and it must have ridgid foam insulation as I can not depress the wall at all. Also tapping on wall hasn't convinced me enough to start drilling.

Sky · 11-25-2012, 08:13 AM

Thanks guys, I will attempt to do your suggestions and with a little luck one of them will work. Just trying to find the time to do it right now. I finally had the time to get all the freezable stuff off the camper but haven't had the time to do anything else. I'm going to try and sneak out to the camper and try your
suggestion ASAP. Thanks Again

Sky · 11-25-2012, 08:38 AM

OK , I just removed the wooden vents and found that the paneling went all the way to the floor and the studs couldn't be seen. Panel was to thick to see any
noticeable movement when pushed. Thanks for the suggestions,

CamillaMichael · 11-25-2012, 09:31 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Sky

OK , I just removed the wooden vents and found that the paneling went all the way to the floor and the studs couldn't be seen. Panel was to thick to see any
noticeable movement when pushed. Thanks for the suggestions,

Since the material behind the vents is not visable (as a rule), you might try the old trick of drilling close to the floor where you think the stud is and then adjust from there????

snfexpress · 11-25-2012, 11:33 AM

I would remove the 1/4 inch paneling below the floor stairs. Not too dificult to do. Just sa'in...

Sky · 11-26-2012, 02:03 PM

I'm going to let it go for now...way to many things going on with Christmas coming and the boss keeps adding to the honey-do-list for decorations of the house
inside and out. When spring gets here, I will start working on the railing again and will figure something out. Thanks for the help.

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