hand rail?

[Christine]

Has anyone ever put a "hand rail' up to their bed area in their 5er? These steps are steeper than the one in the Komfort.. i dont want to fall or anything when i go up and down them.. mostly if i have to get up at nite?

[Sandersmr]

When looking at 5ers at RV shows, I have wondered why some of them don't have a rail, especially those with really tall steps.

[avalen]

I didn't put a hand rail but I did build an extra step as my steps were deep, a whole 12 inches deep.
That was just too much jolt stepping down with my knees, so I built a small platform 6 inches and
it made it so much easier and I felt safe enough just holding the edge of the wall. I did have to build
two of them though, one from the livingroom into the hall landing and then one from the hall landing
into the bedroom. I was quite happy with it, and the one in the hall landing gave me a small stow
away area for tennis shoes and slippers.

edit* I just looked at your pics of the fifth wheel, steep steps indeed! I'd have to put a handrail too,
and would also try to add a little platform somehow on those last two steps. Probably, one to the
left on the bottom and then I'd have to visualize and think about the next one. I think its do-able,
but I can sure see why you'd want a handrail.

edit** ok, I went and looked again, I would build a full platform on the bottom (6 inches) and then
a half one on the next step. When I built mine, I just used scraps of 2x6 covered with a small
scrap of thicker plywood, then stapled a piece of carpet over it.

[Christine]

I do have one of those adjustable steps i can put by the first step. its also 12inches tall.. but it would be right in front of the door.. i can use it at nite i guess and move it during the day..
i did put an adjustable shower pole up on the ledge between the couch and the bed area. but i dont really want to keep it there.. its snug but i dont like it up against the ceiling.. its right by the folding door rail on top so there has to be a stud there...
will see what i can come up with...

[avalen]

Christine, see my second edit

[Christine]

Avelen... you can see the stairs is right of the door, so really there wont be room to build a platform that would be permanent... with the platform i have now i can use that one, but its gonna be a hassle having to move it out of the way all the time.... I appreciate your suggestion tho.... i think a hand rail would be out of the way and llittle less inconvient . Only thing is a handrail would need molly screws if there is no stud and another question is how strong would it be?

[dpf]

Christine: You can barely see it on this picture so I circled it. The former owners of our fiver had installed an "oh Sh#%" handle to the left of the steps. It's very handy. But I don't think our steps are near as steep as yours.

[snowball]

Avelen... you can see the stairs is right of the door, so really there wont be room to build a platform that would be permanent... with the platform i have now i can use that one, but its gonna be a hassle having to move it out of the way all the time.... I appreciate your suggestion tho.... i think a hand rail would be out of the way and llittle less inconvient . Only thing is a handrail would need molly screws if there is no stud and another question is how strong would it be?

those are huge steps!!! wouldn't want to need to go to the bathroom really fast
am interested in this as well as I can see the day when having one would be a big help problem is how would one close the door with a handle there?
sheila

[snowball]

Christine: You can barely see it on this picture so I circled it. The former owners of our fiver had installed an "oh Sh#%" handle to the left of the steps. It's very handy. But I don't think our steps are near as steep as yours.

Pat couldn't see it at all could you do a closer up?
sheila

[bertnspike]

I am not familiar with 5ers with elevated bedrooms, but your steps are similar in height to my front steps and are a real bear going up & down with anything in your hands. Add to that the fact that I am left handed and tend to load up my left arm with things to carry.... Anyway, to day I had a large compartment handle installed vertically inside the door on the right for pulling up and balancing down. The handle is maybe 8" long and an inch wide. It's enough for a good, strong grip but is not in the way of anything or interfering with anything. Perhaps you could use something similar, like a couple of large drawer pulls on the outside of the sofa. All you really need is something to hold onto for the 2 or 3 steps; as long as you can reach it comfortably from all steps there's no reason it has to be an actual railing or big handle like on the outside of the RV or even obtrusive at all.

[Echo]

Altho I don't have a 5'er this is very interesting to me also. With the TT I have the handle on the outside of the door but there's many a time I wish I had one on the inside. My knees are not the greatest at climbing up and down the stairs!!!

[dpf]

Christine: You can barely see it on this picture so I circled it. The former owners of our fiver had installed an "oh Sh#%" handle to the left of the steps. It's very handy. But I don't think our steps are near as steep as yours.

Pat couldn't see it at all could you do a closer up?
sheila

Sheila..this picture was taken when we originally bought the 5er. I'll try to remember to go out and take a close-up today when I come home from work.

[Christine]

I was also thinking of a drawer pull or something.... or maybe a bath towel railing? some are pretty small and dont stick out to far either... just anything for support!
My Komfort had one 12" step up to the bed area.. i used the portable step for that but it was in the hall way part not blocking the door except for the bathroom door but i only put it there at nite.. i am going to go out to the RV shop and see what Dave thinks.... something will work i am sure..

thanks guys!

[JudyJB]

Is there a wall or something on the other side of the stairs? What about one of those handicap rods that stick on with suction or glue? I agree that you need something to hold onto. I would think the designers would have thought of that. It looks scary, especially when you think about being half-asleep and needing to use the bathroom in the middle of the night.

I had two knee replacements, plus a slide down a set of stairs many years ago, so I always have to hand a handrail or something to hold onto. I am even worried about needing something stepping out of these showers that have the raised floors. I can see myself stepping and forgetting about the height difference and going down.

[dpf]

Here ya go Sheila.