Stromberg Lend-A-Hand on a 315RLTS

[howson]

Not a new topic--a search revealed this has been discussed before so this will be a quick synopsis targeted primarily at 315RLTS owners. BL--Fran liked the new handle immediately. Well worth the $46 to upgrade the handle as I'll be camping with family members that have physical challenges. (I wish GD had installed the Glowsteps and this extended handle as OEM equipment! They really are a great combination.)

The Stromberg Lend-A-Hand AM-533 is an exact fit replacement for the OEM handle on the 315RLTS with the minor exception that the Lend-A-Hand has two additional screws. But they were easy to install. (I drilled a small starter hole for the new screws. The new screw in the top "bit" into what felt like framework. The bottom one did not.)

I coated all six screws with silicone prior to installation to ensure I didn't inadvertently create a path for water to penetrate the trailer. I did *not* seal around the bases. The experience of others is sealing items like this are just as likely to create a dam to trap water as it is to seal them.

Here's the pics:

[jdmuth]

That looks like a great product. We often park with the door side on a downhill sloop, and this would be perfect for that.

[BSAbbott]

plus one on this hand grip. Put on our new 303. Direct replacement, super easy install. Made a difference for my wife with the height, and for me with my bad knees.

[BWSTGDS]

There was an amazon warehouse deal on the Lend-a-hand extended handrail - so I went for it.

So far, I've just attached it with the 2 screws per location, as with the rail I removed. The product comes with slightly longer screws, and they seem to grab some additional meat in the wall. There is a 3rd hole provided, but as Howard noted some walls don't have the backing in place to hold well. The instructions say they are to be used by the OEM, who would have the ability to add backing material.



As expected, there was some wobble side to side - most of this play was at the back of the rail/saddle, behind the swivel pin, with just a little in front of the saddle pin.

What I did to tighten that movement up is add a nylon zip tie to the rail behind the pin at each location, and some harness tape in front of the pin.



Doing that secured the rail quite well. The zip tie must be slid forward when the rail is stowed, to allow it to settle into the saddle in that orientation - those slots are tighter. It's pretty simple to slide them. We'll see how this lasts.




I'm appreciating more the comments I've read about preserving the width - I do like having the rail where it is for room heading up and down these 24" stairs.

[GrillSergeant]

What kind of steps are those? They look very sturdy.

[Second Chance]

What kind of steps are those? They look very sturdy.

@GrillSergeant -

The Solitudes come with MORryde Step Above steps.

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Rob