Another new member who needs help

[possumladyRVs]

Hubby and I have full-timed for 12 years, and 6 years in our 2017 GD reflection 315 rlts. I broke my leg in a bad fall 3 months ago and am just beginning to put a small amount of weight on it. My physical therapist suggests we add 2 grab bars, 1 inside and 1 outside just above the original outside grab bar. Any ideas how to best accomplish this?
Thanks
Rich and Judy
2017 GD reflection 315 rlts
2011 CheVy Silverado 2500 HD Duramax

Sorry I didn't mention it but we added an extended grab bar when Rich had his knee replaced and it does help but it will probably be 6 more weeks before I can put full weight on it and I'd like to see if we can get the 2 bars opposite each other above the longer bar.

 

[trailrydr]

Hubby and I have full-timed for 12 years, and 6 years in our 2017 GD reflection 315 rlts. I broke my leg in a bad fall 3 months ago and am just beginning to put a small amount of weight on it. My physical therapist suggests we add 2 grab bars, 1 inside and 1 outside just above the original outside grab bar. Any ideas how to best accomplish this?
Thanks
Rich and Judy
2017 GD reflection 315 rlts
2011 CheVy Silverado 2500 HD Duramax

In my experience with grab bar installs (have placed several in our stick built bathrooms for elderly parents) is they take a "good" anchoring point (solid wood or steel) to be of long term and weight bearing use. Unfortinately, RV walls are very limited IMO for such support. They do make extended RV hand rails which may work entering your RV that appear to be more stable and support more weight.

https://www.amazon.com/Stromberg-Carlson-AP-101-Rail-Assist/dp/B00IACGK90

 

[Soundsailor]

Hubby and I have full-timed for 12 years, and 6 years in our 2017 GD reflection 315 rlts. I broke my leg in a bad fall 3 months ago and am just beginning to put a small amount of weight on it. My physical therapist suggests we add 2 grab bars, 1 inside and 1 outside just above the original outside grab bar. Any ideas how to best accomplish this?
Thanks
Rich and Judy
2017 GD reflection 315 rlts
2011 CheVy Silverado 2500 HD Duramax

Welcome to the forum Judy, glad to hear you've had a good time in your Reflection. So sorry to hear about your fall, may you recover quickly. While my wife (also Judy) was recovering from knee surgery, we added a handrail (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XPHX815/) which really helped her both getting in and out of the coach.

 

[BWSTGDS]

Welcome to the forum Judy, glad to hear you've had a good time in your Reflection. So sorry to hear about your fall, may you recover quickly. While my wife (also Judy) was recovering from knee surgery, we added a handrail (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XPHX815/) which really helped her both getting in and out of the coach.

Are you still happy with this Lippert solid step handrail, [MENTION=43166]Soundsailor[/MENTION]? I am in need of something more than the OEM short handrail on my Solitude, and this one looks to be the most stable.



A simple upgrade would be the Stromberg Carlson model. I'm concerned it will still be wobbly, like the current one, but moreso with the added length/leverage.



There is the Morryde Safe-T-rail, but its reviewers mention it too suffers from side-to-side wobble.

 

[Soundsailor]

Are you still happy with this Lippert solid step handrail, [MENTION=43166]Soundsailor[/MENTION]? I am in need of something more than the OEM short handrail on my Solitude, and this one looks to be the most stable.

View attachment 49750

A simple upgrade would be the Stromberg Carlson model. I'm concerned it will still be wobbly, like the current one, but moreso with the added length/leverage.

View attachment 49751

There is the Morryde Safe-T-rail, but its reviewers mention it too suffers from side-to-side wobble.

View attachment 49752

Yes, we are very happy with the Lippert handrail. It attaches directly to the stairs so it is very stable. Be sure to determine if it works with your stairs, it does not work with all models.

 

[Riverbug]

Just a thought...on the inside, I wonder if you could install just a hand grab like the older style ones they used on the outside? I would think there would be enough aluminum frame to attach it to next to the door and you could hang onto it as you make your first step down until you can leverage the outside rail?

https://itcshopnow.com/products/rv-...880503765411&utm_content=Smart - All Products

 

[Captcolour]

Would it help to install one of these on the door? I use it for stability getting in and out of the RV.

https://a.co/d/6B7ghna

 

[possumladyRVs]

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions. We tried the one that fastened to the stairs but it rubbed on the doorway so ended up with this https://a.co/d/6YN9wBh which is similar to the original but longer There is a pic in an earlier reply. We did add the bar to the screen door and it is a great addition. I'd still like a grab bar on the inside (on the latch side) because due to using a walker for so long I've developed both carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome in my right hand and my grip is very weak.
From what I've read, it sound as though that location should be strong enough.
Thanks again to you all.

 

[Second Chance]

Thread moved to Mods and DIY.

Another vote for the Morryde Safe-T-rail, here. We installed one last year and are SO much happier with it than any previous attempts at bettering the situation. The main issue with putting anything sturdy on the other side of the entryway is that it will not be accessible when the door is open.

Rob

 

[Soundsailor]

Thread moved to Mods and DIY.

Another vote for the Morryde Safe-T-rail, here. We installed one last year and are SO much happier with it than any previous attempts at bettering the situation. The main issue with putting anything sturdy on the other side of the entryway is that it will not be accessible when the door is open.

Rob

Looks like a good choice for someone who doesn't have the Solid Step stairs.

 

[Second Chance]

Looks like a good choice for someone who doesn't have the Solid Step stairs.

We have the MORryde version of the Solid Step stairs (Step Above with strut assist) and had added the MORryde handrail that mounts on the steps. We found that it restricted the width of the entryway too much. The Safe-T-Rail leaves the path up the stairs wide open and provides a grab all the way down to ground level. We've added it to our ever-growing list of "top things we've ever done to our RV."

Rob

 

[BWSTGDS]

I hear you on the width being a factor, Rob. One amazon reviewer installed his Lippert solid step rail on the outside of the stairs to preserve that width, and add some further stability using aluminum sheets.




My rig does have the Camco screen door crossbar. Considering adding friction hinges to keep the door in position during the initial decent.



[MENTION=8842]Steven@147[/MENTION], you have the Morryde step above handrail, don't you? Has it held up well? Was the width it took up a concern?

https://www.mygrandrv.com/forum/showthread.php/41096-Handrail-add-on-for-steps?highlight=handrail

 

[Steven@147]

I hear you on the width being a factor, Rob. One amazon reviewer installed his Lippert solid step rail on the outside of the stairs to preserve that width, and add some further stability using aluminum sheets.

[snip

[MENTION=8842]Steven@147[/MENTION], you have the Morryde step above handrail, don't you? Has it held up well? Was the width it took up a concern?

https://www.mygrandrv.com/forum/showthread.php/41096-Handrail-add-on-for-steps?highlight=handrail

Yes, I don't have any problem with it, no concern from me, has held up well over 4 years, still like new and its real sturdy, I can actually lean against it. Tami says that sometimes she gets her purse stuck between the upper hand rail and the bottom hand rail. I could drill new holes on the outside of the steps and move the hand rail to the outside, there is enough room to still fold up the steps. Makes it handy to wrap Mardi Gras lights and Christmas lights around the steps also LoL's.

Of note, All of the new RVs we went into at this years Houston show had wider steps than ours and the top step was deeper. The bottom hand rail like we have would have to be mounted on the inside of the steps because most likely there wouldn't be enough room to mount it on the outside of the steps with the new wider steps and fold inside the coach.
Most all of them had the new hand rail you all have been talking about but I did notice they were a little weak and wobbly. I wouldn't want to lean against it with too much force. Some had what I call the upper hand rail tear drop style mounted to the side of the RV. Not like ours.

 

[Bull84]

We have the MORryde version of the Solid Step stairs (Step Above with strut assist) and had added the MORryde handrail that mounts on the steps. We found that it restricted the width of the entryway too much. The Safe-T-Rail leaves the path up the stairs wide open and provides a grab all the way down to ground level. We've added it to our ever-growing list of "top things we've ever done to our RV."

Rob

Did the trim have to be cut between the skirting and fiberglass? Really want to install this to help our 7yr old on the steps

 

[Second Chance]

Did the trim have to be cut between the skirting and fiberglass? Really want to install this to help our 7yr old on the steps

Yes - and that little trim piece is metal folded over the front and back of the metal skirting with adhesive. I used a Dremel tool with a cutting disk... wasn't too bad.

Rob