Hand rails

[captain Morgan]

We have a 2018 Cougar 327RES and want to put a handrail on the three steps up to the bedroom and bathroom. Has anyone done this and/or any suggestions?

[chuckster57]

It’s an easy addition as long as you find the studs in the wall. I have seen lots of trailers from the factory with the rail, but I haven’t had to install one.

[Camping family]

Following I need to do the same thing on my unit. Needs to be very sturdy for safety reasons. I have an artificial leg and when not wearing it I’m on crutches. Going up n down the 3 steps on crutches is a task. If had a hand rail would make it a lot safer.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Camping family

Following I need to do the same thing on my unit. Needs to be very sturdy for safety reasons. I have an artificial leg and when not wearing it I’m on crutches. Going up n down the 3 steps on crutches is a task. If had a hand rail would make it a lot safer.

Have you considered installing the Morryde Safe-T-Rail handrail?
https://www.morryde.com/products/saf...iAAEgJdmfD_BwE

It is designed to be installed on "smooth fiberglass trailer sidewalls" and will not work on "Corrugated aluminum sidewalls or on motorhomes, but might offer a safer and more stable handrail option than the folding "grab bars" usually installed by the manufacturer.

[NH_Bulldog]

I don't think he was talking about the exterior handle since he said the 3 steps up to the bathroom and master bedroom. This is a picture of what I believe he is seeking.

I had a thought that maybe keeping it simple is best (so the exterior wall doesn't get messed up), how about a rail that mounts to the steps themselves? Here is a link to what I was thinking might be a good option: https://a.co/d/2VSAaPW

[Hblick48]

Purchased handicapped hand rail from Home Depot. Mounted it to framing on the cabinet.

[Camping family]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

Have you considered installing the Morryde Safe-T-Rail handrail?
https://www.morryde.com/products/saf...iAAEgJdmfD_BwE

It is designed to be installed on "smooth fiberglass trailer sidewalls" and will not work on "Corrugated aluminum sidewalls or on motorhomes, but might offer a safer and more stable handrail option than the folding "grab bars" usually installed by the manufacturer.

What I need is for the inside going up n down the 3 straps leading into the bedroom from the kitchen. That’s great for outside

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Camping family

What I need is for the inside going up n down the 3 straps leading into the bedroom from the kitchen. That’s great for outside

Yep, my mistake... There's another thread on here where someone is asking about anchor points beside the door so he can install a hand grip for the exterior steps.

For the interior steps on a fifth wheel, there is usually wood 2x2 studding on the "inside wall" next to the bathroom, but the exterior wall is "laminated with aluminum studs in strange places, so there's no rhyme or reason where the studs are located and honestly, those thin gauge square tubing studs aren't really great at holding anything that gets a lot of pulling stress like a hand rail. I'd avoid the exterior wall at the stairs and focus on the interior wall. Usually, if you remove the control panel and its wooden frame, there's a fair sized hole cut in the luan panel. You can usually feel where the two studs closest to that hole are located and use them to install a pretty sturdy grab bar or small hand rail on those studs.

[Mikendebbie]

I added a handrail to our interior steps.
First thing you need to do is get a stud finder.
I put some blue painters tape on the wall once I located the studs so I could put marks on the tape - not the wall. I put tape on both sides of the stud so I knew what I needed to hit. You could just as well mark center of the stud.
You can see in the pics above the rail is installed on a slant.
Once you find the studs measure the distance between the studs on the same approximate angle/slope. You are checking to see if (for example) a 24” hand rail will hit both studs.
We went to Lowe’s and bought a dark bronze 24” hand rail probably meant for a shower. Our rail was something like the one in the screenshot below - don’t actually remember. DW did not want a stainless steel rail like you see in public toilets. Frankly - I have no idea why Keystone did not install a hand rail in our rig in the factory.
Now you are ready to mount the rail.
To determine the height - I held the rail up on the wall and had DW tell me what height felt right as she approached the steps from the bottom. I marked the low point and rotated the rail up until it intersected the stud at the top and put a mark on the tape. When I was done I noticed that there was a template in the box…oh well - I got it done without the template.
Follow the instructions for mounting with self tapping screws…and you are done.

[Peto]

Home Cheapo sells both the grab bars and the stud finder.....

[captain Morgan]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I think we will go with the stair mount type. Now I just have to find one that is in stock.

[Camping family]

I’m thinking of buying a pice of black pipe and some fittings and making my own.