Folding Door Handel on Travel Trailer

[Mahi541992]

Hello,

Has anyone changed out the folding handle on the entrance door of their Keystone Travel Trailer? I am looking to change to a more low profile that doesn't fold.

Thanks

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by Mahi541992

Hello,

Has anyone changed out the folding handle on the entrance door of their Keystone Travel Trailer? I am looking to change to a more low profile that doesn't fold.

Thanks

Just curious! Why?

[bobbecky]

If you have been falsely led to believe the folding handle will lock you in if someone closes it while you are inside, don’t worry, the handle will open when you open the door.

[Mahi541992]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

Just curious! Why?

I just got this trailer and feel the handle just sticks out to far...taking it on the first trip this weekend will see if we get used to it...our old trailer that I had for 20 plus years had a low profile handle ..maybe I was just used to that...was just wanting to see if anyone has changed out and where they purchased the 24" on center low profile handle..if they did..

Thanks

[Mahi541992]

Originally Posted by bobbecky

If you have been falsely led to believe the folding handle will lock you in if someone closes it while you are inside, don’t worry, the handle will open when you open the door.

Thanks ..no didn't even think of that ...plus we have two doors with the front door only having a 12" handle...so no worries there..

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by Mahi541992

I just got this trailer and feel the handle just sticks out to far...taking it on the first trip this weekend will see if we get used to it...our old trailer that I had for 20 plus years had a low profile handle ..maybe I was just used to that...was just wanting to see if anyone has changed out and where they purchased the 24" on center low profile handle..if they did..

Thanks

Most people go in the opposite direction and replace the "low profile" with a folding handle that's easier to reach when opening the door.

[Bill-2020]

Originally Posted by flybouy

Most people go in the opposite direction and replace the "low profile" with a folding handle that's easier to reach when opening the door.

The DW wants a folding one on ours... I don't have the guts to try and attach it without knowing exactly what kind of backing (if any) is above and below the current one. Stud finder alerts to something being there, I'm just not sure that what I'm able to find with the finder is actually meant for a handle to be attached there. And Keystone can't tell me either... When I inquired with the dealer about the backing, they said sure, "we can put one on for you..." Not a chance in -blank- buddy!

[Customer1]

Originally Posted by Bill-2020

The DW wants a folding one on ours... I don't have the guts to try and attach it without knowing exactly what kind of backing (if any) is above and below the current one. Stud finder alerts to something being there, I'm just not sure that what I'm able to find with the finder is actually meant for a handle to be attached there. And Keystone can't tell me either... When I inquired with the dealer about the backing, they said sure, "we can put one on for you..." Not a chance in -blank- buddy!

If there is any framing you might be able to tell by staples on the inside. It will be tight against the door frame.

At the bedroom door of our Cougar I didn't hit framing when I drilled so I drilled all the way thru the wall. A small metal plate at each location and bolts all the way thru the wall made for a solid mount. I used nylock nuts on the inside so they won't loosen.

[Mahi541992]

Thanks Bill..

[Bill-2020]

Originally Posted by Mahi541992

Thanks Bill..

That was Customer1 who responded to you.

But you’re welcome!

[QCMan]

Hi: Just wanted to note that when I asked Keystone where certain backing plates were they said to use a stud finder. Most stud finders are either open with a little rotating part which is a magnet or electronic ferrous metal detectors. Both types are great at finding studs in stick built houses as they find the nails or screws used to hold the gypsum board to the walls. They will no find aluminum or wood. There are electronic devices that use something close to sonar that will tell you what is behind a surface regardless of its material but the cost of such a unit makes it purely an industrial tool.
The method that works best if you are mounting something with a flange around the screws is to drill a .032 hole where you think the backer may be and watch to see what chips, if any, come out after you penetrate the skin. If you get wood, great! Aluminum, great too! If nothing, put a piece of thin wire in the hole and explore side to side. Chances are you will not be too far off and the hole can be sealed behind the flange with whatever you seal the screws with. Just remember that rv walls are thin. Put tape around the drill so you do not go more than a half inch in. If you don't tape it, you just may come out the other side!

[MarkEHansen]

Huh? The stud finders I've always used locate the wood stud, not the nail. For example: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Zircon-S...5945/205143494

This will locate each edge of the stud under the wallboard.

[QCMan]

Sorry, I guess I am too old school.

[NH_Bulldog]

This is how close mine is mounted to the door. I could take it or leave it. Our door opens 90° and with the handle deployed it feels confining going in or out. We usually keep it folded in and you can still grab it for support like the typical grab handle.

[judia]

As an older camper, I love the larger door handle. So much more stable going up and down the steps. Would never go back to the smaller one.

[JRTJH]

With the smaller handle, if mounted so that "vertically challenged people" can reach it from the ground, it's too low to use exiting the trailer. If mounted high enough to use exiting the trailer, those same "vertically challenged people" can't reach it from the ground and most need to be on the first step to use the small handle.....

The larger "swing away handle" comes in many different styles, some with an extended lower section, some with a stabilizer bar on the bottom (that attaches to the steps) and some that, when open, extend only about half as much as the OEM bar. So, there are options that use the same attachment points, swing away and aren't as confining or that are substantially more secure.

As for the smaller handle, it's possible to install it "between the mounts of the larger handle and have both on the trailer, small and unobtrusive or larger and more extending, depending on the camp site and preference... Sort of the "best of both worlds".....

Mounting can be "tricky"... Here is a "cross-section drawing" of how many RV's are constructed. Note the hand bar needs to be "far enough away for the door to close" but also "close enough for the screws to catch the aluminum structure....