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Door Handle to prevent a horrible tragedy
Last weekend I witnessed a fatal fall out the door of an RV.  My good friend tripped, fell, and was gone in an instant.  I wonder if she had something else to hold onto, if her fall could have been softened.  At least she was doing what she loved: working on her RV, getting ready for a trip. 

Has anyone installed a large door handle on the outside of the rig?  I am considering one of those handles that folds back when traveling, and extends when stationary.   When falling, a person doesn’t grab behind them to break a fall, they usually reach out ahead and having something extended from the body of the RV could help.

Thoughts?  Suggestions?  Be safe out there, life sure is short.

Jules
'O6 IB Anniversary Model
Sue, My Copilot
Carlie, our canine princess
Re: Door Handle to prevent a horrible tragedy
Reply #1 –
Jules, I think a larger, foldable door handle is a great idea! I'm sure you'll get some opinions and recommendations from the Neighborhood. 

Another potential hazard, IMO, are the electric doorsteps.  I have a friend with a class A (since sold) who's wife stepped outside their rig with her hands full, expecting the electric step to deploy as usual, only this time it didn't and she fell and broke a leg. Yes, RVing can be hazardous to your health if not paying attention!
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Door Handle to prevent a horrible tragedy
Reply #2 –
I'm sorry that happened.

One possible way to mitigate the risk is to get in the habit of exiting the rig backwards.  Think of the entrance as a short steplader and always face the inside of the rig regardless of if you are entering or exiting. 

Oun our MB, this give access to a couple of grab handles (just outside the door and just inside the door) to steady yourself.

Rich
2003 MB
Re: Door Handle to prevent a horrible tragedy
Reply #3 –

Jules,

Absolutely heartbreaking. This tragic occurrence happens too often. All my condolences to you and your friend’s family.

My sisters friend lost his wife due to the same unfortunate accident.

Amazon lists several handles that they have available.
Amazon.com: Stromberg Carlson AM-800 Black Lend-A-Hand Foam Grip : Automotive

While many love their electric steps, I fear them for the reason Greg mentioned. When ordering our ‘15 RB, I questioned Todd about the lag time in the step deployment. There appeared to be a few seconds of delay. I opted out and glad I did.

The coach steps can be very easily slipped upon. I’ve done it several times myself. There is definitely an art to getting in and out via the coach door. I’m generally very cautious when using this door.

The ‘15 series has a grab bar on the inside the entrance and one on the outside. I believe Andy got LD to install the inside bar. Thanks Andy. It’s a well used item in my rig.

Take care. Again, sorry for your loss. Hopefully you will get your grab bar.

Kent

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
 
Re: Door Handle to prevent a horrible tragedy
Reply #4 –
Jules, I'm sorry for your loss. Unfortunately, slipping and falling when exiting (and occasionally, when entering) an RV is all too common, particularly if one is inattentive, carrying something that obstructs vision, steps on the edge or side of the entry step, or miscalculates the "drop" from the rig to the step to the ground.

In addition to a larger grab handle and/or exiting the rig backwards while holding on to the handle (as Rich suggests), one might want to look at this or a similar product to provide an additional area for "foot placement" just below the level of the LD step.

https://store.safetystep.net/large-folding-safety-step-p21.aspx

This step (went with my 2003 TK to its new owner!) is not inexpensive, but it's very sturdy and stable; even stepping on a corner does not unbalance it. This step, along with a large grab handle (I believe that newer LDs have larger grab handles than the wimpy thing on the 2003!) are safety measures that could help to prevent injuries or worse.

As always, YMMV.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Door Handle to prevent a horrible tragedy
Reply #5 –
Hi Jules; I'm really sorry to hear about that.  I bought a door handle like that for a friend's toy hauler because it was much higher off the ground.  I never liked my original outside assist handle and when I found out that LD had changed the handle to a larger more substantial one, I changed both mine and on my friends '01 MB. I also put in a larger assist handle on the wall.  The slide out dinette seat for the Mid Bath requires extra care to put that larger handle in.
   The black vinyl covers at the base almost cover up the old holes. I enlarged the holes in the handle and changed to the next larger size, and longer screws, to increase the amount of screw in the wood framing of the door. It really wouldn't do to be hanging on the handle and have it pull out of the wall!
    My wife does the exit backwards like Rich suggested.   RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Door Handle to prevent a horrible tragedy
Reply #6 –
We put on a handle like the one Kent linked to. Valuable for us old codgers. Plenty of solid wood to screw it in.
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: Door Handle to prevent a horrible tragedy
Reply #7 –
Our mid bath has the manual steps. I really don't like them so I bought a real solid nonslip portable step the same height as the step. With all the safeguards, I still back out. I guess it has to do with two artificial hips and a somewhat lack of balance.

Jon
1994 MB
Re: Door Handle to prevent a horrible tragedy
Reply #8 –
Backing out is definitely safer. I've slipped a few times when going out forward.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Door Handle to prevent a horrible tragedy
Reply #9 –
Thank you all for your wise advice; I so appreciate the collective wisdom from all of this group.  Stay safe out there, life is way to short. 
'O6 IB Anniversary Model
Sue, My Copilot
Carlie, our canine princess
Re: Door Handle to prevent a horrible tragedy
Reply #10 –
Quote from: Joan  - 
Jules, I'm sorry for your loss. Unfortunately, slipping and falling when exiting (and occasionally, when entering) an RV is all too common, particularly if one is inattentive, carrying something that obstructs vision, steps on the edge or side of the entry step, or miscalculates the "drop" from the rig to the step to the ground.
If I'm carrying something out the door that obstructs my view of the steps, I put it on the floor near the step, go outside, then pull the box and take it to it's destination. I don't carry it down the steps.
2005 Jayco 24SS