Forum Discussion

Water-Bug's avatar
Water-Bug
Explorer
Oct 02, 2013

5er Door Handrail Issue

We have a new 2013 Montana Highcountry 5er, and I've noticed an issue with the folding handrail by the door. Due to the fact that there is an awning beside the door, the handrail can only fold one direction. That direction in over the door. That means that the door cannot be opened without potentially damaging the door or handrail, if the handrail is folded. When someone is traveling in the 5er, you must either leave the handrail extended or trap the rider inside the 5er. Is this a common design flaw or am I just lucky.
  • mogman's avatar
    mogman
    Explorer
    Oct 02, 2013
    Somewhere on RV.net was a post about this very thing...being locked inside by the folding handle. He did a mod to the hinge area that would let the handle open with a good push on the inside of the door, but allowed the handle to stay folded whilst the trailer is going down the road.
  • Water-Bug's avatar
    Water-Bug
    Explorer
    Oct 02, 2013
    guidry wrote:
    Hopefully a prankster doesn't close the door while you are sleeping. You would have to use the emergency exit to get out! Someone wasn't thinking this through.


    Now you've gone and done it. Nobody will ever feel safe and secure ssleeping in their 5ers again. Even a handrail that folds both ways can be folded over tthe door. Millions of 5er owners are going to be locked inside their 5ers by pranksters, because of your post.
  • powderman426's avatar
    powderman426
    Explorer
    Oct 02, 2013
    guidry wrote:
    Hopefully a prankster doesn't close the door while you are sleeping. You would have to use the emergency exit to get out! Someone wasn't thinking this through.


    Though I haven't tried it, I am sure that if somone were to fold it over the door, I could open the door and it would spring to the open position.
  • orlandimal's avatar
    orlandimal
    Explorer
    Oct 02, 2013
    Mine folds over the door as well. Never thought about someone locking me in. Hope that never happens. Ditto on riding in the 5er. That seems crazy!
  • guidry's avatar
    guidry
    Explorer
    Oct 02, 2013
    Hopefully a prankster doesn't close the door while you are sleeping. You would have to use the emergency exit to get out! Someone wasn't thinking this through.
  • Dayle1's avatar
    Dayle1
    Explorer II
    Oct 02, 2013
    Ours will fold either way, but we still fold it over the door. Just added protection in case the door isn't securely latched. If someone is riding in the fiver, there are still emergency exit windows that can be used so the person isn't totally trapped. Besides, it would be a very rare time that anyone would be riding in the fiver anyway.
  • Oakman's avatar
    Oakman
    Explorer
    Oct 02, 2013
    It's not a design flaw. Fifth wheel manufacturers don't expect people ride inside the fifth wheel hence the lack of seat belts.
  • gjwarneke's avatar
    gjwarneke
    Explorer
    Oct 02, 2013
    We always travel with the handle closed over the door. Its stored that way to...and if we leave it anywhere for any amount of time. If we come back and its in its outward rail position then we know someones been on our doorstep.
    We NEVER have anyone in the 5ver when its traveling down the road, to me that's very unsafe and thankfully illegal in a lot of states. As it should be. IMHO

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