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.

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

It's not a design flaw. Fifth wheel manufacturers don't expect people ride inside the fifth wheel hence the lack of seat belts.

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.

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.

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!

5er Door Handrail Issue | Good Sam Community

mileshuff
Explorer
Oct 03, 2013
fj12ryder wrote:
"Debris field"? Ever see the results of a plane crash? Do you also remonstrate people who fly?

Takes a severe airplane crash to cause a debris field. Same with a car or truck. Not so with a trailer. A simple slow roll over to one side and a trailer often bursts wide open. My point is that trailers are not designed with occupants while traveling in mind. If you feel its perfectly safe and fine to do so then by all means go right on ahead. Might even make the yearly Darwin awards!
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Oct 03, 2013
"Debris field"? Ever see the results of a plane crash? Do you also remonstrate people who fly?
Water-Bug
Explorer
Oct 03, 2013
This will stir the pot, but I think that riding in a 5er is probably safer than riding a motorcycle. Just my opinion. I wouldn't do either.
mileshuff
Explorer
Oct 03, 2013
mpierce wrote:
mileshuff wrote:
fj12ryder wrote:
Riding in the fiver is legal in lots of states, no big deal.

Yes it's legal and yes its dumb!

Class A's and Class C's are built basically the same way. People ride in them ALL THE TIME!

NOBODY seems to say that is bad. In a wreck, they fall apart too. I have seen it myself.

So, why is it TERRIBLE to ride in a 5th wheel, but OK to ride in a Class A?

I am sure a lot of those in Class A's are not buckled in while they are fixing a sandwich! LOL

That said, no one has ever riden in my 5th wheel.

Class A's and C's do have to meet highway safety standards for occupants. Perhaps they aren't very stringent. Trailers however do not have to meet any safety standard for occupants while traveling. As another has said, its my opinion. I think its rather dumb to ride in a 5th wheel. Seen a few debris fields after not so severe accidents. Same reason some ride in the back of pickup trucks. Legal in some states and its a free country to take whatever risks you want!
mileshuff
Explorer
Oct 03, 2013
fj12ryder wrote:
mileshuff wrote:
fj12ryder wrote:
Riding in the fiver is legal in lots of states, no big deal.

Yes it's legal and yes its dumb!
And yes, that's your opinion. And yes, only your opinion.

Well thats true about anything!! Trailers are not designed to survive accidents. They are not structurally built to survive even small accidents without severe damage. They are not built with any thought going into the safety of occupants riding inside. Thats not my opinion! But you are correct. My opinion is that because of how they are designed its dumb to ride in them. You may feel its perfectly safe despite how they are designed.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Oct 03, 2013
Oh bosh!! No one makes anyone ride in the trailer. If they want to do it, then butt out and don't concern yourself with it. My wife and SIL rode in our Big Sky and they both commented that the ride was not bad at all. I feel uncomfortable with it, but last time I checked it was still a free country.

If you think it's unsafe, don't do it. But don't foist your fears off on other people.
Allworth
Explorer II
Oct 03, 2013
Take a video camera and tape it to the dining table with blue-tape. drive at highway speed for a while.

One look at the video will show why riding in a fiver is a bad idea!
mpierce
Explorer
Oct 03, 2013
mileshuff wrote:
fj12ryder wrote:
Riding in the fiver is legal in lots of states, no big deal.

Yes it's legal and yes its dumb!

Class A's and Class C's are built basically the same way. People ride in them ALL THE TIME!

NOBODY seems to say that is bad. In a wreck, they fall apart too. I have seen it myself.

So, why is it TERRIBLE to ride in a 5th wheel, but OK to ride in a Class A?

I am sure a lot of those in Class A's are not buckled in while they are fixing a sandwich! LOL

That said, no one has ever riden in my 5th wheel.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Oct 03, 2013
mileshuff wrote:
fj12ryder wrote:
Riding in the fiver is legal in lots of states, no big deal.

Yes it's legal and yes its dumb!
And yes, that's your opinion. And yes, only your opinion.
tegu69
Explorer
Oct 03, 2013
Wow, I was feeling bad about leaving the cat in there. Hopefully when someone has to get out in an emergency you're not going 70mph.

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