I was reading a recent post on being locked in your rig. Most Class A's only have one door leaving us exposed to a long drop in an emergency. The concensus on exiting emergency window exits is that they are a long way off the ground (over 6 feet in most rigs) and jumping from them may result in injury.I have been wondering if anyone carries any sort of rope ladder or flexible ladder you can throw out the window, hook to the sill and climb down eliminating the drop.If you do have some sort of ladder for use with the emergency escape windows what is it and where did you find it?

I think if there is a raging fire, locating, deploying, and using a rope ladder would not be my primary focus. will take my chances diving out or sliding out of my window. and a rope ladder lying against the RV wall would be difficult to use. if you can turn around and get your feet on a ladder rung, you can easily just drop to the ground.bumpy

We did get one of those rope-like fire escape ladders for our RV a few years ago. I am not sure how well it would work I will admit. We also have a folding two-step gizmo like you would use in a kitchen that I have thought of placing outside the bedroom escape window at night.

If you really are worried about the drop, perhaps setting up a ladder OUTSIDE of the emergency window(s) should be part of your normal set-up procedure at an RV park. Trying to find a rope ladder, and hooking it up, while the fire is raging, doesn't sound like a good plan. I assume that there are at least two of you in the coach so if you are first one out, the second person can land on you, to cushion the drop. Naturally, you can also volunteer to be number two out the window. ;)

Although I do have a driver's door as an alternate exit, I have tested exiting via the bedroom emergency exit window. Even at 70 years old with a bum knee, it was not too difficult to do. I suspect in a real emergency it would get easier. My DW had a bit rougher time of it, but she managed it as well, although having me go first to give her some support from the ground helped. We haven't tried having our 75 lb dog bail out that way.

Pray in the emergency and go at the same time, if you need a step, than maybe a large cooler or something close to the body of RV. still allowing an area for a jump or fall out the window.

Do you carry any sort of emergency ladder inside your rig?

gbopp
Explorer
May 26, 2013
Bumpyroad wrote:
I think if there is a raging fire, locating, deploying, and using a rope ladder would not be my primary focus. will take my chances diving out or sliding out of my window. and a rope ladder lying against the RV wall would be difficult to use. if you can turn around and get your feet on a ladder rung, you can easily just drop to the ground.
bumpy

I agree. With a fire burning, it's releasing a lot of deadly fumes. Get out as quickly as possible. Even if you break or sprain an ankle it will be worth it to get get away from the fire.
I think many of have seen RV fires posted on the forum. They burn hot and fast.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
May 26, 2013
rgatijnet1 wrote:

I assume that there are at least two of you in the coach so if you are first one out, the second person can land on you, to cushion the drop. Naturally, you can also volunteer to be number two out the window. ;)

aha, a good reason to push the DW out first, land on her.

sort of reminds me of years back when I worked in Rockville at an 18 story building. one of the doctors noted that the local fire dept. only had ladders that would reach the 7th or 8th floor so he tied a heavy rope to the radiator in his office and was ready to slide down about 12 stories. :)
bumpy
BobR
Explorer
May 26, 2013
An RV being a small, confined space with propane and fuel, I would want to exit as fast as possible. I wouldn't want to take the time to fiddle with a ladder and would jump. I think you are better served having a few hammers around to break glass to jump out to safety.
Coyote74
Explorer
May 26, 2013
Pray in the emergency and go at the same time, if you need a step, than maybe a large cooler or something close to the body of RV. still allowing an area for a jump or fall out the window.
Dutch_12078
Explorer II
May 26, 2013
Although I do have a driver's door as an alternate exit, I have tested exiting via the bedroom emergency exit window. Even at 70 years old with a bum knee, it was not too difficult to do. I suspect in a real emergency it would get easier. My DW had a bit rougher time of it, but she managed it as well, although having me go first to give her some support from the ground helped. We haven't tried having our 75 lb dog bail out that way.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
May 26, 2013
If you really are worried about the drop, perhaps setting up a ladder OUTSIDE of the emergency window(s) should be part of your normal set-up procedure at an RV park. Trying to find a rope ladder, and hooking it up, while the fire is raging, doesn't sound like a good plan.
I assume that there are at least two of you in the coach so if you are first one out, the second person can land on you, to cushion the drop. Naturally, you can also volunteer to be number two out the window. ;)
smlranger
Explorer
May 26, 2013
We did get one of those rope-like fire escape ladders for our RV a few years ago. I am not sure how well it would work I will admit. We also have a folding two-step gizmo like you would use in a kitchen that I have thought of placing outside the bedroom escape window at night.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
May 26, 2013
I think if there is a raging fire, locating, deploying, and using a rope ladder would not be my primary focus. will take my chances diving out or sliding out of my window. and a rope ladder lying against the RV wall would be difficult to use. if you can turn around and get your feet on a ladder rung, you can easily just drop to the ground.
bumpy

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