The deadbolt latch on the door of my Eagle is small, black, recessed and can be covered by the bug shield. If I haven't had my coffee in the morning I fumble and stumble trying to unlock it.So what happens if it's the middle of the night and I've got flames licking my a$$. Brick and mortar building codes require panic bars. The dead bolts on a house are larger and prominent. Why is an RV different? I can't imagine trying to exit through the emergency window exit, and basic firefighting procedure whenever possible is to "take 'em out the same way they went in. Why isn't it a RVIA standard to make unlocking the deadbolt more user friendly in an emergency?

What's wrong with going out the emergency exit window, that's what they're for, flip the latches and out you go.By Brick & Mortar, I assume you're talking about public/ commercial buildings, as homes aren't required to have panic bars, at least no where I've ever lived, my RV dead bolt isn't that hard to find or operate.

I'm thinking one swift kick and the door will open......

If you're in an RV and truly have flames licking your a$$ it's not going to matter if you can find the dead bolt or not. It will be too late by then. RV's go from on fire to fully engulfed very quickly. Now if your smoke detector goes off and you can't get through the window, a good swift kick of the door or a hard shoulder into it will get the door open. Those dead bolts aren't hard to get open. You have very little time in an RV if there's a fire. You get out by any means you can. It's not like the RV is going to be salvageable anyway so no need to worry about damaging anything.

Uh.....my deadbolt is the same as a standard resident deadbolt. Just turn the latch.

When you check the lock just before retiring, move the bug shield over.

Question about exiting in an emergency | Good Sam Community

spoon059
Explorer II
Aug 30, 2020
In an emergency, I'm going THROUGH that styrofoam door.
Sjm9911
Explorer
Aug 30, 2020
The idea of the panic bar and such is for things you are unfamiliar with or with places with lots of people inside. Thats why there not on say a pizza joint but will be in your home depot etc. The rv latch is yours and with time you will be able to open it in your sleep. Make sure your smoke and lp/co detectors work and you should have 0 problems with lead time to escape.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Aug 30, 2020
If the RV is on fire you have SECONDS to get out (more in a bit as to why) the succestion is go out the escape window. there should be one over the bed and likely on on the other side. First person goes out feet first. Lay bedspread over edge of window and drop 2nd person dives into first person's arms GET OUT FAST.

Why Fast.. Much of what goes into making an RV burns TOXIC..

TOXIC means you don't have to inhale much before you are no more.
(Both faster and more deadly than simple poison).

TV show: Crossing Jordan.. Plane crashed (Everybody dead BEFORE crash)
A battle between a criminal and Law Enforcment (Air Marshall) caused a gun shot to the lead acid battery on a wheelchair.. Acid mixed with carpet. all dead passengers and crew. The plane eventually crashed.

I might add. that type of battery is no longer allowed on flights.. That is also why.

Well that was a bit of Fiction (A TV show) but it illustrates the point.. IN real life burning RV carpet. Upholstery and seats.. NOT GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH.
Sjm9911
Explorer
Aug 30, 2020
wa8yxm wrote:
If the RV is on fire you have SECONDS to get out (more in a bit as to why) the succestion is go out the escape window. there should be one over the bed and likely on on the other side. First person goes out feet first. Lay bedspread over edge of window and drop 2nd person dives into first person's arms GET OUT FAST.

Why Fast.. Much of what goes into making an RV burns TOXIC..

TOXIC means you don't have to inhale much before you are no more.
(Both faster and more deadly than simple poison).

TV show: Crossing Jordan.. Plane crashed (Everybody dead BEFORE crash)
A battle between a criminal and Law Enforcment (Air Marshall) caused a gun shot to the lead acid battery on a wheelchair.. Acid mixed with carpet. all dead passengers and crew. The plane eventually crashed.

I might add. that type of battery is no longer allowed on flights.. That is also why.

Well that was a bit of Fiction (A TV show) but it illustrates the point.. IN real life burning RV carpet. Upholstery and seats.. NOT GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH.

The idea is that the smoke alarm goes off before there is a raging fire in the camper and you walk out. Everything that burns is basicly toxic.
harryjr
Explorer
Aug 30, 2020
I apparently worded my initial post poorly. I know to get out as early as possible, as quickly as possible, by any means possible.

My question is: Why isn't the exit designed by the manufacturer to be more user friendly for the poor victim who is confused, not prepared, incapacitated, or a minor? The exit procedure should be simple and intuitive.

Since idiot proof is impossible, at least make it idiot helpful.
time2roll
Nomad
Aug 30, 2020
thomasmnile wrote:
I'm thinking one swift kick and the door will open......
+1

Not even going to attempt the window.
mgirardo
Explorer
Aug 31, 2020
harryjr wrote:
My question is: Why isn't the exit designed by the manufacturer to be ore user friendly for the poor victim who is confused, not prepared, incapacitated, or a minor? The exit procedure should be simple and intuitive.

Since idiot proof is impossible, at least make it idiot helpful.

How could it be made simpler? Turn a lever, open door. How is that any more difficult than at your house? On ours, the dead bolt lever is red and pretty big. Easy to see if flames are licking my backside.

-Michael
rhagfo
Explorer III
Aug 31, 2020
Lwiddis wrote:
When you check the lock just before retiring, move the bug shield over.

X2

No need for the bug cover when the door is closed.
CFerguson
Explorer
Aug 31, 2020
If theres a fire, i'll be kicking out any window/door that gets in my way the slightest bit. No way cheap trailer construction will stand up to that. Yeah, thats it- RVs are designed and constructed for rapid exiting for Safety Purposes.
dedmiston
Moderator
Aug 31, 2020
I agree with all the comments that you shouldn't close that bug door when you close your outside door. That should only be closed when you're just closing the screen but leaving the door open. Hopefully the deadbolt isn't too hard to operate with that bug door open.

I'm also in the camp that leaves some basic clothing and shoes in the same spot every night. Coincidentally, I drape those clothes right over the fire extinguisher we keep in our room.

And I completely agree with the rest of the comments about leaving your coach through any means possible. Just get out.