Self adhesive shower grab bar needed

A grab bar or a towel bar? I would not trust adhesive grab bar with my life.

stickdog wrote:
A grab bar or a towel bar? I would not trust adhesive grab bar with my life.

x2,
bumpy

Since the "glass lifter" suction cup grab bars are not ADA compliant, adhesive ones would be even less so. Your options is to figure out how to attach an adhesive pad to regular grab bars or modify a towel bar with adhesive pads. If going wall to wall, you can cut down a shower rod that is pressers attached and just replace the foam pad with an adhesive pad. Just know, none of these replaces a real ADA grab bar and nothing says they will even work when needed, but it's the only option.

Forget it. As mentioned a safe grab bar needs something more than double sided tape or adhesives. You would also need to be concerned about the strength of the thin plastic bathroom lining material. Don't worry about screws going into the textured surface, you need to use heavy screws or bolts into structural material behind the surface.

Why not remove the paneling on the opposite wall and put real wood backing where you want the grab bar? Safest long-term thing to do, IMO.

JimK-NY wrote:
Forget it. As mentioned a safe grab bar needs something more than double sided tape or adhesives. You would also need to be concerned about the strength of the thin plastic bathroom lining material. Don't worry about screws going into the textured surface, you need to use heavy screws or bolts into structural material behind the surface.

Correct!

From HERE

"A grab bar is only as strong as the anchoring devices and the wall on which it is mounted. Fastening directly into wood “stud” blocking is highly preferred. If wood blocking is not available and you are installing on a hollow wall, be sure to use a hollow wall anchors"

It is highly recommended to mount grab bars through the shower/tub wall and into wood studs. In some cases there may not be studs where you need them and in those cases a toggle hollow wall anchor to spread the load across the back of the wall board (typically drywall board).

With the thin walls of RVs even toggle hollow wall anchors most like will not be sufficient.

I seriously doubt that any glue on bars will be safe at all, if you can even find them for sale.

There are suction cup types, but on a textured surface it would be doubtful that would work.

Not to mention, I have learned over the yrs not to trust suction cups for something this important.. Had a nutty manager decide that my team use manual lifting suction devices to lift 100 lb servers out of the boxes.. First try and one of the suction cups let loose and we nearly had a 100 lb $4K server not only hit the ground but also targeting our feet.. Needless to say, I told the manager where to put his suction cups and idea..

Is there any way you can gain access to the back of the shower wall and add in some plywood to provide strength and a place to screw into?

As far as holes in the surround goes, that is what sealants are for..

There has to be a way to do a grab bar securely such as jdc's suggestion.

Is the shower involved big enough to allow a walker to be used? I can't speak for the OP's unit but in our 5er none of the shower' walls would support a grab bar.
Maybe a rod across the top of the enclosure as long as it was low enough to reach.

jdc1 wrote:
Why not remove the paneling on the opposite wall and put real wood backing where you want the grab bar? Safest long-term thing to do, IMO.

Thats worth looking into.
For a person with balance issues ANYTHING besides a smooth wall would help.
This one: Adhesive Grab Bar is rated at something like 250 pounds.
(the suction cup type are rated at 5 pounds)

bighatnohorse wrote:

jdc1 wrote:
Why not remove the paneling on the opposite wall and put real wood backing where you want the grab bar? Safest long-term thing to do, IMO.

Thats worth looking into.
For a person with balance issues ANYTHING besides a smooth wall would help.
This one: Adhesive Grab Bar is rated at something like 250 pounds.
(the suction cup type are rated at 5 pounds)

Did you read the reviews from your link?

Here's just the first page of reviews..


"We've been using this grab bar for years but twice in the past 6 months I've had to replace the mounting hardware. I follow the directions exactly so not sure why one side or the other comes loose.

I installed a shower bar and a short while later it detached
I called Customer Service, they were extremely accommodating and understanding.
In discussion with them it was apparent that I did not prep the wall appropriately
They sent out a new mounting kit
I followed the directions exactly

The installation instructions were very easy to read and understand. As long as you follow the provided instructions, installation is very simple. The key to a successful installation, is the surface prep. I allowed the adhesive to cure for 48 hours before installing the bars, and their performance has exceeded my expectations.
However, 60 days later, the 36-inch bar fell off on one end. Innovative Products sent out a new Mounting Hardware Set, under warranty. Upon examination of the failed installation photos, it was determined that the wall was not perfectly flat / on the same plane.

After being installed for about 3 weeks, one end of my 36" grab bar failed.

One applies the mastic through a hole in baseplate and 3 weep holes let you know mastic is flowing. To be sure of good adhesion, let plenty of mastic flow to insure a tight bond. Also, make sure the surface has been thoroughly cleaned with alcohol/ acetone. Something went wrong for me but the company provided excellent support and I had a very successful installation."

Not trying to be a jerk, but pretty much every review say's something to the effect of how great the customer service is, some list the failures for the need to contact customer service, some do not.

No matter just how great the customer service may be, it will be well after the fact when the device you installed that was supposed to keep one safe failed unexpectedly.

Not to mention, I highly doubt any of those installs were in a RV (moving, flexing home on the road) with paper thin RV materials.

Heck, I have had car rear view mirror mounts fall right off the window glass more than once. I wouldn't wish to bet my life on anything stuck together solely with adhesives.

Can't beat mechanical fasteners.

OPs best way is to find a way to get sufficient supporting wood behind the surround and drill and screw right on through the surround. Sealants can be applied to provide water tight seal.

OP may need to get creative and find a spot they might be able to remove the wallboard to gain access to the back side of the surround.