Don't get locked in!

[crazyro]

I've read stories of folks being locked inside their RVs (either by mistake or by some kids at night thinking they're funny). This can be at best just a prank and at worst a terrible accident (in case of a fire). I know this is not fool proof, but a simple screw and a couple of washers makes getting locked in much more difficult.

[Lynnmor]

I believe that yours is very much like the OP's. A plastic or aluminum plate fastened to the door side should solve the problem. If you have, or can make a small amount of space at the door side of the block, a piece of aluminum or plastic angle could be used as well using the mounting screws to hold it in place.

The fix is simple and could be done with less effort than criticizing those that came up with a good idea.

[DutchmenSport]

OK, I'm back! got the photos of my Outback.

Here's a photo of the handle in the back position. We normally travel with handle in this position. When we had our walk through, the service tech advised to never travel with the handle forward over the door, as the rubber on the handle would rub, and eventually it would have to replace. In the back position, the rubber does not touch the trailer at all. And he was right.



Here's the handle in normal "operational mode".



And here's the position the OP is addressing:



Now, while I was there, I decided to try to pull the handle and see if I could get it to pop away from the door with out lifting it, just pressure. The answer is, "No" I could not. And I definitely could not force it to pop away from the door by tugging on the door:



So, in my opinion, "yes" this is a safety concern. (and frankly, one I never about before until I read this thread.

Here's some more close-ups of what happening with the handle:

In order to get the handle to pop up, it has raise this much. If you notice, the forward direction U shape is not near as deep as the front one, but it still will not pop out of the U because of all the spring tension holding it down.



Here's a different angle, with the handle resting on the U catches. You can see how deep the U catches are:



And not only the TOP of the handle, but the bottom too has those U shaped catches. That handle will NOT open if it's against the door without lifting it up first, then swinging it.



Top:



Here's another view of the U shape catch and how deep the handle sits in it:



So you know, I'm going to have figure out how to prevent this handle from swinging forward over the door. Not sure how, mine is designed a bit different than the OP's, but I sure do thank him for drawing this to my attention.

[crazyro]

I would much rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it... Overkill? Probably. Truly needed? Probably not. Peace of mind, just in case? You bet!

[DutchmenSport]

Bumpyroad wrote:
any body have a picture of the whole bar/door/etc?...
bumpy

I'll get a set of photos of mine. Hang on folks!

[blawless]

Just a note, the myth(reality) started with 8' truck slide in campers, when you could close the tailgate of the p/u successfully jamming the camper door closed.
You would be hard pressed today to find a slide in camper less than 9' utilizing the tailgate for the additional length.
This was a concern in the early 80's at rest stops and boondocking where thieves
locked you in and had unfettered access to the cab to steal whatever they could find.

[Bumpyroad]

any body have a picture of the whole bar/door/etc?
for the life of me I have never seen a steel tube like is shown in the picture. I understand in the past those U shaped door entry assist jobbies have been installed with the "locked" swing over the door but IIRC those are easy to overcome?
bumpy

[toedtoes]

I have seen folks RVing who can't walk around their rig without using it as support. I have seen folks RVing who don't have the strength to open a jar of pickles. I have seen folks RVing who have severely broken their ankles, hips, etc., just tripping over their own feet.

While most folks may be able to break through an RV door, not everyone can. Whether it's due to osteoporosis, current or past chemo treatment, phobias, genetics or whatever, not everyone is capable of breaking through the RV door or going out the emergency window.

And, considering the pretty much universal agreement that RVs are built horribly, I don't think I'd trust that the manufacturers installed that bar correctly so it wouldn't lock someone in.

So, if folks offer ways to keep the bar from sliding into its locked position, or recommending tests to make sure you can pop it open if it did lock, I say good. It doesn't hurt anyone and just might keep someone from seriously injuring themselves, physically or mentally.

I don't think it warrants "this is silly and unnecessary".

[Nicholsfamily05]

On all the trailers we have had all these type of handles.
Each trailer we have tested it. With just a slight push of the door the handle popped over to the open position.
Even our new one I forgot to put it out and the slide out started going out and popped it into place.

Short of putting a bar across the door I don't see how you could get stuck inside.
But like others have said that card board door is doing to stop you.
And a simple few hits of the wall will have you throw to the outside.

[GordonThree]

Burning alive or having a bad fall 3-5 feet out a window?

[bwc]

toedtoes wrote:

stickdog wrote:
I can open the slide window and move the hand bar if necessary. As far as fire if you a$$ is too big for the emergency window I suggest one of the number of diet plans on the tube. I would also consider campgrounds without a bunch of punks running around. I have also run the odds of a punk closing the hand bar assist and a fire breaking out in your RV it's about the same as a meteor crashing through your RV while your sitting on the head taking care of business. A non issue.

Having a bad day? In many RVs, the issue with emergency windows isn't that the owner's a$$ is too big, it's because the window is placed awkwardly in regards to the interior, too small for anyone over the age of 5 to get through, or too high on the outside from which to safely drop to the ground.

Right on!

[toedtoes]

stickdog wrote:
I can open the slide window and move the hand bar if necessary. As far as fire if you a$$ is too big for the emergency window I suggest one of the number of diet plans on the tube. I would also consider campgrounds without a bunch of punks running around. I have also run the odds of a punk closing the hand bar assist and a fire breaking out in your RV it's about the same as a meteor crashing through your RV while your sitting on the head taking care of business. A non issue.

Having a bad day? In many RVs, the issue with emergency windows isn't that the owner's a$$ is too big, it's because the window is placed awkwardly in regards to the interior, too small for anyone over the age of 5 to get through, or too high on the outside from which to safely drop to the ground.

[stickdog]

I can open the slide window and move the hand bar if necessary. As far as fire if you a$$ is too big for the emergency window I suggest one of the number of diet plans on the tube. I would also consider campgrounds without a bunch of punks running around. I have also run the odds of a punk closing the hand bar assist and a fire breaking out in your RV it's about the same as a meteor crashing through your RV while your sitting on the head taking care of business. A non issue.

[TucsonJim]

I call Bravo Sierra on this old wives tale. The assist handles are designed to swing out with very little pressure. Try it on your own and you'll see that with very little effort, the handle will swing out of the way and not even leave a mark on your door or handle.

Jim

[toedtoes]

I agree that the idea that kids are locking people in their trailers is an urban myth.

However, I suspect it could accidentally happen - perhaps a bear checking out the trailer could accidentally lodge the bar in the locked position. So, if a person is uncomfortable with a single exit that could possibly be compromised, then making a modification to lessen that discomfort is a good thing.

[bgum]

Thank you crazyro for your post. It may save a life and is more positive than some of the people who have read it.