Handrail installation

[Warrior]

DW has always had a problem getting up and down the steps to the bedroom. The single handrail at the foot of the step is just not sufficient.
I found a similar handrail on-line. I want to mount it vertically to the opposite wall. That is where the problem comes in. The wall is an exterior wall.
I'm at a loss on how I should mount it. It has to support the weight of a person. The only method I can come up with is to through bolt it. Go completely through the wall with long bolts, fender washers, nuts and caulked.It won't look very good though
Any ideas?

[Warrior]

Is there a type of glue suitable for this application?

[TURBS]

boy I am at a loss about what to do for ya !
The problem is whether there is a supporting joist behind the wall. and where there located .
I would consult a local rv dealer whom handles flagstaff . or better yet contact flagstaff your self to see if they can help you with the behind the wall construction and what you are attempting to do .
at least they may be able to tell you what your running up against and cant help you better make a plan to get your dw up those stairs !
They probably have dimensions of the joist spacing to better serve you .
hope this helps !

[LadyWindrider]

I would not bolt through the wall, until you know what is there. Not sure on your trailer, never worked on one, but here are a few tips. If it has paneling inside, look for a vertical row of staples, maybe putty filled holes, that would indicate a stud. You can sometimes push on the inside wall, and find the studs. Use a "stud finder" . If the outside is aluminum, it is not thick enough to hold anything. If is is smooth side, still won't offer much support, and will probably crack around the screw hole eventually.

I can't think of many options, maybe others can. Can you mount a rail to the floor, like for a front porch rail?

[PapaSmurf]

In looking for a new unit this year, we saw several that had wrought iron railings mounted to the floor. Should be able to buy some at the local home center. If you mounted it close to the wall, it should not be any more obtrusive than a hand rail, maybe even less. My DW has mobility issues as well. When I saw the wrought iron railing, I filed that idea away for future needs. Maybe it will help you as well? Here in our neck of the woods we have an 1800's village, with a blacksmith group. That is where I intend to get mine made when the time comes.

[sherdep]

I am with PapaSmurf's idea - Maybe instead of wrought Iron it could be constructed out of Aluminum to save on weight - Might be a little more expensive but worth a shot

[wfmdfm]

I would think some type of plate on the outside rather than the fender washers. Possibly some diamon plate. There are places that can cut the plate into a decorative shape. The other side of the stairs could be a choice if it is a inside wall and you find the studs. Good luck and post some pics.
Wally

[Dave_Monica]

Depending on the exterior, aluminum siding or fiberglass they'll be 2x2" wood or aluminum framing. I'm not sure if the manufacturers build the exterior walls 16" on center or 24". The secret would be finding the wood or aluminum 'studs' for an attachment point for a railing. Perhaps a stud finder will work...I haven't tried one.

The other option would be to attach the handrail on an interior wall. The wallboard cover is very thin and you're easily able to detect where the wall stud is. The studs on the interior are most likely 2x2" wood.

Dave

[Warrior]

Thank you for all the responses.
I ended up attaching the handrail to the interior wall, as this was the only wall I could locate a stud. It's the framing for the bath door.
DW is happy with the location, so mission accomplished.

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by Warrior

Thank you for all the responses.
I ended up attaching the handrail to the interior wall, as this was the only wall I could locate a stud. It's the framing for the bath door.
DW is happy with the location, so mission accomplished.

Like to see a picture on what you installed.
We have a similiar issue and I'm not sure where and how I will install.

[Warrior]

Originally Posted by Iggy

Like to see a picture on what you installed.
We have a similar issue and I'm not sure where and how I will install.

Sure, the first chance I get I'll post some pics.
I believe your model is similar to mine. I have a handrail at the foot of the steps on the left as you are going up. The one I purchased from Amazon is very similar. It is made of teak and is more of a marine item.

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by Warrior

Sure, the first chance I get I'll post some pics.
I believe your model is similar to mine. I have a handrail at the foot of the steps on the left as you are going up. The one I purchased from Amazon is very similar. It is made of teak and is more of a marine item.

Yes out rigs are similiar and we definitely need another railing especially with the short steps. I couldn't find andbeams in the bathroom door side wall. It almost sounds hollow with no reinforcement.
Is this the one you found on Amazon?
What size did you use? single 13", double 23" or triple 33"
Did you mount vertical, horizontal or diagnal up the stairs?

Thanks

[Warrior]

Thats it. The 12" single, I think it was listed as a 13", is the one I used. I mounted it vertically.
I couldn't find any studs either. I mounted it on the door framing, on the left side of the door opening. It's a little tight but works for us.

[Warrior]

Originally Posted by Iggy

Like to see a picture on what you installed.
We have a similiar issue and I'm not sure where and how I will install.

Here ya go, the first one is the existing handrail.

[alageezer]

Our '12 model had this installed from the factory.

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by alageezer

Our '12 model had this installed from the factory.

Thanks for the picture. The issueis if we have the same interior wall structure to mount it. I will check with a metal stud finder if we have the aluminum studs at those locations.
Can you please get a length of the rail so it may help find the studs.
Thanks

[alageezer]

Glad to. The rail is 36" long. The bottom is 2" from the edge of the metal door frame, there is a center brace right at 16" from the metal frame, and the top is mounted directly in line with the edge of the floor or top step, and the right side of the window that's up there, or right where a major stud would be. I doubt very seriosly that they would modify the main structure from one year to the next, just to add a few small upgrades. Mine also has the slam latch doors on all the outside doors, does your's?

If you need any more pictures, glad to help.

[trudinator]

Looks very similar to the grabrail my DH made from scratch (cherry) and installed on the inside of our screen door to pull the door shut. Works like a charm! How much did you pay for this, if I may ask?

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by alageezer

Glad to. The rail is 36" long. The bottom is 2" from the edge of the metal door frame, there is a center brace right at 16" from the metal frame, and the top is mounted directly in line with the edge of the floor or top step, and the right side of the window that's up there, or right where a major stud would be. I doubt very seriosly that they would modify the main structure from one year to the next, just to add a few small upgrades. Mine also has the slam latch doors on all the outside doors, does your's?

If you need any more pictures, glad to help.

Can you tell how the ends are attached tothe wall? It looks like they may have drilled the 2" pieces into the wall then added the long rail.
Also would like to see the metal mid support.
The rail looks like 1"x1" square


Thank you very much as I think many will do this mod.

[alageezer]

They say pictures are worth a thousand words. Hope these help.