Rear Window Emergency Handle

[BobH]

I have a 2014 RW-36RL,and this is the 2nd time I need to replace this handle. 2nd time it broke is just after I put it into storage. We live in Saskatchewan,so we've had quite cold weather here the last 2 weeks. And when I checked on my trailer noticed rear window slightly ajar. Here is was the emergency window handle broken again . Anyone having the same issue and any better fixes
Bob

[r time soon]

Bob, did the dealer fix the window? Or did you do it yourself?? Parts are available. Doesn't look too complicated to fix.
Look here Kinro window parts for some parts. Not sure if yours look like some on that page or not. I believe Kinro is owned by Lippert now. Here is another source for parts: http://www.rvwindowparts.net/
The latches on our 2012 36RL are still working fine, no failures so far.

Hope you get it figured out.

Chris

[travelin' texans]

Wired mine shut after second handle broke. In an emergency you'd have to move the couch out about a foot to open that window, the one at the end of the couch would be much easier.

[BobH]

Yeah, I got mine kinda wired shut now till spring. Can't understand why that one wasn't a crank like the one beside as there is an emergency exit on the side.
Like you said you need to pull the couch ahead to open anyway. Picked up a new handle today to fix in spring,it was like $56.Can. My last one was 1/3 of that. Money grab now..At least the new handle came with a poly bracket that mounts on the window instead of aluminum. Maybe a bit more flexible and giving. So I will give it a try.

[atom ant]

Ours did that. The window frame was bent from the factory, probably bumped in production loading furniture. Re-shaped the window frame and replaced the handle and it remained OK after that.

[mhs4771]

Not to mention, that on some models, you could never open that window enough to get out because the ladder is there.
Might have looked good on paper, but doesn't work in the real worlld.

[Shane Wood]

I have a new handle to replace mine as it broke as well. Good old bailing wire holding it together. I may just leave it wired as the ladder is in the way if you tried to use it to get out

[brenkco]

After mine broke the 2nd time, the service manager at my dealer realized it was the frame (just like Brad's post above). Repaired the frame, replaced the handle and it was good to go.

Ken

[almcc]

You folks may probably find that the handle breaks from the sofa hitting it, as it moves back and forth from going over bumps. On our RL I put a 2X4 on edge on the floor at the back wall to keep the sofa from moving back after the window trim fell off.

Even that didn't prevent the handle from breaking. I anchored the front legs of the sofa to the floor to keep it from tilting back and I need to replace teh handle. The replacement has one center hole that rivets to the window vs. the OEM with 2 holes.

Another owner that I know had the other (turn style) window opener break because of the same sofa movement.

[brenkco]

I originally suspected the couch too. The service manager pulled the couch out. There was no marks or damage whatsoever on the back of the couch. That's when he found the frame was bent on the window causing the latch to break.

Ken

[atom ant]

Like Ken, I also thought the couch, but it actually hit well above the handle so I ruled it out. However, I know there were 3 couch options when we bought, and a mid year furniture brand change in 2013, so we may not be seeing the same things as others.

[almcc]

Originally Posted by atom ant

Like Ken, I also thought the couch, but it actually hit well above the handle so I ruled it out. However, I know there were 3 couch options when we bought, and a mid year furniture brand change in 2013, so we may not be seeing the same things as others.

Brad, you may be correct. I've found that our sofa (it's a sofa bed) moved around quite a bit before I anchored it, enough that I had to check and slide it back so I didn't rip the trim off on the curbside slide when I opened it. That would change the location on the sofa where the sofa hit the handle.

Our handle broke at the pivot rivets on the window, they are really small diameter rivets

[travelin' texans]

Whatever the cause, it's a bad location to try to exit & a cheap a## handle design.

[brenkco]

Yea, no kidding! Mine sits behind the ladder! Guess that's why they put a second one next the entertainment slide.

Ken

[Dave&Ginny]

I wouldn't have been able to get my wife out of that window anyway. I always figured, in an emergency, I'd just bust out that larger window rather than mess with the small one.

I think most of the fires associated with the 5ers were due to the refrigerators. Another great reason for the residential refrigerators.

[atom ant]

This is where mine broke -

It may have been broken for a while and I didn't notice. Kind of gave me a sigh of relief that I didn't lose the window or get water in the back if it was sailing open down the highway. If I recall, I think if you push the emergency windows up all the way they come out of the top hinge.

[travelin' texans]

What about the bedroom escape window? I can't even imagine either one of us trying to go out that window & dropping 8-9', hell no ��!

[atom ant]

So are you looking for an escape stairway? Logistically it's going to be hard to provide an escape path in a 5th wheel, but keep asking for it and it will happen. Then everyone will complain that the feds are imposing stupid rules.

[r time soon]

Danny, wife asked the same question about the bedroom egress window at the plant tour portion of the Rally. They have to provide that sized opening. We might get a chain type ladder to hang down if the need ever arises. I would rather hang as low as possible and drop risking a few broken limbs than burn alive in the rv. But most people in an emergency like a fire will probably go out the way they came in, using the front entry door.

Chris

[Dave&Ginny]

I think the main thing to remember is to exit the rv the first smell of smoke. Once they start burning it doesn't take long.

In motor homes, Newmar has developed a escape door which I hope other manufacturers start doing too. I believe it has its own set of stairs that drop down as well.