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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> RVing With Physical Challenges And Health Issues -> How to make interior RV steps safer?
Post Info TOPIC: How to make interior RV steps safer?
nwlambear


RV-Dreams Family Member

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How to make interior RV steps safer?
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Would appreciate any suggestions on how to (hopefully) make some alteration to our interior steps...leading up to and down from our bedroom and bath/toilet area. We haven't even left the driveway yet and I've already fallen twice..once going up and once going downdisbelief I'm on social security disability since having a heart attack and more recently a stroke a few years ago...that changed everything! My balance is not great and my knees giving out don't help at all!!

I must admit I am physically challenged when walking...and of course using the stairs. I try to be super careful, but these stairs are steep.thestep.jpg It also makes it really difficult on these ole' knees of mine. I was hoping someone would have ideas on how to make them maybe 7" or 8" high???..or whatever the "normal" measurements would be for stairs. Maybe add a third step and make that second step less steep?  It would be nice to have a wood hand rail/bannister on the right as I'm going up as well. Help!!!!

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***Brian'n'Tricia*** aka 'NWlambear'
2008 FORD F250 XLT SUPER DUTY SUPER CAB DIESEL TOWING PKG
2010 KEYSTONE 'COUGAR' 292RKS
http://homesweethomerv.blogspot.com.
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Roz


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Yacht supply houses or catalogs are filled with all types of grab handles for sail boats that are either moving or heeling over as you move about.  You may well find just the right sturdy handhold to make your trips up and down safer.

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phyllen


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I see you have a new unit. In fact same tile as we have in our Montana. Is that still the protective plastic on those steps? By all means, if it is, take it off. I an wondering, what about the outside steps - are they a problem too. Make sure you carpet those steps as they sure get slippery.

Good luck with your new rig.

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Phyllis and Leonard

2011 F350 King Ranch Dually    2016 Ford Escape

No longer own an RV.   No need.  No longer RV.

 

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AnnDon


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Check with your dealer, some dealers will make minor alterations for their customers to help them (especially if the vehicle is not ADA compliant and new). You could also check with your local OVR (Office of Vocational Rehabilitation) or STEP, sometimes they have people who are highly qualified carpenters (etc.) who are looking for work through their agencies that have experience in doing modifications for people with disablilities. Just a thought. Hope all works out. I know my husband installed a grab handle inside our coach near the steps and it made a world of difference. Ann

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thebearII


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Definitely add some grab handles.

Make sure there are no throw rugs near the steps.

You might want to try to highlight the steps.... since they are close to the same color of the floor, you might want to have a darker piece of carpeting added so the steps stand out.

A simple solution might be to keep the door closed as kind of a reminder that there are steps. If you have to open the door it will help you to see and remember the steps. Even put a sign on both sides of the door "watch out for the steps" to help remember.

It may be sort of a learning curve type issue. Every RV we've had it seems there is an adjustment period to get use to where things are.

Our current 5th wheel I had trouble with the little step up we have right by the bed. I've tripped up it and fallen off of it until I got used to it.

With the first couple of trips in this 5th wheel I slipped twice going down the outside steps.

Our old travel trailer, I stubbed my toe for the first couple of trips on this little wall by the entrance door that separated the dinning area from the living area.

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nwlambear


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Posts: 99
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Yes its new..its a 'Cougar'.  I must have used a pic the dealer sent. Have since taken the plastic off.  The outside step are also steep but I have a good hand grab bar out there and the steps have a special tread on them.  So far so good out there! 

phyllen wrote:

I see you have a new unit. In fact same tile as we have in our Montana. Is that still the protective plastic on those steps? By all means, if it is, take it off. I an wondering, what about the outside steps - are they a problem too. Make sure you carpet those steps as they sure get slippery.

Good luck with your new rig.



 



__________________
SomewhereSomehowSometimeForever.jpg1159f88bb3e32a346df8b19fb27930ea.png

***Brian'n'Tricia*** aka 'NWlambear'
2008 FORD F250 XLT SUPER DUTY SUPER CAB DIESEL TOWING PKG
2010 KEYSTONE 'COUGAR' 292RKS
http://homesweethomerv.blogspot.com.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php

 
nwlambear


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Posts: 99
Date:
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Some great comments...thanks so much.  So far I absolutely know I need a grab rail....would like to have a wood bannister added on the right side of the steps at the same time I have the steps modified.

I want the second step set higher so there is only a step up from it to the bedroom of about 7-8" (whatever is standard).

Then have a third step added on the main couch floor.  I know it will take a bit of the "floor space", but I need safer steps. And it won't block the entrance into the 5ver. So...to I'd have 3 step-ups (and step-downs) total.

Have already added led puck(?) lights to guide me and remind us of "steps".  A different color carpet on the steps sounds like a good idea too. After the alterations....I should use a different color...

We also have a little step in the bedroom area....I put a little led puck light on the exterior wall next to the vanity/sink and it shines a light where the stepup is and seems to work well.

I think my last fall...going down....my knee just gave out...and my left foot may have drug on the carpet....and over I went....you know how it happens so fast.  Before you know it you are laying in an arkward position on the floor!!! A grab rail sur would have helped in the incident.....

thebearII wrote:

Definitely add some grab handles.

Make sure there are no throw rugs near the steps.

You might want to try to highlight the steps.... since they are close to the same color of the floor, you might want to have a darker piece of carpeting added so the steps stand out.

A simple solution might be to keep the door closed as kind of a reminder that there are steps. If you have to open the door it will help you to see and remember the steps. Even put a sign on both sides of the door "watch out for the steps" to help remember.

It may be sort of a learning curve type issue. Every RV we've had it seems there is an adjustment period to get use to where things are.

Our current 5th wheel I had trouble with the little step up we have right by the bed. I've tripped up it and fallen off of it until I got used to it.

With the first couple of trips in this 5th wheel I slipped twice going down the outside steps.

Our old travel trailer, I stubbed my toe for the first couple of trips on this little wall by the entrance door that separated the dinning area from the living area.



 



__________________
SomewhereSomehowSometimeForever.jpg1159f88bb3e32a346df8b19fb27930ea.png

***Brian'n'Tricia*** aka 'NWlambear'
2008 FORD F250 XLT SUPER DUTY SUPER CAB DIESEL TOWING PKG
2010 KEYSTONE 'COUGAR' 292RKS
http://homesweethomerv.blogspot.com.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php

 
nwlambear


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 99
Date:
Permalink  

Thanks for your suggestions!!! I'll make some calls today.  I wondered about ADA, etc.  Didn't even think to consider that when we ordered the 5ver...duh!  I will also check with OVR and STEP...thanks again for the suggestions.  *Tricia*

AnnDon wrote:

Check with your dealer, some dealers will make minor alterations for their customers to help them (especially if the vehicle is not ADA compliant and new). You could also check with your local OVR (Office of Vocational Rehabilitation) or STEP, sometimes they have people who are highly qualified carpenters (etc.) who are looking for work through their agencies that have experience in doing modifications for people with disablilities. Just a thought. Hope all works out. I know my husband installed a grab handle inside our coach near the steps and it made a world of difference. Ann



 



__________________
SomewhereSomehowSometimeForever.jpg1159f88bb3e32a346df8b19fb27930ea.png

***Brian'n'Tricia*** aka 'NWlambear'
2008 FORD F250 XLT SUPER DUTY SUPER CAB DIESEL TOWING PKG
2010 KEYSTONE 'COUGAR' 292RKS
http://homesweethomerv.blogspot.com.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php

 
Sunrisedeckguy


RV-Dreams Community Member

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Posts: 2
Date:
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Have you considered a Sunrise Deck for the outside steps?  Go to www.sunrisedecks.com

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Michael E. Piper
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