Acrylic assist handle

[DandS]

How many of you have the clear acrylic assist handle at your entry door and what has been your experience ? Didn't get one on my new coach (painted black steel instead) as I was told Newmar changed because of breakage issues. I sure like the looks of them and just wondered what issues others have had with them.

Currently negotiating with dealer to swap out mine for acrylic version on 09 coach on his lot and wondering if I'm just asking for trouble ?

[Spoonman]

I had one break and was able to replace it a few years ago. I have heard that replacements are no longer available for acrylic but don`t know that for a fact.
You could contact Newmar parts dept and see if they are available.

[Doc Mark]

We had ours craze - in preparation to breaking. Newmar replaced it at the factory with a chrome steel one.

Granted, not as esthetically pleasing but neither is a cast on arm/leg/back after a fall.

Mark

[Norm4015]

My acrylic handle showed cracks after one year and broke in half at 2 1/2 years. Newmar replaced it under warranty and the new one still looks new after two years. I have talked to owners who have been through 2 or 3 of them. That is why Newmar changed to the solid handle.

[RobRV]

Is it only the more recent..Newer Units that are affected? We just bought a New to Us 98 DSDP that has an acrylic handle that appears to be fine. Maybe I need to take a closer look!

[Algoma]

The replacement acrylic handle is still available. I just ordered mine from rvsurplus. Check out RV Surplus

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

Mine broke in less than 2 years. The replacement handle was longer and required the holder to be repositioned. I see small amounts of crazing on the new handle. Before it breaks I will have the local plastic shop make me a couple more out of something other than acrylic.

[DandS]

Wow ! Guess what I was told is true - most all have had breakage. However, if you can replace one for $20 every couple years @ RV Surplus as John pointed out, it may be something I still want to do cause I sure love the look ! Thanks all for the quick response.

[wa8yxm]

Those acrylic handles come in 2 types

THe first (Plain,not lettered) you can find at nearly any RV dealer from here to there and back again

The 2nd (Lettered with the company that made the motor home's name) is a hen's tooth, The company MIGHT have it

Of course.. If you have a custom badge and such shop

They can take the plane one and letter it with YOUR name, should you wish.

[bdaball]

I just replaced my OEM handle with an RV Surplus one.

BUYER BEWARE: Although I was told it would fit and it was only $22.00,(shipping was $12.00??), and they did ship it right out. It did not fit. A quick phone call back to them was not quite so charming.

Seems they sell,"over thirty a week and nobody else complaims, it must be your coach or I did not know what I was doing". Now that did not sit well. The gentleman offered two choices, One, I could file it to fit. Or, two, I could return it. So I asked well, If I file it and it still dosent fit I can return it right? Oh nay, nay round eye, not so!

Long story short, it was out of round due to their heating and bending the round stock material they use. It was also about a quater of an inch too long. Rather than moving the sockets I filed it down to fit. The notch they made was on the wrong side as well. With a little TLC I'm back in business but it surely does not look like the real thing.

I think I read somewhere you could emerse in hot water to soften the material and bend it yourself. I may try that during the long cold winter.

Be preparred to do a little TLC and you should be okay.

[Norm4015]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobRV Is it only the more recent..Newer Units that are affected? We just bought a New to Us 98 DSDP that has an acrylic handle that appears to be fine. Maybe I need to take a closer look!

Rob, your handle may have been added by a previous owner. In the late 1990s I made several trips to Newmar and spec'd out custom made Dutch Stars. As I remember the acrylic handle was not standard and was not an option either.

[GaryKD]

If your handle is really and assist handle, consider this product. We just installed one earlier this year. It was one of those products that when the wife saw it, she made a point to ensure we got one.

Extenda-Rail Automatic Handrail

[KIX]

Someone told me about this place but I have not tried them.

Fleming Sales
2101 Industrial Parkway
PO Box 277
Elkhart, IN 46515
574-295-0234
Attn: Andie (a nice lady and steered me in the right direction when I was almost going to buy the wrong model. Give her lots of information to work with and she'll fix you up.)

their model 5500-LE. Price complete, with lighted bar and engraving is about $69.00. Deduct $8 if not lighted and deduct another $8 if not engraved. Engraving of 16 characters and spaces can be done in 5 colors: Black, Bright Green, Red, Black, Brown. The bar only (no chrome mounts with engraving is $39.45 and without engraving is $21.15. Shipping is extra and seems to be a maximum of $13.50 via UPS Ground.

[Bill0828]

I paid visit to Fleming Sales while at the Newmar International Rally. I saw a number of acrylic handles of varying shape on the shelves. The folks there are very helpful. They should be able to assist you with a new handle. Although, I'm not sure they have every handle for every coach. Most had the Newmar logo.