Broken Grab Handle

[oemtech]

I am on my 3rd Newmar logo'd handle. But, this time I find I have to completely redo the mount as Newmar has decided to change the grab handle and not provide parts for the old style. So, you get to pay about $60 for their engineering update and drill NEW holes to mount the new handle, which may or may not cover the old mounting holes.
Old Broken Handle

Repaired Handle


New Style Handle


It should be noted that the new handle is 1.5 inches longer and almost 1/2 inch narrower.

[oemtech]

I am on my 3rd Newmar logo'd handle. But, this time I find I have to completely redo the mount as Newmar has decided to change the grab handle and not provide parts for the old style. So, you get to pay about $60 for their engineering update and drill NEW holes to mount the new handle, which may or may not cover the old mounting holes.
Old Broken Handle

Repaired Handle


New Style Handle


It should be noted that the new handle is 1.5 inches longer and almost 1/2 inch narrower.

[Dav5942]

Wonder if you can get the "old" one anywhere else? We have two doors and one handle is already starting to show wear(cracking and holds water). Two days left on warranty-wonder how they would replace it?

Correction we have the new type and they are both cracked!!!

[jjbsmith]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by oemtech:
I am on my 3rd Newmar logo'd handle. But, this time I find I have to completely redo the mount as Newmar has decided to change the grab handle and not provide parts for the old style. So, you get to pay about $60 for their engineering update and drill NEW holes to mount the new handle, which may or may not cover the old mounting hole </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Dale, our handle has a crack that is highly visible when illuminated. Our Allstar is in the shop for many warranty issues and this is one of them. I hope they will replace the handle with the old style. How are you filling the old holes?

[oemtech]

For now I repaired the old one. I drilled a 2" hole in each half of the handle, then added a piece of welding rod and lastly glued it with epoxy.

I just sent a letter Newmar asking what's up. I will update when and if I get a reply.

[siggyd]

Newmar installed the new handle for me,Warranty!
The old holes are covered up.

[Vigibill]

When mine broke, a newmar dealer modified a "new style" handle by grinding a flat on one end and it fit into the original chrome pieces perfectly.

There is no need to drill holes and replace the chrome ends.

[oemtech]

Well, I gave them a month and no reply. I guess after you are out of warranty or even in warranty if they decide to change something customer consideration is not part of the equation. What else have they changed?

The least they could have done was send me a answer. I am not impressed.

Would I buy another Newmar? Considering what I read on this forum about the high end stuff... I don't think I would buy new. I would differently be looking at Tiffin!

[Edmund A Skibinski]

Just had mine replaced under warranty, and the old holes did not line up with the new handle, fortunately the new handle covered up the old holes. Ed.S

[KayLarGo]

We also had ours replaced under warranty last week. It was just crazed on the inside but the dealer noticed it and replaced it. She said she orders them 10 at a time as they replace them all the time. Hummmmm

[oemtech]

I decided to install my new grab handle today.

This is obviously a well though out engineering update - NOT. There is nothing that interchanges. The old light socket connection is soldered in an the new one uses a twist in light socket. The screws are of a different size. It's longer and narrower. Old is molded plastic and new is metal. I suspect they decided to use the same handle as the DP's. Bottom line save money.

You have very little room to work with the wiring.



I decided to use at least one of the original screw holes as if I drilled all new the would almost certainly strip out as they would be to close to the originals.

Final install...

[KayLarGo]

I wonder how close a Tiffin or Winnebago handle is. That would confuse a few folks.

[Ed-Deb]

Dale,

Sorry about the troubles with your grab handle.

The new install looks good though!

It looks like the wiring (from your pic) was coming out of the top mounting piece (rather then the bottom).

Am I correct in what I was viewing in your pic and if so, does the light attach in the handle at the top? If so, what type of light is it (ie. LED)?

Thanks,
Ed

[oemtech]

Yes, the wiring is in the top portion of the handle as it was in the original.

Some of the viewers may wonder why I am posting this in the first place. I guess it is the fact that many OEM's get it right 90+% but fail so miserably on the last 10% of the business. It's that last 10% the really counts.... It's called service after the sale. It only took the auto industry 50 years to figure it out.