Emergency door ladder

[Breezy2006]

Our 2017 Dutchstar does not have the built in ladder like newer models so I found a good ladder solution that uses all but the top two rungs, it can easily be reduced and fits just right. Figured we would hurt ourselves doing a swan dive out in our 60s plus. Stand on the toilet and step out and down. Fits the doorway nicely and on the floor of the closet. $68. See below.

[Dutch Star Don]

Nice idea. I didn't realize that the ladder wasn't added until 2018.

[Craig36]

Thanks for posting. This could be a life saver for many of us.

I just bought their 10 ft model on Amazon for three dollars more. My 2007 KSDP has escape windows on each side and we often discussed how two 70+ year olds could ever get up to them if (God forbid) the coach was laying on its side.

What could you stand on to get up to and open the window way over our head? It is about 102 inches (8.5 ft) above what you might be standing on. The 10 ft should allow for positioning options to get up to your escape hatch.

[Rev. Roy]

Originally Posted by Breezy2006

Our 2017 Dutchstar does not have the built in ladder like newer models so I found a good ladder solution that uses all but the top two rungs, it can easily be reduced and fits just right. Figured we would hurt ourselves doing a swan dive out in our 60s plus. Stand on the toilet and step out and down. Fits the doorway nicely and on the floor of the closet. $68. See below. Attachment 275956Attachment 275957Attachment 275958Attachment 275959Attachment 275960

You made me laugh. My wife and I are in are later 60s as well and I can envision us doing a swan dive out, but it beats the alternative. My only concern is the time it takes getting a ladder out of a closet and opened during an emergency.

[redbaron73]

Originally Posted by Rev. Roy

You made me laugh. My wife and I are in are later 60s as well and I can envision us doing a swan dive out, but it beats the alternative. My only concern is the time it takes getting a ladder out of a closet and opened during an emergency.

I have thought the same thing about the built in ladder...if the emergency is bad enough to use the door, will I use it?

If it's because the front door is stuck, sure...but a kitchen fire....doubt it.

[Breezy2006]

Well it gives you options. You can set up the ladder in about 30 seconds. Most would fret that much time standing on the toilet before they take a swan dive or their partner gives them a push.

Further if the coach is on its side or the front door stuck you now have a way to climb down safely.

If the front is on fire, the coach is not likely to blow up in the first few minutes but staying in the coach is not an alternative.

[FL420]

The first time I saw one of those emergency exit doors I thought it was a great safety addition. I did have concerns about having to stand or sit on the toilet lid and the long distance to the ground.
I hope the RV manufacturers take a look at the boarding doors on many business jets and regional jets. They are hinged at the bottom, fold out and down toward the ground when opened. Steel wire cables attached near the top of each side of the door frame provide strength, stability and handholds for people to exit safely. The stair steps attached to the door stow vertically flat against the door when closed and gravity causes them to flip down to the horizontal position when the door is opened.
They would be much easier to design and build for a flat-sided RV wall than they are for a curved and pressurized aircraft fuselage.

[Electra 225]

Originally Posted by FL420

The first time I saw one of those emergency exit doors I thought it was a great safety addition. I did have concerns about having to stand or sit on the toilet lid and the long distance to the ground.
I hope the RV manufacturers take a look at the boarding doors on many business jets and regional jets. They are hinged at the bottom, fold out and down toward the ground when opened. Steel wire cables attached near the top of each side of the door frame provide strength, stability and handholds for people to exit safely. The stair steps attached to the door stow vertically flat against the door when closed and gravity causes them to flip down to the horizontal position when the door is opened.
They would be much easier to design and build for a flat-sided RV wall than they are for a curved and pressurized aircraft fuselage.

American Coach did exactly that with the introduction of their 2015 models. They were the first to introduce escape doors into motorcoaches, that I know of.
The shelves above the toilet (part of the door) became steps when you opened and let the door down. You simply stepped over/around the toilet, and down the steps to safety. They even had the door tall enough to be close to the ground when open.
I thought when I saw this- brilliant!
But here's the bonehead part....I found out that if you open the escape hatch, it must be resealed at the factory! With such a great idea, what a ridiculous thing is it that you cannot test open the hatch?

[Electra 225]

BTW Breezy, nice ladder, looks to be a good fit, thanks for sharing this.