Escape windows in RVs.
We received this letter from RVtravel.com reader Chuck Cox about the use of escape windows in RVs. Do you have a comment? If so, please leave it.
"I have a question about the use of the escape windows in RVs. I have never seen any articles about their use. We have a Class C motorhome and the window is over the rear bed.
"After reading about so many RV fires, I decided to try to get out the window. I had a lot of difficulty and practically fell out. My wife is handicapped with post-polio and has poor muscle strength. There is no way she could get out by herself, and she would have a lot of difficulty even with me trying to help her.
"My questions are: How have other people gotten out? Is there a special way to do it without falling and breaking some bones? Has anyone else done a practice run to try it?"
Please leave a comment. . .
posted by Staff Report @ 10/22/2011 07:33:00 PM
13 Comments
13 Comments:
As full-timers we have also wondered about exiting in an emergency. We have 2 escape windows but have never tried them. Was it hard to get the window back in and does it leak now?
Never done it though as fast as RVs go up once they catch fire, broken bones is not something I'd worry about. Just get out! FAST! And if in an emergency such as that, I would hope that adrenalin would surely help your wife kick it out.
We've practiced. Our set up is the window at the foot side of the bed. Our window falls out when opened. Throw the bedspread and blankets over the sill and one stands on the ends while the other falls/climbs out. Then I jump out on top of her.
you will be surprised what adrenalin can do for you in an emergency... when saving your life a broken bone is not a bad deal... Ever try to get out a house window?
That's the reason we got a 5th wheel with a rear bedroom and two doors. One of the doors is off the bedroom for a quick and safe exit in case of a fire.
I have thought about it and really sure how I would do it. Have thought about buying one of those rolled up rope ladders that you would use for the second story on your homes, but it would be something else that you would have to carry and find space for and how quickly can you get it out.
I know it is NOT a a funny situation, but the mental picture of the guy purposely jumping out on his wife cracked me up!
Too bad 5th wheels do not have a hatch in the floor of the upper bedroom.
Our 5th wheel does have a laundry hatch in the floor of the upper bedroom but I'm not sure I'm agile enough to get thru it if necessary.
It's strange this subject came up. We were in our new 5th wheel and I looked out of the emergency exit window in our bedroom and I told my husband that if this rig ever catches on fire we have a heck of a jump to get out. That is a long fall from the 5th wheel window........I too thought about the roll up ladder......
I have a 5th wheel and when parked in a camp ground I move the camp table to that side or place my 8' ladder that I carry when dry camping at the emergency exit. It's a long way down to fall even hanging by your hands. The table may brake your fall a little. Oh, Make sure you can fit through the window first!!
I leave my "folding" ladder out side of my bedroom (fire escape) window.
Rope ladders o.k if you know how to use them. You don't throw them out the window and climb down them like a normal ladder step. Ever try these? You don't try to feet climb down them, you use your hands and rung by rung climb down with hands. Otherwise the fire will overtake you while you try to foot hold those rope rungs.
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