Grab Handle Replacement

Topic: Grab Handle Replacement (Read 1575 times) previous topic - next topic

Grab Handle Replacement

March 17, 2018, 04:46:47 pm

I have to replace my grab handle and will probably order from Fleming Sales but I was wondering about lighting.

Did the 97 U270 have a lighted handle, if not would it be hard to get a lighted handle for a replacement?

Thanks

Re: Grab Handle Replacement

Reply #1 – March 17, 2018, 04:55:35 pm

According to the Beamalarm site, you have a "lighted entry door assist handle" Should have a touch sensor attached to the handle (not sure where on Unicoaches, on the Unihomes it's located in the small bay next to the steps). If you touch the handle and the light above the door lights, then it's working. The bulb for the handle is in the top part. I replaced my bulb with a 3-light LED strip.

Re: Grab Handle Replacement

Reply #2 – March 17, 2018, 05:00:52 pm

Thanks Chuck, I will have to check to see if I have a burnt out bulb as I don't remember any lights coming on but then I have only been around it once at night.

My handle if broken in two but is staying in place but I need to replace it before I fall in my keester "LOL"

Re: Grab Handle Replacement

Reply #3 – March 17, 2018, 05:01:13 pm

Quote

Did the 97 U270 have a lighted handle

Mine does not.
jor

Re: Grab Handle Replacement

Reply #4 – March 17, 2018, 05:02:31 pm

Quote from: jor – March 17, 2018, 05:01:13 pm

Mine does not.
jor

maybe it was a option?

guess I need to go ahead and take it apart before I order it so I know if there is anything hiding in the brackets???

Re: Grab Handle Replacement

Reply #5 – March 17, 2018, 05:05:44 pm

When I took mine and a couple others apart, the bottom section has a ground wire that has a loop that goes around the screw. The top section should have the bulb holder inside (I had to pull off the top piece to see it). You will know for sure when you remove it to replace the handle.

Re: Grab Handle Replacement

Reply #6 – March 17, 2018, 05:15:05 pm

Thanks Chuck, I will have to do it before I order it and maybe see about adding a light if I can get at it from the inside.

I will also cut some seals from a sheet of silicon used for shower pans and see of that will work. If that wont work I will make them from RTV.

Re: Grab Handle Replacement

Reply #7 – March 17, 2018, 05:47:54 pm

The black preformed gaskets are available from FOT and very cheap.

Re: Grab Handle Replacement

Reply #8 – March 17, 2018, 06:04:01 pm

Quote from: Super8mm – March 17, 2018, 04:46:47 pm

I have to replace my grab handle and will probably order from Fleming Sales but I was wondering about lighting. guess I need to go ahead and take it apart before I order it so I know if there is anything hiding in the brackets???

Fleming is a good company, have yours etched with "Foretravel", I did.
The top bracket does NOT have to come loose to replace the handle, you can see the bulb after the old handle is removed. It takes some wiggle work, but worth it! I did not know the gaskets were to be had until now, a good idea. Carefull getting the lower wire on.

Re: Grab Handle Replacement

Reply #9 – March 17, 2018, 06:47:31 pm

Our similar coach has a single bulb in one base and does NOT have the touch sensor module. Light is on when outside over door light is turned on.

Re: Grab Handle Replacement

Reply #10 – March 17, 2018, 07:02:31 pm

Quote from: Balcanthez – March 17, 2018, 05:47:54 pm

The black preformed gaskets are available from FOT and very cheap.

Thanks, I read in other post where they were not available but they were talking about GV's

Re: Grab Handle Replacement

Reply #11 – March 17, 2018, 07:04:34 pm

Quote from: mike leary – March 17, 2018, 06:04:01 pm

Fleming is a good company, have yours etched with "Foretravel", I did.
The top bracket does NOT have to come loose to replace the handle, you can see the bulb after the old handle is removed. It takes some wiggle work, but worth it! I did not know the gaskets were to be had until now, a good idea. Carefull getting the lower wire on.

Thanks Mike that is what I was going to have put on it, so they already have a template for it then.

Re: Grab Handle Replacement

Reply #12 – March 17, 2018, 07:05:35 pm

Quote from: Barry & Cindy – March 17, 2018, 06:47:31 pm

Our similar coach has a single bulb in one base and does NOT have the touch sensor module. Light is on when outside over door light is turned on.

Thanks Barry, I will give that a try my next time out there

Re: Grab Handle Replacement

Reply #13 – March 20, 2018, 02:30:39 pm

A little update, I ordered my handle this morning and called FOT for the gasket/seals and they DO NOT have them for my style of coach, they only have some for the GV's

Re: Grab Handle Replacement

Reply #14 – March 20, 2018, 02:41:45 pm

Quote from: Super8mm – March 20, 2018, 02:30:39 pm

A little update, I ordered my handle this morning and called FOT for the gasket/seals and they DO NOT have them for my style of coach, they only have some for the GV's

So, the GVs use a different top and bottom bracket & seal?
Then be damned carefull removing & re-installing! Another good reason to not remove the top bracket. A sticky lubricant of some sort will help keeping the bracket & the gasket aligned. Remember, you've got to not lose the wire while wiggling the whole shebang back together. A friend is helpfull for keeping the gasket from slipping. Easy on the tighten, there's not much meat in there.

Re: Grab Handle Replacement

Reply #15 – March 20, 2018, 02:52:05 pm

Quote from: mike leary – March 20, 2018, 02:41:45 pm

So, the GVs use a different top and bottom bracket & seal?
Then be damned carefull removing & re-installing! Another good reason to not remove the top bracket. A sticky lubricant of some sort will help keeping the bracket & the gasket aligned. Remember, you've got to not lose the wire while wiggling the whole shebang back together. A friend is helpfull for keeping the gasket from slipping. Easy on the tighten, there's not much meat in there.

Yes they are different, what they say folks is to get some seal material from a parts store and cut it to fit.

So I am back to one of my original ideas of using part of silicon sheet I have left over from a shower pan install and just use it. The ones under the handle now are looking pretty bad so I will do it to make for a cleaner look. Dont think folks will notice as they will be admiring having FORETRAVEL etched in the handle

Re: Grab Handle Replacement

Reply #16 – March 20, 2018, 02:54:57 pm

Does your handle look like this?

Re: Grab Handle Replacement

Reply #17 – March 20, 2018, 03:01:45 pm

Quote from: mike leary – March 20, 2018, 02:54:57 pm

Does your handle look like this?

sort of but I think the top is different?

Re: Grab Handle Replacement

Reply #18 – March 20, 2018, 03:21:53 pm

On my 95 the handle stays on for 30 seconds

Re: Grab Handle Replacement

Reply #19 – March 20, 2018, 03:25:56 pm

Quote from: joeszeidel – March 20, 2018, 03:21:53 pm

On my 95 the handle stays on for 30 seconds

That would be nice, I will have to find out what mine does when I get the handle, that may be 3 week though

Re: Grab Handle Replacement

Reply #20 – March 20, 2018, 03:29:14 pm

Looks the same to me. The curve of the handle looks different, though. Mine measures about 2 & 3/8th inches from the side of the coach to the center of the handle (where they break!). If they break on the road as ours did, a couple of drill bits as "splints" and tape work fine.

Re: Grab Handle Replacement

Reply #21 – March 20, 2018, 03:43:09 pm

Quote from: mike leary – March 20, 2018, 03:29:14 pm

Looks the same to me. The curve of the handle looks different, though. Mine measures about 2 & 3/8th inches from the side of the coach to the center of the handle (where they break!). If they break on the road as ours did, a couple of drill bits as "splints" and tape work fine.

Thanks, thats a good idea, I hope the new one does not break for a while though. the one on there now is broken all the way through so I have to be careful and not pull on it or I may end up on the ground and no doubt there will be someone there with a camera laughing so hard they cant help me up

Re: Grab Handle Replacement

Reply #22 – March 20, 2018, 05:28:26 pm

You can order the handle from Foretravel. It was about $30 plus shipping and it comes with the Foretravel name engraved. You will have to sand the ends to get a smooth fit. Just mask the handle before sanding. On my coach the handle bulb is in the top part of the handle base. I replaced it even though it was working and added dielectric grease in socket. The touch sensor is located on the part of the handle base. I ended up replacing my touch sensor. That was a little pricey.

Re: Grab Handle Replacement

Reply #23 – March 20, 2018, 05:37:58 pm

Thanks for the info John, the one from Fleming was $26.15 plus shipping. I'll remember to take dielectric grease when I go out to install the handle

Re: Grab Handle Replacement

Reply #24 – March 20, 2018, 05:43:32 pm

Quote from: John Morales – March 20, 2018, 05:28:26 pm

You will have to sand the ends to get a smooth fit.

Not with the handles from Fleming. They are angle cut and trimmed on both ends.

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