2005 Greyhawk: Emergency Window

[C42]

2005 Greyhawk 29GS...

Trying to figure out how to open the emergency window in the bedroom of this rig. There is (of course) NOTHING in the Owner's Manual that I have for this model that talks about how to use the Emergency Exit window. Since I only have one door out of the rig, and one window out of the bedroom - I'd sort of like to practice opening it before I need to use it.

Attached are two pictures. According the web, the emergency handles in red at the base of the window are supposed to be "rotated 90 degrees" and then the window can be opened. Those red handles do not rotate anywhere at all. They can be pulled to an "open" position and that is it.

The window also cannot be opened because of two window tops on both sides of the track as seen in the second picture.

How do I open this window in an emergency situation?

Thank you - my life may depend on this so...any help at all will be wonderful... !

[Grumpy]

Pulling the handles toward you would be the same as rotating and then the entire window frame should push open at the bottom. Don't push too hard as a test, since it may fall completely out which is what you would want in an emergency. If it hasn't been opened for a while the rubber gasket may be be stuck.

[craigav]

Mine is different so the steps could be different. I believe that the window should be able to be raised and lower by using the latch in the upper frame center of the lower window. The two red lower latches when unlatched will allow the entire frame (both upper and lower windows) to be pushed outwards for a large emergency exit. Be aware though that when you do that the entire window may fall to the ground and break, and even if it doesn't break, it may be very challenging to get it back in position and fastened back. ~CA

[C42]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Pulling the handles toward you would be the same as rotating and then the entire window frame should push open at the bottom. Don't push too hard as a test, since it may fall completely out which is what you would want in an emergency. If it hasn't been opened for a while the rubber gasket may be be stuck.

I used the maneuver you suggested, Grumpy - and that window is absolutely not budging. It's like it's welded/fused/painted/something in place. Kind of scary not being able to practice an emergency exit without the risk of breaking the window entirely.

Regular practice exiting a home, etc. on fire has always been one of my normal safety routines. I even have a two-story fire ladder to drop out a second story window if I can't exist through the one (stairs) exit.

Odd that Jayco doesn't seem to want you to practice safe emergency exits...! What if someone doesn't fit through the window and only discovers it during an emergency? (I'm not overweight - but that is not a big window either.)

Not sure what to do because, seriously do not want to completely break a window - but would really like to know that I can truly use what they are calling an emergency exit.

[pconroy]

whelp - if there's a fire inside, a stuck window won't slow *me* down much. Work a thin putty knife in-between the glass and the seal. See if you can work the window loose.

we do regular drills too. at home. but what's bothered me about the RV is the drop. coming out of that window, there's going to be a six foot fall before I begin to bounce.

if you do get it loose, open it slowly and carefully. I've read from others that the window will actually come off in some models.

[C42]

Originally Posted by pconroy

whelp - if there's a fire inside, a stuck window won't slow *me* down much. Work a thin putty knife in-between the glass and the seal. See if you can work the window loose.

we do regular drills too. at home. but what's bothered me about the RV is the drop. coming out of that window, there's going to be a six foot fall before I begin to bounce.

if you do get it loose, open it slowly and carefully. I've read from others that the window will actually come off in some models.

Hey there -


>won't slow me down.


You're probably a dude with biceps and muscles. I will have to use my Louisville Slugger to get it open.


And I know what you mean about that drop...that could hurt you a bunch, especially if you land on the broken emergency window.

In The Netherlands every car is by law equipped with a window breaker tool (people are forever ending up upside down in canals there)...may get one of those to have on hand, as well. There's a way around this even if I can't get the blasted window open. Do we know if that is safety glass or just regular single-pane?

[pconroy]

Originally Posted by C42

You're probably a dude with biceps and muscles. I will have to use my Louisville Slugger to get it open.

Oh no. I'll just be *motivated*.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by C42

I used the maneuver you suggested, Grumpy - and that window is absolutely not budging. It's like it's welded/fused/painted/something in place. Kind of scary not being able to practice an emergency exit without the risk of breaking the window entirely.

Regular practice exiting a home, etc. on fire has always been one of my normal safety routines. I even have a two-story fire ladder to drop out a second story window if I can't exist through the one (stairs) exit.

Odd that Jayco doesn't seem to want you to practice safe emergency exits...! What if someone doesn't fit through the window and only discovers it during an emergency? (I'm not overweight - but that is not a big window either.)

Not sure what to do because, seriously do not want to completely break a window - but would really like to know that I can truly use what they are calling an emergency exit.

Not that they don't want you to, just most people don't. I opened ours on a regular basis, since as you found out, if you don't it can be a challenge.

[craigav]

I keep a 5lb fire extinguisher handy in the bedroom. My plan is to put out the fire if possible, if not open the emergency exit window and if I encountered any issue doing that then I will burst and rake out the window with the extinguisher. ~CA

[JFlightRisk]

Those plastic pieces in your second picture may be packing wedges from the window manufacturer, and have to be pulled out and thrown away. Check around the edges for any other plastic parts that need to be removed before the window will open. I've seen them stuck some, but all have given way with minimal force.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by JFlightRisk

Those plastic pieces in your second picture may be packing wedges from the window manufacturer, and have to be pulled out and thrown away. Check around the edges for any other plastic parts that need to be removed before the window will open. I've seen them stuck some, but all have given way with minimal force.

I thought it was the clip to hold the slide up sash from falling down.

[JFlightRisk]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

I thought it was the clip to hold the slide up sash from falling down.

That's very possible Grumpy. I'm not familial with that type of emergency exit window. We've had ones with the single swing and push out middle bar, and the two red flip up levers like on our current TT.

[C42]

Originally Posted by JFlightRisk

That's very possible Grumpy. I'm not familial with that type of emergency exit window. We've had ones with the single swing and push out middle bar, and the two red flip up levers like on our current TT.

The two plastic pieces DO hold up the sash when it is open. It almost seems like they were also put there to prevent the window from opening too far (break-in deterrent?). However - the window is still not budging - so I'm going to ask the RV service guy when I see him this week. Thanks all!

[craigav]

Originally Posted by C42

The two plastic pieces DO hold up the sash when it is open. It almost seems like they were also put there to prevent the window from opening too far (break-in deterrent?). However - the window is still not budging - so I'm going to ask the RV service guy when I see him this week. Thanks all!

I recommend you do not test the emergency window. If you do try to open it and it breaks, then you will likely have a very hard time replacing it. Not all emergency items should be tested such as your fire extinguisher for example (check the gauge though). ~CA

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by C42

The two plastic pieces DO hold up the sash when it is open. It almost seems like they were also put there to prevent the window from opening too far (break-in deterrent?). However - the window is still not budging - so I'm going to ask the RV service guy when I see him this week. Thanks all!

Wonder if the previous owner used some sealant where they shouldn't have?

[C42]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Wonder if the previous owner used some sealant where they shouldn't have?

These guys seriously overdid the whole sealant issue - seriously. They sealed things they shouldn't have tbh...so, it wouldn't surprise me if the window were sealed shut. I'll take a look tomorrow just to see...

[Route 66 Traveler]

After I owned my trailer for over a year I decided to “Test” my bedroom emergency window. To my shock it refused to open at all. On the outside window frame there were two screws that were put in at an angle and protruded enough that they effectively prevented the window from opening.

Explaining and demonstrating the emergency exits should be required on every PDI!

[C42]

Originally Posted by pconroy

Oh no. I'll just be *motivated*.

I wanted to tell you - this made me smile SO much. :-D