Hand rail for bedroom steps

[Bobbywires]

I need to put a safety rail on the interior wall of my 5th wheel. It is a 2014 351MKTS 40' Eagle Premier. My wife has fallen twice and I've almost taken a header down the steps from the bedroom. I have no problem installing a rail but I need to know where the studs are in order to make it safe. It should be mounted on the exterior wall because the interior wall is to thin and no studs.
Stud finders don't seem to work because the wall insolation. I would be grateful if someone that puts these units together could give me an idea where to look. The area of interest is between the door and the top of the steps going into the bathroom-bedroom area.

[ALJO]

Take a good look at the wall: you might find staples (they use putty to cover them) or they tape seams between panels.

[luvs2camp7164]

If it is a fiberglass exterior it probably has aluminum frame and a stud finder will not work. X2 on previous post looking for where they attached the panels inside. You can also push on the wall with your hand to fit d where the soft and hard spots are. When you have located the hard stuff area I would recommend self tapping screws if you have the aluminum frame. Good luck and I know the pain of falling down the steps. Lol

[Wrascal]

This comes from an UN-professional perspective - but what I'm thinking is you need to spread the load over a large unsupported area.

Maybe GLUE a much larger piece of hardwood diagonally to the stairwell wall and once thoroughly dried attach the hand-rail to it (do be aware of the screw lengths and don't greatly exceed the hardwood panel). Then paint (wall-paper or stain) this piece of hardwood to blend in.

Then obviously be slow, deliberate, and careful.

YMMV.

[PlayersZ28]

Your unit is old enough that Jayco will send you the engineering documents. I don't have walls for mine yet but the roof drawings show the rafter positions (with measurements) so I would expect the wall drawings to be the same. On their site use the contact form and your VIN to request the info.

[Bobbywires]

After viewing several Jayco construction videos on Youtube about the wall construction of pressed laminate, I think Wrascal's suggestion of attaching the hand rail to a backboard glued and screwed to the wall diagonal to the steps would be the best idea. Thank you all for your suggestions

[jasum]

If you are going to do that anyway........I would start drilling small holes in the area to find where there is something solid to screw into. Just don't go into the wall very far.

[poohbear]

Maybe there is a rail you could mount to floor ? If no ready made then use galvanized plumbing pipe .

[Kashmir]

My wife has had both hips and both knees replaced. I just went with the outside Safety Grab Handle on the wall close to the door frame (good and solid). This has worked great and have not had an issue with the steps since.

[Bobbywires]

I emailed Jayco including my VIN and they sent me the drawings I needed.

[Bobbywires]

Solution - I paid the RV shop to build a sturdy rail

[Bobbywires]

[attach][/attach]The upper bracket is attached at a seam next to the window.

[bdreinv]

For anchors we just used the spring loaded clips and attachment screws.Was your hand rail on the inside or outside wall? Where did ya find handrail?Thanks