Considering adding LQ to my '02 Silver Star, which did not come with an egress window. One LQ installer wants to cut a hole in the ceiling, which I don't see as my best option. Smoke rises; I don't want to be fiddling with an escape hatch where smoke/heat would be concentrated.
Any reason why the existing window space couldn't be widened for an escape window, rather than knocking a big hole in the roof? Seems as "simple" as cutting existing metal and bracing, and rebracing as necessary to accommodate the larger window.
Trailer is 7'6" tall, so I don't see why space would be an issue.
Posted 2007-12-25 2:45 PM (#73365 - in reply to #73330) Subject: RE: Adding egress window
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Posts: 406 Location: Minneapolis, MN
The difference in the amount of heat/smoke between the GN ceiling and the GNside wall is gonna be pretty small. But the $$$ to do an egress window installation in the ceiling vs. the GN sidewall window is gonna be huge.
Can it be done? Surely, but wait until you get a price for an egress window from Hehr ...yikes!!! The egress vent, is gonna be WAY less money, and it will be a bigger opening.
Posted 2007-12-25 6:15 PM (#73366 - in reply to #73365) Subject: RE: Adding egress window
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Posts: 2614
Maybe so,but,when considering ways to escape with your life from a fire,I think the cost would be about the LAST issue to consider.
First would be: is it going to be just as easy to get out of a ceiling vent as a wall window? How about coming off of the roof of the trailer once you were on it? You'd have to be Magic Johnson to be able to vault yourself from a standing position on the floor up through a window vent once you had it open in the first place.
Posted 2007-12-25 8:43 PM (#73371 - in reply to #73330) Subject: RE: Adding egress window
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Posts: 406 Location: Minneapolis, MN
Egress windows are normally found in the GN area of the trailer. I, for one, would much rather be able to stand on the bed and climb through the egress vent, stand on the trailer roof, and then find "safe" way down from there rather than go out a sidewall egress window head first....on to my head.
Posted 2007-12-26 2:07 PM (#73397 - in reply to #73371) Subject: RE: Adding egress window
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Posts: 2614
Yeah,that would work,but,it depends on where they are wanting to put his roof vent,doesn't it?
He more/less answered his own question when he said he's already got a window in the trailer and thinks it would cost less to cut it and rebrace,ect.
If the egress vent is in the GN area,that's fine.I've never seen one there,myself.My stock GN trailer had windows already in the sidewalls of the GN area.One of them was an egress window.
Posted 2007-12-26 7:39 PM (#73402 - in reply to #73330) Subject: RE: Adding egress window
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Posts: 309 Location: MO
IMO, an egress window in the gn would be so that if you get a fire while you're in bed, you can get out faster. If you were in the kitchen/LR area, you'd just go out the door.
Also, if the trailer is on its side, you could crawl out a roof egress window. I also think that cost is the least concern in a fire or emergency situation.The first concern is to be able to get out safely.
Posted 2007-12-27 11:35 AM (#73421 - in reply to #73330) Subject: RE: Adding egress window
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Posts: 28 Location: Pennsylvania
OK. My two cents, here. My last trailer came with an air conditioner installed in the roof, therefore I don't have the normal "vent" to pop up for additional ventilation. My Exiss trailer has very small windows in the GN area, so I plan to take care of two issues at once. I want to install some type of escape in the roof of the GN area, but also have it that I can use the "vent" to let the stuffy air out. This will be great for the "in-between" seasons when you really don't want to run the AC, but need a little extra ventilation.
Posted 2007-12-27 11:58 AM (#73424 - in reply to #73330) Subject: RE: Adding egress window
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Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Our Exiss is equipped with an air conditioner and an egress vent installed over the bunk/goose area. This is larger than a common vent and has an escape instruction decal installed. It can be used as a vent, or the whole unit will pop up to allow your exit. Once you are on the roof, the rear ladder is an easy way to get off the trailer.
This is a stock item and should be easy to install.
Posted 2007-12-27 8:39 PM (#73437 - in reply to #73436) Subject: RE: Adding egress window
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Posts: 2614
Originally written by Terri on 2007-12-27 7:39 PM
How about coming off of the roof of the trailer once you were on it?
Well,go right ahead and knock yourself out,jump wherever you want to.My trailer has an egress window above the sofa,and in the GN.I for one don't like the idea of having a knockout window added in the ROOF of a trailer.If I already had a window in it,I'd have it converted rather than carving a new hole in the roof of the trailer for one more spot to leak.
Posted 2007-12-28 6:16 PM (#73456 - in reply to #73437) Subject: RE: Adding egress window
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Posts: 406 Location: Minneapolis, MN
Originally written by crowleysridgegirl on 2007-12-27 8:39 PM
Well,go right ahead and knock yourself out,jump wherever you want to.My trailer has an egress window above the sofa,and in the GN.I for one don't like the idea of having a knockout window added in the ROOF of a trailer.If I already had a window in it,I'd have it converted rather than carving a new hole in the roof of the trailer for one more spot to leak.
Hey,
The orginal poster posed a question about egress window. They got an answer, a couple from some pretty knowledgable people.
Posted 2007-12-28 7:23 PM (#73458 - in reply to #73456) Subject: RE: Adding egress window
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Posts: 2614
Yes,well,maybe I should have been a lawyer.
Let us have a happy new year,and let's drink a marguerita or whatever.here's to may we all have our egress windows in the exact spots that we'd like them,and may we not go out one on our head,nor land on our asses jumping off of the roof.
Posted 2007-12-28 10:47 PM (#73463 - in reply to #73330) Subject: RE: Adding egress window
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Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
In both of my trailers, if we were in the bunk area with a fire in the "kitchen", we would not be able to escape without an egress point somewhere above or beside the bed. Both of our floor plans have the kitchens located between the overhead bunks and the LQ doors.
I don't know for a fact, but I would think that a common cause of fires would be accidents caused by cooking. Also most of the gas appliances are located in the same areas. Both of our trailers are equipped with fire extinguishers placed near the doors. I am planning the installation of second ones in the bunks as well.
Posted 2007-12-30 1:46 PM (#73497 - in reply to #73463) Subject: RE: Adding egress window
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Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
In both of my trailers, if we were in the bunk area with a fire in the "kitchen", we would not be able to escape without an egress point somewhere above or beside the bed. Both of our floor plans have the kitchens located between the overhead bunks and the LQ doors.
I was told by an RV dealer that it is required by code to have escape doors/windows in sleeping areas for just that reason.
Posted 2007-12-30 6:44 PM (#73505 - in reply to #73330) Subject: RE: Adding egress window
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Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
I was told the same thing. However, it only included trailers that were equipped for a LQ. If I were to purchase a new trailer with the intention of later adding a LQ, I would have to special order an egress point, a window or vent at the time of manufacture. This would eliminate the need to cut oversized holes and weaken the structure by cutting the braces.
Adding egress window
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