Upgrading the grab handle.

[Digmenow]

SWMBO is a bit unsteady entering and especially exiting the T-1950 due to the small and somewhat decrepit looking current handle. The handles on our kids' TT are of the large, foldaway variety like the Stromberg Carlson model pictured here and she likes that much better.



It seems like a no-brainer upgrade for $36 (probably even a little less on Amazon) but I have concerns about mounting it. The doorside stud pdf (attached below) from the Files section does not have dimensions, just some indecipherable ascii font symbols. Anyone know the width of the stud on the handle side? Also, should I have electrical wiring concerns in this area?

Has anyone actually done this?

[JohnB]

Hi Dig,

See if this helps. Timing of your question is great as I have my 2004 T-1950 all apart and can take pics of how it is built.

This is a side view. I have the small grab handle on the 1950. I have the large grab handle on the T-310SR like you linked. I have included this just so you can see what a 2004 vintage 1950 has.


Here are the wall studs on the door strike plate side.


The door stud on the strike plate side is made up of a nominal 1" ish x 2 ripped stud. The actual is 15/16" combined from a 3/4" ripped width stud combined with a nominal 1/8" luan shim by 1 1/2" longer dimension which is the wall depth. They must rip these from 2 x something stock. And the 1/8" luan is no longer a real 1/8" it is a approx 1/32" less.

Sandwiched right next to it is a nominal 2 x 3 stud turned to lay flat the 3" direction. This actual dimensions are, 2 1/2" x 1 1/2"


The combined width is 3 3/8" actual, total.


Yours should be the same or very similar. Feel for the hard support in this area to lag the larger grab handle to. Note: They have a 1/8" siding shim that you can see on the full width direction. This shim helps correct for siding warping. The full 3 3/8" width does not have this 1/8" shim, only about 1" of it where the door frame screws through the siding.

My T310SR has the grab handle flush with the edge of the door frame molding in the left to right direction.

Hope this helps

John

[Digmenow]

Perfect! Exactly what I was looking for. Plenty of wood to screw into and no wiring in the near vicinity. You're a peach!

[Sunline Fan]

Yep, agreed with John, mine is mounted right up against the door frame too. I've seen people retrofit these handles on to older Sunlines, and they all put them right up close there with no apparent problems.

[Digmenow]

It arrived from Amazon over the weekend but my focus has been on getting the 1950 ready for inspection, later this morning. Yes, it's 3:43 am and I have been awake for almost an hour already. Still some things to do before I roll out at 5 am. I might install it after I visit the MVA to finish up the titling and such, depending on the outcome of the inspection. Fingers crossed.