What I am looking for, or challenging the creative minded members, is a way to cover or pad the pin box of my fifth wheel. I would like to see what you have done to protect kids from running into the pin box. We went camping for our first trip in our Elkridge which was cold and windy so we didn’t spend much time outside, but for our second trip it was beautiful outside. But with the nice weather that meant we were outside most of the time. Unfortunately my son was walking around and forgot about the pin box, since this is our first fifth wheel, and yep…..smack! It didn’t drop him to the ground luckily because he was just walking, but I could not imagine what would happen if he would be in a dead run and hit it. As you all know the pin box is not going to give any, he found out the hard way. So I am reaching out to all the members to see what you have done. I know the easiest way to buy a tripod for the pin box. Is that the only solution? I know someone out there just wants to release their creative juices and give me a great idea.I thank you and my son’s head thanks you.

It is a good place to set a flag pole and fly the American Flag.

I use a swimming pool noodle float thing, and wrap it around the sharp edges of the pin box with tape. I have bumped in to it while stored in my driveway, and had to do something.

RV-Safe ZoneCheck that website out. My daughter has a pretty nasty scar from running into the pinbox so I now have the RV-Safe Zone pinbox cover. I also had a habit of banging my head on the bedroom slide-out every time I was in the storage on that side so I bought their slide-out guards as well. I tried the pool noodle thing and not only did it look ghetto, it doesn't offer nearly as much protection.

Set up a tripod then you can't get near it without tripping. That's about all their good for anyway. JMHO.

720Deere wrote:RV-Safe ZoneCheck that website out. My daughter has a pretty nasty scar from running into the pinbox so I now have the RV-Safe Zone pinbox cover.I bought one of these pin box covers, as well - a little spend at around $45, but my peace of mind to avoiding a scar like Deere mentions.My other thought before this was to get some wire and twist it onto the king pin and then hang a flower basket below it; possibly even adding a traffic cone on the ground (I carry 2 collapsible ones at all times). Wouldn't necessarily stop someone from hitting it, but it would hopefully give them awareness to the pin.

Creative pin box head safety ideas | Good Sam Community

nremtp143
Explorer
Jun 09, 2014
lat471 wrote:

As to the Ghetto look, it is far better then nothing, and i got the brightest color I could find!! I also cover the full bottom with a noodle as I also managed to graze the middle when passing under once.

I've seen stars much brighter than that color after hitting my head on the slides and pin box. Several good ideas here.
milo
Explorer II
Jun 09, 2014
We take a bungee cord and stretch it over the top and attach it to a wooden sign with our name on it. Sign hangs under neath it.
kennethwooster
Explorer
Jun 05, 2014
I just put my tripod up and never get close to the pin box. I have a number of scars on my head already. The older I get the more I manage to hit my head.
bpounds
Nomad
Jun 04, 2014
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Take some brightly colored wide ribbon.
Hot glue magnet to ribbon
Hang ribbon streamers on pin box

You beat me to it with the ribbon, and the magnet idea is even better. I would probably go with the yellow safety ribbon and put a few around the pinbox.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Jun 04, 2014
Take some brightly colored wide ribbon.
Hot glue magnet to ribbon
Hang ribbon streamers on pin box

If they run into pin box.......clean them up, wipe their tears and ask them "Did you learn anything?"

I only had to whack it once....but the bedroom slide took me 2 times :S
Dennis_M_M
Explorer
Jun 04, 2014
There a a couple of little sprouts running around the barn where we store our fiver. Their Dad just puts a plastic trash can below the kingpin.
Vulcaneer
Explorer
Jun 04, 2014
I do the hanging plant thing. Problem is, I go under the overhang to avoid the king pin and whack my head on the side edge of the overhang.

What I have found is that I do this less often if I do not wear a hat. The brim blocks the view, and WHACK. No hat and I do better. But I try my best to avoid the whole area under the overhang.

As well as I try, I can plan on "beaning" myself 3 times a year. This year I only have two more whacks to go. WOOHOO!
rhagfo
Explorer III
Jun 04, 2014
lat471 wrote:
Set up a tripod then you can't get near it without tripping. That's about all their good for anyway. JMHO.

This is a good use for the tripod even if it doesn't support anything!!

As to the Ghetto look, it is far better then nothing, and i got the brightest color I could find!! I also cover the full bottom with a noodle as I also managed to graze the middle when passing under once.
Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Jun 04, 2014
ependydad wrote:

My other thought before this was to get some wire and twist it onto the king pin and then hang a flower basket below it; possibly even adding a traffic cone on the ground (I carry 2 collapsible ones at all times). Wouldn't necessarily stop someone from hitting it, but it would hopefully give them awareness to the pin.

Or maybe hang a colorful windsock or garden flag? Anything that will hang within the kids' line-of-sight.
drfife
Explorer
Jun 04, 2014
I put a collapsible traffic cone under my kingpin.

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