After being told by my wife that we couldn’t go on our annual spring trip because a sparrow had built a nest inside our fifth-wheel hitch and was sitting on three eggs, I decided I would screen off the openings as soon as the birds flew the coop.
I bought a small piece of 1⁄4-inch screen, some self-tapping screws, washers and a piece of aluminum bar. Using a pair of wire cutters, I trimmed the screen to fit and covered the openings front and back. I used the aluminum bar on the bottom of the screen to hold it in place. Total cost was $6.50. Now we can go camping whenever we want — not only when the birds say so.
Michael P. Villa, San Luis Obispo, California
Anonymous
Just fixed the gas exhaust pipes . Discover a bird nest after watching a bird enter and depart!
Anonymous
My husband love the idea. I had a problem two years in a row. I put towels inside and they still tried to build their nest. I then covered it with plastic. My husband would love for you to come out here and show us what you did.
Anonymous
We had the same problem! They kept bringing in building material. As soon as I removed it they started building again! Persistent little buggers. I had to stuff towrls in there yo keep thrm out.
Anonymous
Great idea! I had the same problem several years ago with sparrows. I had some old, thin rubber conveyor belting and used that to do what you did with screen. I wish I had thought of the screen first, I like your idea better than the fix that I used. I have since sold the fifth wheel, so how it looks is no longer an issue for us.
Ol’ Mean Grampa
Anonymous
I think this is a good application for keeping birds and pests out of the fiver’s hitch assembly. Although I can see from the photo an insulated clamp holding the electrical cable in place next the metal screen, might I suggest adding a rubber grommet or heat shrink tubing added to the cable when penetrating the screen wire in order to keep the metal screen from abrading the electrical wire cable.
I have two cables, one vehicle to vehicle wiring and the other for back-up & side trailer cameras, that need to be extra protection from cutting the cables sheathing and perhaps shorting the electrical system.
Anonymous
Birds are not pest.
Anonymous
I also have had to deal with this. I went to the local upholstery
shop and got a scrap piece of foam cut so that it fits snuggley in place and then take it out when we leave for a trip. this allows me to be able to have access to the opening to store my cord.
Betsy
NOt sure what you mean by covering it both front and back. I see where you covered the hitch area.
Willie McGee
Using screen is a GREAT idea! By using a smaller mesh screen, you can also keep out insect pests such as wasps and the nest they build. I’ve used this idea on the louvers of AC shrouds to keep out wasps that would otherwise build their nests inside.
C.B. Sheward
I think the screen needs to be smaller to keep out yellow jackets, they also like to nest in there.
Jim
I use the pillows for your ceiling fans from camping world . Had extra one so stuff it in there
Ed
I’m sure you are in good company as it seems like the hitch is a safe and convenient place to nest. Our bird hitched a ride for 300 miles before I figured where he was coming from at each camp site! That’s a good fix that I will use whenever the weather breaks.