Utility arms for extension from a fifth wheel kingpin and related methods

A utility arm apparatus for securement to a kingpin of a fifth wheel coupling of a trailer, the utility arm apparatus comprising:

• an elongated body comprising an attachment end and a utility end, the attachment end comprising a recessed portion having sidewalls that extend outward forming an open end of the recessed portion for receiving a neck portion of a kin pin of a fifth wheel coupling secured to the trailer such that the utility end extends outward from the kingpin of the fifth wheel past an end of the trailer;
• a utility device secured to the utility end of the elongated body such that the utility device is positioned past the end of the trailer when the attachment end of the elongated body is secured to the kingpin of the fifth wheel coupling;
• and
• an abutment brace that is securable to the elongated body, the abutment brace configured to abut against a portion of the trailer when the attachment end of the elongated body is secured to the kingpin such that the utility end is held in a stationary position.

A method of securing a utility device to a kingpin of a fifth wheel of a trailer, the method comprising the steps:

• providing utility arm apparatus comprising:
• an elongated body comprising an attachment end and a utility end, the attachment end comprising sidewalls that at least partially form a recessed portion for receiving a neck portion of a kingpin of a fifth wheel coupling secured to the trailer, the sidewalls having apertures therethrough for receiving a locking pin;
• and
• a utility device secured to the utility end of the elongated body;
• placing the recessed portion of the elongated body around the neck portion of the kingpin of the fifth wheel such that the apertures in the side walls are visible on an opposite side of the neck portion;
• inserting a locking pin into the apertures in the sidewalls of the recess portion for securing the elongated body to the kingpin at the attachment end with the elongated body extending outward from the kingpin such that the utility device is positioned past the end of the trailer when the attachment end of the elongated body is secured to the kingpin of the fifth wheel coupling.