Mount a Flag Pole on your RV Ladder for Stylish Decor while Camping

Mounting a Flag Pole to an RV Ladder

Installing a flag pole on your RV is a great way to show your patriotism and personality while on the road. And mounting it to your existing RV ladder provides a sturdy base without taking up valuable real estate on your RV's roof or sides.

Benefits of Using the Ladder

The ladder on your RV provides the perfect place to install a flag pole mount. It has many advantages over other locations:

• The ladder is designed to hold a lot of weight already, allowing a sturdy base for your flag pole.
• It does not require any holes drilled into your RV's exterior shell.
• A ladder mount allows your flag to be seen from all angles as you drive.
• It utilizes space that is otherwise wasted.
• The ladder is easy to access, allowing fast flag changes when needed.

Choosing a Flag Pole Mount

There are a few types of RV ladder mounts available for installing a flag pole:

• Welded Mounts - These weld a steel plate with a tube sleeve directly onto your ladder. They provide the most permanent and secure option.
• Bolt-On Mounts - These utilize U-bolts to bolt through the ladder rungs. They can be installed and removed easily but may come loose.
• Clamp-On Mounts - These use beefy plastic clamps that tighten around the ladder. They are the fastest to install but may slip and affect durability.

For most RVers, a good middle ground between security and convenience is a bolt-on flag pole ladder mount. Be sure to use quality U-bolts and reinforce them with large washers on both sides of the ladder.

Installing the Flag Pole Mount

Putting a flag pole on an RV ladder is a very straightforward process. Follow these simple steps:

1. Select the ladder rung you wish to use. Most mounts fit best on the middle or top sections.
2. Hold the mount against the ladder rung and mark the holes.
3. Drill holes through the ladder rung to match the mount. Go slowly to avoid cracks.
4. Bolt the mount to the ladder using appropriately sized U-bolts, washers, and nuts.
5. Insert your flag pole into the mount tube sleeve and secure with set screws.
6. Attach flags, snaps, rings, or clips to fly your colors with pride!

Other Considerations

Here are some other things to keep in mind when installing a flag pole on your RV's ladder:

• Measure pole height to ensure flags clear your RV roof.
• Use quality stainless steel hardware to resist rust and corrosion.
• Periodically inspect and tighten mounts, clamps, and bolts.
• Use a fixed pole, not a telescoping version prone to vibration issues.
• Tie breakaway snaps onto flags so they detach in high winds vs. tearing.

Types of Flag Poles for RVs

Choosing the right flag pole to mount on your RV ladder is key to maximizing display and durability. Here are some top options to consider:

Fixed Aluminum Flag Poles

Single piece fixed aluminum poles are very lightweight, resistant to rust, and economical. They come in a range of standard diameters and lengths. These work well for ladder mounts but do not collapse for storage.

Telescoping Aluminum Flag Poles

Telescoping poles use interlocking sections to extend and retract. Though convenient when not flying flags, they tend to suffer from vibration issues on a driving RV. This leads to annoying rattling noises.

Fixed Stainless Steel Flag Poles

For maximum strength and corrosion resistance, solid stainless steel poles are unbeatable. They handle high winds well and will likely outlast your RV with no rust or maintenance.

Other Specialty Poles

There are other exotic flag pole options like carbon fiber models optimized for high winds. But for most RVers, a 3/4" diameter aluminum or stainless steel pole in the 4-6 foot range works perfectly well.

Displaying Your Flags

Once your new flag pole ladder mount is installed, it's time to start flying flags and showing your colors. Here are some popular options that look great on RVs:

U.S. Flags

Display Old Glory proudly no matter where your RV adventures take you across this great nation. Choose bright colors that can be seen clearly while driving.

Sports Flags

Fly a flag with your favorite sports team logo alongside your state flag. Just be prepared to explain allegiances when traveling to rival territory!

Seasonal Flags

Mark holidays and seasons with specialty flags. These could be patriotic stars and stripes for summer or orange jack-o-lanterns for fall. Have fun with it!

Message Flags

Customize your RV with fun message flags. Clever sayings like "Home is where you park it" always get smiles from fellow travelers.

The options for RV flag pole displays to show your personality are endless. So mount that pole and start flying whatever makes you proud!

FAQs

What are the benefits of mounting a flag pole to an RV ladder?

An RV ladder provides a sturdy base that can hold a lot of weight. Using an existing ladder means you don't need to drill holes in the exterior sidewalls to install a pole. It also displays your flags prominently on the side of your RV for high visibility from all angles.

Will a ladder mount for my RV support a heavy flag pole?

Since RV ladders are designed to hold hundreds of pounds already, a correctly mounted flag pole will have no issues with durability. Use high strength bolts and braces to prevent bending or ladder damage under a flag's wind forces.

How do I pick the right RV flag pole mount?

Bolt-on mounts offer the best balance of strength and convenience for most RVers. Choose stainless steel hardware for corrosion resistance. Assume sustained wind forces of 40+ mph driving down roads to size all mount components appropriately.

What is a good length for an RV flag pole?

Typical RV flag poles range from 4 to 6 feet long. Measure your ladder height and clearances to roof accessories before mounting. A 5 foot long, 3/4 inch diameter aluminum or stainless pole provides enough clearance and strength for average RV setups.