On many of our camping trips I have seen some neat flagpole setups on a variety of campers and RVs. For the past few months I have been looking for ways to create my own setup but some of the retail options were more money than I wanted to spend. So after exploring my favorite hardware store, I settled upon creating an RV flagpole from lightweight and durable PVC–all for about $30. Below I’ll fill you in on how you too can (easily) make your own RV flagpole for less than buying one.
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Here is a short video tutorial on how I did this project. The detailed materials list and step-by-step directions are below the video.
Materials needed:
- 2″ PVC (2.5′ long)
- 1.5″ PVC (I made mine pole 10′ high, but how high you go is up to you)
- 2 1.5″ PVC repair sleeves
- 1 1.5″ PVC joint
- 2 dryer vent clamps
- 2 3/16 X 3″ eye bolts with nuts
- 2 mini carabiner
- 2 5/16 x 2-3/4″ round wire lock pins
Tools needed:
- Flat head screwdriver
- Saw to cut PVC pipe
- Drill with 3/16″ and 5/16″ bits
- Tape measure
- PVC glue
Step 1: Attach the 2″ PVC pipe to the front camper jack using the two dryer vent clamps. (Note: If you have a crank up style and not an electric jack make sure this part does not protrude above the jack handle.)
Step 2: Since I wanted my flagpole be able to disassemble so I can fit it in our pass-through compartment, I started by measuring the compartment and then cutting the 10′ 1.5″ PVC to the length of the compartment.
Step 3: Use PVC glue to attach the 1.5″ PVC joint to ONLY the bottom section of the flagpole. Then slide the 1.5″ PVC repair sleeve up from the other side and glue in place below the joint. This will give the pipe some extra strength at the joint area.
Step 4: Insert the upper section into this joint and drill with a 5/16″ bit through the upper portion of the joint and the upper pipe.
Step 5: Insert the first round pin in the hole. With the pin in, slide the second 1.5″ PVC repair sleeve down from the top and glue into place. After you have glued it in position, carefully remove the pin and then slide the two sections apart. But DO NOT leave the two sections together while drying or else the excess glue might permanently connect your flag pole!
After separating the two sides, wipe off any excess glue and allow to dry.
Step 6: Measure your flag and drill the holes for the two eye bolts. I suggest that you add a few inches to the length of your flag so that the carabiners are stretched out. (My first hole was too close together and the flag just did not look right.)
Step 7: Connect your two sections together, place the flag on the pole and insert the 1.5″ pole into the 2″ receiver. Finally, drill a 5/16″ hole through both the base and the pole. Insert the second round pin for added security.
So that’s how easy it is to make an affordable RV flag pole. Now I just need to look into a battery operated mini spotlight so I can fly Old Glory at dark–otherwise my little campers (who are all scouts) will have me doing a flag retreat ceremony every night. 🙂
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I have a solar-powered spotlight zip-tied to the pole just under my flag …. this let’s my flag fly at night too. My retired E9 SGM husband wouldn’t have it any other way!
Hi Debbie–thanks for stopping by! Glad to hear we’re not the only ones with our solar flag lights. 🙂
This is brilliant! I have been killing myself to figure out how to do one. Retail prices for RV flagpoles are outrageous. Cannot wait to get to Home Depot!!!!! You are my hero!
Hi Kim–thanks so much for stopping by! I’m so glad the DIY RV flag pole idea was helpful! 🙂 Enjoy!
Spray paint the PVC or it will sun rot.
Might look nicer too if painted or stained (can stain to give it a wood look with a little sand paper, elbow grease and stain..)
Overall a wonderful idea! Will do something like that on my RV ladder (spray painted white to match rig)
Hi Sue! Thanks for stopping by! And thanks for the idea! 🙂
Awsome write-up. This looks a great way to fly a flag without breaking the bank. Straightforward and easy to understand instructions. This is definitely making my list of must haves before next spring.
Do you have aan article on your rack above the propane tanks?
Thanks so much Trevis! Glad it was helpful!
We did have a post on the bike rack–but we ended up having to tweak the rack, since a design flaw didn’t work well with our van. We took the post down until we could update it, but when I do I can let you know.
Thanks. Used a good amount of your plan for my flag pole. Only 2 differences are I mounted mine on the tire mount in back and I screw the 2 pieces of 10 ft PVC together. Thank you for the ideas! Steve
Hi Steve! So glad the info was helpful!