Run it up the flagpole!

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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