Forum Discussion

SC_camper's avatar
SC_camper
Explorer
Jun 13, 2013

Aluminum flag pole and lightning?

I was looking around the shop to find a way to fly the Flag at campground. I thought about driving a piece of rebar in the ground between A frame of TT. Slide a telescoping aluminum tarp pole over rebar and steady it using a bungy cord around the TT frame. I have everything on hand to do this. I like the pvc flag poles but dont have stuff to finish before camping this weekend. I am worried about lightning sticking the aluminum pole and damaging the family or camper. I see alot of flag poles mounted to rvs but I dont think they are touching the ground either. Is my mounting idea a bad idea?
Seeking Advice

10 Replies

  • Okie_in_Wyoming's avatar
    Okie_in_Wyoming
    Explorer
    Jun 13, 2013
    magnusfide wrote:
    I have seen rebar used as a lightning rod. Lightning dances everywhere.

    Putting one near your LP tank on the A frame? That's a very bad and dangerous idea.

    I use one of these to hold 3 flags. When the flags get worn I can buy another cheaply. And it doesn't attract lightning.
    http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/u-s-flag/35654

    I'll also put up an awning garland with small flags on Independence Day.


    We have the same flag holder, we fly the American Flag, Oklahoma Flag and the Wyoming Flag. Proudly, I add.
  • Okie_in_Wyoming's avatar
    Okie_in_Wyoming
    Explorer
    Jun 13, 2013
    magnusfide wrote:
    I have seen rebar used as a lightning rod. Lightning dances everywhere.

    Putting one near your LP tank on the A frame? That's a very bad and dangerous idea.

    I use one of these to hold 3 flags. When the flags get worn I can buy another cheaply. And it doesn't attract lightning.
    http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/u-s-flag/35654

    I'll also put up an awning garland with small flags on Independence Day.


    We have the same flag holder, we fly the American Flag, Oklahoma Flag and the Wyoming Flag. Proudly, I add.
  • SC_camper's avatar
    SC_camper
    Explorer
    Jun 13, 2013
    We have flown a Flag at home for years, and a red/white/blue wind sock on campers since weve been camping. We have a Flag in the camper that has different way to mount than the ones we fly at home. My wife put in the camper so I can use it camping but never have.

    I might just skip trying this weekend and make a pvc flag pole that isnt attached to the camper. Thanks for the input.
  • tanman32225's avatar
    tanman32225
    Explorer
    Jun 13, 2013
    Its sad to hear people never fly the US Flag away or at home. Fly it upside down but fly it. Fly it proudly.
  • rockhillmanor's avatar
    rockhillmanor
    Explorer II
    Jun 13, 2013
    Everything comes down in a storm. Next time you are camping and a storm warning comes out take a look around you how many pull their antennas down. :W
  • BuckBarker's avatar
    BuckBarker
    Explorer
    Jun 13, 2013
    It's not the material but the height of the pole that is the problem. The higher the object, the greater the chance of a strike. I once lived in N. Arizona in the largest stand of Ponderosa Pines in the world. Next door in a vacant area was a monster tree 4' diameter at the base. I saw evidence of several strikes running down the trunk. It was much taller than any other tree around and it took the majority of the hits.
  • magnusfide's avatar
    magnusfide
    Explorer II
    Jun 13, 2013
    I have seen rebar used as a lightning rod. Lightning dances everywhere.

    Putting one near your LP tank on the A frame? That's a very bad and dangerous idea.

    I use one of these to hold 3 flags. When the flags get worn I can buy another cheaply. And it doesn't attract lightning.
    http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/u-s-flag/35654

    I'll also put up an awning garland with small flags on Independence Day.
  • nickthehunter's avatar
    nickthehunter
    Nomad III
    Jun 13, 2013
    The chances of getting hit by lightning are almost nil. But in the 1/million chance that lightnig was getting to hit in the vicinity of your camper, yes, it would hit that aluminum pole sticking up in the air long before it would hit your neighbor.
  • BuckBarker's avatar
    BuckBarker
    Explorer
    Jun 13, 2013
    I certainly wouldn't do it but then again I don't see much reason to fly a flag at a campground because I don't fly one at home either.

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