Ladder Mounted Flag Safe?

[Bob___Ann]

For years we have used the ladder mounted flag pole that we purchased at camping world. It has worked well even though getting up on the ladder to mount it is getting more difficult to do. One night in Florida we had a very bad thunder storm with lightening strinking evereywhere. I got to thinking arn't we at risk having an aluminum flag pole sticking up five feet above the RV attached to an aluminum ladder? The storms come up so fast that when the lightning starts striking I have no interest in getting on the ladder to grab the pole to take it down. What are your thoughts?

[Va_Budman]

Well Bob, cpmath now knows TWO RV'ers who fly flags 5 above the roof of their RVs. Why, I did just that over the past weekend while camping at Richmond International Raceway for the NASCAR races. Weather was perfect. No wind or lightening.

And I do not consider the American Flag to be "a decoration", lumped in with tackey pink flamingos.

[Bob___Ann]

cpmath
You stated, as copied below, that you do not know of anybody who camps with a flagpole that extends five feet above their RV.You suggested putting our flag in the window and camp not decorate. When we travel in the south or out west we run into a lot of people who proudly display the American flag. I am very surprised that you are not used to seeing it. We are very proud to display the American Flag and will be doing it in New England this Spring.


"I don't know anyone that has an aluminum flagpole sticking up on a aluminum ladder 5 feet higher than their RV, next month, or next season I would expect you'll be posting asking about an electrical problem AFTER you've been struck by lightning. Do away with the lightning rod and flag, put your flag in a window and camp, not decorate."

[wa8yxm]

I would be more worried about wind than lightening, but you do have a point.

The flag pole I use is a 20 or 25 (not sure which without measuring) sunsetter telescoping, all metal, but the mount is a "park on" mount, a flat aluminum sheet lying on the ground, with about 2-4 tons of Motor home parked on top.

There is a plastic sleeve, but to a direct lightening hit, it ... Won't matter.

[Tom_N]

In February I purchased a Flag Pole Buddy. This mount is fiberglass filled nylon. The pole is fiberglass. The flag can be installed from the ground in about 10 seconds.

I bought two - 2" mounts. I use one for my ham radio antenna. I plan to use the other for a flag.

-Tom

[cpmath]

I don't know anyone that has an aluminum flagpole sticking up on a aluminum ladder 5 feet higher than their RV, next month, or next season I would expect you'll be posting asking about an electrical problem AFTER you've been struck by lightning. Do away with the lightning rod and flag, put your flag in a window and camp, not decorate.