For years, if you saw a flag at a campground, it was probably someone showing their love for the U.S. But lately, there are a lot more flags flying beside the Stars and Stripes.
Close your eyes, and you can hear them all flapping in the breeze. What’s up with all the flags? Let’s find out.
Have You Noticed the RVing Flag Obsession?
If you’ve been out and about among other RVers, surely you’ve noticed it, too. We see flags almost everywhere we go these days, even at some of the most isolated boondocking spots.
Many of them fly from a pole in the ground while others wave from the tops or sides of RVs. We have a pretty good track record of predicting RV trends, but we didn’t see this one coming.
For some people, it’s just another way to reveal more of their unique personalities. Think of it as flair or an extension of the RV’s décor. If you’re a rabid NASCAR fan or love the Steelers, Cubs, or Lakers, this is a great way to let the world know.
Types of RVer Flags
“Go Team” isn’t the only message RVers put on their flags. Campers are getting creative with the kinds of flags they’re flying and where they place them.
We see flags of many different shapes, sizes, and colors. No matter what kind they are, they basically fall into these two basic categories.
Campsite Flags
Campsite flags are the ones that flap from a dedicated pole, usually one that’s stuck in the ground. Sometimes they’re small and unobtrusive, like those little flags you see in gardens.
Others are huge, dominating banners broad enough to cast a wide shadow. Some of them stand tall enough that you could probably see them from the far end of a hiking trail.
Rig Flags
Rig flags attach to your RV or tow vehicle in some manner. Many RVs have permanent angled flag holders bolted to their sides.
Some people attach flags directly to their RV ladders or from flagpoles mounted on the roof of their rig. We’ve even seen them with lights that shine on the flags at night.
Why Are RVers So Obsessed With Flags?
We do wonder why there’s such a proliferation of flags. We would never question anyone’s patriotism, but we’re curious about what caused this escalation of flag-waving. Maybe it’s as simple as people seeing all the other flags and thinking it looks like so much fun that they decide to join in.
As we said, it’s not all about U.S. flags, by any means. From what we can gather, here are the different reasons people have for flying their colors.
Waving a flag is a quiet but powerful way to proclaim your beliefs on a certain issue. Often it’s political. It might be in support of (or against) a specific candidate or a more general political stance.
To Show Support for a Cause
Sometimes it’s not strictly political but still indicates the flag flyer’s values or beliefs. A Greenpeace flag, for instance, or one that says “Visualize World Peace” can tell you something about a camper.
On the other hand, sometimes they just say you’re a member of a club or organization. We see lots of Good Sam flags, for example.
To Mark Their Campsite
This one’s more practical. After a day of exploring, it’s easier to find your way back to your campsite if it’s well-marked. Just head for the flag. Friends can find you more easily, too, so in this sense, a distinctive flag can help facilitate a social gathering.
For Personal Branding
Custom flags seem to be more and more popular, especially those customized garden-style flags that give campsites a personal touch. Often they’re personalized, either with the campers’ name and hometown or a catchy pet name for their campsite. (“Our Happy Place” seems to be fairly common.) Others have cute sayings or a list of camping rules such as “Make Memories” and “Eat S’mores.”
To Be Patriotic
Old Glory may be the OG, and it’s probably more popular than ever. For a long time, military veterans were the ones most likely to pledge their allegiance at a campground.
But it’s not just veterans or their families anymore. Judging by the amount of red, white, and blue we see, all kinds of folks like to demonstrate their loyalty.
Some Use Flagpoles for Cell Booster Antennas
As for the flagpoles themselves, there are a few different kinds. We see plenty of homemade ones, fashioned from PVC, and lots of store-bought ones, too.
The telescoping ones, either aluminum or fiberglass, are great because they take up less space onboard your RV. As a bonus, some RVers find a second, more practical use for the poles. They attach their cell booster’s antenna directly to the flagpole for extra reach and a stronger signal.
RV Flags: Personal, Useful, and Unique
Waving a flag at an RV campsite is usually about the image you want to project to your fellow campers. It’s a way of saying you’re part of a certain trip or share a particular mindset. There are some practical reasons for them, too.
What kinds of flags do you like to fly?
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