It’s not uncommon for an RVer to place pool noodles on their rig during the build process.
While the main purpose of these noodles is to keep you afloat on the water, they are incredibly versatile. And they can even help you avoid an expensive medical bill.
Today we’re diving in to see why people put pool noodles on their RV pullouts. Let’s find out more.
What are RV Slideouts?
RV Slideouts are portions of a recreational vehicle that extend out from the main body of the rig to increase interior living space.
They often have them installed in the walls of the RV that use a mechanism like a hydraulic or electric motor to extend and retract the section.
When extended, the slideout creates additional interior space for activities such as cooking, eating and sleeping. Some of the largest RVs have multiple slides, creating a very open space.
Why do people put pool noodles on their RV slideouts?
The number one reason RVs install pool noodles on their slideouts is to improve safety. The corners of a slideout can be sharp and pointy.
Unfortunately, some slides sit directly at head height. As a result, a lack of attention could lead someone to run into the corner. This can cause serious damage and require a trip to the nearest emergency room.
However, as you will soon see, pool noodles are useful in other areas of an RV as well. Now that we’ve shared how you can add pool noodles to your RV slides, we’re going to discuss a few ways you can use them around your rig.
How to add pool noodles to your RV slideouts
The process of adding pool noodles to your RV slides is incredibly simple. Depending on how many slides you have, this is probably a DIY project you can do in an hour.
Let’s see how to start.
Measure the length of your slideouts
Some RVs go one step further and take security to the next level. They buy enough pool noodles to cover the corners of their slides and the entire bottom rim.
To do this, you need to measure the length of each slideout from one corner to the other. Then add an extra foot to pick up the noodle up the side and cover your corners with a 6-inch section.
As with most things, it’s better to measure twice to ensure accuracy. And write down the lengths and check your math. If you make a mistake measuring, it could result in an extra trip to the store to get more supplies.
Buy pool noodles
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on fancy pool noodles to get the job done. You’ll also have better luck finding them if you do this project in the spring or summer.
Retailers like Walmart and other dollar stores will likely stock them. Of course, any time of the year, you can hop onto Amazon and order as many as you need.
Cut a slit down the length of the pool noodle
Once you have your pool noodles, start slicing and dicing them. Pool noodles are incredibly easy to cut with a razor blade, so it’s a good idea to have one on hand. If not, you can also use scissors.
You want to cut a small slit along the entire length of the pool noodle. This allows you to easily attach it to the bottom of your slide. Avoid bending or stretching the pool noodle, otherwise it will be difficult to stay in place.
For extra protection, cut the end of the pool noodle at 45 degrees. Then cut a short 6 inch piece at 45 degrees and line it up with the end piece. This can create a soft padding along the entire corner.
Press on the base of the slideout
Once you’ve cut the pieces down the middle on one side, slide them onto the base of your slideout. They should fit snugly at the base of your slide so they don’t get blown away in the wind.
You never know what Mother Nature will throw at you and you don’t want your hard work to be blown away in a storm. However, you’ll also need to remove them if you need to bring in your slides.
Other uses for pool noodles around the RV
Aside from protecting your noggin, we’ve found several other uses for pool noodles in your RV. Let’s dive in and see how you can use them around your rig.
awning arm guard
The awning on your motorhome can provide plenty of shade during your camping trip.
However, it is easy to forget that you have extended your awning and have to duck under your arms. If you’re not careful, you’ll get a pretty gnarled goose egg as a souvenir.
The process is nearly identical to your slideouts. Cut a slit in the center of the pool noodle and place it on the arms of your awning. However, make sure you remove them before closing them or you could do some serious damage.
Keep in mind: Considering adding an electric awning to your RV? Here are 5 reasons why you might want to reconsider
lashing protection
You may have some items you want to bring that you need to tie down. Unfortunately, vibrations from the road can cause the tie-down straps to damage some items.
A pool noodle allows you to create a soft barrier between the tie-down straps and the item you want to keep in place. This drastically reduces the chance of damaging your gear.
Insulation of water pipes
If you’ve attempted to use your RV in freezing temperatures, you may have experienced frozen water lines.
Some manufacturers are better than others at installing insulation to protect these sensitive components. Luckily, you can use pool noodles to boost their insulation.
Cut a slit in the pool noodle and place it above the waterline. If you want to take it a step further, you can use tape to hold it in place.
However, if you didn’t cut the slit too big, it should stay in place snugly. This is a great option under cabinets or for water lines that freeze frequently.
Microwave support on travel days
Avoiding every pothole in the road while out and about with your team is almost impossible. Potholes can damage your system and the equipment inside, including your microwave.
The glass plate can shift in it and jump around and break. Luckily, this is another place where a pool noodle can save the day.
Simply cut a pool noodle to fit vertically in your microwave. Placing it inside eliminates the ability of the glass top to shift and move while driving. This is a hack to try before your next trip.
Gutter extension for mobile homes
Like homes, RVs are fitted with gutters to direct the flow of water from condensation and the weather. However, this can result in a small puddle of water near the corners of an RV.
Using pool noodles to extend gutters may seem unconventional, but it is very effective and easy to do.
Simply slide the end of the noodle down the gutter. This lengthens the route and pushes the water away from your campsite by more than a few inches. The longer your pool noodle, the farther away the water will remove it.
However, if you experience a downpour, the force could detach them and you will need to reattach them.
Keep in mind: Can Extendable RV Supports Really Break Your RV? Let’s take a look!
Pool noodles can save the day when driving an RV
As you can see, these inexpensive poolside accessories can be incredibly useful when motorhome driving. We recommend using them around your rig for added safety when camping.
If you’re worried about how they look, choose a color that complements your RV and stick to a single color. Plus, pool noodles are inexpensive and can be tremendously helpful in protecting you and your RV.
Ever hit your head on your RV slides?