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15 Pool Noodle Camping Hacks for RV and Camper

| Updated May 6, 2024

Pool noodles are the new duct tape! Here are a bunch of pool noodle camping hacks that'll make your RV lifestyle easier and more comfortable…

One reason I love our RV Lifestyle members is that they are so ingenious! 

One of our Facebook members, Scott, recently posted a photograph of his zero gravity chair. He cut a pool noodle to fit on the width of the bottom bar of his chair to make it more comfortable on his ankles. Other members were excited to try the hack themselves! 

That got another RV Lifestyle Facebook member thinking. She asked what other pool noodle camping hacks there are and got even more great ideas from fellow RVers.

So, I thought I should share those hacks and a few others I've learned…

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15 Pool Noodle Camping Hacks for RV and Camper

Between fellow RVer recommendations and a bit of research, here are my top 15 pool noodle camping hacks for RV and campers.

By the way, you can find pool needles at dollar stores, big box stores, sports stores, and pool stores. Although, they can sometimes be hard to find outside of the summer season. You can always order pool noodles from Amazon, too.

And because it's challenging to get photo permissions – if you want to see these ideas in action, your best bet is to follow the link to the Facebook posts!

1. Canopy & Awning Supports

Use a pool noodle to help support your awning or canopy roof. It helps both in the wind and rain.

As Jay explained, “it works great to keep out a rain collapse.” Another member, Ray, shared, “I slit them and put them along the sides of the awning… keeps the wind from shaking it.”

2. Make Slideouts Safer

RV slideouts are fantastic because they make the interior of your RV roomier. However, they are not always awesome from the outside. 

The height of some slideouts is just tall enough to smack your head or other body parts on. Tina refers to them as “head knockers,” and some also have sharp edges that can cause lacerations. 

To make slideouts safer, slice a pool noodle lengthwise and slip it onto the bottom of the slideout. Be sure to overlap at the sharp corners of the slideout. 

3. Tent Line Covers

Safety first! You can slide pool noodles over tent ropes to help prevent folks from tripping them. Jennifer provides the simple instructions to “make a slit and attach to tent/fly tie downs so you can see them in low light/dark.”

You can also add a glow stick to light them up at night!

4. Comfy Toilet Seat

We do not all like to talk about it, but nature is nature! We all have to use a toilet at some point. Us RVers have our comfortable thrones but if you're tent camping, this pool noodle camping hack is for you.

You can make a comfy DIY toilet on the cheap using only a 5-gallon bucket and pool noodle. 

Slice the pool noodle and place it around the rim of the bucket. Line the inside of the bucket with a trash bag. Then add a toilet paper roll to the handle, and you have a DIY potty. 

5. Chair Stabilizer

If you are camping in an area with soft dirt, loose gravel, or sand, use this hack to help stabilize your chair. 

Cut a pool noodle the same length as the chair rails sitting in the dirt. Slice the noodle to fit over the bottom rail of your chair, and voila! You have a cheap and an effective stabilizer. 

6. Awning Arm

I don’t know about you, but many people have repeatedly hit their heads on an RV awning arm! Apparently, Jay (who gave us the great canopy hack) also has. He learned to prevent painful run-ins with the awning arms using a cheap pool noodle. 

Simply slice the noodle lengthwise and slide it over the awning arm. No more bashed heads while RVing!


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15 Pool Noodle Camping Hacks for RV and Camper 1
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7. Windshield Wiper Covers

Windshield wipers are one of those things that can wear out from sun exposure. This is especially true if your RV sits for long periods. 

You can use a pool noddle to cover and protect them during those sunny days. Simply slice the noodle lengthwise and long enough to just cover the wiper. Then slip the noodle over the blade to protect it. 

8. Protect Fishing Poles

Use a pool noodle to cover your fishing poles when in transit. Simply slice the noodle and slip it over the pole. It keeps your pole damage-free and lines untangled!

Out of all of the pool noodle camping hacks, this is the one I'm going to implement first!

9. Ladder Covers

Do you have a bunk bed with a ladder? Make it more comfortable and safe using a pool noodle. 

Simply cut the noddle to the width of each ladder rung. Then slice lengthwise and slide them on. Use duct tape to secure them. 

The ladder will be more comfortable, and little feet will have something to grip when climbing. 

A member named Heather also mentioned her husband puts a pool noodle at the top of the exterior ladder whenever he climbs it so he doesn't damage the siding.

10. Use Them in Your Fridge

No matter how much you load into your RV fridge, there is bound to be extra space where items might roll around. 

A pool noodle can help prevent your items from crashing, breaking, or spilling while in transit. 

Slip a noodle over the front edge of each shelf to prevent toppling. Just make sure you can still close the fridge door properly. 

You can cut noodles and slide them between items on the door to prevent them from falling over while driving. 

On that same note, you can use them between virtually anything in your RV to keep items from rattling, rubbing, or hitting each other. Some members mentioned using them between dining chairs, corners of a TV, and more.

11. Quiet RV Slide Toppers

If your RV has slide toppers, you can use a cheap pool noodle to help make them quieter. Simply slide a noodle underneath the toppers. This can help quiet any flapping sound in windy conditions. 

12. Insulation

I have written a lot about camping in cold temperatures. Here is a simple hack to keep your camper insulated (in hot or cold weather!). 

Use a pool noodle to insulate the space you slide out attached to your RV. 

Simply cut a pool noodle in half, lengthwise. Then place one half, flat side down, partly under the slide. Do this on the outside and the inside to help insulate the trailer. 

13. Mattress Lifter

I have heard about different kids rolling out of a bunk when RVing. While they were all okay, one child had to go to an emergency dentist to get her tooth fixed after a fall. 

But you can use a pool noodle to help lift the edge of the mattress. This just may prevent a child from rolling off!

You can slip a pool noodle under the fitted mattress sheet. It creates a high bumper that can help prevent a child from rolling off the bed. 

14. RV Door Safety

If you ever camp with small children, you have noticed that their head is about the same height as the bottom edge of the RV door. It is the perfect height to hit their head and get a cut. 

You can place a noodle over the edge and corner of the door to protect them. That way, they will not get injured when they run into it. 

15. Railing Cover 

Another great hack is using a pool noodle as a railing cover. It provides an excellent, wide grip for those who need help getting into their campers. 

Simply slice the noodle and secure it over the railing.

Your Favorite Pool Noodle Camping Hacks

I know there are even more pool noodle camping hacks out there! Please share your clever ideas in the comments below.

If you haven't already, also be sure to join our RV Lifestyle Facebook group.

Want to See More RV Hacks?

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Finally! Mike and Jennifer's Michigan Bundle
(Michigan's Lower Peninsula AND Michigan's Upper Peninsula)

15 Pool Noodle Camping Hacks for RV and Camper 2

This Michigan Bundle contains our ever-popular Guide to the Upper Peninsula PLUS our newest Guide on the LOWER Peninsula! Here's a little on both ebooks (not a printed book):

Michigan's Upper Peninsula Adventure Guide: This ebook is a seven stop guided exploration of the Michigan UP. We provide a suggested route and itinerary, links to multiple campgrounds and boondocking spots, and the best spots to see along the way. Don’t plan your trip to the Upper Peninsula without it!

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15 Pool Noodle Camping Hacks for RV and Camper 3
Mike and Jennifer Wendland

Curious about the gear, gadgets, accessories, and RV products Mike & Jennifer use and recommend?

On this RV Lifestyle Travel blog, our RV Podcast and our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel, we mention all sorts of RV-related products and gear that we use, So we created a special page that links to them. We update this all the time.  CLICK HERE to go to it directly. Have you caught one of our Amazon LIVE events yet? Just go here and Follow us – to be notified every time we go live.


Mike Wendland

Published on 2024-05-06

Mike Wendland is a multiple Emmy-award-winning Journalist, Podcaster, YouTuber, and Blogger, who has traveled with his wife, Jennifer, all over North America in an RV, sharing adventures and reviewing RV, Camping, Outdoor, Travel and Tech Gear for the past 12 years. They are leading industry experts in RV living and have written 18 travel books.

30 Responses to “15 Pool Noodle Camping Hacks for RV and Camper”

October 06, 2024at11:53 am, Denise Piper said:

Storing the RV outside for the winter, I take my wiper blades off (storing them inside) & place the pool noodles over each wiper arm to keep them from touching the windshield.

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October 06, 2024at11:13 am, Eileen Desgrosiellier said:

We use a pool noodle on the edge of table to cushion the hit to the head when our small dog jumps onto the bench from under the table.

Reply

October 06, 2024at11:04 am, Gerri Kunn said:

Pool noodle keeps the turn table in your microwaive from sliding around and getting off centre, it keeps it stable during transit. Measure the inside height of your microwaive and cut a pool noodle piece, slightly longer. Just before hitting the road, stick the pool noodle snugg ontop of the turn table. Best hack ever !!

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May 12, 2024at11:38 pm, Linda Gabbin said:

Slit a pool noodle and place it on your closet hangers to keep them falling off when driving.

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May 11, 2024at3:04 pm, Bev Gunson said:

I pop a short section of noodle on the bottom of window shades to eliminate the clacking in a breeze.

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May 15, 2024at3:03 pm, Team RV Lifestyle said:

Great idea! Thanks for sharing – Team RV Lifestyle

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May 08, 2024at9:55 am, Roy Bever said:

RE: Pool Noodles on Ladders
Another good use for Pool Noodles on a ladder is this.
May RV’ers carry extension ladders, in order to reach their roof for maintenance and cleaning.
A small section of Pool Noodle, slipped over the edge of the extension ladder softens the surface contact between the RV and the ladder and helps prevent slips of the ladder, as well as scratches on the RV.

Reply

May 09, 2024at1:50 pm, Team RV Lifestyle said:

thank you for sharing this! Excellent tip- Team RV Lifestyle

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May 07, 2024at5:27 pm, Eric Stockton said:

I would be careful using them on latter runs. They can spin and cause your foot to slide off and fall.

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May 07, 2024at12:43 pm, Lisa Boone said:

We use a pool noodle along the bottom edge of our zero gravity recliners. It keeps our ankles from hitting the bar especially during those afternoon naps.

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May 09, 2024at1:49 pm, Team RV Lifestyle said:

What a great idea! Thanks for sharing – Team RV Lifestyle

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May 11, 2024at3:06 pm, B Gunson said:

Great idea!

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May 07, 2024at10:14 am, Barbara Edds said:

I use a sit poo noodle on the metal edge of our Murphy bed. It makes it much better for climbing in and out of bed.

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May 07, 2024at11:48 am, Team RV Lifestyle said:

I bet that would help with the Murphy Bed – thanks for posting! Team RV Lifestyle

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August 27, 2022at6:29 pm, Brian MacRae said:

I use noodles to protect my winter cover for my 5th. I cut them whatever length to slide over any sharp or pointy part of the trailer that will damage the cover.

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August 29, 2022at10:11 am, Team RV Lifestyle said:

Great idea, Brian! Thanks for adding to the list – Team RV Lifestyle

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August 19, 2022at6:08 pm, Donna Silverthorn said:

We use a pool noodle with a slit to slide across the end of our kitchen table. When the slide comes it it keeps the drawer from opening and hitting the island.

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August 20, 2022at12:54 pm, Team RV Lifestyle said:

That is an excellent idea – thanks for sharing, Donna! Team RV lifestyle

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August 19, 2022at5:48 pm, William Guy said:

We stuff the 5th. wheel pin box with pool noodles every spring to prevent birds from building nests there.

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August 20, 2022at12:53 pm, Team RV Lifestyle said:

Thanks for adding this idea, too, William! Team RV Lifestyle

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August 19, 2022at12:50 pm, Bev Parkison said:

Very good tips in this article! I also use four pool noodles to elevate my RV mattress while in storage. This helps with air circulation and keeping mold at bay.

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August 19, 2022at4:38 pm, Team RV Lifestyle said:

Another excellent suggestion – thanks for sharing, Bev! Team RV Lifestyle

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August 19, 2022at11:27 am, Kenneth Laursen said:

The metal frame that holds the hitch piece under the nose of the rig has nasty sharp edges that could slice open a face or head should you walk into it, especially in the dark. Today, I will noodle and Gorilla tape mine. Thank you for the prompting.

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August 19, 2022at4:37 pm, Team RV Lifestyle said:

Thanks for the feedback, Kenneth! Team RV Lifestyle

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August 19, 2022at11:08 am, Roy Bever said:

Pool Noodle Hack: Pool Noodles can also be used to insulate a water line/hose running from a hydrant to your RV. Just make sure that the hole in the Pool Noodle is big enough to fit over your hose or line. Secure with tape.

Reply

August 19, 2022at4:37 pm, Team RV Lifestyle said:

We love all these additional suggestions. Thanks for sharing, Roy – Team RV Lifestyle

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August 19, 2022at9:38 am, Suzanne Wise said:

I use pool noodles that are slit to go on top of x-pen that goes along side of my camper so camper doesn’t get scratched. I have area fixed so dogs have a fenced in area but can’t get under camper.

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August 19, 2022at4:36 pm, Team RV Lifestyle said:

Thank you for sharing this — hopefully it will also add some more potential uses for others. Happy Trails! Team RV Lifestyle

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August 19, 2022at8:58 am, Jacques Décarie said:

Some bicycles racks sit the handle bar precariously close to the rear of RV. A good dip in the road could have a swing effect and cause a handle to hit the rear. A slit in a pool noodle and a bit of duct tape and voila! A handle protector.

Reply

August 19, 2022at4:35 pm, Team RV Lifestyle said:

Another good use for the pool noodle! Thanks for sharing, Jacques — Team RV Lifestyle

Reply

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