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Author :Levi and Natalie Henley in Henley's Happy Trails

It’s pretty amazing how some of the most mundane objects can end up having multiple functions. Take a pool noodle, for example. Initially meant as a flotation device, this long cylindrical piece of foam is so much more. To RVers, especially, it can be utilized a number of ways to aid in the comfort of everyday nomadic living.



Insulate Hoses and Pipes
Insulation is key when RVing in both hot and cold environments. In extremely cold climates, keeping pipes and water hoses insulated with pool noodles helps prevent water from freezing and protects the integrity of the units. In extremely hot climates, pool noodles allow water temperatures to stay at or close to cool temperatures; they also prevent any type of damage like warping with hoses lying on bare asphalt.

Simply slicing a pool noodle open and wrapping it around a hose or pipe serves as a thick layer of insulation. Using sturdy tape to wrap around the noodle can help secure it in place.

Related Read: Winterizing Your RV for Travel- Surviving the Winter

Cover Handles
RVs are essentially giant metal boxes. When they sit out in the sun all day, they get hot to the touch; coming into your RV can be an unpleasant experience when your metal handrail or door handle is scorching! Aside from keeping a potholder or oven mitt on hand outside, wrapping handrails or cupping door handles with a section of a pool noodle does the trick.

Related Read: 6 RV Hacks for Keeping Cool in Extreme Heat

Protect Windshield Wipers
RVs are exposed to all sorts of weather in their lifetime. Heat waves, icy storms, pounding rain or hail, blistery winds, whatever you can imagine, RVs have faced it and endured, for the most part. Weathering takes a toll with these homes on wheels, each part wearing down at its own pace.

Windshield wipers are usually the first to go, the first to be replaced, and unlike cars or trucks, RV windshield wipers are specially made. They also don’t come cheap. In an effort to elongate the life of wipers, RVers cover them with UV protectant fabric or go the frugal route, cutting a single pool noodle in half and slicing each open to cover each wiper.



Prevent Bumps and Bruises
If you own an RV, be prepared to bump your head or bruise your shin at least a handful of times, that is unless you take action with a pool noodle.

I lost count how many times we bumped our heads on the edge of a slide out after retrieving an object or two from a basement compartment or absentmindedly rounding the back of the motorhome and slamming into the hitch. It hurts a lot and can be very dangerous if struck hard enough. We don’t have kids, but I have heard stories from families where a child wasn’t paying attention and ran into an awning arm or sharp corner of a carrier.

To prevent anymore unnecessary painful bouts, invest in pool noodles and cover any and all sharp corners, slide out edges, hitches, and awning arms. If it juts out, cover it up and protect you and your family, really anyone visiting your rig.

There are a number of ingenious ways RVers have incorporated pool noodles in their day to day routines, not only outside the RV but inside as well. Pool noodles offer protection and insulation qualities that can be applied to a number of scenarios. Have you jumped on the pool noodle bandwagon, and if so, what ways have you used them to improve the quality of your RVing lifestyle?