6 Best RV Holiday Light Hooks That Nomads Swear By

Decorate your RV without damage! Discover the 6 best holiday light hooks seasoned nomads use, from gutter clips to suction cups, for a festive, secure display.

Nothing says "home for the holidays" quite like stringing up a set of festive lights. But when your home is on wheels, the simple act of hanging decorations becomes a puzzle of fiberglass, decals, and delicate awnings. The wrong hook can lead to peeled paint, torn fabric, or worse, so choosing the right one is about more than just looks—it’s about protecting your investment. This guide breaks down the best, nomad-approved solutions for getting your rig holiday-ready without causing damage.

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Choosing the Right Hooks for Your RV’s Exterior

Your RV’s exterior is not a uniform surface. It’s a patchwork of materials—smooth gel-coat fiberglass, corrugated aluminum, vinyl decals, glass windows, and powder-coated metal trim. A hook that works brilliantly on your rig’s window might be useless on its siding. This is the central challenge.

Before you buy a single hook, take a walk around your RV and identify the different surfaces you want to decorate. Ask yourself a few key questions. Is the surface smooth or textured? Is it metal, fiberglass, or glass? How much weight do the lights or decorations have? Answering these first will save you time, money, and a lot of frustration.

Forget the idea of finding one perfect hook that does it all. It doesn’t exist. The secret to a well-decorated rig is using a combination of different hooks, each chosen specifically for the surface it’s on. The most seasoned nomads have a small box with a variety of clips and hangers, ready for any application.

Adams Christmas Gutter Hooks for Awnings

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11/26/2025 06:06 am GMT

When it comes to your awning, simple plastic gutter hooks are your best friend. These S-shaped clips are designed for house gutters but are perfectly suited for clipping onto the edge of your RV’s awning fabric or the metal roller tube. They are inexpensive, lightweight, and incredibly easy to use.

Simply clip the hooks along the length of your awning every foot or so and run your light string through the other end. This creates a beautiful, straight line of lights that defines your patio space. They weigh almost nothing and can be installed or removed in minutes, which is perfect for the RVer who might be moving locations mid-season. While they hold standard light strings well, they aren’t meant for heavy decorations, which can stress the awning fabric.

Command Outdoor Light Clips: Damage-Free

Command Outdoor Light Clips, 20 Clear Clips and 24 Command Strips, Damage-Free Hanging Christmas Decorations with Weather Resistant Strips, Wall Clips for Hanging Outdoor Lights and Cable Management
$11.51 ($0.58 / Count)

Hang outdoor lights easily without damage using Command Outdoor Light Clips. These water and UV-resistant clips work on smooth surfaces and remove cleanly, holding strong in temperatures from 15°F to 125°F. Includes 20 clips and 24 water-resistant strips.

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07/28/2025 10:44 pm GMT

For smooth, non-porous surfaces like fiberglass siding or windows, 3M’s Command Outdoor Light Clips are the undisputed champion. These small, clear clips use a special adhesive strip that holds strong in various weather conditions but removes cleanly without leaving residue or damaging the surface. This is a huge deal for RVers, where drilling holes is never an option.

The key to success with Command clips is meticulous surface preparation. The area must be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol to remove any wax, dirt, or road grime before you apply the strip. Also, pay attention to the temperature—they adhere best when applied in moderate weather, not extreme cold. Use them to outline a slide-out, frame a window, or create designs on your rig’s smooth walls. They are the go-to solution for anywhere you don’t have a natural edge or track to hang from.

MIKEDE Magnetic Hooks for Metal Surfaces

Magnetic hooks are a powerhouse solution, but only if you have the right surface. Many RVs have steel components like the entry steps, chassis frame, rear bumper, or storage bay doors. For these spots, a strong neodymium magnetic hook provides an instant, incredibly secure anchor point.

These hooks are fantastic for more than just light strings. A single powerful magnetic hook can easily hold a wreath on a metal door or a heavier garland along a steel bumper. The best part is their repositionability. If you don’t like where you placed it, just move it. There’s no adhesive, no cleanup, and no commitment. Before you invest, test your surfaces with a simple refrigerator magnet. You’ll quickly discover that many parts you assume are steel are actually aluminum or fiberglass.

Camco Awning Hangers for Awning Track Use

Take a close look at the body of your RV, right where the awning attaches. Many rigs have a built-in utility track, often called an awning track, that runs the full length of the unit. Camco Awning Hangers are specifically designed to slide into this track, providing sturdy, adjustable anchor points for lights and decorations.

These hangers are a significant step up in strength from the simple plastic clips that attach to the awning fabric. Because they utilize the RV’s structural track, they can support more weight and withstand wind much better. You can slide them along the track to get your spacing just right. They are perfect for hanging heavier icicle lights, small hanging decorations, or even a patio shade screen alongside your holiday lights.

iSuperb Suction Hooks for Smooth Siding

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11/26/2025 06:06 am GMT

Suction cup hooks are a viable option, but they come with major caveats. They work only on perfectly smooth, non-porous surfaces like glass windows or high-gloss, flat-finish fiberglass. Even a slightly textured or porous surface will prevent them from forming the necessary vacuum seal to hold.

For the right application, they can be great. Use them to hang a small wreath in the middle of a large window or to run a very lightweight string of battery-powered fairy lights across a pane of glass. Look for suction cups with a lever-action lock, as they create a much stronger seal than the simple press-on kind. Be prepared for them to fail occasionally, especially with drastic temperature changes overnight that can cause them to lose their grip.

Nite Ize Gear Ties for Ladders and Rails

Sometimes the best tool isn’t a hook at all. Nite Ize Gear Ties are essentially thick, durable, rubber-coated twist ties that come in various lengths. Their flexibility makes them the ultimate problem-solver for attaching lights to irregularly shaped objects where no traditional hook would work.

Think about wrapping lights around your rear ladder, securing a string to your side-view mirrors, or attaching a garland to the support arms of your slide-out topper. A Gear Tie can be twisted on, adjusted, and removed in seconds with zero risk of scratching or damage. Every RVer should have a handful of these in their toolkit; you’ll find endless uses for them, well beyond the holiday season.

Installation Tips and Final Recommendations

No matter which hooks you choose, a few universal rules will ensure your decorating is a success. A little prep work goes a long way in making sure your display stays put through wind, rain, and travel days.

  • Clean every surface. Use isopropyl alcohol on smooth surfaces for adhesives and suction cups. A simple wipe-down is good for all other areas.
  • Don’t overload the hooks. Pay attention to the weight ratings, especially for adhesive and suction types.
  • Use a mix-and-match strategy. No single hook will work everywhere. Use awning hangers on the awning track, Command clips on the slide walls, and Gear Ties on the ladder.
  • Secure your connections. Use a small piece of electrical tape to secure plugs and connections from rain and moisture.

Your strategy should be to work from the easiest points to the hardest. Start with your awning track or fabric, as that provides the longest, straightest line. Next, address smooth walls and windows with Command clips or suction cups. Use magnetic hooks for any steel bumpers or frames. Finally, use Gear Ties to solve tricky spots like railings and mirrors. This layered approach ensures every part of your rig can join in the festive fun.

Decorating your mobile home is a way to plant temporary roots and share a bit of joy with your neighbors, wherever you’re parked. By using the right combination of hooks, you can create a brilliant holiday display that’s both beautiful and safe for your rig. Now go make the campground a little brighter.

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