On my old truck I had a cap with Yakima racks, which I adapted with racks for transpoting rods. I now have a new truck with a 6.5' bed and no cap. What is the best way to transport a 10' one piece rod? I have been brainstorming for a way to construct a rod rack that will be functional and removable.....and half way good looking too...anyone else have this problem?

5/0 makes a killer rod rack for the bed of a truck. Rocket launchers shooting out the back at an upward angle towards the tailgate. The one he made has lasted me for 5 years now. Thanks Bob :love:

do you have any pictures of it?

I can try to take a pic tomorrow. It's a little beat up now, but very efficient. I'm sure a bunch of guys on here have the same set-up..

I seem to remember some pictures of that sort of set up on this site. If i wasnt so friggin late for work i would try to search it out.

Spud, i have seen said system, zac's has a simular one as well, they work reely well for pick ups with 1 peice rods.

Or you can store it for free of course in my suv?
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I put Thule racks on the cab of my truck and the rods fit fine up there in the ski rack
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Out the back slider window.....

http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripertalk/stripertalk/70580-new-truck-rod-rack.html

something like this with WAY less angle

I just bungie a piece of PVC at a 45° angle to the mounting brackets of my truck toolbox. Fits the functional and removeable part of what you're looking for. Not so much on the decent looking.

I seem to remember some pictures of that sort of set up on this site. If i wasnt so friggin late for work i would try to search it out.

It might have been mine.. I've posted them before... each side holds 3 rods, the underside of the rocket launcher holds a battery and a 120 volt inverter..

the panel they attach to slide in the groves in the truck bed ( against the cab)..I can take pictures tonight if there is interest.

Skip, I'm in...you store the rod all season and I will pick it up from you at your fishing spot. I won't tell anyone where that spot is.


Joe, I would like to see that set up, thanks.

I used some 2x4s, 1x4s, U-Bolts, PVC Couplings, PVC pipe and the platform that the pvc pipes are sitting on is an actual deck step. I think I cut the angle on the 2x4s at around 35 degress. I made sure the tip of a 10ft rod is less than 10ft so I can go through the D&D drive thru. This setup cost me around $60 and a couple of hours to make. It weighs nothing and is easy to just slide right out if you need to haul something. The extra 1x4s across the back are there to support a 120qt cooler.

Out the back slider window.....

That's how I do it as well.

I put mine out the back slider. When it rains, the back of your head gets wet. When it doesn't, leaves and sawdust blow in and stick to the back of your head. You just have to wear a hat. :uhuh:

Thanks Thumper, thats what I needed to get my creativity rolling. I think thats an awesome idea and I will do mine based off of your design.

Stewie, I like the way you think....however, I have a power rear slider and am affraid I might say wow its cold in here and without thinking hit the button to close the window. Once the damage is done its too late and its a long ride home knowing I just effed up..

Berkeley makes a pair of plastic rod holders, They have 4 or 5 foam lined slots in them. I had one screwed onto the top of my tailgate. I'd slide the rod into the bed with the butt against the cab end and stick the tip into one of the slots. With reels on, you could only put two rods into it, but it worked well. I now have a little Tacoma and the rods would stick out too far, so they go out the back window.

Berkeley makes a pair of plastic rod holders


Stewie, those do work but the biggest problem with anything like that is other people. The rods are very hard to see when lying just out of the tail gate. It is pretty funny when you are in a shop getting eels and some kid gets close lined running by your truck... But what’s not funny is when some drunk backs into your week old custom wrapped lamiglass SS and blows it into three pieces….

If you have any intention of getting a cap, going through 2 sliders is great...

here is my set up... both side are mounted on a 2x6 that slides into the factory slots in the bed, both sides hinge and lift up.. the left houses a Group 24 deep cycle battery, it is fed via an automatic charging relay... the right side, contains a 120 volt inverter.. the whole assembelly will lift out of the bed, two isolator mout disconects need only remove a pair of wing nuts to free the electrical from the truck and battery...I dont recall what angle i used, I planned it so they avoid low hanging wires and trees...

the largest rod I've carried in it was a 10'er...it made it from my house in Mass all the way to jamestown RI( beaver tail) with out incedent..... I use it daily with 6-7' rods and they never go beyond the bed..this set up allows me to still use the bed( 8') as intended for other gear and assorted "junk"

Well at the risk of sounding like a hillbilly I take two 1"x1" hardwood grade stakes about 3' long and put them in the rear stake holes in the truck bed. Ithen tie a good strong string between the stakes and make sure it is tall enough so noone can walk into a rod when walking around the truck.
I have had 11'4" rods without a problem.
Two sticks and a piece of string,,thats it.

Thanks Joe. I am going to start working on a set up Sunday. What do you use the power outlets for? Lighting? Thats a great Idea.

here is the rod holder ive had for the past five years... made out of pressure treated wood and pvc ... works great, and made for under $100. i added some small gun locks for the reels for some added security, and the whole thing is chained into the bed of the truck. the angle of the rods still allows for the rest of the bed to be used for the rest of your stuff.

I did a search and found some picks for you,hope it helps.

http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripertalk/stripertalk/51157-guys-pick-ups.html


5/0

Thanks for all the input. I have some good idea's to use. This is going to be a good father and son project, looks like fun.

I have the thule racks but i found i like to stick them out the rear slider window. the racks are off and i dont think il put them back on.

My dad had pretty much what some people here are posting, make a triangle out of some 2x6 and bolt rod holders to it. Couldnt find any pics as he put rocks up for his kayak and now he hangs rods from that

Thanks Joe. I am going to start working on a set up Sunday. What do you use the power outlets for? Lighting? Thats a great Idea.

One is a twist lock for my power winch cable for the trailer or for a winch ( stored in that big black box) that can be hooked onto the trailer hitch to pull the truck out of the sand...the other is a standard lighter type connector.. most often used to keep a bait tankl ( mostly in winter for ice fishing) running...I keep the 120 Volt power strip stored under the right box where the inverter is mounted..

made this last year,fits in the utilatrak nicely