Roof Rack Rod Holder

[Circlehook]

Can everyone post pics of their roof rack setups?

I want to build somthing to transport 2 rods/reels on the factory roof racks. Want somthing small as I have a double kayak rack already installed.

Basically looking for a DIY project.

Thanks

[Typhoon]

interested as well. I need a double rack.

[chefchris401]

Circlehook, I have a system that should work for you, real basic and cost me $30 max, ill post some pics when I get home.

If you want it after I post pics its yours, i started using the ski rack system and no longer need it.

[Circlehook]

Sounds good Chef, interested to see it.

[Swimmer]

I have Thule racks going from side to side. In front a pair of ski racks hold the rods down. In back I have 1/2 clear plastic, 8" x 48"s bolted onto the rear one inch Thulke piping. Onto that I bolted 12 pieces of PVC pipes that measure twelve inches by two inches. These are more or less equi-distant across the 48' length of rack. Holds twelve rods. Certainly more than what your needs are, but the way I built it, the rack will last and last.

[chefchris401]

Heres what i used last year. heres a basic run down of the parts.

3 tube boat rod holder, can be found at any marine/sporting goods place

4 S/S eye bolts

4 S/S nuts

4 S/S lock washers

2 Pieces of S/S 1" wide metal bracket material (forgot what its really called), cut to length

1 Rapala brand rod holder, used in the front.

used the 4 eye bolts to connect the metal bracket material which was run under the factory racks, then the lock washers and nuts to secure it.

The front rapala holder piece was held in place with extra heavy duty zip ties, one in every opening.

The eye bolts allow you use either bungee cords or a coated cable to secure the rods. In the front I used a bungee cord run from each side of the factory rack.

I used this set up all year and never had any issues, drove from RI to Montauk, RI to the ditch, 4 or 5 trips a week and never had a rod come loose. lots of highway driving.

The hardest part is cutting the metal to the correct size and lining up the rod holder and front mount.

Its simple and cheap.

[chefchris401]

Heres two more pics, hope this helps man.

[Mike P]

It depends on how theft-resistant you want your gear to be, if you pop into a convenience store to get a coffee.

Tube holders = no security. Rods and the reels on them can disappear in a flash, unless you have a lock on whatever holds them on the front rack.

Locking ski racks = moderate security. At least for the rods. If you put the first guide of a spinning rod between the front and rear racks, the rod is pretty secure. The reel, not so much

Locking reel box on the rear rack = maximum security for both rod and reel. The rod ain't coming out of the box while the reel is still mounted. Both Thule and Hunter sell boxes, or you could make your own. Be sure that it's deep enough to hold a spinning reel, if you use spinning gear.

[piemma]

Originally Posted by Mike P

It depends on how theft-resistant you want your gear to be, if you pop into a convenience store to get a coffee.

Tube holders = no security. Rods and the reels on them can disappear in a flash, unless you have a lock on whatever holds them on the front rack.

Locking ski racks = moderate security. At least for the rods. If you put the first guide of a spinning rod between the front and rear racks, the rod is pretty secure. The reel, not so much

Locking reel box on the rear rack = maximum security for both rod and reel. The rod ain't coming out of the box while the reel is still mounted. Both Thule and Hunter sell boxes, or you could make your own. Be sure that it's deep enough to hold a spinning reel, if you use spinning gear.

Agreed for conventionals. For spinning reels, if you put the reel seat under the locking bar there is very little they can do to get it out quickly. Nothing will be totally secure if they have a battery powered sawsall.
I have had my Yakima ski rack for 19 years and never had anyone try to steal the rods or reels. I think the fact that they see that they are locked is a deterent.

[AL617]

Doesnt get much cheaper or simpler than this... On the back I bolted a piece of unistrut with pvc tubes attached via EMT clamps, Painted the whole deal with black Rusto. The thing on the front is just a simple aluminum/foam boat rod holder bolted onto the factory crossbars just like the back. Got that from basspro $18 bucks for two of em (only part of this that cost me any money .

I dont usually fish too far from home so this setup is perfect for me. Longer rides I bungee them on there front and back.



Hope that helps

-Al

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by AL617

I dont usually fish too far from home so this setup is perfect for me. Longer rides I bungee them on there front and back.
-Al

You don't need to go far

[AL617]

Originally Posted by JohnR

You don't need to go far

Just fishing, no catching, No fish up here.

-Al