Looking for some ideas for rod rack for transporting rods. Downsized and upsized my truck. Got a smaller cab so just tossed in the cab transport is no longer an option. But got a long enough bed that I can know transport rods straight instead of corner to corner. Ideally I would like something that will hold two maybe three rods on the bed walls over the wheel wheels. Possibly something magnetic to simplify mounting. Did a casual web search nothing popping up. Any ideas for something I can buy or ideas of how to make something? Thanks.

Do you have a top on your bed?

PVC pipe from Home Depot? With removable cap pieces? Add magnets if wanted. I would just shove the end up into the front of the bed in a corner and depending on how it fits, just tie the upper end down that lays on the top of the bed side. and one tie down will keep it in place. And you can access it by a removable cap. Slide rods in and out. Cheap. Simple. Effective, and quick and easy in and out of the truck too.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/01/2021 08:07AM by Kent Griffith.

I don't think I'd trust anything magnetic. Vibration, pot holes, traffic related hard stops or fast cornering, and shifting cargo could all be issues. I've used a "cargo bar" to hold down rods in the back of pickup that have reel protector covers on them for a cushion, but that's in lined bed and with no other cargo. With the cargo bar method, place the rod butt against the end of the box and tighten the cargo bar into place so the rods can't shift forward. Some sort of hangers or tubes that attach to the bottom of a bed cover or topper would also be easy to make - the design would depend on if this is something you'll be using frequently, or only rarely, so time for install/removal would/or wouldn't be a factor.

Michael,
The PVC with end caps is certainly a simple, effective method of storing / transporting rods. I used 4in plastic drain pipe which is considerably lighter and cheaper; same end caps as PVC.
[www.rodbuilding.org]
[www.rodbuilding.org]
[www.rodbuilding.org]
If there will be more than one rod in the tube, make sure to put all of them in separate rod socks to avoid guides nicking adjacent blanks from bouncing and vibration!!!
I would question how well magnets would secure the tube; play it safe and go with some sort of rigid-mount.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Also, if using PVC tubing, put foam in the caps to prevent banging the rod ends during acceleration, and breaking. This will prolong the life of your rods as it prevents collision shock between the rod ends, and tube ends.

Tight Lies and frisky fish

RJF

VERY good point, Robert!!!!!

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Porta rod makes a nice bed mounted holder. [portarod.com]
Then there's this [www.boatoutfitters.com] but it's pricey

Horizontal rod holders for boats will work well in truck beds:

[www.cabelas.com]

Or, if you have a hard top on the truck box or a camper shell, you can put an overhead rack in either:
[www.cabelas.com]

[www.cabelas.com]

[www.cabelas.com]

[www.cabelas.com]

No camper shell. Do have a hard tonneau cover over the bed. Don't want to mount anything on that. I have several pvc tubes made up to transport rods. Looking for a rack for rod and reels so I can transport rigged setups. Along the bed walls is the most out of the way. Looked at the foam insert horizontal wall mount. Would have to figure a way to mount them. Not a fan of having the weight of the reel unsupported. Ideally the rear rack would be designed to hold the butt behind the reel and the front rack would be a foam type insert to wedge the rod into.

Michael,
Simple.
Create a metal rack with horizontal legs to fit on each side of the wheel cut ins on the inside of the truck.
Then, one long continuous piece of metal to support the outer edge of the stand. Join the mount along the back for stability as well as have vertical supports which would rest along the inside of the beds to which you would support the rod supports.
A nice way to make this would be to to go to the steel yard and purchase surplus aluminum in the configuration that you need and have it tig welded together.

When you want to use it, just place it into the bed of the truck and either fasten it to the bed of the truck, or let it free float in the back of the truck and keep it in place with tackle bags.

Best wishes

PVC Tube with end caps that have foam lining. If you also use this in combination with a rod sock or cover, you should have no problems. I just throw it in the back of the bed and can go anywhere. Does not hurt to tie off pvc tube with rope to bed loops.