Vehicle Rod Rack

[DJ76]

I'm apologizing in advance for the length of post

Started looking into getting one of the vehicle cooler setups with the rod holders...then I realized the total cost would be nearing $400.   Sorry, I don't need a fancy schmancy thing that bad. It got me thinking that I can fabricate something on my own for half the cost.

So upon brainstorming this idea I've come to the conclusion that I'd rather not have the cooler mounted to the front of the vehicle (2010 F350) because I already have snow plow mounts up front and I can't get a hitch in there and rather not bolt anything only to have to remove on and off all year (its my worktruck as well). I also did a little searching on this site and found a pretty cool rod mount someone built for the back of his pickup. After contemplating that for awhile decided didn't want the rods that high in the air...local bridges and going down the highway at 65-70mph for a 7' rod is prob not that good of an idea.

So.....what if I had my welder build a rod holder that fits into the current receiver and then I can place the draw bar into the "rod holder".  Basically extend the hitch via the rod holder.  My boat/trailer combo weighs less than 2k# so I'm really not worried about excessive tongue weight...its a class four hitch.  Now the reels are protected (somewhat) by being directly behind the tailgate and sit lower by not being in the bed of the truck.  I could also still use the rod holder when going surf or bank fishing.

Would appreciate any thoughts, ideas, etc. on this.  Perhaps there is already an aftermarket for this?  Don't be afraid to burst my bubble if my idea is way out of wack!

[NJ Guy]

http://njsaltwaterfisherman.com/forums/index.php?topic=15826.0


 

[IKAT]

Hey D--you talking without the boat?

If with the boat they make theses things called bungie cords --just strap-um down in the boat

Sorry man
There are many ways to fabricate out of PVC

Not busting you buddy

HEY nJ GUY--whered that pic you took of our last trip down

[DJ76]

http://njsaltwaterfisherman.com/forums/index.php?topic=15826.0


 

Hey NJguy, thanks...but not exactly what I'm looking for.

[DJ76]

Hey D--you talking without the boat?

If with the boat they make theses things called bungie cords --just strap-um down in the boat

Yes...basically I want to place a rod holder between the truck receiver and drawbar for the trailer.  I'm thinking of welding something up to a hitch extender so the rods sit between the boat and truck but they wouldn't articulate with the trailer, they'd be mounted to the trucks receiver.  I'll see if I can draw something up and post.

currently I  place my rods in my boat and/or trailer...but its inevitable that something else rolls around and knocks out an eye or bends one etc...except of course my ugly sticks...basically tried everything i could and can't seem to break those no matter what i do!!

[DJ76]

trying to attach pic, hopefully it works.

[Still Running]

Unless you are pulling a small boat you are asking for it with that extension.

[NJ Guy]

Unless you are pulling a small boat you are asking for it with that extension.

i agree i wouldnt tow more than 1000-1500 lbs with the extension that is a severe week poine and you have 2 pin points that can fail then as well... Be careful

[Still Running]

Unless you are pulling a small boat you are asking for it with that extension.

i agree i wouldnt tow more than 1000-1500 lbs with the extension that is a severe week poine and you have 2 pin points that can fail then as well... Be careful

It will also change your front axle weight.

[DJ76]

I agree with all concerns.  hence why I'm brainstorming now.   The boat/trailer combo I'm pulling is tiny...less than 2k#.  Its a 14' aluminum v-hull fisher boat with a metal trailer.  Most of the weight is in the rear with next to nothing up front. I can pick up the trailer and push it around the driveway or to get it on the truck with hardly a problem.

I'm not worried about the truck or the receiver (class 4). I regulary tow a trailer loaded between 7-12k.  I do realize that once I place a piece of steel inside the receiver to extend the hitch the tongue weight will be compromised.  The after markets I saw online claim a 1/3 reduction in tongue weight. The fear I have is when I'm doing 70mph and hit a bump the extension bar is going to receive the added stress/weight of the trailer coming back down.  The ones online are hollow...thinking if I have the welder make something out of solid steel it would be that much better.

[NJ Guy]

i know its not the best solution but i think your best off just carefully puting them in the boat maybe use a packing blanket? or in the bed of the truck

[Reel Time]

 i say make a frame out of aluminum and/or steel with holes to quick mount/dismount off your plow set up (theres got to be pins)then attach some pieces of pvc to that frame, done...

 probably wont be using the plow and rod holder at the same time anyways. but should be able to take off in a matter of a minute or so if set up right.


 also i wouldn't want my rods to the rear of the vehicle, cause if you ride home in the rain or what have ya, all the road grime will get up to your reels. just look at the rear of any vehicle going down the road. how dirty is that compared to the rest of it. no brainer to me.

[Still Running]

If you can pick up the tongue, youe should be fine. The solid steel will bend easier then tube. Eithe way with that kind of tongue weight, your fine.

I would have the welder make you something to hook to your plow frame. I think that would be better. But the outher way is fine also.

[bassnblues]

Do you have an open bed? Maybe something like this?

When I had an f150 I attached rail mount rod holders to a ratcheting cargo rod and kept it up near the cab.

[Andys Delight]

My old Nissan Frontier needed an extension like that because the bumper was actually slightly over the ball without it (I guess they never really thought it through when they designed the truck).  I used to tow my old V20 with it.  While it certainly held, I did not like it at all.  Breaking and hearing the slack come slamming into the rear from two weak points at the pins was constantly disconcerting.  I wouldn't do that only for the sake of some rod holders.

[DJ76]

Thanks for all the insight.  this is what I was looking for, just throwing some ideas and thoughts around.   

Playing devils advocate with rain and placing the rods at the rear of the truck...wouldn't the same be true in front of the truck as well if I'm following the vehicle in front of me. I mean I don't plan on tailgating...

As for the bed of the truck. I would like to avoid that if i could. honestly, a lot of times I go fishing (freshwater) its a last minutes thing and I really don't have the time to unload the pickup...i just hook boat up and go.

I kinda like the idea of perhaps building something to fit into the plow mounts...but initial thoughts are the expense of that...I know the plow shoes themselves run about $175 for a pair (idiots like to steal them if left on and sell them on CL)


hmmmnnnn.....

I think my problem is is too much time on my hands this winter.

[Lunker]

I don't know if this thread is still relevant but... portarod has one that works great for the truck bed and you don't have to drill and can adjust the angle.  Do you have a picture of your final product?

[DJ76]

wind up not doing anything with my idea.  I wound up just loading everything in the boat and laying the rods in the bed of the truck.