Truck inside camper shell rod carrier

[45user]

Hey BWE!
Anyone have a good system that they use to carry their fishing rods inside the camper shell?
I want to hang something inside the camper shell to carry my rods but don't want to drill a hole in my camper shell.
Anyone have good system/diy rack they want to share?
I looked rod loft pro and it looks good but have some negative reviews and pretty expensive.
Thank you in advance!
45

[MrPatrick]

Could you run some spring loaded closet/shower rods across the inside?

[45user]

Originally Posted by MrPatrick

Could you run some spring loaded closet/shower rods across the inside?

I tried that and with the vibration it sometimes collapses..
I am hoping someone has a better idea on their truck
My truck has Leer shell

[Widgeon]

You could build something out of 1x material or plywood strips and make a pressure / wedge fit. Use uprights that rest on the lip of the bed and follow the contour of your shell to support a header. Then attach your rod holders to the header or make them integral. Could use some construction adhesive as backup

[easyday]

I boight one that is a strap system with loops built in and I use it on the inside of my SUV it works great.

[fishingfool]

Bass pro shops sells a pole that attaches to the sides. Have one in my pilot works great each pole is held in place with Velcro. Everyone can sit in the car with out getting hit with poles.
http://www.basspro.com/Rod-Saver-Veh...product/15989/

[45user]

I heard the strap ones kinda sags
But at $20 I may try that one
Any others have used something else? Or pic of their diy system to give me some idea?
Thank you all for your help!

[MissileTM]

I use this under the deck top of my Pontoon boat and it works great:
http://www.amazon.com/Berkley-Twist-...ley+rod+holder

[45user]

Originally Posted by MissileTM

I use this under the deck top of my Pontoon boat and it works great:
http://www.amazon.com/Berkley-Twist-...ley+rod+holder

It needs holes drilled right?

[ZUMAN]

Originally Posted by 45user

It needs holes drilled right?

Liquid nails???
If you want it there forever!!!!

[45user]

Yeah but don't want to drill holes..

Anybody tried this?

http://www.rodmounts.com/rod-loft-pro/

Seems like it has mixed review and kinda expensive at $120-130

[mrJB]

Some considerations since I've tried several variations: Rods should be pretty secure, at least at one end, so they don't bounce around. I've tried bungie elastic and straps, but the bouncing and vibrations will wear on your rods wherever it is sitting, be it on the handle or the blank. Another consideration is that you should have a window that opens in your shell and also in the back of the truck if you use the longer rods (>7')

Here's what I came up with and it works great...

P6230007.jpg

P6230008.jpg

P6230011.jpg

P6230012.jpg

No permanent modifications were made to the shell or truck. For the rear attachment points, I used the existing bolts for the rear shell window. For the front supports, I used the appropriate sized dowels to fit the head restraint attachments. I never used the rear restraints since they restrict my vision. Any areas that contact the rod are covered with the soft part of a piece of velcro.

Hope this might help.

[StinkyMatt]

I had a very simple one in my old ford.

2x2 piece of wood cut to the width of the shell just above the window. You wedge it in place and the upper edge of the window holds it up.

I put a few screw in eye bolts into it and used small bungees to separate the rods.

Put one crossbar in front of shell, one towards the back.

Total cost 5 bucks.

No sag at all, very sturdy, removed in 10 seconds.

[45user]

Originally Posted by mrJB

Some considerations since I've tried several variations: Rods should be pretty secure, at least at one end, so they don't bounce around. I've tried bungie elastic and straps, but the bouncing and vibrations will wear on your rods wherever it is sitting, be it on the handle or the blank. Another consideration is that you should have a window that opens in your shell and also in the back of the truck if you use the longer rods (>7')

Here's what I came up with and it works great...

Attachment 12747

Attachment 12744

Attachment 12745

Attachment 12746

No permanent modifications were made to the shell or truck. For the rear attachment points, I used the existing bolts for the rear shell window. For the front supports, I used the appropriate sized dowels to fit the head restraint attachments. I never used the rear restraints since they restrict my vision. Any areas that contact the rod are covered with the soft part of a piece of velcro.

Hope this might help.

Thank you
That looks really nice!

[45user]

Originally Posted by StinkyMatt

I had a very simple one in my old ford.

2x2 piece of wood cut to the width of the shell just above the window. You wedge it in place and the upper edge of the window holds it up.

I put a few screw in eye bolts into it and used small bungees to separate the rods.

Put one crossbar in front of shell, one towards the back.

Total cost 5 bucks.

No sag at all, very sturdy, removed in 10 seconds.

I need to take a good look at my shell once agian
I was thinking of buying few separate parts from rod loft and modify it to my liking
Thank you!

[tomahawk]

I made something similar to the rod loft and Mrjb's setup. 1x2 oak with holes cut in it with a hole saw. hung from clothes hook in rear of yukon (as shown in rod loft). This end held the rod butts. tips were held up by a string tensioned as high up as possible. ended up rubberbanding tips to string to prevent them from sliding to middle. If I was doing it again I'd make a second wood piece for the tips. no longer used due yukon being totaled while stopped at a red light.

[45user]

I found this on the internet and I think I'm going to try modify this idea a bit. I will need to find a thin hook to put this on inside the camper window.

45

[IN2DEEP]

I had the same dilemma when trying to come up with a rod rack for my camper shell.
I didn't want to drill any holes to mount an overhead rack and also didn't want to lose any head room in the shell since I sometimes sleep back there when camping.
I was planning on using the existing screws on the side window frames to mount some "gun rack" type holders to hold the rods.

In the end, I utilized the shell ledge and existing hold down bolts to store 3 rods on each side.
The hooks are bent aluminum.
The lower hook is a separate piece from the upper section. They are sandwiched together with the hold down bolt.
The rods are separated from rubbing each other and I used peel and stick felt on any surface that they might rub against.

I have a long bed(8') so this design works out. I can fit rods up to 8'
If you have a short bed, it might not work out too well
As previously mentioned, with a short bed truck, you will need a system to be able to pass the rods through a window.

[Harbisgirl]

IN2DEEP - I love this, its exactly what I was looking for. I want to mount our poles (2 on each side) along the rail because I need clearance along the roof.

You say that the hooks are bent aluminum - did you make these yourself? I'm hoping to purchase something somewhat ready-made since we just moved and all our tools are in storage so we can't fabricate anything right now.

[Harbisgirl]

And I just realized this thread is from 2014 so IN2DEEP probably won't see this. Oh well, maybe someone else will chime in LOL