I’m sick of the boat/truck rash I get on my gear to and from the boat. I’ve been wanting to build something to keep my stuff off the deck of the truck and did it today. I had envisioned PVC and the like but after drawing a few plans, I came up with the following. I had the 2x12"'s laying around my shop and some screws and whatnot- total cost was $0, basically made from scrap.
-I cut 4 pcs. 45" long
-screw 2 pieces together for the back
-cut 2- 36" pieces for the sides
-3" above the bottom and 2" from the top of the back, bore 1 1/2" holes 8" on center-stagger the 2 rows so reels fit in between each other
-bore thru the first board and stop just before exiting the second, I did these holes at an angle(guestimate)
-screw the 3’ sides on
-measure and mark the front for the V-notches on center with the upper and lower rod butt holes
-cut notches 1"wide and 1"deep
-screw front on 4" above the level of all other pieces-this allows for reel clearance and to go over your tailgate with longer rods
I keep my truck in the garage so I needed them to stay below the roofline of my truck so I don’t snap them off on the header going in and out of there. Cheap, ugly, but effective.
Not bad. Have you thought about adding a screw eye at each end so you can stretch a bungee cord across them to keep them from bouncing around when you hit bumps? Just a thought.
Not bad. Have you thought about adding a screw eye at each end so you can stretch a bungee cord across them to keep them from bouncing around when you hit bumps? Just a thought.
Yes I did think of that. I don’t drive far from the house to the boat. I had them in the truck for a while yesterday and they didn’t bounce out at all. Actually they move alot less than you’d think.
If I road tripped I would most likely put one on, or some sort of hinged 2x4" or metal that I could lock for security.
A piece of velcro across would work well too. Glue the hooked half to the wood, even between the rods, and stretch the loop half across. The loop half of the hook and loop stuff is a lot less abrasive and should work for a long time. I would also line the vee-grove with a little felt or beaverskin to reduce abrasion on the rods.
“There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter.”
Ernest Hemingway
might as well put my two cents worth in. you may want to consider getting a can of spray felt and spray the v-notches. it would protect the rods from wear. eventually i would think that they would show a little wear from the raw wood. all in all though; nice set up. good job.
I know you from your posts on this site. You are well thoughtout. You are common sense. You are also knowledgeable about many things marine. I look forward to your input here. You also have a large boat and fish offshore. You help the rest of us out, always helpfull, always positive. You contribute.
If you were marketing a truck bed rod rack, it would be top notch.
I know you from your posts on this site. You are well thoughtout. You are common sense. You are also knowledgeable about many things marine. I look forward to your input here. You also have a large boat and fish offshore. You help the rest of us out, always helpfull, always positive. You contribute.
If you were marketing a truck bed rod rack, it would be top notch.
You weren’t.
Thanks for the DIY, low cost help.
Like I said, I like it.
Keep contributing.
It does need a drink holder though…
Thanks."
X2 most definitly!
Russ B.
God is great, Beer is good, People are crazy
