Car top rod rack?

[Praguire]

I'm heading for the vineyard soon,with a crowd in my car, and so I'm looking for a car top rod rack (for a '94 jeep cherokee). Hard to find here in Vermont . . . Anybody know where I can get one? Without taking a mortgage?
Thanx.

[DonWil]

Living in Vt ski racks must be a dime a dozen, and they make good rod racks also and they lock, but they don't do much to protect your reels. Don

[Bob Parsons]

I use a set of ski racks. The standard type you open and there is just a rubber lining on the top and bottom. holds four pairs of skis. I'll put several spinning rods and a fly rod up there clamp it down. The fit is tight enough that the reels do not bounce or sway around. And yes there is that bonus of being able to lock the racks.

[RJ]

Ski racks are the way to go! Reel protection can be as simple as zip lock sandwich bags and rubberbands to reel bags by orvis, l l bean etc. Bag'em for short hauls and don't put reels on the rods for the long trips. Assemble when you get to your motel, hotel or camp destination.

olive, a touch of orange and white clousers with some copper flash were working for me as a sand eel pattern a month ago at Monomoy. Have a good trip.

RJ

[Praguire]

thanx for ski rack tips, but I tried that about 10 years ago, and after 3 or 4 rods I couldn't get it closed and keep it closed . . . and those custom made rod racks look sooo nice

[reed]

Praguire,
I run both a Cherokee (my fourth) and my wife's Suburban on the beach. I've made rod racks for all of them for about $20 and an hour of work each, using big alligator clips you can buy at any Home Depot. Email me with your phone # and I can walk you through it in no time.

Reed
email: raustin@javanet.com

[jagarland]

Try this website. I have some of their mounts and they work fine. Since I bought mine they have improved them and added to the line. http://www.rodmounts.com/

Jack

[hoodzies]

Try here:

Rodmounts (http://www.rodmounts.com)

I have not used them, but they look like they would work.

-Mike

[AT Grimaldi]

I couldn't agree more about the Rod Mounts. I have 3 on my roof chich carry 6 rods ontop. I also have the 8 rod carrier in the inside of my Pathfinder. Both of them are made by Rodmounts. They are the best.

- AT

[mdrew9]

Thule Castaway. Suitable for all types of fishing rod, whether you’re into fly fishing, spinning or some other form of the sport. Cast Away provides simple mounting with durable construction and locking security. Lock included. Holds 4 Rods Much like a ski rack but it locks a small box over your reels, something external racks can't do. I believe they retail at $130 or so. Will be available January of 2004.
Mike
http://www.thule.com/PabloImages/WebBig/45/1645.jpg

[Moonlighter]

Take a look at www.thule.com, they have just come out with a a great looking rack that is lockable and the reels are fully enclosed.

[PeterSorensen]

I have this Thule rack and it works very well. I like the way it protects the reels and the fact that it securely locks.The only downside for me is that it increases the height of my Explorer so much it won't fit in Central Parking. --125-3

[Ray]

Check out the Cabela's website. They have a basic rod holder that mounts to most any crossbar. I plan on putting them on my Escape in the spring. No locking or anything, but they get the job done. $40

[PAUL SCHWACK]

I Got A Pair Of The Thule Racks Back In September And Cant Say Enough Good Things About Them. I Have Them On The Top Of My Explorer, They Are Tall But I Have Yet To Find A Parking Garage Here In Ct. Or In Rhode Island That I Do Not Fit In.

Well Worth The 130.00 Bucks........

[Mark Cahill]

Home depot.

Mop rack (three) - $8
Ubolts - $2
PVC pipe - found it in my garage - 0
Pipe holder and screws - $2
Piece of wood to attach to crossbar - found in garage
old piece of hose - had plenty of that...
2 bungee cords, just in case... $2

Total cost $14.

One side of the truck gets a two metal spring loaded mop racks attached direct to the crossbar with u-bolts. The fingers of the mop rack are covered with bits of hose to protect the rods. The other side gets one in the front.

In the rear of the other side, I take 4 pieces of 1.5" pvd about 3" long and attach them with pipe brackets and screws to a 1 x 1 tomato stake sized to fit that half of the roof crossbar. Then the tomato stake is attached to the crossbar with ubolts as in the previous.

Make sure the rear cross bar is moved up if you use conventional casting rods, as on my truck, the rear window will hit the butt. I alway attach the rod butts securely with a bungee, so that the rack isn't really holding them down, the bungee is.

One of the guys here (Reel-Time) turned me on to this setup - before I used the old ski rack trick. Works like a charm and makes your truck really easy to spot at the Grocery Store.

BTW, if you need a more substantial cross bar, you'll find that most used auto dealers will have old ski racks in their backroom. When they take in a car from the auction or in trade, the first thing they do is pull the after market rack off, so it will look nicer. I got my Thule crossbar for free...

[mdrew9]

Excellent rack Mark, I have one in my garage. However I missed the part where you said how to lock the reels down to prevent thief.
Mike

[Mark Cahill]

You either put them in the truck while you fish, or park the truck in the garage.

[RIFlyfisher]

Is it for fly rods? If so, everything I have found is cumbersome to use, including ones made specifically for fly rods. If you have a Thule clamp-down style ski rack, you may be in business. Just sandwich the rods in the same way you would do so with skis.