I just purchased a new(to me) '02 Xterra and would like to outfit it with a rod rack. Anyone have any suggestions? My old, dead vehicle had no place to put anything and I’m not sure where to even start. Thanks!!
Matt
Matt,…this thread might help…
I was on that thread earlier… kind of prompted my question, actually. I guess what I’m wondering is what’s the general expense you’re looking at? What racks are “worth” it? Things like that. I started searching through Google and you know how that can get… they’re all the greastest thing on the planet. I guess I’m looking for real-world, from-use suggestions as opposed to statements from the rack maker themselves on their products complete and total “awsomeness”…
Matt
Yes, I just weighed in there also on my TULE rod carrier. The configuration of my roof rack on the FJ makes it such that I have to have the actual carrier box mounted on the rear with the rods facing forward. If you have a rack where you could reverse them and have the rods facing to the rear, your golden. I have to worry about low hanging branches getting caught under a rod and snapping it. If they faced backwards, you would only worry about that while in reverse. Other than that (and Ive never had it happen) they are extremely convenient in situations where your hitting multiple bodies of water vs breaking them down or shoving them in the back of the truck. Im very happy with mine. If you have more questions, feel free to PM me.
Thanks, folks. I may just have to do some more thumbing through the internet to see what’s out there. Not to mention, this new vehicle affords me MUCH more freedom than the POS I just buried did… that being the case, what I may end up needing to get me out and about will most likely be determined by whatever fishing adventures I take this season.
haz…you may not have seen the last post I made on that thread…
I bought a cheap rod-rack for the inside of my explorer, I think it was from the Cabela’s website…cost around $30 if I remember right.
It was every bit of $30 cheap, and fell apart soon after using it. Be sure you keep in mind that you ‘get what you pay for’.
I drive a gas guzzler that can fit my 9’ assembled inside. What I use are bungee chords stretched from the hooks (intended for hanging clothes) in the back compartment and another on the hand-holds for the passenger seats. I rest the rod tip on the forward bungee and rest the grip on the rear bungee. I guess you can use the small 6" bungees to strap the tip and grip down too but I haven’t needed it.
Keeps gear off the ground or balanced on seats. Haven’t broken a rod since.
Last broken rod was with the rod balanced on the rear seat and the tip sticking out the front-passenger window. Got a little cool and I pressed the button to close the window as I was driving…#@$@% Duh.
I do basically what Wed. said…except in the back I use one of those expandable rods for hanging clothes in cars…I have installed some hooks to hold it to the rear [balance seems to be better that way]…I secure the rod handles to the rod with those hair bands the gals use…a bunch at the dollar store…[use them on tippet spools too]…anyway I want to be able to carry more than one rod so I want them not to bounce around or fall off the rod.
A better mousetrap :idea: …I’ll be looking for those clothes rods this weekend.
Glad you liked it WC…I would mention IMO the bungee works best up front because the clothes rod drops the level a little and I like the rod tips up along the roof…I don’t bother to anchor the rods on the bungee.
Wow… good ideas. I’ll have to see what I can rig up in my vehicle.
Duckster… I went back and peeked at your last post. Gonna check it out. Thanks!
Don’t know how much room or how long your vehicle is. We had the rod Loft in our van that would hold 6 rods up to 10’ long (probably even longer, but we don’t have any)
Now we have a Crew Cab that we are putting a shell on, but still the bed is only 5’8" long. No sliding window, so we are looking at the roof mount.
I have been hassling with this for a long time cause I drive a Grand Vitara. Wipers work for short distances, bit I am afraid it’s break down to go long distances.