Cartop rod carrier
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290 Posts
If you already have the bars, just use bungi cords - lay the rods on the rack bars and stretch a bungi. Simple and works great.
I made a carrier for 5 rods from pvc pipe. Ten 12 inch sections, 2 for each rod. The rear section had a 1 inch channel cut the full length of the tube with a 2nd channel cut 3 inches from the back starting from the main channel so that the reel rests level with the top of the car.
All 10 sections where attached to my roof rack with 1 1/2 bolts,lock washers, and nuts.
No tie downs are needed.
Works great, and the whole deal only cost me $12 at Home Depot.
All 10 sections where attached to my roof rack with 1 1/2 bolts,lock washers, and nuts.
No tie downs are needed.
Works great, and the whole deal only cost me $12 at Home Depot.
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2,127 Posts
Homemade Cartop
I made a home made rack for Thule bars very similar to Trackers with two exceptions. 1. For the rod holder section of the rack (not the reel side) I used large tool clip holders from home depot, I covered them with surgical tube so they would not scratch the rod. I like the clips so I did not have to worry about the guides fitting in the tube or how far away from the reel side the rod side of the holder was. 2. I mounted the pvc side (reele side of the rack) and the rod side of the rack on 2 seperate 36"x 1"x2" pine with screws. I could hold four rods with room to spare. Than I attached each side of the rack to the Thule rack with large U-bolts, washers and nuts. Two U-bolts for the front and two U-bolts for the back part of the rack.
Sidebar. My Thule was on a Suburban, so I did not want to mess with tying bungee cords every time. Especially with four rods. On a Volvo the bungee cord idea may be the way to go. Use the smallest bungees you can find.
A question for the gang. I used a jig saw to cut the slits in the PVC but I was not happy with the neatness of the cut. What have you guys used to make the cuts in the PVC?
I made a home made rack for Thule bars very similar to Trackers with two exceptions. 1. For the rod holder section of the rack (not the reel side) I used large tool clip holders from home depot, I covered them with surgical tube so they would not scratch the rod. I like the clips so I did not have to worry about the guides fitting in the tube or how far away from the reel side the rod side of the holder was. 2. I mounted the pvc side (reele side of the rack) and the rod side of the rack on 2 seperate 36"x 1"x2" pine with screws. I could hold four rods with room to spare. Than I attached each side of the rack to the Thule rack with large U-bolts, washers and nuts. Two U-bolts for the front and two U-bolts for the back part of the rack.
Sidebar. My Thule was on a Suburban, so I did not want to mess with tying bungee cords every time. Especially with four rods. On a Volvo the bungee cord idea may be the way to go. Use the smallest bungees you can find.
A question for the gang. I used a jig saw to cut the slits in the PVC but I was not happy with the neatness of the cut. What have you guys used to make the cuts in the PVC?
Cost 13 dollars.
I used electrical tape to attach it to the roof rack on my Jeep. Had it over a year. No problems.
Only problem is the roof rack did not fair well in a car wash fortunatly there were no rods in it at the time.
Here is the link
http://www.thesportsauthority.com/p...&keywords=rod+rack&y=8&x=12&parentPage=search
I used electrical tape to attach it to the roof rack on my Jeep. Had it over a year. No problems.
Only problem is the roof rack did not fair well in a car wash fortunatly there were no rods in it at the time.
Here is the link
http://www.thesportsauthority.com/p...&keywords=rod+rack&y=8&x=12&parentPage=search
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2,127 Posts
Car wash proof
I'm lucky enough to have a hand car wash near by (not my wife). No scrathes to paint and easy on the vehicle add on ons. Don't have to take the antennas on and off either.
I'm lucky enough to have a hand car wash near by (not my wife). No scrathes to paint and easy on the vehicle add on ons. Don't have to take the antennas on and off either.
cutting pvc tubing
SurfaceStrike,
I cut the long slots first with a router in a home made jig but didn't like the results, so I then tried my Radial Arm saw, it worked great. The side cuts were done with a small hand wood saw followed by a sanding disk in a dremel tool. Not only did the Dremel tool clean up the cut but it made a perfect curve at the bottom of the cut.
SurfaceStrike,
I cut the long slots first with a router in a home made jig but didn't like the results, so I then tried my Radial Arm saw, it worked great. The side cuts were done with a small hand wood saw followed by a sanding disk in a dremel tool. Not only did the Dremel tool clean up the cut but it made a perfect curve at the bottom of the cut.
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2,127 Posts
Hardware
Tracker, If I had that kind of hardware in my basement I would be selling racks.
Tracker, If I had that kind of hardware in my basement I would be selling racks.
Rod Holders
I thought this would be a good place to start. My dad starting making and selling rod holders because we could not find any decent ones around our house. The previous picture shows what he bought but he modified them with PVC to hold the reels in place. I should have some pictures downloaded over the weekend. He is selling them for $50 (I think). If anyone would like to buy one give me a shout.
[email protected]
"Remember the Heroes
I thought this would be a good place to start. My dad starting making and selling rod holders because we could not find any decent ones around our house. The previous picture shows what he bought but he modified them with PVC to hold the reels in place. I should have some pictures downloaded over the weekend. He is selling them for $50 (I think). If anyone would like to buy one give me a shout.
[email protected]
"Remember the Heroes
cutting PVC
SurfaceStrike,
While I used power tools, the small wood saw worked just fine. Layout your cut lines, then place two or three layers of masking tape right next to the cut line, as it will make it much easier to cut the pvc in a straight line. Instead of a Dremel, use any electic drill. The sanding bit only cost a few dollars at Home Depot.
SurfaceStrike,
While I used power tools, the small wood saw worked just fine. Layout your cut lines, then place two or three layers of masking tape right next to the cut line, as it will make it much easier to cut the pvc in a straight line. Instead of a Dremel, use any electic drill. The sanding bit only cost a few dollars at Home Depot.
Cutting PVC
Anybody who has seen my car knows I am a big fan of PVC. The neatest way I have found to make cuts is a pipe cutter. I use a 1/2" spade bit in my drill, and a jigsaw to bring the cut up to an edge. Masking tape and ink lines make for a much neater product.
I also must mention that the size of PVC relates to it's OUTSIDE diameter, so 2" PVC is smaller inside, about 1.6". This is great, because it is a sloppy fit over 1.5" PVC, and the two combine into a roller that never needs lubrication. I built a rack for my kayak using this principle.
Flounder
Anybody who has seen my car knows I am a big fan of PVC. The neatest way I have found to make cuts is a pipe cutter. I use a 1/2" spade bit in my drill, and a jigsaw to bring the cut up to an edge. Masking tape and ink lines make for a much neater product.
I also must mention that the size of PVC relates to it's OUTSIDE diameter, so 2" PVC is smaller inside, about 1.6". This is great, because it is a sloppy fit over 1.5" PVC, and the two combine into a roller that never needs lubrication. I built a rack for my kayak using this principle.
Flounder
Joined
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40 Posts
I just made these over the weekend 2" exhuast pipe & a clamp. This will be bolted to the thule racks. Tired of $1000.00 worth of reels going bang on my van roof.
Check out the Surfcaster for the rubber. 800-551-7873 or www.thesurfcaster.com.
Good luck
Joe
Check out the Surfcaster for the rubber. 800-551-7873 or www.thesurfcaster.com.
Good luck
Joe
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1,621 Posts
I own a Bronco without a roof rack, I don't want to mount anything permenent with bolts through the fiberglass cap, any comments regarding the products out here that use suction cups, or one I've read about that uses magnets (I suppose no good for fiberglass)? The Bronco only has rain channels up front, is there a rack that holds 11' rods from front to back without any PVC holders on the rear of the roof?
loonzter
I have a Jeep and I use the rod holder that I posted on the previous page for over a year.
I usually carry a ten foot conventional and and 11 foot spinning outfit. Both rods are St crioux.
Never had a problem
On or off road. Sports authiry has them as well as any maine store.
Easy, Quick, inexpensive, and so far reliable.
Angus
I have a Jeep and I use the rod holder that I posted on the previous page for over a year.
I usually carry a ten foot conventional and and 11 foot spinning outfit. Both rods are St crioux.
Never had a problem
On or off road. Sports authiry has them as well as any maine store.
Easy, Quick, inexpensive, and so far reliable.
Angus
Joined
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56 Posts
After i made my own with pvc and the sports authority model, i saw a few at Bernie's in sheepshead bay, nice and expensive ones. For roof racks or without
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