Trucks & Trailers - Rod Rack for Tacoma Rails

I made a little rod rack for my Tacoma and thought I would share a few pics in case anyone else wanted make one.

The wood rests on the wheel wells and there is a bracket that attaches it to the factory rails with a unistrut nut and a 3/8 inch bolt. I need to get 1 more rod holder then I will put the last 2 in for a total of 9. Pretty basic and functional for getting to the boat and back. I coated it with bed liner spray, but I doubt I will leave it in for more that a few days at time. The rod holders are from ebay 8 for 30 bucks.

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa373/Danny33486/20120512_083624.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa373/Danny33486/20120512_083558.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa373/Danny33486/20120512_083526.jpg

very nice. keeps organzied and looks good. Also seems inexpensive. I'm debating making one to fit on my roof rack, but really want one that can lock my rods and reels in place in case I go somewhere and leave the rods on the rack. Any suggestions I would be open to it, but think i'm going to have to go to a custom welder and have them fabricate me something. I can stick them up there now and bunjee cord them in and they'll stay put on the interstate, but still afraid someone may try to get their 5finger discound if I leave them.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/579199_3448930996266_1660448083_2795380_1506054419 _n.jpg

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/535195_3349801438089_1660448083_2746633_1921877147 _n.jpg

That is a sweet truck. I would not leave my rods out even for a second. If I am parked and my wife or friends run into store I get out and lean on the tuck bed. I only have about a 10 min ride to my marina I just hate having everything bang around

Thanks for the compliments....its a fun truck. I am the same way right now where I am so cautious. I'll hopefully be able to get some sort of locking mechanism this year. I was going to tstart a thread on here to see if anyone had any ideas or could fabricate something I want. Better to have a boater/fisherman welder, than a non-fisherman/boater welder!
I used to have a tacoma and it was by far one of the best trucks I've owned. I thought bigger was better and went up to an f150 and then the f250, but I sure miss my 4-banger 2004 tacoma. It was a great truck and in all reality would probably be way more practical for me now than this truck.

very nice. keeps organzied and looks good. Also seems inexpensive. I'm debating making one to fit on my roof rack, but really want one that can lock my rods and reels in place in case I go somewhere and leave the rods on the rack. Any suggestions I would be open to it, but think i'm going to have to go to a custom welder and have them fabricate me something. I can stick them up there now and bunjee cord them in and they'll stay put on the interstate, but still afraid someone may try to get their 5finger discound if I leave them.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/579199_3448930996266_1660448083_2795380_1506054419 _n.jpg

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/535195_3349801438089_1660448083_2746633_1921877147 _n.jpg

Check out a product called Rod Vault that mounts to roof racks.

Snow ski racks will also workand do lock

That looks really nice. Wonder if anyone has ever taken this plunge.....and mounted 6 or 8 thru their fiberglass bed cover :o

Here is mine.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qY3MLbW5JZs/T2ZtPVu3r8I/AAAAAAAAH74/KxV2L6QOlKs/s856/2012-03-18_15-45-43_883.jpg

Here is mine.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qY3MLbW5JZs/T2ZtPVu3r8I/AAAAAAAAH74/KxV2L6QOlKs/s856/2012-03-18_15-45-43_883.jpg

There's no doubt about it,I would forget and close the tailgate! :banghead::grin:

Just out of curiosity...Why do you guys transport your gear in the back of the truck? Why not put it in rodholders on the boat? I transport everything I bring in the boat...lanch and go...no transfer of gear.

Personally, I need a rack for when I plan to fish with my father on his flats boat. He lives in Stuart (35 miles north of me) and I will tote my rods up there so we can use my tackle. This usually is around 5 rod and reel combos that get enough beating from the fish and boat alone... Also I have some buds up there and its easier to transport my combos for Bahamas trips on their boat...
Basically whenever im fishing on someone else's boat its the only way to transport my combos

Just out of curiosity...Why do you guys transport your gear in the back of the truck? Why not put it in rodholders on the boat? I transport everything I bring in the boat...lanch and go...no transfer of gear.

I keep my boat in a dry rack in Pompano so I haul my gear there.

Ok, didnt think of the part about not having the boat at the house and fishing on other boats. Thanks.

There's no doubt about it,I would forget and close the tailgate! :banghead::grin:

So that's just a demo photo. I had since modified the rack so the rear rack is taller and the rod tips clear the tailgate. I have since added a bed cover and the rod tips actually fit snuggly between the top of the tailgate and bed cover.

EOD Contender - I have my boat on outhaul 50% time and trailer 50% of the time. I also do a lot of surf fishing in the early season especially before/after work.

I need it cause I no longer own a boat .....Thanks for reminding me!!!

I went this route, Far too busy for do it yourself projects,

I went this route, Far too busy for do it yourself projects,

I like how it's up above the bed and out of the way. :thumbsup:

Here's mine.
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af101/brianhenry/IMG_20120813_133058.jpg

very nice

Looks good. I'm interested in doing something similar with my frontier--it has bed rails as well. I'll probly use ski racks so that I can lock them. I also want and easy way to cover/protect my reels from the elements.. mostly the sand and salt water dropping from my kayak on the the roof rack.

Looks good. I'm interested in doing something similar with my frontier--it has bed rails as well. I'll probly use ski racks so that I can lock them. I also want and easy way to cover/protect my reels from the elements.. mostly the sand and salt water dropping from my kayak on the the roof rack.

I went this route simple to protect my rod tips on the way to the marina (5 miles)....I can still fit 2 coolers bean bag and buckets back there....I wish my tool box was deeper but they did not have a black low profile one for my truck that was deep....Then I could but buckets in there....but I do put my tackle in milk crates in there.

my new one.... holds up to 15 30's... overkill, but good for long trips/vacations when targeting different things...
http://www.thehulltruth.com/members/iwhitevt-albums-rod-holder-picture65609-rod1.jpg
http://www.thehulltruth.com/members/iwhitevt-albums-rod-holder-picture65610-rod2.jpg

I leave my rods in the rocket launcher the night before heading out. Boat is in a slip. Rather than worry all night, I run a SS cable from the hardtop frame, through each real, and then finish it off with a little wire clamp and two nuts. So, the beginning end has a crimped loop and the tag end is straight. After going through the reels, I loop it over and crimping tight. I keep a small socket just for this. Sure, anyone could have a pair of big wire cutters and my rods are gone, but it keeps the honest folks honest.

I leave my rods in the rocket launcher the night before heading out. Boat is in a slip. Rather than worry all night, I run a SS cable from the hardtop frame, through each real, and then finish it off with a little wire clamp and two nuts. So, the beginning end has a crimped loop and the tag end is straight. After going through the reels, I loop it over and crimping tight. I keep a small socket just for this. Sure, anyone could have a pair of big wire cutters and my rods are gone, but it keeps the honest folks honest.


It is not the honest people that you have to worry about.