Truck Topper Fishing Rod Rack

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I wanted to make a rod rack for my topper without having to drill holes in the roof.  I tried glueing wood to the roof with Gorilla glue and then screwing the welded rack to it, but the reel end of the rack was too heavy and came crashing down.  (btw.... the rod tip end of the rack is still secure, so I didn't bother taking it down.....I hope it comes down one of these days on it's own, so I can build a bow frame for it).Since I like hanging heavier items such as lanterns and wet wading shoes from the rack, I decided to build a rod rack with a frame like a covered wagon bow......or some would look at it as an internal ladder rack.   Either way.....  it works, and works GREAT!   I forsee me making a ton of accessories for this in the future; (gun rack, bow rack, shovel rack, hooks, etc.....Once again.... I hope to be building a front rack too and then connect the two with a horizontal piece down the top center, like a rib cage. Material:  3/8 hot roll rod, 1"angle iron, 3/4" square tubing, rubber coated bike hooks.NOTE: for the front rack, use rings cut from garage door springs, or just coil a rod and cut down one side.I almost forgot...... one of the most important parts to this is the bunngie cord that holds the rods down during travel. Attached ImagesLast edited by captain belly; 03-21-2011 at 10:38 PM.Reason: bunngie cord!!!!!http://www.youtube.com/user/c599209/videos
Reply:Slick unit. If you add accessories and start hanging heavier items you should gusset the uprights at the angle iron bases. Update as you accessorize!
Reply:pro-fab,  You're a mind-reader!Most of my welding projects are just the beginning.  I love to modify all my projects over time.http://www.youtube.com/user/c599209/videos
Reply:Nice I did something similar to that years ago in my camper shell. Really great idea.
Reply:cool idea. I think I'll build something like this for my truck.
Reply:Coool idea, nice and simple. I like it
Reply:This works so well, I now have friends asking me to make them one.  Here's pic of a set that I just put some paint on.  Notice that I made the front ( rod tip bow) as well.  I made this out of scrap that I had laying around.  If I had more scrap, I'd probably put a few more supports in so I could land a chopper on it.  However, this simple structure (the back/reel end bow) has proven to hold my fishing rods, wet wading boots, stringer of fish and a lantern without any bend at all.   First time I didn't over kill a project and it actually works.  It's also light weight making it easy to get in and out of the truck. Attached Imageshttp://www.youtube.com/user/c599209/videos