DIY: Building A Fishing Rod Carrier That Can Trek Cross-Country

With rental vans becoming scarce and expensive, building your own rod carrier is a great way to transport long surf rods on a standard roof rack. This design features a heavy-duty PVC tube and adjustable aluminum brackets that can be adapted to fit almost any vehicle's luggage rack.

Phase 1: Building the Rod Tube

Materials Needed

• 4″ PVC Pipe

• 4″ PVC Slip End Cap

• 4″ Threaded Fitting & End Cap

• Grouting Sponges (2)

• PVC Primer and Glue

Assembly Steps

1. Cut to Length: Measure your longest rod and cut the PVC pipe 3 inches longer than that rod (e.g., for a 7'6" rod, cut the tube to 7'8"). [00:01:08]

2. Padding: Use a cap as a template to cut two circles out of a grouting sponge. These will protect your rod tips and butts. [00:03:26]

3. Cap the Ends: Glue the slip cap onto one end (with a sponge inside). Glue the threaded receiver onto the other end. [00:02:49]

Phase 2: Building the Adjustable Brackets

Materials Needed

• 4″ Plumber’s U-bolts

• 1″ (1/4″ thick) Aluminum Flat Bar

• 1.5″ x 1.5″ (1/8″ wall) Aluminum Angle

• Stainless hardware (5/16″ bolts, washers, nyloc nuts)

Assembly Steps

1. Cut the Angle: Cut four 6″ lengths of aluminum angle to serve as the bracket ends. [00:00:32]

2. Drill U-Bolt Holes: Mark and drill 3/8″ holes in the brackets to match the spread of your U-bolts. Tip: Start with a small pilot bit and work your way up for precision.

3. Create the Channel: Cut 9″ lengths of the flat bar to form the adjustable channel. Weld these to the brackets, ensuring they stay parallel so a 5/16″ screw can slide through the center.

4. Final Assembly: Attach the channel to the bracket with a 5/16″ bolt and a nyloc nut. This allows the bracket to slide and adjust to different roof rack widths. [00:00:43]

Phase 3: Mounting and Use

1. Mounting: Place the tube on your roof rack. Slide the brackets on from the bottom and the U-bolts over the top of the pipe. [00:01:32]

2. Tightening: Tighten the nuts evenly. Be careful not to overtighten, as you can crush the PVC pipe; it just needs to be snug enough that it won't slide. [00:02:22]

3. Loading Rods: Always transport your rods in rod socks to protect the guides (eyes) from vibration damage during travel. [00:02:55] Slide them in, insert the rear padding sponge, and screw the cap on tight.

Wrapping Up

This setup is rock-solid and ready for a long-distance trek. It frees up space inside the vehicle for other gear and ensures your expensive surf rods arrive at the coast in perfect condition. Safe travels and tight lines!