What I didn't Think about when I bought the Dodge

[fish-aholic]

Ok, so, here's the problem. And I know the 3 most common answers are going to be a Front Rack, a Rear Rack or a roof rack. However I can come up with those myself, I want some unique ideas here.....The problem with the 88 Ramcharger is the back liftgate....Yup thats it, the whole thing is a liftgate. There is no way to open the window on it either, so in order to transport rods, they need to be broken down and stacked inside, or one of the 3 options I already mentioned....Does anyone have any sort of idea on how to rig it to carry a rod that #1 isn't gonna cost a fortune and require major modifications to the truck #2 Can support carrying up to 15' rods.......

[mdram]

assuming the rods break down, mount a section of pvc pipe to the roof, put the rods inside it, just have to take the reels off

or there are rooftop racks made

google rooftop rod rack

[fish-aholic]

Kinda wanted to stay away from having to break them down and removing reels....I know I'm gonna end up with a roof, front or rear rack...was just hoping someone out there had a genius idea

[mdram]

@ 15' you will have to break the rods down, even with a roack onthe front or back, most highway clearance is 13'6" ax


but thule makes one where you can leave the reels on

[fish-aholic]

Originally Posted by mdram

@ 15' you will have to break the rods down, even with a roack onthe front or back, most highway clearance is 13'6" ax


but thule makes one where you can leave the reels on

Not talking about driving too and from the beach, more talking about while out on the beach, I don't mind breaking them down to get there or go home, but if I wanna pack up and move down the beach right now I have no way to do it....

[mdram]

aahhhh, my bad

then why bumper racks that dont hold a cooler, just rods

[derf]

jeff
what we used to do , before the camper :
for travel to and from the beach , all the rods were broken down .
the rods that wouldn't fit in the bed of the truck were stored in a pvc tube on the roof . all were in individual rod bags to keep them from getting scratched up .
what would break down to less than 6 foot were put in rod bags then in pvc tubes .
on the beach , the rods we were using were kept in the front rack , anything else that we thought we would use was in a yakamia snow board rack on top of the truck cap .
that system worked for us for many years
it was a pain in the butt to assemble and break everything to travel to and from the beach , but it worked ...
derf

[Coop]

Jeff, an inexpensive ski rack should do the trick. I believe the 88 has gutters and many of the older style ski racks just go right on top of the car/truck and are attached via the gutters. I had one for skiing many many years ago like that. I am not sure they still make those but would think you may be able to find one cheap and maybe even used.

[fish-aholic]

Originally Posted by Coop

Jeff, an inexpensive ski rack should do the trick. I believe the 88 has gutters and many of the older style ski racks just go right on top of the car/truck and are attached via the gutters. I had one for skiing many many years ago like that. I am not sure they still make those but would think you may be able to find one cheap and maybe even used.

Unfortunately the only the area around the door actually has a gutter :( So I'm gonna have to come up with something else.

[derf]

Originally Posted by fish-aholic

Unfortunately the only the area around the door actually has a gutter :( So I'm gonna have to come up with something else.

ok a couple of ideas ...
1) check the 'junk yards ' for a factory roof rack for the dodge , then put a yakamia or thule rack on .
2) i know yakamia makes a mounting plate for truck caps . you could just mount these to the roof of the dodge and then put the rack on
derf

[Charkbait]

In the end you'll spend $250-400 getting the set up together. Just get the cooler/rod rack. They can be had for around $250. That sucks you can't get the back window down, that would solve all your problems. I have a Reynolds for on the beach but drive with the rods inside and fully rigged, they hang out the back around 2ft and only about 1ft above the roof line.

[wagonmaster]

Try a set of roof mount soft ski racks a friend of mine has them on his dodge and they work well

[Bohica]

I'm assuming you don't want to spend a whole lot of sheckles:

Cabela's -- Fentress Roof Rak

[fish-aholic]

Originally Posted by Charkbait

In the end you'll spend $250-400 getting the set up together. Just get the cooler/rod rack. They can be had for around $250. That sucks you can't get the back window down, that would solve all your problems. I have a Reynolds for on the beach but drive with the rods inside and fully rigged, they hang out the back around 2ft and only about 1ft above the roof line.

yeah, cooler/rod rack would be nice, but if I'm spending that money It'll be for a Thule or Yakima. the cooler/rod rack won't help me tote 2 canoes back and forth to the river....guess I'm just gonna have to come out of pocket and get the stuff for the roof rack....

[TOO EZ]

Is this vehicle just a Beater / Beach vehicle?

If so... And you dont care how the truck looks Why not get some Rod holders and Mount it on the Side of the Truck? Have the butt end closest to the Doot and the Tips of the rods facing the rear of the truck. There should be plenty of room to mount Either an entire Rod Rack Or Indiv. rod holders on the side.

Keeping that idea in mind and assuming you don't care how this looks - If you dont like that idea of mounting to the side of the truck use the Hood and the top of the truck. Mount a bracket onto the front of the hood along with something to Pinch or Hold the Fwd part of your rod. Butt end at the hood - Tip in the air??????????

I like this kinda stuff.... Its what I do for a living!