RodMounts introduced the industry leading RodLoft in 1999-2000 and marketed it as the RodLoft Standard. After emphatic urging from customers, we realized the importance of developing an interior rod transport system for passenger vehicles. At the time we offered roof rack and truck bed rod carriers but anglers also wanted something that kept their rods and reels inside. The RodLoft hit a nerve; frustrated anglers finally saw a way out of fighting tangled rods, reels and tackle as well as dogs! Although rudimentary by comparison with the RodLoft PRO, the RodLoft Standard was quite advanced for its time. It was the first system to offer multiple mounting locations in vehicles and was expandable to carry more rods to suit nearly all anglers' needs. We then upgraded the Standard by replacing the front support system with a rigid telescopic support bar. We also added padded tip holders, just like the grip holders and the RodLoft Deluxe was born. The Deluxe was a huge hit and we wanted to capitalize on that achievement. As good as the RodLoft Deluxe was, it didn't meet the needs of all fishermen. There were some vehicles that wouldn't easily accommodate it and it couldn't handle big offshore tackle. It was a great idea and a great product that needed some upgrading. We wanted to make the RodLoft a "one-size-fits-all-vehicles" and "one-size-fits-all-tackle" product.
Completely 100% redesigned from the ground up, we now have the all-new 2004 RodLoft PRO. Not a single component has been carried over from the previous models. Every part was designed, engineered and built specifically for this professional-grade version.
There were four major goals we wanted to achieve with the RodLoft PRO:
1) Fit today's passenger vehicles with ease - no drilling or permanent installation;
2) Hold all types of tackle from offshore heavyweights to freshwater flyweights;
3) Hold lots of rods - like up to 30;
4) Offer it all in one box.
We're proud to say we did it. We've made major improvements - additional mounting options, stiffer support bars, beefy security straps, tougher and more durable foam padding, adjustable rod carriers for all sizes and types of rods, double suction couplers, and stainless steel components - just to name a few. Not only did we achieve our technical goals, but also realized cost efficiencies that allowed us to pass the savings on to you! After 10 years in the business of manufacturing RodMounts, we now have the ability to offer world-class manufacturing at the lowest cost. You will be hard-pressed to find a higher quality product at this price. Sure we could charge more, but we can offer the PRO at $119.95, sell more, and keep you, the customer, $atisfied. We want every person who fishes to have a RodLoft PRO. Not just the actual Pro's.
We didn't just engineer the PRO to perform to a higher standard.
We didn't just manufacture it at a lower price. We wanted to show off our design capabilities as well. We looked at the vehicles our products were going into - Suburbans, Tahoes, Sequoias, Hummers, Lexus, $35,000 pick-ups with $900+ caps. We looked at the tackle our customers were carrying - Shimano, Van Staal, Penn, Sage, and Hardy. We really wanted to look, feel and perform as well as, if not better than the vehicles and gear utilized by PRO users. The all-new RodLoft PRO is an accessory that you'll be proud to put in your vehicle (and will help make some look better!).
Let's take a look at our first goal -mounting seamlessly to vans, station wagons, SUV's, sport wagons, crossovers and trucks with caps on the bed. We've been manufacturing interior mounting systems since 1999 so we already had some bugs worked out. We felt the need to create additional mounting options while improving the existing ones. We now have 6 separate and interchangeable mounting options that are included with every PRO. We crawled around inside countless cars, trucks, vans and SUV's to come up with mounting options that did not require any drilling or modifications to the vehicle.
The six mounting options consist of:
Dual suction couplers (2);
Grab bar attachments (2);
Garment hook attachments (2);
Oversize Garment Hook Attachments (4);
Topper or cap brackets (4);
Molding brackets (4)
(click item for photos and info).
We have found that these options will work in the vast majority of passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. None of these require drilling or permanent installation. In fact, the PRO can be initially installed in minutes, then removed and re-installed in seconds. With all the mounting options included, you can switch the PRO from one type of vehicle to another with minimal effort. And remember, all 6 mounting options are included in every RodLoft PRO! Please take the time to check out the details of the mounting options separately - there is just too much information to discuss here.
Because the RodLoft PRO is about ease and convenience, we needed a simple way to connect the various mounting options to the telescopic support bars. This connection needed to be easy to use, foolproof, durable, strong and dependable. In addition to these requirements it absolutely had to be adjustable. Because of the various angles inside passenger vehicle at the various mounting locations, we needed something that had the ability to swivel. After considering several alternatives, we opted for the tried and true ball-and-socket connection.
On either end of the telescopic support bars (more about these later) are press-fitted, injection-molded polycarbonate ball-ends. We chose polycarbonate because it is so tough it is used to make riot shields, airline windows and beer pitchers. These ball ends (male) mate with socket (female) connections that are built into the various mounting options. The socket snaps over the ball and a red thumbscrew threads through an insert. Once the support bar is installed in your vehicle, the thumbscrew can be tightened. The screw applies pressure to a tab in the socket, holding the bar in place to keep the connection secure.
With the mounting option issue tackled, it was time to build a true multi-purpose rod carrier. It would have to be capable of handling the biggest tuna sticks yet still maintain the agility to cradle a 3-weight fly rod. We wanted these rod holders to be ergonomic, user friendly and, if possible, enhance the interior of the vehicle. It had to be a unique and simple system that allowed various rod sizes to be loaded with no effort. The result was a rod holder featuring removable black foam inserts in the grip section. Removing these inserts increases the grip opening size so larger rod handles can be loaded. Replacing the inserts creates a grip opening perfect for accommodating smaller lightweight rods. This allows you to carry any combination of sizes and types of rods and reels with your RodLoft PRO. In addition, each of the grip holder's feature special cutouts that secure rod tips when carrying your rods broken down. The tip holders offer foam-padded tip keepers with oversize openings for easy tip loading. For really big guides, a section of the foam can be cut away for easy loading. We've also included security straps for the cut away tip holders. Engage the security straps and your rods will be held safe and snug on even the gnarliest "roads".
The ability to adjust the spread of the support bars is a key component in making the RodLoft PRO such a versatile fit. These are stout enameled-steel, large-diameter, thick-walled tubes that will not buckle under load. They expand to fit the widest vehicles on the market. The tubes lock into place with a simple twist as an internal cam lock expands against the larger outside tube. The result is a clean looking, solidly locking rigid support bar perfect for accommodating our all-new rod holders.
So, we've successfully designed and built a system that offers unparalleled ease for use in the interior of passenger vehicles without drilling or permanent mounts. We've provided all of the options in just one box and offer the entire system for only $119.95! You can be assured that the PRO will always work for you because the ball-and-socket mounting system offers the ability to add additional mounts as vehicles interiors change in the years to come. This is a great system for SUV's, vans, trucks, sport wagons, crossovers of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Don't leave home without a RodLoft PRO.
If your 12-foot rod won't fit in your 7 feet of interior length, the PRO can transport your rods broken down. You can still keep your rods and reels rigged, safe and secure without becoming entangled with your gear, tackle, dogs, buddies, kids, wife (or husband). It is simpler and easier to load the RodLoft PRO than removing your terminal tackle, finding the tackle-box(es), completely breaking down your rods and putting them into cases.
Another cool feature of the grip and tip holders is that they can be placed above or below the support bar. It is also possible to have holders on top and others below. We call this "double-decking". This is really a great way to carry more rods with less room. Depending on your vehicle and the number and lengths of rods you are carrying, "double-decking" allows you to carry up to 30 rods! There are 2 ways to "double-deck"; one is to place the rod holders right on top of each other. This works great with small diameter reels but for bigger reels (or reels with long handles like surf casting reels), "offset double-decking" is the way to go. "Offset double-decking" is simple. Rather than have the rod holders directly above and below each other, the holders are positioned so that the holder on top is offset from the holder below.
Here's a neat trick - position the holders in the "neutral" position on the bar when not in use. Rotating the holders so they are horizontal provides more clearance as well.
Additional RodLoft PRO rod holders sell separately for $24.99 per set. They can be mounted to a variety of things such as boat rails, car roof racks, T-Tops, canoe gunwales and who-knows-what until we hear it from you. They are a high-quality inexpensive rod rack system that just might be the answer to your rod storage or transportation problem. Let us know if you've found a unique use for them or email us your photos.
The RodLoft PRO comes with our Topper Brackets (for shells, campers, toppers, canopies, lids, etc). These brackets hook over the top of the inside frame on the windows. You say your windows don't have frames? In this case you would use the Suction Couplers for both the front and back support bars. You will need to purchase another set of Suction Couplers to set up the system this way. We sell additional Suction Couplers for $12.95 per set. Another option is to "hard-mount" the system. Hard-mounting means using screws. Some people are dead set against it; others realize it can make life easier. If you decide to go ahead and hard mount, you can modify the Topper or Molding Brackets (included) or make your own. In any case, you will need to drill holes in the brackets and surface you're mounting to.
Depending on the finish on the inside of your topper, amount of weight you will put on the system and other factors, you may be able to glue 4 pieces of wood to the interior of the shell. You can then fashion some type of mounting system. (For instance, glue small pieces of 2 x4 to the shell and hard mount the Molding Brackets to the wood.) Remember, with the Ball & Socket mounting system, you can quickly and easily remove the support bars with rod holders and still leave the mounts attached to the cap. This makes the RodLoft PRO very nice to use as you can set the system up for a weekend trip and remove it in seconds Monday morning for work or daily chores.
Although the RodLoft PRO does not include specific mounting options for truck beds, you do have several options. Depending on the configuration of your bed and whether or not it has a bed liner you may be able to use the Suction Couplers. If the Suction Couplers will not suffice, you might want to consider using the Molding Brackets, which are L-shaped angles. The Molding Brackets can be hard-mounted to the top of the bed rails, inserted between the tonneau cover's mounting rails and bedrail, or hard-mounted to the cover's mounting system. You may also want to consider installing hooks or tie-down loops to the inside of the bed and use the Garment Hook or Grab Bar mounting options.
Although we have strived to make the most versatile and comprehensive rod carrier for vehicles, we know there are going to be special instances where customization will be required. As for mounting options, our ball and socket system allows you to make your own brackets and secure them to the attachment with screws, just like the Molding Brackets or Topper Brackets.
Some of you will want to install the RodLoft PRO in your motor home, boat cabin, utility trailer or some other non-vehicular place. We want to help. The support bars will extend to an overall length of 60" and collapse down to 33.5" (bearing in mind the mounting options will add extra length). These are finite dimensions and for practical purposes cannot be modified. If those lengths don't work for you, you may want to consider other support bar alternatives, such as purchasing single lengths of tube, and mount our rod holders to them. Tube diameter can be between approximately .75" O.D. to 1.1875" O.D..