Cooler/Surf Rod Racks?

I'm thinking that might be my only option. I'm heading to Ocracoke in a few weeks and thought I might just put the rod rack in the bed during transit and then put it on the rear when I get to the island. I was planning to keep my tacklebox in the bed, but wouldn't be able to drop the tailgate with the rod rack installed. FWIW - I kept my beach cart on a rack on the back of my jeep and a cooler/rod rack on the front. It was a great surf fishing set-up, especially when I traveled with the family everything fishing was kept outside the jeep. Trying to figure out something similar for the Taco.

 

are you opposed to getting a rocket launcher style rack and just leaving the cooler in the bed?

Messy bed, I apologize.

 

I hadn't thought about that. I could fold back my cover and do something similar. I'll have to see if they make one that fits the rail system of a tacoma. I did order the roof rack rod holder to get my rods to the island and back. I also discovered the "off" button for the TSS system, but I can also ask Toyota to disable it in the computer system.

 

That’s a port-a-rod rod rack. They’re adjustable and will fit in just about every truck. I’ll try and remember to get better pictures tonight. I prefer it because it’s too much money to be exposed in the case of a wreck.

I had also made a bracket to attach my pier cart to the bed rails, I don’t use that anymore but it worked perfectly. I can set that back in the bed and get pictures as well. And you can still use you’re bed cover if there’s no rods in it. Here’s a not so great picture of it.

 

I like that idea, I found it on Amazon and see they even have heavy duty ones for my 80w reels as a plus it keeps the rods even higher and out of the first set of waves if I used it as a rod holder.

 

I have not tested that one yet, nor do I know anyone who has. But I’m sure will work just fine as long as your drag is set. I travel from Manteo to Avon/Buxton regularly with rods that stick about 3’ over the cab and the wind resistance hasn’t ever made it budge. No drilling needed either, that was the selling point for me.

 

Still have room to add 3-4 more tubes.

 

Sweet surf set-up! I need to find something like the straps you have for the shovel. Thanks for sharing.

 

Yep.. there’s a thread on here somewhere of how to make that bracket for the shovels. It’s pretty much 1/8” flat steel bent up and painted black with monkey fists to hold the shovel and whatever else you’d like to put there.

 

Late reply but I can confirm a front mounted rack will mess with TSS. Bought a rack and drove to the obx a few weeks ago.
Threw a warning light with the occasional Brake! warning although it never breaked for me. Also can't engage cruise control. Real pain in the butt...

 

Thanks, I thought so. I did find on a sticky here that I can take it to a dealer and have the system disabled, I'm probably going to do that...I didn't care for the cruise system on my recent trip to the OBX (braking when there was a car next to me, not in front).