introduced the industry leading RodLoft in 1999-2000 and marketed it as the RodLoft Standard. After emphatic urging from customers, they realized the importance of developing an interior rod transport system for passenger vehicles. At the time they 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. They then upgraded the Standard by replacing the front support system with a rigid telescopic support bar. They also added padded tip holders, just like the grip holders and the RodLoft Deluxe was born.

The Deluxe was a huge hit and they 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. They 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, they 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.

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

Take a look at RodMounts first goal – mounting seamlessly to vans, station wagons, SUV’s, sport wagons, crossovers and trucks with caps on the bed. They’ve been manufacturing interior mounting systems since 1999 so they already had some bugs worked out. They felt the need to create additional mounting options while improving the existing ones. They now have 6 separate and interchangeable mounting options included with every PRO. None require any drilling or modifications to your vehicle.

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)

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.

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Because the RodLoft PRO is about ease and convenience, they 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 vehicles, at the various mounting locations, they needed something that had the ability to swivel. After considering several alternatives, they 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. RodMount 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.

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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.

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.

RodMount 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. They’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”.

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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.