What are your guys' preferred methods for transporting rods in your car?  I have an Xterra, but when I have our kids and wife along, I can't simply shove the rods in the back.  I have strapped a tube to the roof rack in the past, but I don't feel super safe with that method, so what have you used?  

If the tube is properly secured, it's safe.

I use a Bazuka secured with four rubber

straps to the side of my roof-top rack.

No issues.

8-)

i run a couple of bungee cords across the ceiling grab handles and garment hooks. they hold the rods up against the ceiling, out of the way and safe from harm.

I have a 2x4 mounted on the bed of my truck so the rods rest at a 45 degree angle. The 2x4 has notches that have been cut and smoothed out so rods do not move around or get scratched. This works very well for me.

What about those racks you mount on your wall?  Couldn't you attach them to the ceiling with velcro or something?

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I created a DIY version of this and it worked out great.  

I got two rods this past Christmas and they were both 6'6".  The rod tube that I have is only good for 6' rods.  D'oh...  This worked great, but I think I will look into a new tube as a long term solution.

In my Jeep Cherokee I run a thin braided rope thru the rear seat seat belt hooks on roof and clothes hangers behind front seat. Then I make loops out of cable ties threaded thru the braid , keeps the rods from sliding sideways and hitting each other.

In the May/June edition of FLW Bass Edition, on page 16, there is a way to store rods in a SUV with an extendable clothes storage rod.  Looks like it might work but I'm not sure the length of rods you can store above your head.  I'll have to make some measurements.