How to hang a clothes bar across the back seat?

[joe_julie81]

As we all know, most tc' S don't have closets, at least not sufficient for hanging longer things (shirts, slacks, dresses, jackets, etc) without folding and cramming. The simple solution is to use the back seat of the truck, via a hanging bar. However, my truck has the clothes hooks on either side and above the back window, instead of over the middle of each back door. The headliner pretty much covers everywhere you would think to install the hooks. Can I drill into something solid behind the headliner to install a couple of hooks? Or is some other solution?

[RickW]

Naio wrote:
Any type of string, nylon strap, etc., that goes from outside to inside is going to wick water in when there's rain, and get your seat or floor wet....

I have done this looping a common 1" cam strap through the door window frames and do not remember any water issues. For clothes hanging, thread the nylon strap through a length of rigid conduit. The problem here is you need to undo the strap to open a rear door. You can also loop the strap over the cab and above the door frames but risk rubbing paint. If you do this, and get a vibration at speed, put a twist in the outside strap.

If this clothes bar is going to remain in place for the entire trip, you could build a "swingset" structure that had legs in the crease of the seat and legs to the floor of the truck behind the front seats.

Hope this helps,

[AidenJ]

Naio wrote:
Any type of string, nylon strap, etc., that goes from outside to inside is going to wick water in when there's rain, and get your seat or floor wet.

You may have to cantilever off those rear hooks. Or, where do the rear shoulder belts attach?

I was thinking along the same lines, some sort of bracket strong enough to hold a metal rod. Or how about the extendable cargo rods made for pickup boxes. Don't know what it would do to the headliner though.

[Naio]

Any type of string, nylon strap, etc., that goes from outside to inside is going to wick water in when there's rain, and get your seat or floor wet.

You may have to cantilever off those rear hooks. Or, where do the rear shoulder belts attach?

[K_Mac]

You could buy the flags that people attach to the top of their car door, and attach a zip tie, string, twine,etc..to a closet rod inside. Either leave the flag attached or remove it, and cut the plastic down to size. My son did this and he said it works well.

[jimh406]

joe&julie81 wrote:
I don't mind penetrating the headliner with a long enough screw in hook to fasten to something solid. I just don't want to mess something else up.

Problem is headliner isn't strong.

[joe_julie81]

I don't mind penetrating the headliner with a long enough screw in hook to fasten to something solid. I just don't want to mess something else up.

[jimh406]

trail-explorer wrote:
that would flap in the breeze and drive you crazy while driving.

Couldn’t it be tight though? How about holding it in place with magnets? I’m just brainstorming because I have a big enough closet for me, and besides, I drive a Ford. 🙂

[trail-explorer]

jimh425 wrote:
Couldn't you run a thin 1 inch nylon strap over the cab and hang clothes on it? The doors would probably seal.

that would flap in the breeze and drive you crazy while driving.

[jimh406]

Couldn't you run a thin 1 inch nylon strap over the cab and hang clothes on it? The doors would probably seal.

[Bedlam]

I also lost the rear over door hanger loops when I went to my Ram from my previous Ford. Luckily, I made due until I upgraded my camper and now have generous closet space for clothing. I tow an enclosed trailer most of the time and I rigged an internal clothesline for drying items that doubles for hanger hook locations. It still would be nice to get that hanging space back for bulky jackets or life vests when I don't have the enclosed trailer with me, so I am interested in what you find.

[mockturtle]

OutdoorAddict wrote:
They stopped putting hooks on the side due to side airbag deployment.

My truck is a 2015.

[Oscar_P]

I've had the headliner out of the quad cab Dodge's a couple of times (I have an '07). Honestly, there isn't a simple solution for installing hooks the way you are suggesting. You would almost have to cut holes into the headliner itself so that you can access the body under it. There is a 2" or so cavity between the headliner and the cab in that area, so simply putting a screw through will only catch on the thin fiberglass of the headliner.

With that said, I hope someone has a solution to this. This could solve some stuff for me as well and like a dope, I never even considered using the back seat for a closet.

[OutdoorAddict]

They stopped putting hooks on the side due to side airbag deployment.

[joe_julie81]

My 04 Dodge doesn't have hooks where you would need them to hang the bar above the back seat. I've got to figure out how to put the hooks where they need to be. What can I drill and screw into?