If I remember, the rod is not attached to the actual sliding load floor. When you lift up the sliding floor, it's on the bottom right (next to the right rail?). The rod end closest to you is connected to the car. You lift up on the rod end furthest away from you and place it in the holder on the sliding floor to hold it up. I think there's even a mark in red for where you place it. That's if I remember this all correctly.