A tension-mounted pole for mounting between two substantially parallel surfaces includes a central tubular body, a first telescoping tubular body having a telescoping first end coupled with the central tubular body and a free second end, and a second tubular body having a telescoping first end coupled with the central tubular body and a free second end. An extension mechanism is mounted to the central tubular body. The extension mechanism is configured to be manually actuated and has a toothed rack and pinion arrangement configured to simultaneous move the first and second tubular bodies in opposite directions relative to the central tubular body.