Thule Fishing

Frequently Asked Questions

• Which Thule fishing rod carrier is best for transporting fully rigged rods up to 12 feet?

  Thule OnShore is designed for fully rigged rods up to about 12 feet and accommodates larger reels with its enclosed, low‑profile shell and drainage base. RodVault models carry shorter or more rods (RodVault ST to about 8 ft, RodVault Fly up to 10 ft) and are better when you need higher capacity rather than maximum single‑rod length.
• How many rods do the RodVault and OnShore hold, and will they protect delicate fly rod tips and guides?

  RodVault ST holds up to six standard tackle/spinning rods (max ~8 ft) while RodVault Fly comes in 2‑ or 4‑rod versions for fly rods up to ~10 ft; OnShore carries up to four fully rigged rods up to ~12 ft. Both systems feature protective liners and GripLock separators or polypropylene‑lined tubes to prevent guide and tip damage during transit.
• Will Thule rod carriers fit my vehicle’s roof bars and interfere with my rear hatch?

  Thule rod carriers use universal mounting hardware for crossbars and are engineered to avoid hatch interference when positioned correctly on the bar spread. Verify your crossbar spread and rear hatch clearance before installation and mount the carrier forward or rearward on the bars as needed to ensure safe hatch operation.
• How does the RodVault compare to the OnShore in terms of protection, weight, and capacity?

  RodVault uses anodized aluminum modular tubes and glass‑reinforced nylon cases to offer higher capacity with a relatively compact footprint (RodVault ST is around 31 lbs), making it ideal when you need to carry multiple rods. OnShore is a partially enclosed ABS shell built for larger, fully rigged rods and reels with integrated drainage and strong security features, so choose RodVault for capacity and lightweight modularity or OnShore for enclosed protection and larger rod clearance.
• What mounting and maintenance features should I consider when choosing a Thule fishing rod carrier?

  Look for universal roof‑bar compatibility, secure locking (One‑Key System compatibility or padlock options), GripLock separators or lined tubes for reel and guide protection, and drainage for wet gear. For maintenance, rinse salt or mud off the shell and hardware, check fasteners and couplings before trips, and lubricate locks periodically to keep them operating smoothly.