Rod tube is breaking rods, what am I doing wrong?

[07Rapala]

I built a DIY rod tube out of 6" PVC and it's been working fine for a couple years. However, I've now broken the tips off of 2 rods in the past 2 months. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong here but something clearly needs to change. I mostly fish with spinning rods so the reels take up a lot of space and get cluttered.

Should I only put rods in the tube without the reel attached?

Should I add foam at the ends of the tube to cushion things?

Should I give up on the rod tube and carry my rods some other way (that would be acceptable to my wife)?

[LCG]

Is the rod one piece or two?

 

I would definitely add foam to both end of the tune to protect the rod either way.

 

I have switched all my rods to two piece for versatility, as I have a family and one pice rods just don't work well most of the time. 

 

I use a rod cases that fit my combos with reels attached with a total length of 45", this works well for me and allows me to take any of my rods with me. If we are traveling and stay for awhile, I leave them attached as one pice and use rod socks and reel covers.

 

Hope that helps.

[casts_by_fly]

Add foam but first make sure the rods aren’t sliding when you drive. When rods slide in tubes they build up momentum more than you’d ever think. A sudden stop adds a bunch of force in a tiny area. Many people learn this the hard way when the try to ship them in the mail 

[VolFan]

If it’s smooth pvc and you have the rods with reels on them in there and you are driving, you are adding weight as it slams the tip section into the end of the tube. If two rods are in there together and even a little interlinked you have the weight of two rods on whatever tip is sticking further out at the end. I take the reels off, foam in the ends and stuff a few plastic bags or rags in either end so the rods can’t move much.

[WRB]

Are the tubes open ended in a boat rod locker?

Tom

[TOXIC]

Rod Socks. 

[TLHSS]

I always travel with my rods in tubes. All the rods are multi-piece. Each tube only contains one rod. The sections are first placed in a rod sock. Reels are transported in a separate box. 

 

[Scott F]

I always filled the tip ends of my rod tubes with towels to keep the tips from bouncing around. 

[07Rapala]

I think you guys have it with the interlocking rods putting their combined mass on whatever rod top is most forward when stopping and causing a break. For the record, I WAS using a rod sock with the last one that broke! I will take reels off when putting rods in the tube going forward and add foam to both ends. I will try loading them butt end first as well, but not sure that will work well with the rod socks. It will be a little more work to re-rig, but definitely better than the alternative.

Thanks!

[txchaser]

How many rods? Might be some better alternatives, like the cal coast rod carrier.

 

[MickD]

 As suggested above, you have to keep them from shifting in the tube.  If it worked before and doesn't now, something has changed allowing the rods to move.  Simply padding the ends will probably not be enough.  You have to keep them from shifting in the tube. 

[TOXIC]

Also, do you have “moose antlers” or any other support system for the reel ends?  I put 3 rods per tube in my Ranger and I have never broken a tip and I’ve traveled on 2 day trips.  I have the moose antlers.