Does the Rhino Rack Fishing Rod Carrier Need to Be Removed in an Automatic Car Wash

Updated 11/19/2025 | Published 10/03/2021

Question:

If I mount the 11 fishing rod rack to my jeep factory cross bars, would I have to take them off every time I go to the car wash? Also do you sell a rear mounted for a 2inch trailer hitch fishing rod rack, if so does it have an extension so you can open the back door?

asked by: Anthony B

Expert Reply:

I'll start out by saying that any time you mount an accessory like the Rhino Rack Fishing Rod Carrier # RR576F on your roof rack, you will need to remove it from the vehicle in order to take it through an automatic car wash to prevent anything from getting caught on it. Unfortunately there's not a way around this and its done to protect you from damaging your vehicle and/or damaging the car wash machinery, which would likely be an expensive fix.

I'm not aware of a hitch mounted fishing rod carrier as it's not something we carry but they may exist.

expert reply by: Erik B

Jay

11/19/2025

Do the cross bars also have to be removed or just the rod holders?

Jameson C.

11/19/2025

@Jay Crossbars can stay on in a car wash.

Jay

11/19/2025

@JamesonC Can I assume it's a little difficult to remove the holders to prevent them from being stolen?

Jameson C.

11/19/2025

@Jay Yeah they aren't designed to be easily slipped off and on so it wouldn't be something you could just reach up yank off. They also are harder to take off just because you want them to be mounted securely as an unintended consequence.