Carrying Off-Shore Fishing Rods On Top Of ARE Camper Shell

Updated 08/19/2025 | Published 08/11/2025

Question:

I want to add a rack of some sort to a ARE camper shell to carry some very large off shore fishing rods and reels. I am concerned with the clearance between the camper shell and the rack for the large reels which would have to hang down from the rack and with the diameter of the large rods which are a couple inches in diameter tapering down to something like a normal rod tip at the other. Any suggestions?

asked by: Jay H

Expert Reply:

Hi Jay; do you already have tracks on top of your camper shell? A lot of the time those come with Yakima or Thule tracks to install a roof rack. With a roof rack installed you can use a fishing rod holder like the Rhino-Rack Fishing Rod Carrier # RR576F you were looking at.

However, if the reels are as large as I imagine they are I think the only option would be to remove them during transport. You may have enough clearance depending on the tracks, roof rack, and then the added height of the fishing rod carrier but it will be pretty close and definitely require some measurements to figure out.

If you can tell me what tracks you have, if any, we can start there and see about the height with a roof rack on plus the carrier. I would also need to know roughly how far down the reel would hang to see if you could clear without pulling it off.

expert reply by: Robin H

Rhino-Rack Fishing Rod Carrier
(click to enlarge)

Jay H.

8/18/2025

Thanks for the feedback. I am mainly concerned with knowing what the max diameter rod is that will fit in that rod rack? If you could advise on that it would be greatly appreciated.

Robin H.

8/18/2025

@JayH ah yes, sure, the largest diameter that will fit is 1".

James

8/18/2025

Well shoot…I’m afraid that’s going to be the deal breaker then. I’m looking at 2” Thanks for checking.

Robin H.

8/19/2025

@James have you considered a roof box like # Y45AV or # Y43QD? I don't know that anything that thick will fit a standard rod carrier. Or perhaps there are some specialty ones out there for rods like those we don't carry.