What is the best way to ship a completely built rod? Obviously, PVC pipe is the way to go, but it is extremely heavy (3in dia x 9ft). I was wondering if you guys have any better methods that would be cheaper (weight wise) than PVC yet still provide solid protection? Once you get in to larger PVC the walls become thicker and thicker making it overall heaverier and heavier. Thus more expensive. Is there any kind of cardboard or thinner plastic I could use? Thanks in advance,
Brad

You could try a heavy duty cardboard tube. Thats what cabelas shipped my crappie rod in. Definitely lighter than PVC.

I wouldnt chance a cardboard tube if I thought much of the rod I was sending. Maybe if your sending a warranty rod back you could be ok, after all its broken already. I would advise getting a pvc drainage pipe from your local home builders supply. I get mine from Lowes and the cost is only around 8 bucks for a 10' section. Also mark in several locations not conveyorable. Could help, couldnt hurt. And of coarse insure properly.

Good Luck!

Mike Thompson
Thompson's Custom Rods

It is impossible to make anything foolproof, because fools are so ingenious!

PVC Sewer Pipe, half the weight, $8 for 10ft.

DR

where are you guys? I only pay $5 for a 2" x 10' schedule 40 conduit from Home Depot or Lowes.

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AD

Several years ago, I received from New York to here (MD.) a 2pc. "Harnell"
surf rod. It was packed in a card board box in triangle shape. The first I have seen
of these. They are sold by USPS. The rod was in good shape. I saw no visable
damage to the box. I believe the web site of USPS probably shows them.
Might be worth checking out.

jocko

About my last post on USPS "tubes". I checked the web site. I "goofed". . . . .

There is "no charge" for "tubes. 3" I.D. Min. order is 10.
(page 5 under "supplies")

jocko

You're not going to save very much on weight. Besides actual shipping charges you will be charged an oversized package charge and then if it's going to go to a residentual area you will be charged for that also. You'll also be paying a lot higher if that tube is over 8' long. If shipping by UPS you will be paying in the range of 23.00 to 30.00 plus the cost of the pvc tube. Don't go any lighter than schedule 40 pipe. The weight will be about six pounds but you'll be paying for a thirty pound package. You'll also have to use a tube at least three inches in diameter for the trigger on a casting rod to fit or for the stripper on a spinning rod. Electrical conduit pipe from Lowe's is less expensive than pvc plumbing pipe by a couple of dollars.

About those triangle tubes you get from the postal service... they are only about 4 feet long.

Lance

Was waiting for someone to bring it up and Lance finally did...

Weight plays almost no bearing on the shipping cost when it comes to rod tubes. Its the length that kills you.

I've shipped the same sized tube and used weights from 7 pounds to 12 pounds (because I wasn't actually weighing the tube) and the cost never varied more than a buck or two.

PVC is the only way I'll ship. To not spend the few extra dollars for PVC on a $300+ rod just doesn't make sense to me. Not only does the customer deserve it, but quite frankly I don't need the hassle of a claim and I hate having to rebuild a rod.

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Better to have and not need than to need and not have.

ABS pipe is as thick as PVC and quite rigid but not nearly as heavy. As some have said, weight doesn't make much difference in the cost, but if you're wanting to cut weight anyway, ABS or foam core (non-pressure rated) PVC is the way to go.

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Only problem with ABS is availability. Some state's don't allow it use in construction (Illinois for one) so good luck finding it. IF you have a business you can setup an account with FedEx ( I am sure you can with UPS also) and get shipping at a discounted rate, it costs me around 17-20 to ship a 7' pvc pipe anywhere.

Scott Sheets
www.smsrods.com

Go to a carpet place and ask for some of the heavy cardboard tubes that the carpet is shipped on, I usually accompany the "Cumshaw" request with a six pack. Works wonders/

Take a wood saw with you too.

All great options. Where could I find ABS pipe? Is it something that you could find at Lowes/Home Depot?

Yes, the ABS PVC is sold at most Lowe's and Home Depot stores. It is known as "sewer and drainage pipe" in most areas. The walls are rated to over 2,000# of crush and I haven't had any issue over the years. Buy the end caps at the same time, make sure they are for that type of pipe and not Schedule 40 PVC. On the ABS pipe, there is almost always a "bell end" on one end ... but you are going to cut it down a bit anyway. Make sure to cut the bell end and not the other, since you will be using the caps. Give your rod some protection with bubble wrap in 4-5 spots AND pack the ends with the same to keep the rod from shifting.

As recommended previously, put labels that say "DO NOT CONVEYOR" all over the thing. Insure it and you will be fine. I use FedEx Ground for my deliveries and have been happy with the handling and the pricing.

Thanks for all the replies. All are a huge help on this site.