Well I don't feel so bad: I thought I was the only person with a car that was forced to use a Thule rack.
My rack is very sturdy and doesn't move at all that I noticed. I used the exact combo of what was suggested by Thule.
Is you rack made for your car/truck, or did you just go with the generic rain gutter mounts?? Even with generic mounts there are like three styles depending on the age of the rack.
Here is my tip: drive with the butt end forward/towards the engine (assuming its a front engine car....lol). If a rock comes up it will strike a thick part of your rod (butt end with cork, or tape)and NOT the fragile tip section. Call me paranoid, but I rather be safe than sorry.
Those U shaped plastic things with the rubber pull over fit the large handled surf rods perfectly - not sure what they were originally made for, but I need to get some more.
After you get the rack set up like you want - use some kind of tape and mark where the bars sit on the towers. This way if you pull the racks on and off you can set it back up real quick.
Threaded Mode