|
10/15/2018 01:26PM |
|
10/09/2018 10:26PM |
|
10/11/2018 09:58PM |
awbrown: "Originally, I had a Jeep Cherokee. I took an old ratchet strap and cut 2 pieces of strap about 1 ft. long. I found a screw under the hood on each side of the vehicle, near the radiator and attached the straps to the metal framing, in the shape of a loop, with each of the screws. When hauling my canoe, I reach into the engine compartment and pull out the 2 loops and tie off the canoe to the loops.
Now I have a Ford Escape and fastened the loops in the area of the hood hinges. Every place else is all plastic.
If you can't find any sturdy enough metal to screw into, you could use a pair of these gadgets. Just sit the tubes inside the engine compartment and close the hood.
Link "
I remember you describing this years ago when I purchased my first canoe.....I did the same thing. I found a good panel screw, took it out, put the strap and a big washer back..PRESTO change......Magic.
On some other vehicles, I've actually drilled a new hole, and put in a heavier bolt....Works GREAT.
|
08/27/2018 05:07PM |
Jackfish: "KarlBAndersen1: "To drive down the road without the bow and stern secured - regardless of how far apart the rack bars are - is asking for trouble.
To do so would not even cross my mind. That leaves me dumbfounded. "
Don't be dumbfounded, Karl. Think it through.
Imagine a 17' canoe that is secured to racks spaced 10' apart. You align your canoe on the racks so 3' is ahead of the front rack and 4' is behind the back rack, then you strap the canoes to the racks with heavy-duty cam straps. That canoe isn't going anywhere, and we've been carrying two canoes that way for maybe 20 years or more. I can assure you, they don't even wiggle, even in gusts of wind. Round-trip for us is about 1,200 miles.
As I mentioned above, if the racks were closer together, front (and probably back) anchor straps would be necessary. They're not in our situation. "
C'mon - he's talking about on an SUV. How are you going to get rails 10 feet apart? I've got simple math pretty well figured out.
Think it through.
|
10/09/2018 08:49PM |
Once I get it tightened down it doesn’t move at all with canoe straps. Also, I place the canoe where it balances on its own, so it sets further back on the vehicle. It doesn’t quite reach even with the front of the hood. 18.5’ Souris River.
|
08/27/2018 10:08PM |
I must add...I've posted a dozen or things on this site. I've heard crickets on one or two topics. Never in my mind did I think I'd get 27+ responses, albeit 5 or so were bickering about how to tie canoe down without front straps on a dodge caravan.
Thanks again! On with the caravan!
|
08/29/2018 07:34AM |
Some States require 3 points. I never knew this until I went to a outdoor trade show a few years ago and spoke with some Livery outfitters that have to throw a big strap over their load to avoid getting in trouble.
|
10/12/2018 08:02PM |
billconner: " "Our newer Outback has folding load bars that disappear nicely into the roof rails for lower drag when not carrying a load, but are only 30" (center to center) apart when in the cross-roof position."
I discovered these can be spread further apart. The tool is under the cover for the spare. I love the outback but this was not intuitive, at least for me."
I think the adjustable rear load bar feature started with the 2015 Outback--our 2011 only allows the 30" center to center placement, and the roof rails don't accommodate aftermarket load bars... Maybe our next (I'm on my tenth!) Suby's rack system will be more easily modified.
TZ
|
10/10/2018 11:41PM |
TrekScouter: "Front and rear lines aren’t so much for keeping the canoe secure on the rack. They ensure that excessive force won’t separate your rack from the vehicle."
And keep from killing or injuring someone behind you. Racks break. Straps break. Driving without the front secured to something other than your rack is dangerous to others, pure and simple.
|
08/26/2018 09:02AM |
|
09/24/2018 07:49PM |
These are half of "soft straps" I got in a big box store, used to loop over the handlebars of motorcycles and then ratchet down. So I cut each in half, giving me 4 straps for 2 vehicles. This pic is either on a Subaru outback or a Honda CRV, I don't remember.
The most damage I've ever had to a canoe when on the road...is when I hit an owl on the bow line at 70mph. It tore the front handle off the texas safari canoe. The rope ratchet I use for going to hood to bow bounced off the hood and caused a few good dings. The blood and feathers on the windshield was quite a surprise.
Now, I know of two folks who destroyed their kayaks by using long bow lines to under the bumper. when the lines come off, they go under the tire and kiss your boat goodbye. Use short lines to the hood instead!
Joe
|
08/26/2018 10:31AM |
I used to use the under the hood straps on both sides but I didn’t like the tie line in my vision.
~JOE~
|
10/11/2018 07:17PM |
I have been in an incident where the two safety chains kept a pop-up camper trailer attached to my vehicle as designed. My sister, who did not believe front tie downs were necessary, lost an expensive carbon fiber sea kayak at highway speeds. Luckily no one was injured.
|
10/12/2018 02:58PM |
bwcasolo: "Zulu: "
I have used these things called “Top Ties” on all my vehicles. They are a nylon strap with a grommet. You remove a bolt the holds the fender on, insert Top Tie and reinsert bolt. They tuck inside hood when not in use. I got mine at Red Rock Wilderness Store in Ely. "
yep, same here!"
+1 on these but i got my set at midwest in minneapolis. works like a charm.
|
10/11/2018 10:59AM |
TrekScouter: "Front and rear lines aren’t so much for keeping the canoe secure on the rack. They ensure that excessive force won’t separate your rack from the vehicle."
I always thought the straps around the rack were to hold the canoe down and the bow/stern straps were to keep it from moving around or shifting during transit. As in the center straps will hold it vertically and horizontally, but the bow/stern straps hold it against any twist and prevent any shifting forward and backward.
|
10/12/2018 03:23PM |
|
10/19/2018 05:29PM |
BWPaddler: "ozarkpaddler: "joewildlife: "Running bow lines long enough to get under the front bumper or to tow hooks might be long enough to get under the tires if they ever come loose. That is a proven way to destroy boats."
Heheheh, did I tell you about the time I did that accidentally playing "Dukes of Hazard" chasing a coyote through a field forgetting about a big dip? Broke the rack, strap wrapped around front passenger tire, and my Souris Quetico 16 slammed into the roof of my '97 RAV4! I was lucky I only damaged a rack and the car! The coyote, BTW, got away (LOL)!
"
I would pay good money for a video of that!"
I wish there WAS a video of that; I am VERY careful when driving through that particular field now (LOL)!
|
10/16/2018 01:26PM |
|
10/12/2018 06:23PM |
|
08/28/2018 12:38PM |
I previously made my own, then found it more convenient to buy the premade Seattle Sports hood loops from REI. I also bought a set of 4 of the loops on the plastic tube for setting up others who don't have permanent tie down points on their vehicle and I also use them on my Prius V for the rear tie downs.
|
10/16/2018 11:25PM |
joewildlife: "Running bow lines long enough to get under the front bumper or to tow hooks might be long enough to get under the tires if they ever come loose. That is a proven way to destroy boats."
Heheheh, did I tell you about the time I did that accidentally playing "Dukes of Hazard" chasing a coyote through a field forgetting about a big dip? Broke the rack, strap wrapped around front passenger tire, and my Souris Quetico 16 slammed into the roof of my '97 RAV4! I was lucky I only damaged a rack and the car! The coyote, BTW, got away (LOL)!
|
10/16/2018 11:25PM |
|
08/28/2018 06:26AM |
gopher2307: ".... I must add...I've posted a dozen or things on this site. I've heard crickets on one or two topics. Never in my mind did I think I'd get 27+ responses......"
It's funny. Some posts take off like dry tinder. Others sit like a fire in the rain.
|
10/15/2018 04:39PM |
egknuti: "I don't use any front straps because they were rubbing on my hood..."
I thought that was a major selling point of the aforementioned hood strap loops.
|
08/27/2018 02:00PM |
To do so would not even cross my mind. That leaves me dumbfounded.
Self explanatory:
|
08/27/2018 02:12PM |
KarlBAndersen1: "To drive down the road without the bow and stern secured - regardless of how far apart the rack bars are - is asking for trouble.
To do so would not even cross my mind. That leaves me dumbfounded. "
Don't be dumbfounded, Karl. Think it through.
Imagine a 17' canoe that is secured to racks spaced 10' apart. You align your canoe on the racks so 3' is ahead of the front rack and 4' is behind the back rack, then you strap the canoes to the racks with heavy-duty cam straps. That canoe isn't going anywhere, and we've been carrying two canoes that way for maybe 20 years or more. I can assure you, they don't even wiggle, even in gusts of wind. Round-trip for us is about 1,200 miles.
As I mentioned above, if the racks were closer together, front (and probably back) anchor straps would be necessary. They're not in our situation.
|
10/15/2018 08:08PM |
|
08/27/2018 06:31PM |
|
10/19/2018 09:59AM |
ozarkpaddler: "joewildlife: "Running bow lines long enough to get under the front bumper or to tow hooks might be long enough to get under the tires if they ever come loose. That is a proven way to destroy boats."
Heheheh, did I tell you about the time I did that accidentally playing "Dukes of Hazard" chasing a coyote through a field forgetting about a big dip? Broke the rack, strap wrapped around front passenger tire, and my Souris Quetico 16 slammed into the roof of my '97 RAV4! I was lucky I only damaged a rack and the car! The coyote, BTW, got away (LOL)!
"
I would pay good money for a video of that!
|
10/16/2018 12:48PM |
andym: "Your car doesn't need to have hood straps you can add them or use the ones that go in an out with the tubes such as these from Seattle Sports. "
I'll check these out. Thanks.
|
10/12/2018 06:23PM |
|
10/12/2018 06:23PM |
|
08/28/2018 11:39AM |
|
08/27/2018 04:38PM |
|
08/27/2018 06:51PM |
|
08/27/2018 09:32PM |
i have the extended expedition and they are no where near 10 feet
|
08/26/2018 10:47PM |
Cool to see the range of things people are doing. I’ll keep those in mind.
|
08/27/2018 06:52AM |
|
08/27/2018 07:23AM |
+1 to Zulu and others (but posting to try to fix the font)
|
08/27/2018 07:55AM |
bobbernumber3: "I've never used a front strap. Or a rear strap. Two straps across the canoe body near the seats is all I have used. Ratchet tight until the Kevlar cracks a little and you are good to go."
Depends on how far apart your racks are. "Two straps across the body NEAR THE SEATS" is the key.
If the straps are far enough apart, there's no need for the front or back tie-downs, but if they're only 3-5 feet apart, you better have some extra tie-downs or the canoe(s) won't have any stability on the roof.
I have a Dodge Grand Caravan and use the Spring Creek suction cup rack system. Straps go through the front door opening and the back venting windows. The racks are far enough apart where I don't need front or back tie-downs. Rock solid at 70+ mph.
|
08/26/2018 07:42AM |
Hood loop straps at REI
|
08/25/2018 05:04PM |
I'm looking at a new SUV. Oddly, I don't see any hooks or metal holes under the front end for attaching straps that would allow me to strap down the front end of my roof mounted canoe(s). I don't have a trailer for a canoe, nor do I have interest in getting one.
If it makes any difference, I'm looking at a VW Atlas which does have roof rails. I've asked the dealer this question, but I trust this audience's opinion better.
Thanks much!
|
08/25/2018 06:08PM |
Now I have a Ford Escape and fastened the loops in the area of the hood hinges. Every place else is all plastic.
If you can't find any sturdy enough metal to screw into, you could use a pair of these gadgets. Just sit the tubes inside the engine compartment and close the hood.
Link
|
08/25/2018 06:20PM |
|
08/25/2018 06:27PM |
I have used these things called “Top Ties” on all my vehicles. They are a nylon strap with a grommet. You remove a bolt the holds the fender on, insert Top Tie and reinsert bolt. They tuck inside hood when not in use. I got mine at Red Rock Wilderness Store in Ely.
|
08/25/2018 06:47PM |
|
08/25/2018 07:15PM |
awbrown: "Originally, I had a Jeep Cherokee. I took an old ratchet strap and cut 2 pieces of strap about 1 ft. long. I found a screw under the hood on each side of the vehicle, near the radiator and attached the straps to the metal framing, in the shape of a loop, with each of the screws. When hauling my canoe, I reach into the engine compartment and pull out the 2 loops and tie off the canoe to the loops."
I did exactly what he did to my Toyota 4Runner.
|
08/25/2018 07:14PM |
|
08/25/2018 08:25PM |
andym: "I use the same thing as Zulu although it could be a different brand. I actually like them better than tying to something underneath because the ropes are shorter and go to both sides. I have also used the ones with tubes. They are good too. "
My outfitter uses the ones with tube. These simple solutions are all you need.
|
08/25/2018 09:07PM |
|
08/25/2018 09:36PM |
|
08/25/2018 10:18PM |
The tube ones are great for occasional use such as an outfitter setting up someone to rent a canoe and transport it themselves. For my own vehicle, I prefer the screw in because the load is transferred to the screw instead of the hood latch. But that may be a point of zero actual importance. I’ve driven hundreds of miles with the tube ones.
|
08/25/2018 11:09PM |
|
08/26/2018 12:18AM |
|
08/26/2018 06:16AM |
Be sure to take pliers or knife to carefully remove the ty raps. Take an extra strap just in case.
I would never travel with less than 4 straps to keep the canoe stable at speed or any sudden stops or starts.
|
10/11/2018 08:13PM |
billconner: "Yeah. My bars on the RAV4 and now Outback are not 4' apart. Wouldn't think of not tying bow and stern down."
Our '04 Outback had great front tie-out anchors under each fog lamp, and our use of Yakima Lowrider brackets on the factory Subaru rails let us get the load bars pretty far apart. Our newer Outback has folding load bars that disappear nicely into the roof rails for lower drag when not carrying a load, but are only 30" (center to center) apart when in the cross-roof position. Two straps across the roof over those closely-spaced load bars just aren't enough, and we've found no option for increasing distance between load bars. We've also struggled to find a good anchor near the bumper, and had settled on a strap around a stamped steel bracket just in front of the radiator. Thanks to everyone who pictured variations of straps anchored under the hood and pulled out to secure the bow lines--we tried this last week going to a local lake, and had no movement of the bow. Running a line from each side of the bow to an under-hood anchor strap made the canoe much more stable than running almost-parallel lines to the radiator bracket/strap, and is really noticeable when passing trucks at interstate speeds.
TZ
|
10/15/2018 05:09PM |
schweady: "egknuti: "I don't use any front straps because they were rubbing on my hood..."
I thought that was a major selling point of the aforementioned hood strap loops.
"
My car is not equipped with hood straps. Instead, I would have to run the straps underneath the front bumper.
|
10/11/2018 01:49PM |
A1t2o: "TrekScouter: "Front and rear lines aren’t so much for keeping the canoe secure on the rack. They ensure that excessive force won’t separate your rack from the vehicle."
I always thought the straps around the rack were to hold the canoe down and the bow/stern straps were to keep it from moving around or shifting during transit. As in the center straps will hold it vertically and horizontally, but the bow/stern straps hold it against any twist and prevent any shifting forward and backward."
Good points. Thanks for allowing me to clarify. It's true that bow and stern lines help keep the canoe from shifting and wiggling on the bars. Ultimately though, the purpose of the lines and straps is to keep the canoe on the vehicle.
My point is simply that, depending on the strength of your roof, the rack's mounting system, and how far apart the bars are spaced, if you only strap the canoe to the rack, you may still be at risk of the rack being torn from the vehicle in rough conditions at highway speed.
|
10/12/2018 05:02AM |
I discovered these can be spread further apart. The tool is under the cover for the spare. I love the outback but this was not intuitive, at least for me.
|
10/12/2018 05:35AM |
Zulu: "
I have used these things called “Top Ties” on all my vehicles. They are a nylon strap with a grommet. You remove a bolt the holds the fender on, insert Top Tie and reinsert bolt. They tuck inside hood when not in use. I got mine at Red Rock Wilderness Store in Ely. "
yep, same here!
|
10/16/2018 05:36AM |
I never lost a canoe in 50 plus years and don't plan too.
One just has to look at where the forces come from when traveling down the highway.
To realize that front straps are important.
I use hood straps also or just run the front straps to the front tow hooks if your vehicle has them.
|
10/16/2018 11:23PM |
riverrunner: "Two straps in the front two over the top one or two in the back.
I never lost a canoe in 50 plus years and don't plan too.
One just has to look at where the forces come from when traveling down the highway.
To realize that front straps are important.
I use hood straps also or just run the front straps to the front tow hooks if your vehicle has them.
"
well, a person can play "Russian Roulette" without getting shot too, but it does not make it a good idea.