> Two months ago I bought a new VW Golf TDI (turbodiesel -- gets 42/49mpg)
> and this week I installed a Thule roof rack. I loaded up the kayak for the
> first time tonight, strapped it to the load bars, poked my head under the
> front bumper... NO TIE-DOWNS! There's a big under-engine cowling that
> covers just about everything under there. In back there's one loop one one
> side of the bumper. I hadn't thought to poke under there during my
> test-drives to see if there were proper mounting points before deciding on
> a vehicle.

Hey, Dean, have the same problem with my Audi A4. But I have several small grilles down under the front bumper which pop out with a straight screw driver. See if you have anything like that. There may be a lashing loop in there, but you can at least get some stainless hardware in there to create a hardpoint if you have and can open up those mini-grilles. Good luck! VAG certainly discourages getting inside these hummers, don't they?

Jack