Hi Dean,

On my old Chev there was a gap in-between the hood and the body that was wide enough that I could pass a loop of vinyl coated cable [clothesline] through.

I found a spot that I could pass the cable under and used a couple of those crimp-on splices to form a loop. The loop was long enough to stickup above the hood when pulled up and I could push it out of sight just as easy. Just watch that when that loop of cable is in it's lowest position that it does not have enough slack to reach a moving part :-(

My tie-down ropes are custom fitted. The front tie down has three clips to snap to the bow handle and the tie down loops. Snap on, push the kayak back to get a bit of tension in the front and tie down at the stern - two minutes to launch.

Quick caution. Vehicles can flex more than people realize, the end ties should not be too tight. Seen a guy tie down his kayak "good and snug" then pop a seam when he drove through a dip to get out to the road.

Hank