> 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.

> I'll have to make due with only load-bar attachments tomorrow, but later
> in the season I'll be crossing the Mackinac bridge (a 5-mile suspension
> bridge that connect the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan) and I need
> at least a bow strap.

> Dean No this isn't a Sunday sermon,but (if you have read my previous blurbs on the subject) if you have a well mounted system that the addition of security straps may not be needed (but again peace of mind is something else). The reason for my reply is when I go out east from Northern Wisconsin, I usually travel across the Mackinac Bridge with my kayak on Yakima car rack (using TLC's) and no extra security strapsor ropes attached. I must add the kayak is usually quite well packed especially the the return trip (Its one big aerodynamic car storage system and weighing twice as on the way back). Another main reason of the stablity of my rack system is the car which it is mounted to and not the manufacturer, I have a long distance between my mounts(bar to bar) for a sedan (92 Lincoln Town car, about 33in) which helps the kayak when secured with the ancra tie straps from moving side to side in windy conditions (air from the Semi's will give you the most turbulance). On my old Honda Civic Wagon, I mounted the base plates thru the roof with even more space between bars for the added stability, Yes I just drilled thru the body, the car was an '87. I must confess that I was thinking about a security tether when I transported my COHO out East last summer, but I just used the straps which came with the saddles and I had no problems. I can see that if you have a car where the mounting ststemis less than 24 in you might have a wobbly ride for your kayak. My other car which replaced my Honda CIv Wgn is a mid-size station wagon, time to do a little drilling, I need to get my old mounting base plates back.To add a little something to this message, "What would any of you folks suggest I build to replace my sidecar (attached to my 68 BMW R-69s) with a kayak that servesdual purpose as a passenger carrier as well as a boat?' Wayne g.