Couldn't find anywhere to tie the front straps down. So I strapped them to the radiator mounts on the frame. If anybody knows of a better place to strap it to let me know. Thanks

 

be sure to layer some automotive masking tape under those straps. At speed those things will vibrate and eat through the paint.

 

First let me commend you on the use of bow tie downs. There are others here not quite as intelligent. The wind uplift when driving at speed is tremendous and helps keep rack attached to vehicle from upward stress of windshield deflected wind on kayaks or canoes. Canoes are far worse as they are hauled up side down and they act like a giant parachute. Also tie downs prevent boat swing and side rack stress when experiencing side winds or truck generated turbulence.

I carry 2 canoes,and my tie downs attachment points are pieces of nylon straps like ones for your tie downs. Mine are to long so I made a set of tie down anchor straps by cutting off 16" of my rack straps. Most hardware stores carry 1" wide nylon strapping. Wider strapping then 1" is fine. If using nylon take a torch and sear the cut edges to prevent fraying. Open your hood and where the headlight tail piece attaches to the small body bracket at fender, take the second bolt{one closer to hood hinge} out of the body bracket. Take straps and double to make a loop. Take an awl{big nail,something pointy} Do not drill ! {will cause hole to fray out}. Make a hole about 1" in from end of straps. Take the removed bolt and added flat washer and thread the washer and bolt into the strap holes. Reinstall the bolt,washer and straps back on the body bracket. Bolt should be tight and washer pinching strap. When done you should have nylon strap loop attached to that body bracket,about mid hood. When hauling boats,open hood and flip strap loops up and between hood and fender,close hood. You should have about a 6 " of strap loop now outside the hood. Attach rope or strap tie downs. When done hauling boats,open hood,flip strap loops inside engine compartment,close hood. That method works on ANY car/truck if there is a fender or some attachment bolt close to gap in hood and fender, May have to make straps longer in some cases to get loops outside the body when the hood is closed. I use nylon rope 1/4" in diameter with a pull strength of 150lbs. Strap or rope should be pull strength at least that of the weight of boats. I have hauled kayaks and canoes over 25 years and never lost a boat or had a rack loosen or come off in over 20,000 miles of boat hauling.

PaFitter

 

holy crap...

 

Sounds like a good way to wear paint of the hood edges, where the straps ride. Maybe you could slit a piece of thin wall vinyl tubing, and slip it over the hood edge, where the straps will rub. Nylon stretches a lot, and I would think it would not take long to wear the paint off.

 

Just looked under the hood of my Fit.
I wouldn't attach straps to that bolt behind the headlight. Even light pressure deforms the fender!
It looks like the front bolt for the hood hinges would be a better choice.
Still protect the hood paint!

 

My Fit is a 2009 and have over 20,000 miles,10 states worth,all kinds of weather of hauling boats,and no paint has worn off yet. Wiping down straps after each haul eliminates dirt or road grime from doing that. When tie downs are hooked into the straps,they don't vibrate,if strap is twisted and tight. Rope is a non vibration issue if tight as well. Yes that bracket moves a bit,but when hood is closed it firms up and is capable of holding 75lb of pull,2 straps is 150lbs. 2 Polyethylene 18' kayaks weigh less then 115lbs. Nylon strapping has very limited stretch if it is made the way the tie downs are in the picture. Why do you think they make them to tie down boats,if they stretched, EVERYONE would loose their boat,DUH!. JFYI

PaFitter