If I’m hauling there’s weather.

[Black_Fly]

Hauled the “new” Swiftie back to Ohio for foot brace and detachable yoke installation. She’ll go back go Wisconsin for use on the Totogatic. Again, I found myself hauling in less than ideal circumstances. Heavy winds from west, I was heading south on I-39 to dogleg around Chicago (Windy City?). Had to re-tie the load a few times after the saddles moved, once on the berm of a busy 4 lane stretch. Made it home ok, but I GOTTA stop hauling in blizzards and wind storms!!

 

[billconner]

No seen or bow tie downs? I've been through some good winds but haven't had movement like you describe. Cam straps pulled very tight.

 

[stevet]

Sorry to offer unsolicited advice but I would use bow and stern tie downs…especially in bad weather. I use them every time as I am scared of killing someone in a following car if straps or rack fail (both have been known to happen).
Just curious…where did you go in Ohio for installation help?

 

[Pseudonym]

Agreeing with @billconner and @stevet from above: Bow and stern lines are not only safer, but they also stabilize the whole assembly and keep the canoe from wiggling around. Makes for a far more pleasant drive. For the bow and stern, I like rope because it has a more streamlined profile than straps. It does make getting into the trunk more of a nuisance though.

 

[SouthernKevlar]

It does make getting into the trunk more of a nuisance though.

For me the stern tiedown is not much of a nuisance; I have to take my canoe off anyway or the tailgate will hit it at about 1/4 of the way up. The lip over the rear window shows the results if the canoe is left up there when opening the back. Thank goodness for touch up paint.

Fully agree about bow and stern tie down as a necessary backup security though. Back about twenty years ago I nearly had a brand new Penobscot 17 that I purchased at the Old Town factory store blown off on the interstate. I had not planned on buying a canoe so I did not have my racks. I bought the foam block kit with tiedowns straps through the windows and front and stern straps and mounted those. While in a strong crosswind and being passed by a semi, the canoe and blocks slid off to the side and nearly onto the passenger door. It was only held onto the pickup by the tightly stretched bow and stern straps. That was one close call, and reinforced my use of bow and stern lines

 

[ppine]

Bow and stern lines for sure.
I like rope with a trucker's hitch instead of cam straps. No slippage.

 

[Pseudonym]

I'm looking again at the OPs photo and might seen a faint line on the bow indicating a sling and bow lines after all. hard to tell with the trees in the background.

 

[Black_Fly]

If you guys look closely, besides the bow ropes, there are ropes from the rear thwart in the door to the grab bars (blue tape keeps rope off door frame). This way I can still enter the hatch to get a cold beer at rest areas or when refueling . I do have those ratchet strap things, buts ropes are faster. So, both sides and bow are attached to the vehicle. In addition, the front thwart is tied directly to the load bar. The weak part of this setup is the screw down clamp saddles. My old hands can’t get them tight enough.

 

[Black_Fly]

 

[Black_Fly]

Bow and stern lines for sure.
I like rope with a trucker's hitch instead of cam straps. No slippage.

Yep, that’s what’s on there.

 

[Ripple]

How often do you all replace the webbing straps? I have a pair that's about 4 years old, and was thinking about doing so. I like the idea of tying to the thwart, one more connection. I was also thinking about pushing the boat back (6" to 12"), any thoughts on that would be appreciated, as of now it's pretty centered. Thanks and good luck.

 

[Boreal Birch]

“This way I can still enter the hatch to get a cold beer.”

Nothing better than cruising down the interstate drinking a cold one.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

How often do you all replace the webbing straps? I have a pair that's about 4 years old, and was thinking about doing so.

I have straps that are at least 12 years old. I don't notice any weaknesses other than the color-dyed ones have faded. I suppose I could be being fooled. No harm in periodic replacement if you think that's a good use of your wallet.

I was also thinking about pushing the boat back (6" to 12"), any thoughts on that would be appreciated, as of now it's pretty centered.

I usually center with shorter boats, especially on a short roof vehicle. On my full size van, which has the cross bars quite far apart, I have sometimes shifted longer boats backwards a bit on the theory that less boat protrusion over the front cross bar will lessen bow buffeting by the oncoming highway winds.

 

[Woodpuppy]

How often do you all replace the webbing straps? I have a pair that's about 4 years old, and was thinking about doing so. I like the idea of tying to the thwart, one more connection. I was also thinking about pushing the boat back (6" to 12"), any thoughts on that would be appreciated, as of now it's pretty centered. Thanks and good luck.

I like to center the wide belly of the boat between the bars such that it can’t slide in either direction through the straps. On my pickup this only left ~3’ sticking out to the rear. Not sure how this will work on my 4Runner, but I expect it to be further back based on where the cross bars are. I spose I better get a red flag.

 

[billconner]

If you guys look closely, besides the bow ropes, there are ropes from the rear thwart in the door to the grab bars. This way I can still enter the hatch to get a cold beer. I do have those ratchet strap things, buts ropes are faster. So, both sides and bow are attached to the vehicle. In addition, the front thwart is tied directly to the load bar. The weak part of this setup is the screw down clamp saddles. My old hands can’t get them tight enough.

I apologize for raising the issue. I looked as close as I can and just went back and still can't see them but believe you. Don't know why it wobbles. Just haven't experienced that.

 

[scoutergriz]

How often do you all replace the webbing straps? I have a pair that's about 4 years old, and was thinking about doing so. I like the idea of tying to the thwart, one more connection. I was also thinking about pushing the boat back (6" to 12"), any thoughts on that would be appreciated, as of now it's pretty centered. Thanks and good luck.

most load rated, quality straps have wear indicators- different color threads woven through the strap from end to end, others have a stitch through the tag, if either have snapped, it's time to replace because that strap is worn/ stretched to the point that it's no longer safe, in forensic analysis after an accident involving a loose load, it's one of the things cops look for

 

[Woodpuppy]

Canoe straps last a rather long time as compared to the 2” heavy duty straps we use to secure drill rods and other gear on our trailers and flatbeds. These live in the weather. When I see the signs of deterioration I cut the ratchet off the strap and send the guys to the store.