When I haul my kayak on the car, I tie the middle down (of course) but I also tie down the front and back to underneath the bumpers. I've noticed several vehicles with kayaks only tied in the middle and been told tying the front and back is not necessary. I'm wondering what's everyone's opinion on this? Am I just wasting time tying the front and back or is it necessary for safety reason?
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-Mike-
"May the holes in your net be no larger than the fish in it." ~Irish Blessing
I typically only tie down in the middle if I'm not going on the interstate. It's certainly safer to tie the front and rear as well, but it's kind of a pain if you're going 2 miles.
Only middle? Bad idea. Ok if you're going 2 miles and slow itll get err done.
I try to do all 3 but just front and back will work. All 3 and pool noodles will do 3 digits. Dumb i know but i had to do it once.
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"PLEASE get back to fishing, if you just want to pick fights and complain, go talk to your wives, or for some of you that aren't old enough, your girlfriends."
If you tie down the front i would tie down the back too. Just dont overtighten any of the 3. Snug but not cranked down. If going long distances, check/tighten at stops.
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"PLEASE get back to fishing, if you just want to pick fights and complain, go talk to your wives, or for some of you that aren't old enough, your girlfriends."
I try to imagine if I were following my own vehicle down the road. Would I not want to follow the guy with a kayak on top, because it didn't look safe?
I have 2 in the front, 1 in the back and 1 around the middle, but the middle one is only for highway and/or interstate travel. Sometimes I will stack a kayak on top of one on the bottom and feel very confident in my straps and strapping. Careful to NOT over do the tightness of the straps in the front and back, as too much torque can damage the kayak.
20 + years of middle only, with lashing straps. I've never had a hint of a problem...and I do plenty of interstate driving the exact same way.
Whatever helps you relax, I suppose.
Thanks for all the replies. Glad I'm not the only one who does middle, front, and back. I do see the side of only doing the middle but I'm more of a better safe than sorry guy. I was also wondering this since I'm looking at getting a new car and need to keep in mind if the new car has a easy tie down front and back.
__________________
-Mike-
"May the holes in your net be no larger than the fish in it." ~Irish Blessing
Tying kayak with front and back straps?
Tying kayak with front and back straps?
Careful to NOT over do the tightness of the straps in the front and back, as too much torque can damage the kayak. 
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