Got a problem. I'm going to be towing my big ol' tin Grumman canoe for the yearly white-water trip (with aluminium, you can just pound out the dents).

But my semi-stoc spot doesn't seem to be anything but plastic up front, and I need to run a line down from the bow of the canoe to someplace in the front of the Libby. I know, I Know, I should have tow-hooks!

Any suggestions on how to run a line without breaking or rub/wearing out plastic?

Thanks

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2005 Liberty Sport CRD w/all the fixings
Elephant Hose, MAF (ORM), Amsoil Airfilter, nice when I get to drive it
1 EGRreplacement, but never again.
99.5 FrankenJetta TDI (R.I.P.): being turned into diesel hybrid!
99.5 Replacement Jetta TDI: deal of a lifetime, EHM, some other stuff

There are some straps that work great for this. They are just a loop of nylon webbing with a grommet punched through one end. You take out a fender bolt on each side and bolt the grommet down with it. When you close the hood the loop of webbing sticks out the seam and you hook your canoe straps to the loops. Same for the back on a sedan, but you probably would go to the hitch or tire carrier on the Jeep. When not hauling the canoe the straps can be stuck under the hood so they don't flap around. I've had them on a couple of my vehicles for years and haul canoes a lot and wouldn't do it any other way.

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Early '02 Limited, Steel Blue, White Guts

Thanks for the suggestion! I'm thinking of rigging this idea myself.

So the fender bolts are under the hood on the sides or front? did you mean frame bolts?

Thanks! You rock!

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2005 Liberty Sport CRD w/all the fixings
Elephant Hose, MAF (ORM), Amsoil Airfilter, nice when I get to drive it
1 EGRreplacement, but never again.
99.5 FrankenJetta TDI (R.I.P.): being turned into diesel hybrid!
99.5 Replacement Jetta TDI: deal of a lifetime, EHM, some other stuff

Sorry for the delay, been quite busy. I meant the fender bolts right under the side edges of the hood along the top of the fenders.

I also use a long tie down strap for the bow and stern that goes from one loop on the car, through the canoe handle, and down to the other car loop. I get the strap just snug but not really tight because it strains my Kevlar canoe. I then stretch a bungie between the strap hooks where they attach to the car loops which adds the right amount of tension to the straps and acts like a shock absorber. Not a good explanation but it looks like a triangle with the strap making the topsides and the bungie making the bottom. Of course I put a couple straps over the top of the canoe to the loadbars and cinch those up good and tight. Oh and on my friend's KJ we stuck a small piece of self adhesive foam padding to his hood where the loops come out to save his paint from getting worn off. Some clear vinyl or decals or whatever would work fine too.

Whitewater trip sounds like just what I need right now. I might just be picking up a good Royalex canoe tomorrow for just that purpose

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Early '02 Limited, Steel Blue, White Guts

When I slap a canoe on the roof, I just put it right on top of the thule crossbars and throw two ratchet straps over the top. Never needed to tie down the front and back, the belly-straps are sturdy enough to shake the jeep with. The key is to use ratcheting straps instead of ropes, they get a lot tighter.

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Jeff 2005 Jeep Liberty Renegade
4x4, 6spd, Leather, Sunroof, trak-loc, skids/rails, hitch+shackle, hooks, Alpine/iPod, Thule, GPS, CB, Frankenlifted w/ 31" MTRs
Photos Cardomain

I do the same when I'm just puttering down to the closest river less than a mile away but not when I'm taking my 18.5' Kevlar boat 400 miles at 75+mph. There wouldn't be much left of it.

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Early '02 Limited, Steel Blue, White Guts

Yeah, even with the dog, beer, and preggers wife, I think my driving style without a bow line might pull that canoe to the side on the highway and make it into a wing and pull us all airborne! After all, it was made by the Gruman aircraft company!

Seriously, thanks to everyone for their help. This forum rocks!

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2005 Liberty Sport CRD w/all the fixings
Elephant Hose, MAF (ORM), Amsoil Airfilter, nice when I get to drive it
1 EGRreplacement, but never again.
99.5 FrankenJetta TDI (R.I.P.): being turned into diesel hybrid!
99.5 Replacement Jetta TDI: deal of a lifetime, EHM, some other stuff