Greetings and here's a question:

[petedu]

I recently bought a 2010 5-door Mazda 3. I'm vey happy so far. I am getting it ready for the upcoming fishing/kayaking season (a nice Yakima rack), and I seem to have a dilemma.

There doesn't seem to be any decent tiedown point at the front or rear of the car for the kayak's bow and stern tiedowns. I think I can use the tow hook in the front, but there is really nothing in the back.

Any ideas out there?

 

[Mzd_Spd_3]

There is another tow hook spot in back. Just buy another tow hook so you
have two. Should be able to get one from the dealer.

 

[petedu]

I don't think so...

Have you ever used it? It has the little plastic cover like in the front, but instead of having a bored hole through the bumper's "shock absorbing material" (styrofoam) with a threaded receptacle inside, like in the front, there is none. And looking behind the styrofoam, there doesn't even appear to be a solid place for the threaded hole. Of course I may be wrong.
I do have two tow points in the rear, well under and behind the bumper. I think I am going to manufacture something like a tow hitch, but only rugged enough to secure kayaks to.
(My car is a brand new 5-door sport.)

 

[Mzd_Spd_3]

I haven't taken that off. But its supposed to be for a tow hook.
But I guess if you have tie downs under the car. Maybe yours
doesn't have it?

 

[petedu]

So it seems

I am going to use the tow hooks underneath, with some fleece strap protectors to prevent any scratches.