Plane and simple no. Now, if you were to find a small motorcycle tent trailer, maybe.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad
Sorry - it's a "no go."
2017 Grand Design Imagine 2650RK
2019 F250 XLT Supercab
Just DW & me......
06honda wrote:
Mentioned the CRV as we have always driven Honda but their Ridgeline Truck would work for sure.
Mentioned the CRV as we have always driven Honda but their Ridgeline Truck would work for sure.
We tow a KZ 17RBS with a Honda Ridgeline. Dry weight is 2650. Probably loaded close to 3500 but I never weighed it. It pulls it no problem, no WD hitch, no suspension squatting,the TV does fine even in the mountains of TN. It does have a tow package which includes a transmission cooler.
'17 Ram 2500 Crewcab Laramie CTD
'13 Keystone Bullet Premier 310BHPR
Hitched by Hensley
camp-n-family wrote:
If you want a full size trailer (non pop up) then the only suitable Hondas would be the Ridgeline or Pilot.
If you want a full size trailer (non pop up) then the only suitable Hondas would be the Ridgeline or Pilot.
back when I was deciding between a Pilot and My Highlander, the Pilot was only rated to tow a 3,500 lb. rv, or a 5,000 lb., boat.
bumpy
Bumpyroad wrote:
back when I was deciding between a Pilot and My Highlander, the Pilot was only rated to tow a 3,500 lb. rv, or a 5,000 lb., boat.
bumpy
camp-n-family wrote:
If you want a full size trailer (non pop up) then the only suitable Hondas would be the Ridgeline or Pilot.
If you want a full size trailer (non pop up) then the only suitable Hondas would be the Ridgeline or Pilot.
back when I was deciding between a Pilot and My Highlander, the Pilot was only rated to tow a 3,500 lb. rv, or a 5,000 lb., boat.
bumpy
The new generation is 5k for AWD models and 3500lbs for 2WD. They no longer distinguish between boats and RVs. Still not great but enough for a small tt. No other Honda models have enough tow capacity for a full height tt.
Q: Whats brown and sticky???
A: A Stick....
A few years ago, I bought a Honda Civic Sport Coupe for my wife. It was an anniversary present. It has lots of power, with a tire loading sticker payload a whopping 850 lbs. No, never towed with it, wife drove it about 500 miles, didn't like it/want it. I gave it to our little house puppy pictured on profile. She likes it, can jump in/out by herself, and we use it to drive to our go for walks areas.
Anyway, if OP is serious, a Pilot, or Ridgeline, would work much better than a Civic.
Jerry
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camp-n-family wrote:
The new generation is 5k for AWD models and 3500lbs for 2WD. They no longer distinguish between boats and RVs. Still not great but enough for a small tt. No other Honda models have enough tow capacity for a full height tt.
The new generation is 5k for AWD models and 3500lbs for 2WD. They no longer distinguish between boats and RVs. Still not great but enough for a small tt. No other Honda models have enough tow capacity for a full height tt.
in case the OP is looking at used units, what year did this change?
bumpy
Take a peek at the Chevy Colorado or the GMC Canyon for pulling a smaller TT
Thanks!
Jeremiah
TV-2022 Silverado 2WD
TT - Zinger 270BH
WD Hitch- HaulMaster 1,000 lb Round Bar
Dual Friction bar sway control
It’s Kind of Fun to do the Impossible
~Walt Disney~
Bumpyroad wrote:
in case the OP is looking at used units, what year did this change?
bumpy
camp-n-family wrote:
The new generation is 5k for AWD models and 3500lbs for 2WD. They no longer distinguish between boats and RVs. Still not great but enough for a small tt. No other Honda models have enough tow capacity for a full height tt.
The new generation is 5k for AWD models and 3500lbs for 2WD. They no longer distinguish between boats and RVs. Still not great but enough for a small tt. No other Honda models have enough tow capacity for a full height tt.
in case the OP is looking at used units, what year did this change?
bumpy
Not sure, I think it may have been the 1st gen only. 2nd gen (2012-15) shows 4500lbs and 2000lbs tow ratings and no mention of boat vs tt. 3rd gen (2016+) is up to 5k, again with no mention to type of trailer hat I can find.
As far as size of travel trailer - one size doesn't fit everybody. It really depends on the individual(s). Consider not how it feels in the travel trailer when you're shopping. Consider how it would feel in the travel trailer when you've been stuck in it for two days in pouring rain (that's gonna happen from time to time). But, once you decide on a travel trailer, it is easy to match a tow vehicle to the trailer. If you do it the other way around, you'll likely end up with a travel trailer you're not happy with.
Pilot is still going strong with 240k miles on it. It's been a great vehicle. Make sure you do the AWD to get the higher tow capacity.
2022 Ford F-350 7.3l
2002 Chevy Silverado 1500HD 6.0l 268k miles (retired)
2016 Heritage Glen 29BH
2003 Flagstaff 228D Pop Up
swtrainer wrote:
My recommendation: Shop around and decide on a travel trailer. THEN, decide on a tow vehicle that can handle it adequately.
My recommendation: Shop around and decide on a travel trailer. THEN, decide on a tow vehicle that can handle it adequately.
I have to agree with this. I did it the other way around (upgraded tow vehicle first then found a TT that I thought would match it.) I learned the hard way that there are SO MANY variables and factors to consider that it makes it difficult not to make a mistake.
I thought a tow vehicle with a 5000 lb towing capacity was all I needed to know. I bought one, then shopped for a TT that would "fit" that parameter. Without going into all the details, I will tell you that I have had to trade that tow vehicle in and upgrade to a half ton pickup to meet the overall demands of the TT.
If I had started with the TT I would have known exactly what I was looking for in a tow vehicle. Maybe I could have saved myself the trouble of buying the wrong tow vehicle.
-Speak
It's just Mrs. SpeakEasy and me now (empty-nesters). But we can choose from among 7 grandchildren to drag along with us!
2014 F-150 Super Crew Short Bed 3.5L Ecoboost
2014 Flagstaff Micro Lite 23LB
Bumpyroad wrote:
back when I was deciding between a Pilot and My Highlander, the Pilot was only rated to tow a 3,500 lb. rv, or a 5,000 lb., boat.
bumpy
camp-n-family wrote:
If you want a full size trailer (non pop up) then the only suitable Hondas would be the Ridgeline or Pilot.
If you want a full size trailer (non pop up) then the only suitable Hondas would be the Ridgeline or Pilot.
back when I was deciding between a Pilot and My Highlander, the Pilot was only rated to tow a 3,500 lb. rv, or a 5,000 lb., boat.
bumpy
X2, any unibody vehicule will not be a fun tow with a TT. OP should have a hard look at half-tons.
* This post was edited 02/28/17 06:50am by fivernoob *
Jebby14 wrote:
Even the Pilot and the Ridgeline are not really well suited tow vehicles.
Even the Pilot and the Ridgeline are not really well suited tow vehicles.
Forum member Last Train tows the same trailer I have - a Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS - with his Honda Ridgeline and as I understand it is quite happy with how it tows his trailer. My own 192RBS is an older 2014 model that typically runs ~ 4600 lbs loaded and ready to camp but I'd imagine his newer 192RBS would weigh about the same. Although I have no idea what model year his Ridgeline is it seems to do the job for him.
![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
2012 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab
2014 Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS
2003 Fleetwood Yuma * 2008 K-Z Spree 240BH-LX
2007 TrailCruiser C21RBH * 2000 Fleetwood Santa Fe
1998 Jayco 10UD * 1969 Coleman CT380
SoundGuy wrote:
Forum member Last Train tows the same trailer I have - a Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS - with his Honda Ridgeline and as I understand it is quite happy with how it tows his trailer. My own 192RBS is an older 2014 model that typically runs ~ 4600 lbs loaded and ready to camp but I'd imagine his newer 192RBS would weigh about the same. Although I have no idea what model year his Ridgeline is it seems to do the job for him.
Jebby14 wrote:
Even the Pilot and the Ridgeline are not really well suited tow vehicles.
Even the Pilot and the Ridgeline are not really well suited tow vehicles.
Forum member Last Train tows the same trailer I have - a Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS - with his Honda Ridgeline and as I understand it is quite happy with how it tows his trailer. My own 192RBS is an older 2014 model that typically runs ~ 4600 lbs loaded and ready to camp but I'd imagine his newer 192RBS would weigh about the same. Although I have no idea what model year his Ridgeline is it seems to do the job for him.
Well, I guess SoundGuy just called me out!
![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/wink.gif "wink")
And that's totally fine. We both tow the same travel trailer, as he has said. Ours is a 2016 model that we have been quite successfully towing for the last year and one half with our 2011 Honda Ridgeline RTL. Over that time we have logged just over 6,000 miles.Our CAT Scale weights (we weigh regularly) typically show a trailer weight of 4600-4700 lbs. Our tongue weights come in around 480-520 lbs. Our Generation 1 Ridgeline has a payload capacity of 1,497 and a tow rating of 5,000 lbs. with a GCWR of 10,085 lbs. All of our CAT Scale weights come in well within its stated limits. The 192 RBS is a full profile rig at about 10' high and is a full 8' wide with tandem axles. We decided on this trailer after about one full year of research. As was stated above, try to think about any potential TT in real life, real world situations. We have been very happy with our choice, but it was based on lots of patient research.
As SoundGuy mentioned, we have been quite satisfied with our towing experience with our Ridgeline. In Internet forums you can get lots of information based on hard facts and lots of opinions, also. Opinions are fine, but even they should have a basis in fact. So in the spirit of candor, allow me to share some facts about the Ridgeline as a tow vehicle.
We have owned two of these truck's - a 2009 RTS and our current 2011 RTL. We bought the first upon the recommendation of our independent mechanic who knew we needed an efficient tow vehicle for our 20' boat. We liked that one so much that upon hearing rumors that Honda was going to stop building them, we bought our current one. Only later on did we step in to the world of towing a travel trailer, so we did this sort of backwards according to the common wisdom; i.e. buy your trailer first, then purchase your tow vehicle.
That said, we put lots of research into settling on our Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS. That included LOTS of research on the Ridgeline as a tow vehicle. The bottom line to all of this is that we discovered that, contrary to lots of uninformed opinions, Gary Flynt (Honda's lead design engineer for the Gen 1) over-engineered and under-rated this truck to be a solid and stable towing platform if one stays within its limits. It was designed and manufactured to be stiff and tough and tight, and that supports its success as a towing platform. It is a unibody design, but those rather ugly flying buttresses alongside the bed and the entire side panels are actually one single stamping of steel that are undergirded by a high strength steel ladder frame with seven cross members that unite the entire system into an extremely strong and stiff platform. We have over 130,000 miles on our truck, and there is not a single rattle or squeak in the thing whether towing or not.
Some of the reasons the Ridgeline can tow well are: (1) its all wheel drive system; it is front end biased for economy, but the system dynamically engages the rear wheels as needed for ultimate traction and pulling power (I can certify that from years of yanking a 3800 lb boat and trailer up slick ramps either on one of our bays or an area lake-while other fisherman are waiting their turn-not a time for hesitation or mistakes!); (2) VSA (vehicle stability assist) that immediately senses wheel slippage and compensates to prevent a skid; (3) factory equipped transmission and power steering coolers and a very efficient air induction system; (4) dual radiator cooling fans to augment the other cooling systems; (5) prewired to install your choice of an electronic brake controller (we use a Tekonsha Primus); (6) its unibody frame and cross members were based on the Acura MDX platform then beefed up considerably to handle truck type duties while enjoying an outstandingly comfortable ride. Another huge misconception is that the Ridgeline was designed from the Pilot or even the Odyssey. That's just not true and is information available to anyone who has the desire to actually research the truck.
Though our home is on the Texas Gulf Coast in the greater Houston area (where the terrain is pretty flat), all of our trips have have been in anything but that. We have traveled to the northern Ozark Mountains and navigated hilly terrain in eastern Oklahoma in near 100 degree temperatures. We have made multiple trips to the Texas Hill Country and fought Austin's stop and go traffic in summer heat. We have dealt with over 100 degree temperatures last August headed to the Rio Grande Valley while fighting 20+ mph winds. With the Ridge's characteristics and our use of a friction sway bar - and consistently loading our trailer and truck correctly, our rig is a very solid towing arrangement. Never the hint of trailer sway nor have I ever had the stereotypical "white knuckle" episode - not yet, anyway!!
In the next year or so, we may be looking at our next tow vehicle, and we would be absolutely foolish to ignore any of the excellent 1/2 ton trucks out there. But at the same time, the Gen 2 Ridgeline (just introduced last summer as a 2017 model) is a candidate. Just recently it was awarded the North American Truck of the Year prize. Similarly, it also won top place in the safety crash ratings for ALL pickups by the IIHS. I can easily garage our Ridgeline, and our in-bed truck is used ALL the time. The dual action tailgate makes bed access so easy, so I'd to give all that up . . .
As far as its towing capabilities, you should review what the TFL Truck guys have shared in their Ridgeline review and their "Super Ike Gauntlet" test - http://www.tfltruck.com/?s=Ridgeline+super+ike+gauntle
The new Ridgeline does quite well in their estimation - and that's a lot coming from Roman.
Stay within its design limits and the Ridgeline is a very stable platform for towing a travel trailer.
![[image]](http://i.imgur.com/ADNFc4wl.jpg)
2016 Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS
2018 RAM 1500 Ecodiesel
Last Train wrote:
Our CAT Scale weights (we weigh regularly) typically show a trailer weight of 4600-4700 lbs. Our tongue weights come in around 480-520 lbs.
Our CAT Scale weights (we weigh regularly) typically show a trailer weight of 4600-4700 lbs. Our tongue weights come in around 480-520 lbs.
Average gross weight for our 2014 192RBS also typically runs ~ 4600 lbs, a bit more those times I may be carrying content in the black tank as well. However, where we differ is gross tongue weight as mine typically averages 600+ lbs (confirmed with my Sherline TW scale) or ~ 13% of it's gross weight and certainly about as little as I'd want to be running. I'm surprised yours is so much less, only ~ 11% which IMO is far too little. As I've done with previous trailers I did move the spare tire to the front pass through cargo compartment and that certainly did help improve gross tongue weight but I'd still prefer a bit more, which I'd probably achieve if I ever upgrade from a single G27 battery on the tongue to a pair of batteries. I suppose so little gross tongue weight may better match the capabilities of your Ridgeline but that's nonetheless awfully light for a trailer averaging ~ 4600 to 4700 lbs loaded and ready to camp.
Jebby14 wrote:
as someone intimately familiar with the current ridgeline (im an automation designer and did a lot of the tooling for it) I do not have any desire to own one at their current price point. I think there are several better options. That said, to each their own. If a ridgeline is what your after I hope you get many years of enjoyment out of it. Good luck with whatever you chose.
as someone intimately familiar with the current ridgeline (im an automation designer and did a lot of the tooling for it) I do not have any desire to own one at their current price point. I think there are several better options. That said, to each their own. If a ridgeline is what your after I hope you get many years of enjoyment out of it. Good luck with whatever you chose.
Thanks for the response and your insight. Had we had the option to follow the best path for purchasing; i.e. trailer first, then tow vehicle, we might have gone a different route. Our circumstance simply didn't allow that, so that's why we put so much research into matching our truck and trailer.
And I wholeheartedly agree, Honda has really missed the mark in their pricing. The current Gen 2 truck - in the highest two trim levels - is commanding right at MSRP - and often a wait of 2-3 months. You can get a very nicely equipped 1/2 ton - assuming significant discounts - for about the same price. But it's all about what you want/need a truck to do and how often you need to do it.
Illustration: got a great friend with whom I hunt. The deer lease we were on together was about an 8 hour drive from our homes out to west Texas (south of Sweetwater in Taylor County at the extreme northern edge of the Hill Country). He bought a Ford F-150 with the long bed and 3.5 Ecoboost specifically to make trips out there. Fantastic truck! I know, I've driven it on the highway and used those twin turbos to pass traffic. What a beast! At highway speeds it just glides down the road. (Navigating parking lots and parking garages - not so great.) It handles dirt and rock ranch roads OK, but you better not try it on a muddy surface. A few years ago we were headed to a stand that required him driving on a rain slick muddy surface from rain the night before. Truck couldn't make it with its 2WD. We got it out by me nursing it in reverse while he literally pushed on the front hood. We made a memory!
You know how he typically uses that great truck? Once a year, coming home from the lease, he loads a small ATV on a small trailer and tows that thing. Throws maybe a couple of hundred pounds in the bed and cab. Other than that, he never tows nor hauls anything. It sits in his extra large garage right beside most of the time next to their Ford Explorer - which gets virtually all of the daily driving (super SUV, by the way). I believe that my Ridge's AWD variable traction management system (VTM-4) would not have had a problem on that muddy road. And for sure I could have towed his ATV and hauled our gear easily. The penalty? Not as much interior room as his F-150, absolutely, not to mention incredible power - though our mileage figures are strikingly similar when not towing.
So my point is that there is no "perfect tool for the job," truck-wise. Lots of great options out there that the OP needs to investigate. The Ridgeline is one of them. But in light of some dismissive comments about its capabilities and our years of positive towing experience, it seemed appropriate to introduce a different viewpoint. As you said, to each their own.
We tow a small hard sided trailer with a Tacoma -- no problem at all. See the links in my signature.
One more word of advice -- twelve years ago, we had never done any camping. We bought a small trailer, thinking it was just a temporary experiment. It has turned into a whole new lifestyle for us. So don't do this unless you are prepared to get hooked!!
2012 Fun Finder X-139 "Boondock Style" (axle-flipped and extra insulation)
2013 Toyota Tacoma Off-Road (semi-beefy tires and components)
Our trips -- pix and text
About our trailer
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single list."
SoundGuy wrote:
Average gross weight for our 2014 192RBS also typically runs ~ 4600 lbs, a bit more those times I may be carrying content in the black tank as well. However, where we differ is gross tongue weight as mine typically averages 600+ lbs (confirmed with my Sherline TW scale) or ~ 13% of it's gross weight and certainly about as little as I'd want to be running. I'm surprised yours is so much less, only ~ 11% which IMO is far too little. As I've done with previous trailers I did move the spare tire to the front pass through cargo compartment and that certainly did help improve gross tongue weight but I'd still prefer a bit more, which I'd probably achieve if I ever upgrade from a single G27 battery on the tongue to a pair of batteries. I suppose so little gross tongue weight may better match the capabilities of your Ridgeline but that's nonetheless awfully light for a trailer averaging ~ 4600 to 4700 lbs loaded and ready to camp.
Last Train wrote:
Our CAT Scale weights (we weigh regularly) typically show a trailer weight of 4600-4700 lbs. Our tongue weights come in around 480-520 lbs.
Our CAT Scale weights (we weigh regularly) typically show a trailer weight of 4600-4700 lbs. Our tongue weights come in around 480-520 lbs.
Average gross weight for our 2014 192RBS also typically runs ~ 4600 lbs, a bit more those times I may be carrying content in the black tank as well. However, where we differ is gross tongue weight as mine typically averages 600+ lbs (confirmed with my Sherline TW scale) or ~ 13% of it's gross weight and certainly about as little as I'd want to be running. I'm surprised yours is so much less, only ~ 11% which IMO is far too little. As I've done with previous trailers I did move the spare tire to the front pass through cargo compartment and that certainly did help improve gross tongue weight but I'd still prefer a bit more, which I'd probably achieve if I ever upgrade from a single G27 battery on the tongue to a pair of batteries. I suppose so little gross tongue weight may better match the capabilities of your Ridgeline but that's nonetheless awfully light for a trailer averaging ~ 4600 to 4700 lbs loaded and ready to camp.
Great observations, SoundGuy. As we've occasionally posted back and forth I think I can say that we share a passion for precision and procedure in what we do. Your comments about tongue weight are educational for all. Appropriate tongue weight is critical for avoiding trailer sway. And yes, we have typically been on the low end of that generally understood ratio of 10-15% of trailer weight - even after multiple (night before departure) CAT Scale weigh-ins with full fuel, fluids, trailer totally packed in travel configuration, tools and other detritus stowed in our in-bed trunk below the bed and then other weather-tolerant items in the bed, plus wife, plus dog, snacks, etc. (everybody knows how this goes!) in the cab. Virtual "Beverly Hillbillies" stuff!
We have kept our spare tire in its original location under the frame since we made the decision to maximize the space in that huge passthrough our trailers have. I have not yet installed an inverter in our passthrough since we have not yet dry camped that much to justify it (might yet happen, though). I did add a second deep cycle G24 battery for a bit extra battery power, however - so there is some weight to account for there. We usually do not carry any fresh water to speak of but like you perhaps some content in our black and grey tanks - but only then if we are staying in a series of "one nighters" on a longer journey (like we did on our trip last year to the Ozark Mountains).
So with our comparative tongue weight differences resulting in a positive towing experience for you in your Avalanche and us in our Ridgeline, I guess I have to fall back on your "matching the capabilities of the Ridgeline" comment. Maybe we've just hit the sweet spot of the engineering of that truck. I remember last year while on that Ozark Mountain trip I was regularly posting about our towing experiences in the ridgelineownersclub.com forum so others could comment. The basic responses from other Ridgeline owners who regularly tow similar configurations: "Ho-hum. Tell us something we don't already know." Just load the truck and trailer properly, mash and go. We've been blessed with basically uneventful experiences - but always being on guard for those unplanned for emergencies that's can happen to any of us.
On a somewhat whimsical, but very informative note, just earlier today when on that Ridgeline forum someone posted this link to a YouTube video of some guy's review of the truck's off-road capabilities. He was reviewing a 2014 model, but my engine and drivetrain are identical to the Ridgeline he reviewed. I think it is informative in the sense that Honda's AWD system with VTM-4 and VSA each contribute to inherent stability - not to mention that extremely stiff and strong unibody construction: Off Road Review: Honda Ridgeline
NYCgrrl wrote:
The smallest car I've ever heard of in it's weight class for occasional towing of a small TT is some kind of Volkswagen. I need to wander thru the blog to find the version he uses to tow and will get back to you when I find it.
The smallest car I've ever heard of in it's weight class for occasional towing of a small TT is some kind of Volkswagen. I need to wander thru the blog to find the version he uses to tow and will get back to you when I find it.
Was it this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpwH9WeVEfU
![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/grin.gif "grin")
LS
2008 Casita SD 17
2006 Chevy Tahoe LT 4x4
2009 Akita Inu
1956 Wife
1950 LenSatic
Our Escape 17B weighs about 3,100 lbs with full water tanks. It is heavily optioned so that's a worst-case scenario for that model.
2017 Escape 17B, 2012 VW Touareg
After reading through this thread I now feel very unsure on what I should do. I see both sides of the story. Just to add another tidbit of info, the UK and Europe tow with cars all the time and the same manufactures do list the tow ratings. According to the UK ratings for Audi A3 I can tow 3000lbs. On top of that many trailers in UK don't even use brakes like in US and CAN. My understanding is car manufacturers here want people to chose a truck or suv over a car to tow. I'm thinking that if I get a custom class 3 hitch on my car I should be ok. But now after reading all these comments, not so sure.
tnrv'er wrote:
Last train, do you have WD hitch ?
Last train, do you have WD hitch ?
Apologies for missing your question, TN. Had another camping trip up around the Tyler, TX area since this thread unfolded, and the stuff of life just got in the way.
The answer is "no," we do not use a WD hitch with our Ridgeline.
This was another considered decision that came out of research on the truck and TT. And this is discussed back and forth among Ridgeline owners who tow travel trailers on the ridgelineownersforum.com. The discussion pivots around: (1) the direct admonition in the Ridgeline owner's manual that advises against the use of a WD hitch - with the statement that an incorrectly adjusted WD hitch can have adverse affects on the truck's handling and braking characteristics, etc. (this is not an exact quote 'cause I'm too lazy to go to the garage and get the manual out of the truck!, but it's close); (2) available engineering analysis from internal Honda sources that certifies that the truck was designed and engineered to function very well without a WD hitch - as long as you stayed within its stated limits. (Lots of reasons for this that I could post in an already too long response, but PM me if you want an actual document that discusses the points.)
So on the one hand you could say that Honda's cautionary statement is full of "CYA." If nothing else, we all know that you can get good professional assistance in correctly setting up a good WD hitch system - even though many may "wing it" and therefore not get the thing set up correctly. Regardless, Honda doesn't want to get sued any more than anyone else.
On the other hand, and this is where we landed, I took the overall evidence from the Ridgeline owners who reported that their trucks and TT rigs behaved very well without a WD hitch installed. And further, I examined every discoverable shred of Ridgeline towing analysis I could find to gain a level of comfort in going on without one. And I trusted what Gary Flint's design team (I misspelled his last name with a "y" in an earlier post) had done in creating the Ridgeline. As I understand it, they wanted to create a sort of "Swiss Army knife" truck that already possessed multiple capabilities engineered and built into the vehicle - without requiring the owner/user to option out a bunch of other gear to equip it for various tasks.
That approach created some penalties, because there are lots of other trucks out there that excel in certain areas more so than the Ridgeline. But they also may not be able to do the number of things the Ridgeline can do quite well - though maybe not exceptionally. The Gen 1 Ridgeline deserves criticism for less than best MPG, only 247 lb/ft of torque in a 250 hp engine and its infamously weird appearance (to many people). But it does so many things very well, including towing without a WD hitch. (The newly released Gen 2, 2017 model Ridgeline successfully addresses all the things mentioned above - and more.)
We do use a friction sway bar, and that has contributed to our solid towing experience. The weight distribution on the truck is 58% - 42% front to rear as it is sitting in our garage at the moment (I'm stating from memory so somebody don't shoot me if I'm off a digit - but I do think I'm correct). So when we hitch up our 192 RBS with the tongue weights I've noted above (480-520 or so) the rear bumper drops at the most 2". But again, the truck is natively designed to function well with these kind of loads. It is designed to act like this. And I'm not feeling light on the front axle for steering/handling, for instance. And we live in Texas where winds are an export crop, and we've towed in winds from all directions of the compass without any issues whatsoever.
But with all of this said, there is no way in the world that I would suddenly feel full of "truck testosterone" and hitch up a 6,000 lb trailer with 700 lb tongue weight (to make up a silly example) to this Ridgeline and set out on a trip. The truck is just not designed to do that. But for what we've got, it's hitch and go. In fact, getting ready soon to head over to Bastrop State Park for a few days. Should be lots of fun and an easy tow . . . but then, there are always those winds to knock our mileage down!
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![[image]](http://i.imgur.com/auBiTR0l.jpg)
* This post was last edited 03/14/17 01:51pm by Last Train *