towing with a Honda Ridgeline?

[hart]

Looking for a little feedback. I'm shopping for a new (well, new to me) vehicle and one of my primary concerns is the ability to tow an X or M since I'm shopping for one of these too. Yeah, it's my lucky year.

Anyway, I'm going to look at a 2006 Honda Ridgeline tonight. The rated towing capacity is 5000 lbs and the wheelbase is 122 inches. I'm assuming a boat and trailer at 4000lbs at the highest once you add all the gear and goodies. Does that sound about right? I'm a little worried that may be cutting it a bit close.

The truck will be carrying my wife, child and me. I plan on hauling the boat around the southeast on trips once or twice a year in addition to towing it to local ramps frequently.

Any thoughts are appreciated. I'm also considering full size trucks - probably stick with Chevy/GMC or Dodge if I go that route.

[KayakDan]

I'm towing a loaded M with a Pilot-no problem. The Ridgeline should be fine.

[hart]

Thanks Dan. I forgot about the Pilot. It's rated at 4500 if my memory is correct. We have an 06 Pilot but I haven't put a hitch on it. Great vehicle and a big reason why I'm looking at the Ridgeline.

[Hardcrab]

hart,
The shorter wheelbase/ lighter weight of the Ridgeline are the more negative areas, IMHO.
Yes, it will tow, but crosswinds and passing big trucks may get the tail wagging the dog.
It will be your opinion if the dog wags enough to have your nether parts inhaling some seat cushion.

I have the newer Toyota Tacoma 4X4, somewhat longer and heavier than the Ridgeline, and to me, it just squeeks by as enough truck for the longer trips.
It's rated at 6300 lbs towing cap., and power has never been an issue.

White knuckles on occasion, fine at other times.

Of course, my experience has been on California hi speed freeways for longish trips. You may not have the same conditions were you are.

[hart]

Of course I just got back from test driving a new Silverado too. It was nice. We'll see.

[PeteC]

The Ridgeline will get you by about 95-99% of the time. It is the unexpected situations that can get you in trouble: big truck flies by you, large cross wind, someone pulls out in front of you and you have to slam on the brakes, etc.

At those times you need a tow vehicle that is really made to handle the situation.

I costs me about $500 more per year for gas in my F350 than it would for a Ridgeline. Assumption: 6000 miles/yr, 12MPG for F350, 16 MPG for Ridgeline, mostly city driving.

It is well worth the $500/yr for the added piece of mind, plus I can use the F350 to haul more in the bed, pull heavier load if I have to, etc. It is less fun to drive though than a Ridgeline would be. And the Ridgeline might be more reliable, though I think they have had tranny problems.

A good Ford/Chevy/Dodge half ton would be fine. I would get an extended cab or crewcab. You can probably get an American truck cheap these days.

So be sure to factor everything you can think of in the decision (insurance, local taxes etc).

[hart]

Well the used Honda is in pristine condition with only 12k miles and comes with an unlimited lifetime warranty for as long as I own it. It's actually a very sweet deal and they've got it aggressively priced. It rides very well and is quite nice. I can tell you my wife definitely likes it better than a full size. She thinks I should get it. I'm still torn. Decisions decisions. Off to call the insurance agent. Maybe the quotes will help me make a decision.

[Frank C]

Why is the Honda priced so attractively?

Ya might want to ask a body shop look it over, make sure it's never been crashed.

[hart]

I've asked that same exact question. The answer is I don't know. The thing looks darn near brand new. It's got some normal places where rocks have hit the front but you can't see them until about 12 inches away and the bed is a bit scuffed but nothing major.

I've actually been researching them for a while now and almost bought one a while back. Anyway, I've looked at all the "problem" areas for that model around the frame, the body, and especially the rear sides (sometimes it develops a slight wrinkle if the truck has been twisted beyond it's capabilities) and others and don't see a thing that would indicate any repair work on it.

The carfax and the autocheck reports are clean - and the dealership it's at already has an unlimited mileage warranty for as long as I own the truck built into the price. I've researched that some today and it looks good.


So why is it so cheap? I don't know. Maybe they are trying to twist the Honda dealership's tail a bit or maybe there's more than meets the eye.

I'll probably make an offer on it but I do want to drive it to my mechanic and let him look over it just to be on the safe side.

EDIT: Forgot one other thought. Honda has a $4500 incentive on the 08 Ridgelines right now - like all other trucks they aren't selling. So that means you can get the one I'm looking at for about $28K or $29K new if you aggressively shop. So that's really messing up the used market and depressing prices. I think perhaps a lot of places and people haven't quite faced that reality yet.

[PeteC]

How much towing of the Mac do you plan to do?

Local trips to the lake: Ridgeline OK

Significant highway trips to lots of fun sailing places: get a full size truck

[hart]

Just out of curiosity why do you say nay on significant highway? Is it the wheelbase or something else.

I've talked to a couple Ridgeline owners who tow various things including boats (but not Macgregors) and they think it will be no problem for the truck.

I live on the coast and my current ramp of choice is less than a mile up the road. Heck, I may end up slipping whatever X or M I buy.

But I would like the option to take it around the southeast once or maybe twice a year. Like maybe down in Florida or up to north Alabama etc. Long drives but not coast to coast.

I tow my Venture 222 and my Com-Pac 16 with a 1989 Chevy S-10 Blazer. So I do have experience with short vehicles and trailering... which is why I guess I've been thinking about it so much. I've hauled that 222 all over south Alabama.

The Ridge does fit my family's needs very well in every other way. I suppose I could always beg my father in law to let me use his Dodge for any long trips if needed.

[Hamin' X]

Ridgeline towing review

Be sure to read both pages. Note fuel mileage sucks when towing. 8.4 MPG.

Rich---Hamin' X---N7ZH

[hart]

Thanks for that. Interesting read.

I wish they stated what type of fuel they were using. Honda recommends using high test when towing and comments I've read from owners on a ridgeline forum say it makes a big difference in mpg compared to running regular. Of course at 40 cents more per gallon...

[Kelly Hanson East]

You wont see a difference in mpg between premium and regular gas.

Unless you are towing a long or hilly trip, use the recommended octane by the MFG.

I do use premium when I tow Catigale to the Cape since its a 4 hour run at highway speed with hills. I shift down to go up hills and keep speed at 55 mph.

[hart]

Weird.

The owners manual recommends regular for everyday driving but premium when towing heavy loads. I wonder why? The extra stresses involved or something? I think I'll go investigate over at the Ridgeline forum.

I love working on my old Blazer but I (putting on my alabama redneck here) don't know nuttin' about no fancy new vee-heecles these days.