Towing more than 5,000 lbs.

[thooks]

I might have the need to tow a 4,300 lb piece of equipment that will need to sit on a trailer I'm sure will weigh more than 1200-1500 lbs.

Has anyone towed this much? I could be towing it 100 miles or 500 miles, I just don't know.


Just looking for experience, not owner's manual readers.

[spun07RTX]

oooo this ought to be good :D

so your asking: has anyone broken the maximum towing limit?

the best way to find out is to go hook up your 5800 lbs., put the trans in 2nd and mash the gas :rolleyes:




but srsly, it really depends on teh actual weight of the trailer, if you are over the limit by a couple hundred thats prob ok.........but to be almost 1000 lbs. over is pushing it.

[Pizza Man]

I wouldn't do it, no way. You could get ticketed and need to leave the trailer in order to proceed, lose insurance coverage in the event of a trailer related accident, and/or void your warranty. These are things that have been mentioned here on the ROC in previous threads. Not to mention you're putting yourself, others and your Ridgeline at risk.

Of course, you'd have to get caught to be subjected to any of the above.

[dk miller]

There are really two separate concerns here. One is the mechanical capability of the RL driveline. The other and much more complex area of concern is safety.

Mechanically, I think the RL is up to the task. I would install a transmission fluid temperature gauge and be careful not to overheat the transmission. Accelerate gently and anticipate your stops and I think you will be fine.

Safety is more of an issue. If you do this be sure your trailer load is distributed properly with most of the load weight centered over the trailer axles. Your tongue weight should be about 10% of the loaded trailer weight. Trailer brakes will be necessary and properly calibrated to your truck. Keep your speed down as any problems with trailer behavior become greatly amplified as speed increases.

These are just basic concerns. I'm sure other posters can add more. I think it can be done safely. Good luck and have fun!:D

[MikeT]

For liability reasons alone, I would avoid attempting towing a cargo weight in excess of the Ridgeline's specified design limits.

[xridgelinex]

Do you have any friends with a truck that is capable to tow within those safe limits?

Pulling the item the Rl would be capable, having the correct tongue weight would be another story....

[thooks]

There are really two separate concerns here. One is the mechanical capability of the RL driveline. The other and much more complex area of concern is safety.

Mechanically, I think the RL is up to the task. I would install a transmission fluid temperature gauge and be careful not to overheat the transmission. Accelerate gently and anticipate your stops and I think you will be fine.



I think you are right on. What most of the general population doesn't realize is that safety factors are engineered into most everything. Most mechanical products that are well engineered (I'm gonna step out on this thin limb and say that 99% of you would whole heartily agree most everything Honda sells is well engineered) have about a 25% safety factor, if not 50%.


I hope I don't have to move this thing with the Ridgeline. And I hope I don't have to move it with a 3/4 ton truck, either.

[25 Year Honda Owner]

I think you are right on. What most of the general population doesn't realize is that safety factors are engineered into most everything. Most mechanical products that are well engineered (I'm gonna step out on this thin limb and say that 99% of you would whole heartily agree most everything Honda sells is well engineered) have about a 25% safety factor, if not 50%.


I hope I don't have to move this thing with the Ridgeline. And I hope I don't have to move it with a 3/4 ton truck, either.

Be sure of the weight on the hitch ball!!! Not long ago, I drove through a wreck where a F-150 broke loose in the rear wheels and the trailer took charge. Not a good sight!!!

[qlake]

Who me! :D

[thooks]

Well, qlake, gimme the details. That's what I'm looking for.

[ridged]

..safety factors are engineered into most everything.

There's a good reason for that! Will you be passing through Ohio with this load?

[thooks]

There's a good reason for that! Will you be passing through Ohio with this load?

I doubt it. It's a 20-ton Heat pump and heat pumps don't work well above I-20, IMO.


But I logged about 200 miles through Ohio during Christmas.

[ridged]

I doubt it.
From a safety perspective, I'm glad! :)

But I logged about 200 miles through Ohio during Christmas.

I hope you enjoyed the trip and a here's wishing you a belated Merry Christmas from the Buckeye state.

[RRIDER]

I doubt it. It's a 20-ton Heat pump and heat pumps don't work well above I-20, IMO.

But I logged about 200 miles through Ohio during Christmas.


That is a HUGE heat pump. What size building is it for?

Your oppinion that heat pumps don't work well above I-20??? I don't know where I-20 is, but I live in the northern part of central Ohio, and have a heat pump that works VERY well.

[dk miller]

When I lived in N Dak a friend tried using a heat pump for his new home. It was designed to transfer to a resistance element below a set temperature, I think that was about 30 degrees F. N Dak is below 30 degrees F for about four continuous months every winter so he saved nothing. In milder climates it probably works well.

[thooks]

That is a HUGE heat pump. What size building is it for?

Your oppinion that heat pumps don't work well above I-20??? I don't know where I-20 is, but I live in the northern part of central Ohio, and have a heat pump that works VERY well.



Everybody's got an opinion about heat pumps. Most mechanical engineers don't care for them applied in cold climates. The newer ones do put out 100-105 degree air, but generally, they suck trying to heat a structure when the outside temp is below 40 degrees.

You asking what size building the 20 ton unit is for and stating that heat pumps work great makes me shake my head. I'm sure your heating system works great, especially when the strip heat is on. For me, I like to burn gas.


20 tons of cooling will generally cool about 6500-7500 square feet of retail space that is moderately insulated and with a roof of less than 20'. 20 nominal tons of cooling is about 240 MBH, but this is a Carrier, so it's less. Carrier = junk.


Now, for a geography lesson. Figuring out where most interstate highways are is easy if you use a map of the US and some common sense. Imagine the US being divided up in a grid with roads running north and south and east and west.

The east-west routes are evenly numbered and are in increments of 10, starting at 10 and ending with 90. 10 starts in the South and 90 is the last one north.

The north-south routes are oddly numbered and go from 5 to 95. 5 starts in the west and 95 wraps up the east coast. Sound familiar? That means I-20 runs east-west and is the 2nd most southern interstate highway.


This does not count all the in-between roads that are after-thoughts such as I-77, I-24, I-81, etc.


HTH

[gchalk]

Now, for a geography lesson. Figuring out where most interstate highways are is easy if you use a map of the US and some common sense. Imagine the US being divided up in a grid with roads running north and south and east and west.

The east-west routes are evenly numbered and are in increments of 10, starting at 10 and ending with 90. 10 starts in the South and 90 is the last one north.

The north-south routes are oddly numbered and go from 5 to 95. 5 starts in the west and 95 wraps up the east coast. Sound familiar? That means I-20 runs east-west and is the 2nd most southern interstate highway.


This does not count all the in-between roads that are after-thoughts such as I-77, I-24, I-81, etc.
HTH

and to continue the interstate lesson, those interstates are spaced approximately by percentage of USA land to the south or west of the interstate, ie. 20% of the US is south of I20, 70% of the US is south of I70, 75% of the country is west of I75...etc...

Geoff

[qlake]

Well, qlake, gimme the details. That's what I'm looking for.

The RL will pull and stop the trailer loaded, but I only go from the house to the motor coach garage. The trailer weighs about 8200 pounds and the RV weighs 37,000 pounds and pulls the trailer much better. I have pulled this trailer with a total weight of 5000 pounds for 2000 miles behind the RL with no problem. The only downside was less than 10 mpg.

[thooks]

Thanks for the info, qlake.

[BillB]

Qlake, how do you get those quads up on the roof of that trailer. You must have 50 foot long ramps or drive out of a second floor window:D .

[govenatorx]

qlake, impressive! I would ber apprehensive about exceeding the limits of the RL, but the picture sure looks cool.

[jimmychoi]

qlake, impressive! I would ber apprehensive about exceeding the limits of the RL, but the picture sure looks cool.

Personally I would not deviate much from the recommended limits....the other thing is, god forbid, anything ever did happen....wouldn't you be held legally responsible and open to further issues??

[qlake]

Qlake, how do you get those quads up on the roof of that trailer. You must have 50 foot long ramps or drive out of a second floor window:D .

The upper deck is hydraulic and lowers down and the ramps are built in.

[ridged]

and to continue the interstate lesson, those interstates are spaced approximately by percentage of USA land to the south or west of the interstate, ie. 20% of the US is south of I20, 70% of the US is south of I70, 75% of the country is west of I75...etc...

Geoff,

Is this planned or just a coincidence?