Towing Question

[axg1040]

I am looking to purchase a Ridgeline and have a towing question.
I know that it is rated to tow 5000#. Is the 5000# rating for the vehicle with 1 driver? or fully loaded with 5 people? I have read conflicting things. Can anybody check their owners manual or know the real answer?
The dealer here is clueless.
Thanks in advance for your help.

I am looking to tow a 3700# boat/trailer but also want to be able to take passengers and gear with me.

[csimo]

Let's look at a Ridgeline RTS for example.

GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) is 10085 lbs.
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) is 6050 lbs.
Curb Weight (with 2 passengers): 4494 lbs.

So if you take the GCWR - Curb Weight you end up with 5591 lbs. available for the trailer and additional vehicle cargo and passengers.

If we take that 5591 lbs. and subtract the maximum trailer weight of 5000 lbs. we end up with 591 lbs.

So when towing a 5000 lb. trailer you could have two passengers and 591 lbs. of cargo (or additional passengers) in the Ridgeline.

The other models vary only slightly.

Hope this helps!

[Webwader]

From the owners manual:
2 occupants, 5000 lb, 600 lb max tongue weight
3 occupants, 4750 lb, 600 lb max tongue weight
4 occupants, 4750 lb, 570 lb max tongue weight
5 occupants, 4500 lb, 516 lb max tongue weight

The corresponding weight limits assume occupants fill seats from the front of the vehicle to the back, each occupant weighs 150 lb and each has 15 lb of cargo in the cab, pickup bed, or in-Bed Trunk. Any additional weight, including cargo and accessories, reduces the maximum trailer weight and maximum tongue load. Never exceed the gross axle weight ratings.

[shovelhd]

Was this from the revised owner's manual or the original? Honda changed these numbers when they revised the 2006 manual. 2007 manuals got it right the first time.

[Webwader]

Was this from the revised owner's manual or the original?
Both my 2006 manuals show the same figures. If the figures have been revised since them, someone else needs to post them.
Thanks for the heads up, shovelhd.

[axg1040]

Thank you to all the replied. This has greatly cleared this up.
I was worried I was going to be forced to cross the Ridgeline off my list.
Looks like I will be more than fine towing what I plan to.

[csimo]

Was this from the revised owner's manual or the original? Honda changed these numbers when they revised the 2006 manual. 2007 manuals got it right the first time.

Those numbers match both the 2007 and 2008 manuals. Just checked.

[shovelhd]

Excellent, thanks, Joe.

[axg1040]

From the owners manual:
2 occupants, 5000 lb, 600 lb max tongue weight
3 occupants, 4750 lb, 600 lb max tongue weight
4 occupants, 4750 lb, 570 lb max tongue weight
5 occupants, 4500 lb, 516 lb max tongue weight

The corresponding weight limits assume occupants fill seats from the front of the vehicle to the back, each occupant weighs 150 lb and each has 15 lb of cargo in the cab, pickup bed, or in-Bed Trunk. Any additional weight, including cargo and accessories, reduces the maximum trailer weight and maximum tongue load. Never exceed the gross axle weight ratings.


So it appears that the towing capacity for 3 or 4 occupants is the same (the max tongue if different). Thanks again for the info.

[axg1040]

I also got this sent to me on another forum (Edmunds)

did check out the owner's manual for towing info, which is:

5000 w/2 passengers
3500 w/3 passengers
3000 w/4 passengers
2000 w/5 passengers "

The poster claims this is from his 2006 owners manual. Did they change something from 06 to 07??

[ericrwalker]

If you like fat chicks that weigh about a 1000 pounds you might want to consider a bigger truck.

[axg1040]

If you like fat chicks that weigh about a 1000 pounds you might want to consider a bigger truck.

Nope.....just need to tow a 3800 lbs boat/trailer/gear and would like to take at least 3 other people in the truck.

[Webwader]

The poster claims this is from his 2006 owners manual. Did they change something from 06 to 07??
The figures I gave you were from a 2006 owners manual and I have two different editions, an early and a revised. Both manuals give the same figures. Does it seem logical that the towing capacity would drop 1500 lb by adding one passenger?

[helijock]

Don't forget the fuel. Gas weighs about 6 pounds per gallon, so 22 gallons (full tank) is 132 pounds.

[csimo]

I also got this sent to me on another forum (Edmunds)

did check out the owner's manual for towing info, which is:

5000 w/2 passengers
3500 w/3 passengers
3000 w/4 passengers
2000 w/5 passengers "

The poster claims this is from his 2006 owners manual. Did they change something from 06 to 07??

Somebody lied to you. False info.

[axg1040]

Thanks again for the info.

Anybody on this site doing any long distance towing with what I plan to tow (3800lbs)??

How does it handle that weight on a long trip?? Lets just assume level highways with no hills.

[Webwader]

Anybody on this site doing any long distance towing with what I plan to tow (3800lbs)??
We tow a 3,500 lb highsided folding trailer. We have taken it one trip of just over 5,000 miles and one of just under 4,000 miles. Both trips entailed crossing the Rockies both directions, once in the US and once in Canada. We live in a mountainous state and travel in many others. I have been very pleased with the performance of the RL towing. Although your boat weights a bit more than our trailer, it does have better aerodynamics. We also have a 3,250 lb boat/trailer we tow regularly and between the two have towed over 12,000 miles.

[axg1040]

We tow a 3,500 lb highsided folding trailer. We have taken it one trip of just over 5,000 miles and one of just under 4,000 miles. Both trips entailed crossing the Rockies both directions, once in the US and once in Canada. We live in a mountainous state and travel in many others. I have been very pleased with the performance of the RL towing. Although your boat weights a bit more than our trailer, it does have better aerodynamics. We also have a 3,250 lb boat/trailer we tow regularly and between the tow have towed over 12,000 miles.


Thanks. If you do not mind me asking...how many people and how much gear did you have along with your towed loads? Thanks.

[Webwader]

If you do not mind me asking...how many people and how much gear did you have along with your towed loads?
Two adults, 48 lb dog, cooler with drinks and snacks, tool kit & full size spare in the truck. More food and clothes than on a short trip in the trailer. When I weighed the trailer, it was on a return trip from a weekend at the beach, so it was at its lightest. I keep my maxium towing speed at 65 and the average for those 12,000+ miles is about 14.5 mpg.

[axg1040]

Two adults, 48 lb dog, cooler with drinks and snacks, tool kit & full size spare in the truck. More food and clothes than on a short trip in the trailer. When I weighed the trailer, it was on a return trip from a weekend at the beach, so it was at its lightest. I keep my maxium towing speed at 65 and the average for those 12,000+ miles is about 14.5 mpg.

Thanks again for your help.

[livefaith]

AXG,

I tow long distance with a 6x12 V-nose cargo, single axle and also shorter with a 3,500# Coleman pop-up. Your setup will not even cause the RL to blink. It is absolutlely solid as a rock and Cadillac svelt when towing.

When I tow the cargo for my business, I have amassed over 50,000mi towing for my business. I sometimes have the trailer > 5,000#, a full bed, and full back seats. Over on about every limit. The RL moves off the line like a turtle, but has handled it fine. Read up and do extra maintenance, especially on the tranny, rear diff, and radiator. My fuel mileage averages about 10mpg, but I sometimes tap 70. Aerodynamics is the enemy of your fuel guage, so you shold have a better experience. If I drop 5mph, then I'll get 1 extra mpg or so. Don't leave home w/o trailer brakes.

Towing the camper is like childs play in comparison. I've never ran the fuel #s, but aerodynamics are nigh and day. Mileage is significantly better I can tell. Travel trailer stability should be a concern. Many campers have centered axles, in an attempt to keep so much tongue weight off minivans and sedans etc. This is nice, but can open the door to dangerous trailer wiggle issues. My cargo has an offset axle, placing more weight on the tongue. This makes for excellent stability. But with the RL, no known spring assist solution exists. Therefore sag is the result. Most boat trailers seem to have offset to, but I doubt the tongue weight will be excessive.

The RL is a comfy tow vehicle, and you are right in the sweetspot it sounds like. Should do great.

[axg1040]

AXG,

I tow long distance with a 6x12 V-nose cargo, single axle and also shorter with a 3,500# Coleman pop-up. Your setup will not even cause the RL to blink. It is absolutlely solid as a rock and Cadillac svelt when towing.

When I tow the cargo for my business, I have amassed over 50,000mi towing for my business. I sometimes have the trailer > 5,000#, a full bed, and full back seats. Over on about every limit. The RL moves off the line like a turtle, but has handled it fine. Read up and do extra maintenance, especially on the tranny, rear diff, and radiator. My fuel mileage averages about 10mpg, but I sometimes tap 70. Aerodynamics is the enemy of your fuel guage, so you shold have a better experience. If I drop 5mph, then I'll get 1 extra mpg or so. Don't leave home w/o trailer brakes.

Towing the camper is like childs play in comparison. I've never ran the fuel #s, but aerodynamics are nigh and day. Mileage is significantly better I can tell. Travel trailer stability should be a concern. Many campers have centered axles, in an attempt to keep so much tongue weight off minivans and sedans etc. This is nice, but can open the door to dangerous trailer wiggle issues. My cargo has an offset axle, placing more weight on the tongue. This makes for excellent stability. But with the RL, no known spring assist solution exists. Therefore sag is the result. Most boat trailers seem to have offset to, but I doubt the tongue weight will be excessive.

The RL is a comfy tow vehicle, and you are right in the sweetspot it sounds like. Should do great.


Thanks. I would only be towing on summer weekends to the boat ramp and 2 trips a year to a lake house rental 2 hours away. After reading all of this I think I will be more than ok.

[Beaullieu]

Nope.....just need to tow a 3800 lbs boat/trailer/gear and would like to take at least 3 other people in the truck.

My towing needs are similar to yours. I tow a ski rig that weighs in at about 4,000lbs (boat, trailer, fuel, gear) 3-4 times a year to a lake about 100 miles from my home in Atlanta. I also generally carry 500-600 lbs of camping gear and fuel in the bed of the RL along with my wife and son in the cab.

The RL handles this task with ease and I'm very happy with the performance. Mileage towing on the interstate with my boat and gear has been in the 11-12 range at 65-70 mph which seems consistent with what others report.....

[Webwader]

Most boat trailers seem to have offset to, but I doubt the tongue weight will be excessive.

The axle offset on boat trailers is due to the fact that most of the weight of the boat is in the rear due to the motor. Actually, the recommended percentage of tongue weight for a boat is less than that of a conventional trailer. IIRC, it's 8-12% for boats and 10-15% for trailers.

[livefaith]

That's a good point Webwader. I've never towed a boat.

[RidgeInTheVille]

I'll probably be getting a boat in the next couple of years. I know the towing capacity is by pounds but what length of boat are people towing with the Ridgeline? I used to have a 19' runabout that I towed with an Expedition and was wondering if I could go to a 24' runabout or deckboat and use the Ridgeline.

TIA

[MikeT]

I also got this sent to me on another forum (Edmunds)

did check out the owner's manual for towing info, which is:

5000 w/2 passengers
3500 w/3 passengers
3000 w/4 passengers
2000 w/5 passengers "

The poster claims this is from his 2006 owners manual. Did they change something from 06 to 07??

The towing capacity numbers were revised in the Revised 2006 and newer owners manuals.

[Webwader]

I know the towing capacity is by pounds but what length of boat are people towing with the Ridgeline? I used to have a 19' runabout that I towed with an Expedition and was wondering if I could go to a 24' runabout or deckboat and use the Ridgeline.

The length is not a factor, only the total weight and the tongue weight. In fact, a longer wheelbase trailer is a more stable platform than a shorter trailer and it is easier to back up.

[Apexshot]

I just purchased a Ridgeline RT 2008 and I am planning on towing my sports car. The loaded trailer with the car on it weighs 2100 lbs. total
yes its a SMALL car. We currently have 1300 miles on the pickup, and so far so good. I found a trailer hitch on line for $167.00 delivered not a bad price.
I am not into all those bells and whistles. My question is the wiring kit from Honda need to be installed by Honda or is it just a plug in??

Apexshot

[ocb_dave_ocb]

I just purchased a Ridgeline RT 2008 and I am planning on towing my sports car. The loaded trailer with the car on it weighs 2100 lbs. total
yes its a SMALL car. We currently have 1300 miles on the pickup, and so far so good. I found a trailer hitch on line for $167.00 delivered not a bad price.
I am not into all those bells and whistles. My question is the wiring kit from Honda need to be installed by Honda or is it just a plug in??

Apexshot

You could do it yourself, if you only need a 4 pin it plugs into your taillights..

[Webwader]

You might want to look at the wiring kit available from etrailer.com. For just a four pin connector, it is much easier to install.

[OhioJeffro]

A good car hauling trailer will have brakes which requires the 7-pin, and the cheap 4-pin wiring kits that plug into your tail lights are not recommended because they can overdraw the system and blow the fuse when towing, which would result in no tail lights and is illegal in most states...