Ridgeline as a Truck

Yeah, I know all of the names...SUT, "truck wannabee", "van with a bed", etc. I, for one, use my ridgeline as a truck. I have had it for about a month and a half now and I have hauled brush, bags of cement, plywood, bikes, junk, mulch, beer and many other things. I have also taken it on vacation, where it did not look out of place with the Escolades, the BMW's and the Porsches. I have taken it through the mud and rock, through a pasture and places where I needed to kick out the VSA and engage the VTM. I have driven it on interstates, 4-lanes, two lanes, dirt roads and fire trails. I think, and I'm not trying to brag, that my truck is a lot like me. It can and will do the work, hard or easy, tough or delicate, with no complaints. Then give it a bath and it's ready to go out for an evening, looking as good as anything else out there. If it gets a little scratch or ding, so what...we all have little scratches and dings ourselves. If it's too bad, I'll get it fixed. Don't get me wrong, I take very good care of it and all that, but at the end of the day, it's a truck and I feel I'm using it like the Honda engineers intended me to use it. An everyday Dad with some handyman skills and a family to take care of. At the end of the day, my truck has earned from me the greatest of all things...my trust. I know, without a doubt, that my ridgeline will take me and my family where we need to go, hauling or pulling anything we need...with the dependability and safety only a Honda can deliver. I love my truck....sniff :D

I haul some stuff but I have 2 cars seats full time in the backseat. Hope that still makes me manly. I washed the truck yesterday and the bed is great place to have little helpers help. They're out of the way, contained, and entertained. What more can you ask for.

HiPSI, you aren't alone. Just coming back from a trip out to our farm in west texas, I can honestly say that my Ridgeline is just as up to the task as any other truck that my family has used in our farming business. It actually gets better traction in the mud out there than the Ford F-150 that we keep out there. These guys that "talk" about all the off-roading crap that their Big 3 trucks can handle have bought that marketing bait big time.
Hook, line, and sinker...
Now yer makin' me tear up... :rolleyes:

HiPSI............AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am right there with you on your statements!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:D :D :D

hiPSI,

Thanks for the post. You've renewed my faith in the Ridgeline. I thought I was the only owner who WASN'T putting on 22" tires, gold emblems, wood grain dashes and other bling-bling modifications. I was starting to worry that I hadn't bought a truck. I can't see going back to my Dodge 2500 now although I keep it around for plowing.

Sadly, I did give into a clear bra but I live on a dirt road. I'd like to keep some of the paint on the front end.

Hats off to all you other Honda TRUCK owners.

I love my multi-purpose TRUCK.
I like the bling-bling within reason but it is a full functional truck.
I haul my sons 6x12 enclosed trailer with his kart in it 2 to 3 times a week.
I use it to load signs that I have made for clients for delivery and I must say I feel good about going to the warehouse to pick up my supplies. All the dock loaders love it.
It is an SUT.
Sport - hauls my kid and his stuff ( karting is a sport )
Utility - Picks up and delivers supplies
Truck - Nuff' said!!
:D

I used mine to pick up 7 peieces ( Boxes) of furniture at Costco, MAN I wish I had a camera.

LOVE THIS TRUCK!!!

In the couple of months I've owned my TRUCK I've hauled stone, mulch, furniture and trash to the dump. I've also gotten two canoes on the modified roof rack and put five bikes in my trailer hitch carrier.

I put Honda chrome wheels on my TRUCK just cause I liked the look. I traded a well used F150 that we called Shaggy (from Scooby-Do) just because the truck was a little rough around the edges. When I asked my kids (14 yrs and 10 yr old twins all girls!) what we should call the new truck, they said Bling-Bling more as a joke because of the wheels and because he was much fancier than the old truck. So the name Bling-Bling stuck but this is all the TRUCK I've ever need. I also get a kick out of his name.

Hey, Don't hate those who like a little class as they are hauling grass, brass, trash, ass and working for cash :D ! It's still a truck no matter how we decide to dress it! :cool:

My TRUCK (her name is Ridgey) has hauled wood, groceries, dogs, kids, school supplies, two quads, a motorcycle, etc. No complaints here. My TRUCK is awesome and I wouldn't trade her for the world. :)

Let's see I have hauled wood, a stand kit for my miter saw (but not the saw yet, that comes next summer when we go to do repairs on the camp), a new TV stand that I built for my grandfather and the 27" way to heavy TV to put on it, over 200 drinks in the trunk, luggage for 10 people for about 9 days for a cruise and 5 total rather large people in the front end at the same time. I call it a truck, I use it like a truck, and I treat it like a truck. And the 4 people who were in the truck with me said that they were very impressed with how much the truck handled without even a hiccup, and they all drive very large trucks for work including one who does road work for housing complexes in California. And they gave it an A+ for comfort for people over 6 feet tall (the tallest person 6'6" was in the back seat and said he was comfortable).

...........and I have hauled brush, bags of cement, plywood, bikes, junk, mulch, beer and many other things. .........If it gets a little scratch or ding, so what...we all have little scratches and dings ourselves. If it's too bad, I'll get it fixed. :D
Gee, am I glad to see this thread! I was feeling like somewhat of an outcast in this forum. I bought my RL for its functional value as a comfortable, reliable truck that could accomodate the needs of my hobby-gardening interests. I knew I wouldn't be disappointed due to its Honda lineage; so far it has met all of my expectations, and then some.

Hey, Don't hate those who like a little class as they are hauling grass, brass, trash, ass and working for cash :D ! It's still a truck no matter how we decide to dress it! :cool:

Yeah, what Toobuku said!!!! :p

To put a little perspective on this subject. Our farming neighbors can't see why the "city boys" load up their trucks with mag wheels, jacked up suspensions, and (God-forbid) low profile tires. (something along the lines of "I betcha these boys never stepped off ina cow patty in their entire life. Might ruin their boots!")

Seems like the guys my neighbors are referring to are the ones that pan us for having our "sissy" Honda truck. All in your perspective.

GIT-R-DONE!!!

To put a little perspective on this subject. Our farming neighbors can't see why the "city boys" load up their trucks with mag wheels, jacked up suspensions, and (God-forbid) low profile tires. (something along the lines of "I betcha these boys never stepped off ina cow patty in their entire life. Might ruin their boots!")

Seems like the guys my neighbors are referring to are the ones that pan us for having our "sissy" Honda truck. All in your perspective.

GIT-R-DONE!!!

That's funny! Guess nobody drives a real truck unless they step ina cow patty as they get out!

When I bought my Dodge Dakota 20 years ago I was determined to NOT baby it and treat it like a truck! But I bought a thick rubber mat for the bed not to protect it but so that I could sleep more comfortably on camping trips. Twenty years later after driving across the country 7 times and using my Dakota to build my first home the bed looks like new when I peel back the rubber mat. The tailgate, however, looks like it was pounded with a sledge hammer.

So this last weekend when I was about to throw my shovel, pick, rake and bucket of rocks into the back of my new Ridgeline I hesitated a moment ... Then I went inside and ordered a rubber bed protector. Is that so wrong?

:(

.

Y. I think, and I'm not trying to brag, that my truck is a lot like me. It can and will do the work, hard or easy, tough or delicate, with no complaints. ...we all have little scratches and dings ourselves. If it's too bad, I'll get it fixed. but at the end of the day, it's a truck and I feel I'm using it like the Honda engineers intended me to use it. An everyday Dad with some handyman skills and a family to take care of. At the end of the day, my truck has earned from me the greatest of all things...my trust. I know, without a doubt, that my ridgeline will take me and my family where we need to go, hauling or pulling anything we need...with the dependability and safety only a Honda can deliver. I love my truck....sniff :D
ummm this reminds me of the movie "Tommy Boy"
Calahan parts for the hard working man.:D

Yeah, I know all of the names...SUT, "truck wannabee", "van with a bed", etc. I, for one, use my ridgeline as a truck. I have had it for about a month and a half now and I have hauled brush, bags of cement, plywood, bikes, junk, mulch, beer and many other things. I have also taken it on vacation, where it did not look out of place with the Escolades, the BMW's and the Porsches. I have taken it through the mud and rock, through a pasture and places where I needed to kick out the VSA and engage the VTM. I have driven it on interstates, 4-lanes, two lanes, dirt roads and fire trails. I think, and I'm not trying to brag, that my truck is a lot like me. It can and will do the work, hard or easy, tough or delicate, with no complaints. Then give it a bath and it's ready to go out for an evening, looking as good as anything else out there. If it gets a little scratch or ding, so what...we all have little scratches and dings ourselves. If it's too bad, I'll get it fixed. Don't get me wrong, I take very good care of it and all that, but at the end of the day, it's a truck and I feel I'm using it like the Honda engineers intended me to use it. An everyday Dad with some handyman skills and a family to take care of. At the end of the day, my truck has earned from me the greatest of all things...my trust. I know, without a doubt, that my ridgeline will take me and my family where we need to go, hauling or pulling anything we need...with the dependability and safety only a Honda can deliver. I love my truck....sniff :D

Hey hiPSI, I feel the exact same way about my truck! I'm just torn between tricking it all up with bling or going with the off-road motif. Since I've just bought a new dirt bike that has made the choice sway just a bit.

Yeah, I know all of the names...SUT, "truck wannabee", "van with a bed", etc. I, for one, use my ridgeline as a truck. I have had it for about a month and a half now and I have hauled brush, bags of cement, plywood, bikes, junk, mulch, beer and many other things. I have also taken it on vacation, where it did not look out of place with the Escolades, the BMW's and the Porsches. I have taken it through the mud and rock, through a pasture and places where I needed to kick out the VSA and engage the VTM. I have driven it on interstates, 4-lanes, two lanes, dirt roads and fire trails. I think, and I'm not trying to brag, that my truck is a lot like me. It can and will do the work, hard or easy, tough or delicate, with no complaints. Then give it a bath and it's ready to go out for an evening, looking as good as anything else out there. If it gets a little scratch or ding, so what...we all have little scratches and dings ourselves. If it's too bad, I'll get it fixed. Don't get me wrong, I take very good care of it and all that, but at the end of the day, it's a truck and I feel I'm using it like the Honda engineers intended me to use it. An everyday Dad with some handyman skills and a family to take care of. At the end of the day, my truck has earned from me the greatest of all things...my trust. I know, without a doubt, that my ridgeline will take me and my family where we need to go, hauling or pulling anything we need...with the dependability and safety only a Honda can deliver. I love my truck....sniff :D

Hi hiPSI,

I just want to know more about the truck, what effect does it have if you disable the VSA and engage the VTM?

Thanks,

Arman

Im glad to see some people here dont hang out in the " how to fix the scratches in my bed" thread. :D

I haul some stuff but I have 2 cars seats full time in the backseat. Hope that still makes me manly. I washed the truck yesterday and the bed is great place to have little helpers help. They're out of the way, contained, and entertained. What more can you ask for.

Yeah my two kids love the bed...it's walls are high enough to keep them from tumbling out. With the back window open they can slide through and climb into their car seats and read and play and then come back out onto their very own deck. Another kid friendly plus is the trunk which fits a full sized stroller and grocceries (or so my wife tells me:o )

I use my Ridgeline as a truck, I've hauled wood, trach, brush, plants, cement. With no problems, that tail gate sure does save your back when loading & unloading.

I've been using my truck as a truck every weekend. I've noticed the truck bed is pretty high and when I load it with buckets it is quite a step up to get into the bed of the truck. I don't mind because it is good exercise but I wonder if shorter people would find it difficult.

I love the swing feature of the tail gate and the step on the bumper.

I love the swing feature of the tail gate and the step on the bumper.

Good point.

I guess I was just too set in my way of doing things like I have always done them to realize there was a better way. Now that you mention it - it would be much easier to open the gate to the side and use the step. Thanks!!!

I am looking to purchase a new truck and have it narrowed down to the Ridgeline or a Tacoma.I already own a 2001 Tacoma with a 4 inch lift R75 275 tires. the Tacoma has a four wheeler feel and I had used it to with out a word of a lie, climb up the side of mountains for a cell site installation business that I owned. Times have now changed and I need more of a utility 4x4, I was wondering if anyone has used the Ridgeline to put in a large boat. I live in NW Ontario and do not have have the advantage of a nice manicured ramp/landing that most non northerners are used too.. In other words will this truck pull a 4000 lb boat out of a loon crap bottom or rocky shored lake, I know my toyota does with flying colours my problem with my Tacoma is that its about 50 hp short of whats needed to pull the boat on the highway. The Ridgeline and new Tacoma make up for this deficientcy , Please if anyone has any insight on this let me know, Nothing worse than being 200 miles from civilization and stuck..

I am looking to purchase a new truck and have it narrowed down to the Ridgeline or a Tacoma.I already own a 2001 Tacoma with a 4 inch lift R75 275 tires. the Tacoma has a four wheeler feel and I had used it to with out a word of a lie, climb up the side of mountains for a cell site installation business that I owned. Times have now changed and I need more of a utility 4x4, I was wondering if anyone has used the Ridgeline to put in a large boat. I live in NW Ontario and do not have have the advantage of a nice manicured ramp/landing that most non northerners are used too.. In other words will this truck pull a 4000 lb boat out of a loon crap bottom or rocky shored lake, I know my Toyota does with flying colours my problem with my Tacoma is that its about 50 hp short of whats needed to pull the boat on the highway. The Ridgeline and new Tacoma make up for this deficientcy , Please if anyone has any insight on this let me know, Nothing worse than being 200 miles from civilization and stuck..
Welcome to ROC:)
I have pulled my boat out of some very tricky ramps (more like mud slide slopes) without a problem, BUT mine is only just over 2000 lbs package.
If you say you have done it with a 01 Tacoma, I am sure The Ridge will perform better, VTM4 is flawless and you can lock it in 1st, 2nd or reverse gear if you get stuck.
I know other members here have towed almost 5000 lbs with the Ridge but I am not sure if anyone has a 1st hand experience on Loon Crap bottom ramp :) with that kind of weight.but like I said I don't see a problem.

Welcome backbacon! I looked at both the Tacoma and the RL as well. The Ridge tows my 3000 lb. boat without issues. It pulls nicely on the highway. Your rig is heavier, but within the limits of the Ridge. Head to head on towing a heavy load, the Taco will fare better as it has a little more grunt and a higher towing capacity (provided you get the towing package rated at 6500 lbs.) The Tacoma was a perfectly good truck, but what sold me on the Ridge was the extras that the Taco doesn't have, along with a more civilized ride. You will have a real nice truck either way you go. Good luck!

Yeah, I know all of the names...SUT, "truck wannabee", "van with a bed", etc. I, for one, use my ridgeline as a truck. I have had it for about a month and a half now and I have hauled brush, bags of cement, plywood, bikes, junk, mulch, beer and many other things. I have also taken it on vacation, where it did not look out of place with the Escolades, the BMW's and the Porsches. I have taken it through the mud and rock, through a pasture and places where I needed to kick out the VSA and engage the VTM. I have driven it on interstates, 4-lanes, two lanes, dirt roads and fire trails. I think, and I'm not trying to brag, that my truck is a lot like me. It can and will do the work, hard or easy, tough or delicate, with no complaints. Then give it a bath and it's ready to go out for an evening, looking as good as anything else out there. If it gets a little scratch or ding, so what...we all have little scratches and dings ourselves. If it's too bad, I'll get it fixed. Don't get me wrong, I take very good care of it and all that, but at the end of the day, it's a truck and I feel I'm using it like the Honda engineers intended me to use it. An everyday Dad with some handyman skills and a family to take care of. At the end of the day, my truck has earned from me the greatest of all things...my trust. I know, without a doubt, that my ridgeline will take me and my family where we need to go, hauling or pulling anything we need...with the dependability and safety only a Honda can deliver. I love my truck....sniff :D These people who call the ridgeline everything else but a truck, are just jealous cause they bought a piece of junk. They are LOSERS