Body wrinkles around gas door appear after off being off road

[2point6]

I took my truck out to check out some old abandonded mines located near where I live. To get there, I followed a moderate 4X4 trail last weekend and later in the day I noticed a slight dent just above the gas door. This was a much more challenging trail than I have been on to date. This was a US forest service access road, listed for 4 wheel drive and SUVs, not some rediculous rock climbing challenge, so I felt there should be little issue. I got to one difficult part on the trail and IMO, this is where the Ridgeling twisted causing the dent. This wasn't any crazy angle to desend, but because of how rutted the road was it made the approach tricky. As I rolled foreward, I lifted the passenger rear wheel, to decend about 6 ft. The passenger rear wheel (as reported by my friend following me) lifted about 1 ft. clear of the ground. The truck shifted and began to teeter-totter between my driver rear wheel and passenger front. The two wheels were in the air briefly. This diagonal motion wasn't very long nor was it followed by any type of impact. I rolled foreward slightly and the passenger rear wheel set down and then the driver front touched down. It was then followed, by almost the opposite movement where as the driver rear came up in the air. Having 1 wheels in the air isn't unusual for the Ridgeline, but getting it to teeter-totter definately is.

Shortly after this section of the trail was where I noticed the dent. The truck drives fine in every aspect, but now looks like I twisted it. I checked the other side and I don't find any damage.

Just to let the readers know, I bought this truck to drive in all conditions. Of course those conditions are a matter of opinion, but I fully expected the truck to get it's fair share of dents and scratches. However, I am suprised that this dent occured in the manner that it did. I hope Honda looks into this further so others don't twist theirs.


After typing this I find other threads, so it seems there may be a common problem.

[k757]

Ehhh... I don't know about this

[2point6]

So, like I said... One wheel lifted isn't uncommon. I do feel that the conditions off road aren't the same as driving up a ramp at the dealership.

There are other twists that the truck went through, but the most extreme was the one I described. The dent appeared after.

[k757]

Originally Posted by 2point6

So, like I said... One wheel lifted isn't uncommon. I do feel that the conditions off road aren't the same as driving up a ramp at the dealership.

There are other twists that the truck went through, but the most extreme was the one I described. The dent appeared after.

Before other people chime in and cause you grief, your findings will mean more if you can post some photos of the areas affected.

[Andy-Montreal]

2point6, this subject has been brought up numerous times on this forum with respect to the type of body wrinkle that you have described. The majority of these vertical wrinkles seem to appear on the upper portion of the crease on either the left or right rear flanks. They are definitely stress created and usually appear after the truck was moderately bed-loaded.

As Keith has so graciously pointed out with his photos, this truck is solid and the chances of the wrinkles appearing due to three wheeling it off-road are probably unlikely.

My "body wrinkle" appeared after hauling a decent load of clean stacked lumber from the yard. While loading and waiting for more wood, my 16-year old son also briefly sat on the rear fenders from the bed side.

In my opinion, the fender and it's associated mounting points are stressed somewhat by lateral forces which ultimately result in the "wrinkle". Others may tell you that you're seeing things but "we" know better.

[2point6]

Originally Posted by k757

Before other people chime in and cause you grief, your findings will mean more if you can post some photos of the areas affected.

Very well, I will do so. Thank you for the heads up.

[2point6]

Originally Posted by Andy-Montreal

2point6, this subject has been brought up numerous times on this forum with respect to the type of body wrinkle that you have described. The majority of these vertical wrinkles seem to appear on the upper portion of the crease on either the left or right rear flanks. They are definitely stress created and usually appear after the truck was moderately bed-loaded.

I would believe this only if I had placed any type of load in the bed of my truck other than camping gear. However, on this trip the bed was unloaded.

As Keith has so graciously pointed out with his photos, this truck is solid and the chances of the wrinkles appearing due to three wheeling it off-road are probably unlikely.

I understand the photo's but, I cannot believe that driving up the ramp at the dealer can place the same torsional twists that the truck would see off road. Especially, if the twists are re-occuring. I have no doubt Honda has a engineer or 2 that knows what the limitations of this chasis are and hopefully I didn't exceed them.

My "body wrinkle" appeared after hauling a decent load of clean stacked lumber from the yard. While loading and waiting for more wood, my 16-year old son also briefly sat on the rear fenders from the bed side.

In my opinion, the fender and it's associated mounting points are stressed somewhat by lateral forces which ultimately result in the "wrinkle". Others may tell you that you're seeing things but "we" know better.

Thank you for your input. I am simply making this post to let people know that it can happen and I am not seeing things.

[2point6]

Here is a picture of the wrinkle.

[Pug]

Originally Posted by 2point6

... I noticed a slight dent just above the gas door.

... I got to one difficult part on the trail and IMO, this is where the Ridgeling twisted causing the dent...

Shortly after this section of the trail was where I noticed the dent...

The truck drives fine in every aspect, but now looks like I twisted it.

Dent? Wrinkle? Twist? How noticeable is it?

edit: thanks for the pic. I see what you mean.

[2point6]

Originally Posted by Pug

Dent? Wrinkle? Twist? How noticeable is it?

You might want to retract your post. Good try though...