New Trailer/Towing Report

[RIDGELINE ROUGHRIDER]

Hey Ridgeline 4MX - we too are purchasing a Keystone trailer in the next couple of weeks but "dry" it will weigh 3,800 lbs. What did you do for side mirrors? What did you do about the weight distribution hitch - did you add this contrary to the Honda recommendations? Was your towing experience good or did you feel a lot of sway with the trailer? These are questions I need to resolve quickly.

[wrenrj1]

Originally Posted by gonzo's rt

"It's 4375 dry..."

Adding the bikes or ATV's alone, will certainly put your truck over the 5,000 limit designed by Honda. In addition, you will need to add stuff to the trailer making it weight even more. That is a heavy trailer...

Just what I was thinking. I'd move some cargo to the truck if possible to stay under 5K, but watch out for the gross vehicle weight with trailor included.

Something that may help the dip in the back is a weight distributing hitch, but it'll add weight as well.

[Ridgeline 4MX]

Originally Posted by RIDGELINE ROUGHRIDER

Hey Ridgeline 4MX - we too are purchasing a Keystone trailer in the next couple of weeks but "dry" it will weigh 3,800 lbs. What did you do for side mirrors? What did you do about the weight distribution hitch - did you add this contrary to the Honda recommendations? Was your towing experience good or did you feel a lot of sway with the trailer? These are questions I need to resolve quickly.

I've been offline a few days... sorry for the delay in my response. We didn't have any side mirrors. We did fine, but discussed on the way home that we would feel more comfortable having them. I'm researching those right now, and the suggestion above about the strap on ones seems like the way we will go. Our towing experience was excellent - we felt no sway whatsoever, even when large rigs passed us. There was no question we had the trailer behind us, but the rpms stayed within ranges I expected based upon discussion in this forum, the engine temperature needle never moved, and we kept very decent speed through the mountains.

The Hobbi is supposed to be designed to be haulable (is that a word?) by an SUV or half ton. We are using it to haul for single overnights in this region for vintage and minibike motocross events, so won't be carrying full fluids or supplies when we're hauling the bikes, which we bring only two at a time. We know we are right at the limit and will be going up to the truck scales next week to check all the loads and adjust accordingly. I'll try to remember to measure the distance the back dips when we do that - the trailer is parked in storage right now.

We bought the trailer when I put my foot down at the last race - we slept in a tent at the track in 95 degree, humid weather, had to pack up in a hurry when it started raining, and when I went to get out of the tent that morning there were ROACHES all over the ground. I'd had enough. Light toyhaulers that sleep 4+ people are hard to find.

We're also using it for general family vacations without the toys, and should be fine.

[Ridgeline 4MX]

Hi, Everyone - thanks for your continuing suggestions. We'll be taking our inaugural "real" trip with the bikes this weekend. We've got the weights sorted out on everything and we will come in around 80# short of the 5000# limit, but we're definitely under. If we can find a scale, we will weigh to check the axle and tongue loads. DH used to load and drive trucks for a living, so he's pretty good handling load distribution.

I'll try to measure that "dip" I was talking about, and also to get a picture of the setup for you all to see.

Cheers!

[Ridgeline 4MX]

To Webwader and anyone else who's interested -

I was able to measure that "dip" in the back of the truck, but without the 2 bikes in back (they total 400#) - the difference in the height of the bottom of the ball nut hitched and unhitched is one and a half inches. I'll try to get some measurements with the bikes in, too, but it'll be tough finding level ground near our house. The only flat place is the storage lot where we park the trailer.

Oh, and I checked the sticker for the R/L tonight... it's a 2006 RTL with every option but the Navi package.

Thanks, as always, for your help.

[Catenaccio]

I just returned from a 1500 mile trip hauling an open utility trailer loaded with 2 sport bikes and gear. The Ridge performed flawlessly all the way. My mpg per tank ranged from a low of 13 to a high of 18. I was thrilled as it duplicates my old F150 mileage and is so much nicer to drive and live with. I suppose a larger rig would affect the mileage, but for now, I'm pleased.

[5S Dude]

Excellent post Ridgeline 4MX! That is really a beautiful trailer you have and we can’t wait for more pictures too. Ride safe and Happy camping…….

[nolaridge]

Hello All,

I hope this info will be helpful or interesting to someone thinking about towing a travel trailer. I towed a 22' trailer (Coyote Sport 180, 4000 lbs loaded) from Dallas to Homer, AK and back this June and July: 12,400 miles in 6 weeks. The truck pulled fine over all manner of road surfaces and the steepest and longest grades I've ever imagined (down to first gear on one particular spot in Banff National Park and Hwy 14 alt. near Burgess Junction in WY, which is a 9500ft mountain pass). Generally speaking, hills were not a problem and the truck never overheated.

I used a weight distribution hitch and found it useful, but not essential on good roads (I towed without the bars attached from Helena, MT to Dallas). Mostly I found that without the WD bars it was kind of easy to scrape the hitch on the ground when going over gutters, etc. The truck handled about the same with a bit extra bounce in the ride. I would have been reluctant to tow without it on the rougher roads in Canada and Alaska. I wouldn't have minded having a little extra power, especially in the wind. A strong head wind or cross wind kept me at 55 mph in third gear, which really eats the gas -- down to 8 mpg sometimes. I usually got 10 mpg and occasionally 11 mpg if I kept the speed down to 55 instead of 60.

I have a couple of pictures of the "rig" posted at: www.flickr.com/photos/hiramoto

The first one is on the road to Stewart, Canada, off the Cassiar Hwy, the second pic (on the next page) is of waiting in line to ride the ferry in Dawson City, YT.

Happy Towing!

[arteegee]

Originally Posted by nolaridge

Hello All,

I wouldn't have minded having a little extra power, especially in the wind. A strong head wind or cross wind kept me at 55 mph in third gear, which really eats the gas -- down to 8 mpg sometimes. I usually got 10 mpg and occasionally 11 mpg if I kept the speed down to 55 instead of 60.

Reg or premium fuel?

[ToyTruck]

Wow, what a trip!! Glad to hear your take in the WDH since I have one and I plan on using it to keep the hitch from scraping on the ground. I've read many posts regarding the "do not use it" vs. "wouldn't tow without it" and I'm going to be very delicate on the settings, that's for sure. Glad your trip went well. Absolutely beautiful territory!!