Towing Question

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by axg1040

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]

Originally Posted by 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??

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]

Originally Posted by 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

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