Show/Tell us what you are haulin'

[11budlite]

Picked up my 2007 Ridgeline last week with 2200 miles on it. Installed the Honda hitch/harness and a Prodigy brake controller over the weekend. Loaded up the 6x14 single axle car trailer with my Birkin Lotus 7 replica and am ready to head out to Carlisle tomorrow....unfortunately it looks like rain. The trailer/car combination weighs appr #2200 so I'm hoping it will tow like a breeze!

Bruce

PS: And yes, the car will be strapped down before we leave!

[Chris C]

(Man, I'd strap it down and wrap it with loving care before I'd tow that on an open highway!)

[VoicesInMyHead]

Originally Posted by 11budlite

Loaded up the 6x14 single axle car trailer with my Birkin Lotus 7 replica and am ready to head out to Carlisle tomorrow...

Toys Toys Toys! Very cool!

[Qxtreem]

Hitch Hand in use.
Brad

[bill98065]

Recent trip with popup to Yakima WA, first time towed by ridgeline, lots of power compared to my old element, which I still miss. Best wishes from Snoqualmie WA

[spun07RTX]

Originally Posted by whowutwut

Hi All,

+1 eldorifto

that is a sick ride wutwut!! more info on it? sr20det? ....I see your fmic

[zroger73]

Hauled my 3rd and heaviest load to date this evening. A total of 36, 42 lb. Dek-Blocks loaded with Lowe's forklift (yep - a good bit over the 1,100 lb. limit). When I told the kid I had a Ridgeline, he said no way - the pallet wouldn't fit between the wheel wells. When I told him there was more than 4' between what little wheel wells there are, he acted surprised. He was more amazed that the entire pallet fit with room to spare.

It handled noticeably better than with the last big load of 12' lumber I had hanging out the back. I suppose having the weight IN the bed rather than half of it hanging OFF the bed makes a difference.

I've been telling myself that after I finish the remodel, I'm going to trade back to a car that is easier on gas and monthly payments. After a recently income increase I started dreaming of my first "luxury" vehicle and considered some lower-priced models from Lexus, Infinity, and BMW. I've since come to my senses and realized it's not quite time for that.

I read an article recently that really hit home. Reading statements like, "why not buy a small car that meets 95% of your NEEDS rather than 99% of your WANTS?" and "if you save $200/month on fuel by driving a small car, the $65 delivery fees for big items aren't so bad", really brought out some guilt, LOL!

[bulajim]

Pulled this 3650# about 300 miles at 10mpg....

Updates to come on what happens with a horse inside...

Any advice on a WDH -- I know their not recommended but that might get me a little higher in tow capacity. Also, I noticed the Axle ratio is 4.6 or so...the biggest, baddest American pulling trucks I've seen have a axle ratio of 4.1 (chevy 2500 with a considerably bigger engine (8100cc). Does that mean that the Ridgeline is maximized for towing. I don't understand the axle ratios.

[VFR750]

Just got back from a 780 mile tow. Here's my experience:

Windsor CT to Annapolis MD = 365 each way
Travel Speed 55-65 mph.
99% Interstate: I-84, I-684, I-287, NJ Parkway, NJ Turnpike, I-95, I-875, I-97
14.51 mpg on 87 Octane
at least 4100#


Observation is the Ridgeline tows well. Has good power for pulling the hills in western CT. Kept speeds down in the 55-65 range for economy. Never stumbled on 87 octane. Half the trip down was in the rain.

Prodigy Brake controller works well. Noted one issue however. I used the first level of boost for the trip. This is good for the open highway where you are rarely on the brakes. Not so good as you get near toll plazas, as repeated stops heat up the trailer drum brakes making them grabby. Locked up the tires .2 miles from my house at a stop sign. I had just come down a hill, which must have pumped a lot of heat into the trailer brakes. I'd recommend boost only for highway use. IMHO.

Thank goodness for the 96" wide trailer. It just makes it through the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel. Most Trailers are +102" = Not allowed.

Plus I-287 through White Plains NY, is a ride to remember. Narrow lanes, Tractor Trailers, Jersey Barriers, travel lanes that refuse to be straight, on-camber, or smooth. In both cases the Ridgeline pulled straight and true with no wandering! Whew!

[94 Accord EX F250 owner]

Originally Posted by bulajim

Pulled this 3650# about 300 miles at 10mpg....

Updates to come on what happens with a horse inside...

Any advice on a WDH -- I know their not recommended but that might get me a little higher in tow capacity. Also, I noticed the Axle ratio is 4.6 or so...the biggest, baddest American pulling trucks I've seen have a axle ratio of 4.1 (chevy 2500 with a considerably bigger engine (8100cc). Does that mean that the Ridgeline is maximized for towing. I don't understand the axle ratios.

4.3's and 4.88's are also available on the heavy duty trucks the big 3 offer. If Honda is at 4.6, the axle ratio may be about the same middle ground. However, motor torque, suspension tuning, and many other factors go into a truck design for towing.

I really like my Ridgeline to date and would not trade it (except, perhaps for leather interior). However, it will not be the equal to a heavy duty truck in towing, such as the Ford F250 I used to own.

I think Honda's literature talks about the design for towing aspect; they use the same motor in the Pilot and Odyssey and get better mileage..