[martyn1075]

Better check the law in your state -- illegal in some places to leave the hitch in. Chances of actually getting ticketed are probably low, but if someone walking behind your truck in the parking lot cracks a shin on it you may hear from their lawyer.

Interesting never heard of that. Thanks I don't need that in my life.

 

[Shineaholic]

Better check the law in your state -- illegal in some places to leave the hitch in. Chances of actually getting ticketed are probably low, but if someone walking behind your truck in the parking lot cracks a shin on it you may hear from their lawyer.

the dumbest law ever. politicians are useless.

 

[UnicornKaz]

Backing into parking is a truck thing. I do it without thinking when I'm driving a truck. It comes down to a choice:

1. Backing out of your parking space later, more or less blind (less blind in the Ridgeline with the video), into pedestrian and car traffic in a parking lot or ...

2. Backing into the parking space that won't have pedestrians or vehicles and has nice white lines to show you where you are. Just remember to check it out before you back in to make sure there's no pole.

It's no contest for me. I love backing into spaces. The Ridgeline is not hard to park. For years, long before the Ridgeline, I've enjoyed seeing how close I can come to the obstacle behind the truck in the parking lot. In the Tacoma, with its backup video, I could come within 2 inches. The parking nannies never let me get that close in the Ridgeline. That's why I turn them off once in a while.
>

On ALL my vehicles... the first thing I do is familiar myself with ALL the reference points !! :grin:

You can all have your own reference points

for examples:

/ When forward park & don't want to hit the curb ...my reference point is to look at left side mirror and when the bottom of it passes the curb about an inch...perfect

/ left side 1st dip/curve of the hood is the left tire placement ( only use for potholes...always keep your eyes as far as possible )

/ Center dot on dash by windshield ...( if you place that point on the right side white lane...you're centered in the lane...your right wheels are basically a little to the left of that. ... or for a better example...use the center of your hood as a reference point...or the "raised bump" on the wipers on some cars ( think of it as looking down a railroad track )

again... I only use these forward reference in tight situations ( construction lanes....turning right at light with a car in front and barely have room... potholes...etc.

you should ALWAYS look as far as you can to be a safe/defensive driver

/ I can now backup my Ridgeline up to the bumper without the camera...When looking back over left OR right, the housing of the rear door handles are my rear bumper reference points

but why not use the "luxury" ?...the more prepared you are, the better.

About the "nannies" ... i wish to be able to "tone down" the warning beep a little bit..how about a custom tone ?...again...can't wait to get this thing sideloads successfully...YET !! >

 

[UnicornKaz]

Better check the law in your state -- illegal in some places to leave the hitch in. Chances of actually getting ticketed are probably low, but if someone walking behind your truck in the parking lot cracks a shin on it you may hear from their lawyer.

What about these ??
Bump Step Hitch Step - Trailer Hitch Mounted Bumper Protector | WeatherTech.ca

Mine is on the way ! >> :grin:

 

[zroger73]

Backing into parking is a truck thing. I do it without thinking when I'm driving a truck. It comes down to a choice:

1. Backing out of your parking space later, more or less blind (less blind in the Ridgeline with the video), into pedestrian and car traffic in a parking lot or ...

2. Backing into the parking space that won't have pedestrians or vehicles and has nice white lines to show you where you are. Just remember to check it out before you back in to make sure there's no pole.

It's no contest for me. I love backing into spaces. The Ridgeline is not hard to park. For years, long before the Ridgeline, I've enjoyed seeing how close I can come to the obstacle behind the truck in the parking lot. In the Tacoma, with its backup video, I could come within 2 inches. The parking nannies never let me get that close in the Ridgeline. That's why I turn them off once in a while.
>

I'm thankful for the fact that I can do a lot of things. Backup up - especially with a trailer - is not one of them. Statistics may show that it's safer to back into a parking space (and some employers require it), but I'm the exception to that statistic. I'll either be late to work due to the time it takes me to successfully back in to a parking space or I'll end up bashing in the door panels of the vehicles beside me along with my rear bumper. I have the skills of a race car driver going forward, but going backwards is an entirely different world to me.

 

[KYRiver1]

After failure to negotiate down a price with a local Ford dealer on an F150 Crewcab, we went back to the Honda dealership and drove both the Gen2 and a used Gen1. Ultimately, the certified used black 2013 Gen1 RTL won us over, and really IMO was a much better bang for the buck considering interior and exterior (trunk) storage, plus we just couldn't get over the soft look of the new truck's exterior, poorly opening rear doors, and blindingly awful touchscreen. Plus, the Gen 1 had a little more ground clearance useful on the farm.

Since purchasing I've grown to love all the interior cubbies and the trunk over the past 6 months! Why other truck manufacturers don't copy the trunk is mind-boggling given it's utility. For kids sports stuff, hunting, hand tools and farm stuff its awesome. My family loves riding in truck which is buttery smooth. Two things that do suck are gas mileage (about 17 overall) and the ground clearance, which IS an issue on a couple of spots on the farm with slight scraping of the bottom. I will likely add a Truux lift kit to remedy the clearance issue. Maybe put a K/N air filter to squeeze out an extra MPG.

 

[flyboy76]

Why would you trade a 2016 anything for a 2017 anything. Buying a new vehicle every year doesn't make much financial sense at all.

Seen a lot of that here, people driving something for 6 months then trading it, ouch on that depreciation hit.

Maybe they hate the vehicle that they are in and want something better. I traded my 2016 Tacoma 4x4 with 1900 miles for my 2017 BE and couldn't be happier. Different strokes for different folks I say...............

 

[Doobiewah]

Maybe they hate the vehicle that they are in and want something better. I traded my 2016 Tacoma 4x4 with 1900 miles for my 2017 BE and couldn't be happier. Different strokes for different folks I say...............

Agreed. I traded a '16 Tacoma 4x4 Ltd with 3700 miles for the RTL-E and feel the same...couldn't be happier. Even though I lost $6k on the deal, that is almost a distant memory and I feel the loss was worth the better overall experience. I drive to much to own a vehicle that sucks....and that is an understatement regarding the Tacoma...worst vehicle I have ever owned...

 

[noside85]

I was really close to getting a Tacoma too. My pavement to dirt ratio drove me to the Ridgeline.

 

[s2000zr]

What is wrong with the Tacoma that made you guy not like it?

 

[Minthral]

F150 is a different beast than a Ridgeline.

I personally found that I didn't like the F150 much at all.

- Ford styling isn't my thing
- Too big and bulky (very truck like...heck its the truck standard)
- Light rear and RWD handles poorly unless its loaded...drives like a big hulky truck with large amounts of body roll and bouncing (nothing handles worse than a RWD big truck with a light rear end)
- Aluminium body isn't durable and the panels are thin/wavy
- Turbo engine sounds bad and lags
- Too much 'boring work truck' stigma and way too popular
- Costs too much after highest trim levels and is very bare otherwise
- Rear solid axle and leaf springs handle rough pavement and corners poorly unloaded
- Towing capacity is only good on higher end models and way overkill for me
- Lots of wind noise and interior rattles
- 4x4 system with clunky old school transfer case and no real use on pavement
- Traditional boring truck bed that dents easy... I never understood body on frame for non-commercial trucks (looks silly and pointless)
- Horror stories about Ford powertrain quality/reliability
- Real world MPG is horrible, especially with the bigger engines
- Clunky slow 6 speed or unpredictable new 10 speed that gear hunts like crazy
- 4 door version just has too much rear space, giving it a van-like ambiance

Reasons to I preferred the Ridgeline...

- Smaller size, yet pretty big (mid size today is full size of yesterday... really the ridgeline isn't that much smaller than a F150)
- Feels like a versatile vehicle rather than truck (car, suv, truck all in one)
- Far cheaper (unless you get a big discount on a F150)
- Far better handling (crossover SUV/accord instead of truck)
- Far quieter interior with better tech and comfort
- Cruises well down the highway with Honda Sensing (some quirks of course)
- AWD system that useful on pavement/corners and FWD on highways (good thing for a front heavy trucks)
- Slicker unique styling and color choices
- NA V6 engine with 6 speed auto transmission works well together
- Versatile truck bed (tailgate opening/ trunk/ no wheel wells)
- Adequate rear space that also folds up (though the door opening is narrow)
- Towing/ payload is more than I ever will need
- Durable plastic on lower panels to protect against rock chips
- Crash tests are impressive (F150 does well, but the whole thing shatters into 1 zillion pieces)


Now if you looked at it differently and wanted the biggest baddest truck for 100% truck things, I'm sure an F150 would be preferable. For a general purpose vehicle that's also a truck, there's no comparison. Most will never complain about a ridgeline not being enough truck, but many will complain about the F150 not being enough car.

 

[noside85]

About the Tacoma, I didn't appreciate the interior as much as the Ridgeline, which is nicer and roomier. The ride in a G2 i much better.

I do/did like the exterior of the Tacoma better. I rarely go off-road and when I do it's less than a mile really.

If I didn't know about the G2 I'd probably be ok with the Tacoma, maybe even F150 or Canyon.

 

[NOVARIDGE]

Great write-up on here from the OP, but there's one area he left out in his comparison... and it's one that could potentially be the difference between life and death. Check out the two videos below and see how much better the RL does compared to the F150 in this crash test. There's definitely a benefit for using a uni-body over a body on frame design.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93B_ymBb7ds&list=PL2ECEC375C7B44C79

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KCLyPip2Iw&list=PL2ECEC375C7B44C79&index=19

 

[adubeau]

That is funny. Not true, but funny. Since I don't what to give out my name and address here, all I can say is look at my previous posts critical of Ford. If you check my old posts, you will see I was critical of some ridiculous claims on the mpg reports on the F150 2.7 L engine. I've never gotten above 20 mpg on any tank. My average is around 18 mpg in combined driving. From what I have read, the Ridgeline will do better than that on mileage. Some people are claiming to get close to 30 mpg in an F150, and that is impossible for me unless it is downhill with a tail wind.

If you'd like to hear something else I don't like about the F150 besides parking it, it is the auto start/stop "feature". When you come to a stop, the engine shuts off to conserve fuel. When the engine shuts off, so does the air conditioner. There is also a slight lag as the engine re-starts. It is not good for pulling out into traffic from a dead stop. Auto start/stop can be turned off by a button on the dash, but it is turned on by default with every key cycle. I never want it on because it sucks, so I have to remember to press the button to turn it off every time I go somewhere.

I also agree with the previous post that the Ford bounces and hops. The Ridgeline is a better driving experience and soaks up the bumps. It felt like a nimble car getting in and out of traffic compared to my F150.

It is just my opinions on both vehicles. It is my 2 cents worth (maybe less than 2 cents because I'm not getting any benefit from either Ford or Honda).

" auto start/stop "feature"" That alone would have stop me from buying the vehicle and I have been in vehicles with the "my engine feels like its gonna die" feature and hate it.... I have the Econo feature on my RL and refuse to use do to lack of throttle response.

 

[ouelljas]

I've driven both and here is my take. First of all, it's really an apple to oranges comparison because one is a mid size truck, and the other full size. Having said that, I see a ton of F150's everyday that will never get used for doing the things they were built to do, such as towing, off-roading, etc... In most cases nowadays, the F150 is simply a family vehicle, so one could logically assume that there will be some cross shopping, albeit to a limited extent, between the Ridgeline and the F150. Obviously, if you're towing anything heavy, the F150 is the way to go, that's a given. It also has a massive cab with tons of rear leg room. For me, that's where the advantages stop. The Ridgeline has a much smoother and quieter ride, with better handling. The powertrain is more refined and fuel economy, as should be expected, is significantly better. The AWD system is much better traction wise and easier to live with. The bed is more versatile and durable (although I would assume anyone buying a 50 000 dollar F150, would get the box coated). The Ridgeline has a lot of tech, buy i've seen some F150's with some pretty snazzy options so we'll call that one a draw. As far as off roading goes, both will get through what most people will ever encounter, so we'll call that a draw as well. Finally, something that is always near the top of my list when shopping, reliability, and more specifically long term reliability, should be much better with the Ridgeline. We had three V8 F150's at my workplace that all needed new engines before 200 000 kms, and I know several people who've had a lot of problems with the F150. My parents still have their 09 Ridgeline with over 200 000 kms and the engine still runs very smoothly. Bottom line is buy what you like or what you need and don't worry about anything else.

 

[2017BE]

My last truck before owning a 2017 Ridgeline BE was a 2013 Tundra Crewmax Limited Rock Warrior. It was YUGE. I loved it, but not in a rational way. I loved the size, the look (it was red) and I loved the power. But, I just didn't need a gas-guzzling (12mpg) monster truck that could haul a house.

I'm not a construction worker.

So, while I enjoyed the truck for about 2 years, I got rid of it. It was a nightmare to park anywhere, and the tech and luxury amenities really weren't there.

Fast forward to a couple weeks ago and I picked up my RL BE - it's a night and day experience of truck ownership. The ride, the luxury, the tech, the efficiency, the AWD, the lockable trunk, the in bed audio, on and on. The Ridgeline is a luxury sedan with a lot of storage and some solid towing abilities, simple as that.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - the Ridgeline is just too smart of a truck for the average United States buyer. In the United States of Over-Compensation essentially you get the biggest, loudest, most lifted, coal-rollin' rig you can get your hands on.

I've got 1500 miles on my Ridgeline and it's already towed 3,000 pounds (trailer and Honda Pioneer SxS) along with my family of 5 and all our gear, all through the Rocky Mountains. I've already driven it completely loaded, through harsh winter weather at 10,600 feet altitude. The truck is as sure-footed as a mountain goat and has plenty of power - all while being safe and efficient.

I get that some people need to tow more than 5,000 pounds. I get that some people need to have more off-road capability. But I posit (in agreement with the industry research) that very few people fall into those two categories. The Ridgeline should probably be the best-selling mid-size truck in the market by a margin of about 10:1, but that premise is based on everyone making rational buying decisions - not emotional and ego-based.

 

[TexPop]

A slow, cold and dreary day in Amarillo--so I read all the the posts in this thread.

I bought my RTL last June. Was not looking for a pickup, did not know a new model was coming out, did not seriously consider the 1st gen--but spotted one at the dealer while killing time on a Sunday morning. Drove it on Monday morning and decided in 10 minutes to buy one. Could not make a deal with that dealer so called the Lubbock dealer and by that afternoon had a deal for one coming in that afternoon. Love the truck--do not expect to ever buy another truck.

My 1st pickup was a 1962 Chevrolet 1/2 ton--standard cab, long bed, 235 6, 3 speed manual, no air, no power, AM radio. I had ordered a 292 six with a manual, but it did not come in and needed a truck for a honeymoon/camping trip to Oregon and Montana. Worst truck I ever owned. Returned from trip and gave it to my father who was a carpenter and needed a truck.
He drove it the for a long time.

Lest you think all pickups way back then were terrible--2 years later I bought an almost new 1964 Dodge--standard cab, long bed 318, 4 speed manual. It was one of my favorite trucks. I later had 2 more trucks with the same engine/transmission combo.

Best big truck--2013 Ford F250 diesel, Lariat 4/4--Kodiak brown/adobe. Cost $46,000, traded it in 2 years later for $41,000 against a discounted price on a BMW X5 we ordered for my wife. Pulled a 36 foot fifth wheel with it--sold the trailer and not buying another so did not need it. Most comfortable vehicle (car or truck)I have ever had. Twice we left western Colorado in the morning pulling our trailer and returned to Amarillo after midnight and we felt great. 45 gal. aux. tank meant we did not have to stop for fuel--twice to eat and a couple of other times.

Back to the topic of this thread--I traded in a 2011 F150 King Ranch, 3.5, on the 250. Good truck, only the small fuel tank for the first year of that model. Would barely fit in my garage and then I could not use the door from the garage to the house. Only problem I had was the brakes fading once (not pulling anything) when I went over Wolf Creek pass in Colorado--on a fishing trip, not hurrying. Not happy with the truck after that and traded it in.

As others have pointed out--it depends on what you want or need. Full size capacity,towing--you should consider the F150. Amarillo is in pickup country. It sometimes seems like everyone has one here. I think it may be a requirement if you live in Texas.

If you do not need the full size--I think the Ridgeline is by far the best in its class. I would rather drive it than my wife's BMW. O.K., the brakes are not as good as a BMW's--but it cost half what her car cost. Other than that and the read doors not opening wide enough--it is great.

I will not tell you how many cars and trucks I have owned over the years--but the one I should have kept was a '65 GTO. Paid $33,728 for it new, $93 a month for 3 years at a low interest and not much down. Sold it a year or so later when I went to grad school. Makes me sick to think I let it go. My motto now--keeping my wife and my Ridgeline. Everything else we can talk about.

 

[longboat]

Be careful figuring the payload capacity in that F150...it may be less than you think. Sometimes a lot less, depending on how you option it out.

Here's a link that UnicornKaz posted in the snowmobile thread:

Payload. Let's get it right. - FORD RAPTOR FORUM - Ford SVT Raptor Forums - Ford Raptor

 

[Evets F]

The Ecoboost engine is impressive but, it is built to obtain the most in MPG. If called to perform day in day out it is being pushed to its limits.

As for the aluminum body, it does not rust, this does not mean it does not corrode. I work on aluminum aircraft, rust or corrosion both have their issues, steel will show rust and maintain strength for a long time. Aluminum, not so much. Ford has been replacing quite a few aluminum hoods on new Explorers with corrosion problems.

I think the Ford F150 is a very nice truck with many virtues, long term it's Ecoboost technology and aluminum construction are not proven over time.

If I was willing to drive a Truck day in and day out and needed a larger truck often the F150 would be at the top of my list. I enjoy driving to much, for me a sports sedan that can do truck stuff occasionally when needed makes more sense to me

 

[NSIDER]

Lot's of interesting opinions here. I wonder how many have put lots of miles on both?

I've had the good fortune of owning 3 G1's, and putting a few thousand miles on a G2 (not owning it), and now have ~30K on my '15 F150.

Aside from the obvious size/power/capability advantage the F150 has, I also found it to be more quiet inside, less road noise, less wind noise, and a better ride on smooth roads (in large part to the longer wheelbase). Yes, on rough pavement, it has more shutter, but it's very well isolated, and I prefer a stiff ride if it's not harsh or punishing. Also, so many nice features & lux options not even available on the RL, that are appreciated on a daily basis.

I also find the Ford 2.7/6AT not only much more powerful, but better sorted than the Honda 3.5/6AT. Less gear hunting, and instant torque. Given the HP & mass of the truck, I'm elated with my lifetime average of ~21mpg (less trailer towing). My G1's would always be in the 18-20 range, and I was getting about 25 with the G2. Again, given the power & size advantage of the F150, a few less mpg's is more than worth it.

To be fair, I think most opt out of the full-size market due to size/cost, which is understandable. Wanting something more car-like might also play in. In this case, the RL is a great fit.