[Neil T]

The Ridgeline's towing capacity is 3500pds in 2WD and 5000pds in 4WD. I want to tow a camper that weighs more that 3500pds, how do I put the truck into full time AWD? Or does the truck figure out that it's pulling more than the 2WD capacity and make the change to ADW automatically?

 

[longboat]

The Ridgeline's towing capacity is 3500pds in 2WD and 5000pds in 4WD. I want to tow a camper that weighs more that 3500pds, how do I put the truck into full time AWD? Or does the truck figure out that it's pulling more than the 2WD capacity and make the change to ADW automatically?

Assuming you have an AWD truck, it stays in AWD all the time. You cannot put it into 2wd. In order to get 2wd, you have to specifically purchase the FWD/2wd trim, which does NOT have AWD.

 

[Neil T]

Assuming you have an AWD truck, it stays in AWD all the time. You cannot put it into 2wd. In order to get 2wd, you have to specifically purchase the FWD/2wd trim, which does NOT have AWD.

That makes sense, thanks for the clarification. So it's safe to assume that the AWD will handle the 5000 pd towing capacity then, is that correct?

 

[njamesj]

That makes sense, thanks for the clarification. So it's safe to assume that the AWD will handle the 5000 pd towing capacity then, is that correct?

It is not an assumption. It is a Honda specification.

 

[Mattheo0118]

I have a friend who is an engineer for Honda R&D.. he was part of the Ridgeline project.. the AWD is actually capability of towing more than 5k but Honda only rates it as such because it's conservative and won't get anyone in trouble.. unlock the other midsize trucks claiming to be above 7k...

He did recommend that if you're towing for an extended amount of time, get yourself a transmission cooler added to the truck.

 

[Farther]

I have a friend who is an engineer for Honda R&D..

Now can I say that I know a guy that knows a guy that is a Honda R&D engineer?

 

[Mattheo0118]

Only if you want to haha. He convinced me to get the Ridgeline instead of something else. The data he showed was pretty impressive.

 

[wjfyfe]

Our AWD Ridgeline easily tows our 1500 pound folding trailer along with 500 pounds or more in the truck itself. I would feel confident in doubling that to something up to around 3,000 pounds with that same approximate 500 pounds in the truck, (3,500 pounds total.) But, by being here the last year and a half, with what folks have shared, the Ridgeline apparently gets increasingly unhappy as weight accumulates beyond this point.
Bill

 

[ToyTruck]

My trailer is 3,750 dry and that is pushing it. By the time I put the bikes, dogs and wife in the truck, plus load up the trailer, I’m maybe 300 pounds below max. That V6 is working hard, but it will do it. Probably be looking for a 3,000 pound dry weight trailer.

 

[HRL383]

Don’t you have to start subtracting from that 5K lb tow rating once you exceed the 300 lb total weight of the driver and passenger?

 

[DogOnBoard]

...By the time I put the bikes, dogs and wife in the truck, plus load up the trailer, I’m maybe 300 pounds below max...

Do they go into the truck in that order? Just wondering what comes out first if you exceed max...🤪

 

[HRL383]

Use the LIFO inventory system. LOL Thought I read limit speed to 55-62 mph, depending on shape of the towed load.

 

[HRL383]

Only if you want to haha. He convinced me to get the Ridgeline instead of something else. The data he showed was pretty impressive.

Can that data be provided to the Forum? Can he explain why TFT runs somewhat high?

All G1 Rigi’s and all G2 AWD Rigi’s have factory tranny coolers installed. Only Rigi without a factory installed tranny cooler is a G2 FWD Rigi.

 

[zroger73]

I have a friend who is an engineer for Honda R&D.. he was part of the Ridgeline project.. the AWD is actually capability of towing more than 5k but Honda only rates it as such because it's conservative and won't get anyone in trouble.. unlock the other midsize trucks claiming to be above 7k...

He did recommend that if you're towing for an extended amount of time, get yourself a transmission cooler added to the truck.

What does your friend have to say about nearly two dozen failed transmissions in 2017-2019 Ridgelines and even more with torque converter and pressure switch failures?

 

[wjfyfe]

What does your friend have to say about nearly two dozen failed transmissions in 2017-2019 Ridgelines and even more with torque converter and pressure switch failures?

23 transmission failures out of how many thousand Ridgelines produced?

Bill

 

[HRL383]

I keep my fingers crossed since I don't know how the previous 39 months of ownership, by someone else, were. My eyebrows got raised in April seeing TFT north of 210F. Found time in June to install a tranny cooler which took care of the situation. Solid 40*+ drop. Still have fingers crossed though regarding the tranny.🤞

 

[Mattheo0118]

23 transmission failures out of how many thousand Ridgelines produced?

Bill

Agreed,

A few dozens don't represent the entire Honda 6spd Auto family. Generally it's been alot more reliable than the 4 and 5 speed auto... Understanding your frustrations with your lemon but it doesn't reflect the Ridgeline reliability overall

 

[zroger73]

23 transmission failures out of how many thousand Ridgelines produced?

Please see this post:

You're assuming that all Ridgeline owners are members of this forum which currently has 55,200 members. Nearly 600,000 Ridgelines have been sold in the US and Canada since 2005. From this, we can estimate that, at most, 9.2% of Ridgeline owners are members of this forum. This doesn't account for duplicate/spam/inactive accounts or window shoppers. Based on forum statistics such as active users and registrations that I can see as an admin, I'd guess that somewhere around 5-7% of the universe of Ridgeline owners have been members here. The percentage of 2G owners is probably less because there has been a shift away from traditional forums like this towards other social media platforms since its introduction. But, let's be extremely generous and say that 5% of Ridgeline owners are members here. Suddenly, that 14/30,000 becomes 280/30,000 or 14/1,500 which brings us very close to a 1% failure rate.

With 23 transmission replacements so far (not including torque converter clutch failure, torque converter clutch judder, overheating, and other reported issues), the failure rate could be close to 1.5%. You're probably looking at hundreds of transmission failures outside this forum in vehicles that are 4.5 years old or less. That, to me, seems very concerning.

 

[HRL383]

The Ridgeline's towing capacity is 3500pds in 2WD and 5000pds in 4WD. I want to tow a camper that weighs more that 3500pds, how do I put the truck into full time AWD? Or does the truck figure out that it's pulling more than the 2WD capacity and make the change to ADW automatically?

A couple of things you may want to consider regarding towing......the owners manual suggests weighing your loaded trailer at public scales (nominal fee) to eliminate guessing at loaded trailer weight. When you go camping, you probably drive by/very close to public scales. Also, there are many inexpensive devices that will monitor/display TFT that will tell you if you are pushing your tow vehicle too hard, as in when to slow down due TFT starting to elevate. These devices plug into the OBDII port under the dash.

 

[ToyTruck]

Do they go into the truck in that order? Just wondering what comes out first if you exceed max...🤪

They are removed in order of behavior compliance, lol😂😂😂