I must have one of the few trucks that really get used. The scratches in the bed have fused into a patina on my BlackCherry 2007.
Yes, I carry heavy louds, haul gravel and lumber, pull a 14 ft dual axle flatbed and a 12 ft cargo van. 30,000+ miles, 2nd windshield.
I've clocked 80 mph with loaded trailer. Ups the revs and sucks gas, but it holds steady and stable and still has passing power.
I wouldn't advising pulling really heavy loads - but I've pushed the 5,000 # limit and then some.
Overall, great highway cruiser, that also does some serious work. May not be well suited to boulder crawling, but mine's been off-road in mud and snow.
Worst part of highway driving - nodding off, not much to do other than aim it down the road. Everyone who drives it on the highway comments on the handling - just lock it in cruise and go. Had one Chevy owner go to his dealer, ask what was wrong with his Chevy - steering felt loose compared to Ridgeline.
Things I like:
Water tight trunk, 4 ft wide flat bed, large passenger area, tilt up back seat, flat floor in the front, handling. OEM trailer hitch and wiring are a step up compared to 3rd party, but these two items are a bit pricey.
Things that I'd really like to see from Honda in order of priority:
Telescoping steering wheel - I'm long legged, push the seat way back, then have to stretch for the steering wheel,
Bed material that is the same color all way through, not black on the surface, white underneath - everything scratches the bed. First few scratches and dings really show up, mine now has a network of lines and scratches that blend into a gray - but I've had trucks with bed liners where the color is all the way through.
Tougher bumpers - already have $1700 worth of parking lot and work damage to front and rear bumpers. Every tap leaves damage - either scrapes off the paint, dents, and often pokes a hole. In Montana, stingers left in the receiver hitch cause a lot of parking lot damage to bumpers. Although I like the unibody color, a tough, neutral colored bumper, or at least bumper protectors where cars are likely to hit (not those little strips that Honda sells for over $100) would help. After all, this is supposed to be a truck.
Tougher seat fabric - stains easy, easy to tear, again, how about a truck interior that can hold up? Rubber floor mats are good - carpet in a truck not a good idea, if you use it as a real truck. Mats with lips provide ability to keep cleaner.
Minor point - you can't tip up the wiper blades when cleaning the windshield, if the wipers are parked - the cowl gets in the way. Same for changing out the wiper blades - have to power them up, stop them up on the window where you can get at them.
Accessories Wanted:
Coil-over, air suspension, some sort of assist for rear struts - my Ridge now sits a bit low in the rear due to actually carrying loads, kind of squats with a load. Need load-levelers when carrying load, pulling tongue-heavy trailer.
Turbo-charger or supercharger - not for speed, but to add a bit more torgue when hauling. Overall, takes hills and mountains with ease, but low end torgue missing with the 6 cylinder, and some of our mountains make the Ridge up the revs - which really shows up in reduced gas mileage.
However, I've been driving trucks since the 50s, and this one is just a lot more comfortable, better handling. Honda has occassional ads showing a Ridgeline carrying play toys, and Forum readers talk about dress up accessories, but don't seem to be many who actually view the Ridge as a working truck.
Yes, I carry heavy louds, haul gravel and lumber, pull a 14 ft dual axle flatbed and a 12 ft cargo van. 30,000+ miles, 2nd windshield.
I've clocked 80 mph with loaded trailer. Ups the revs and sucks gas, but it holds steady and stable and still has passing power.
I wouldn't advising pulling really heavy loads - but I've pushed the 5,000 # limit and then some.
Overall, great highway cruiser, that also does some serious work. May not be well suited to boulder crawling, but mine's been off-road in mud and snow.
Worst part of highway driving - nodding off, not much to do other than aim it down the road. Everyone who drives it on the highway comments on the handling - just lock it in cruise and go. Had one Chevy owner go to his dealer, ask what was wrong with his Chevy - steering felt loose compared to Ridgeline.
Things I like:
Water tight trunk, 4 ft wide flat bed, large passenger area, tilt up back seat, flat floor in the front, handling. OEM trailer hitch and wiring are a step up compared to 3rd party, but these two items are a bit pricey.
Things that I'd really like to see from Honda in order of priority:
Telescoping steering wheel - I'm long legged, push the seat way back, then have to stretch for the steering wheel,
Bed material that is the same color all way through, not black on the surface, white underneath - everything scratches the bed. First few scratches and dings really show up, mine now has a network of lines and scratches that blend into a gray - but I've had trucks with bed liners where the color is all the way through.
Tougher bumpers - already have $1700 worth of parking lot and work damage to front and rear bumpers. Every tap leaves damage - either scrapes off the paint, dents, and often pokes a hole. In Montana, stingers left in the receiver hitch cause a lot of parking lot damage to bumpers. Although I like the unibody color, a tough, neutral colored bumper, or at least bumper protectors where cars are likely to hit (not those little strips that Honda sells for over $100) would help. After all, this is supposed to be a truck.
Tougher seat fabric - stains easy, easy to tear, again, how about a truck interior that can hold up? Rubber floor mats are good - carpet in a truck not a good idea, if you use it as a real truck. Mats with lips provide ability to keep cleaner.
Minor point - you can't tip up the wiper blades when cleaning the windshield, if the wipers are parked - the cowl gets in the way. Same for changing out the wiper blades - have to power them up, stop them up on the window where you can get at them.
Accessories Wanted:
Coil-over, air suspension, some sort of assist for rear struts - my Ridge now sits a bit low in the rear due to actually carrying loads, kind of squats with a load. Need load-levelers when carrying load, pulling tongue-heavy trailer.
Turbo-charger or supercharger - not for speed, but to add a bit more torgue when hauling. Overall, takes hills and mountains with ease, but low end torgue missing with the 6 cylinder, and some of our mountains make the Ridge up the revs - which really shows up in reduced gas mileage.
However, I've been driving trucks since the 50s, and this one is just a lot more comfortable, better handling. Honda has occassional ads showing a Ridgeline carrying play toys, and Forum readers talk about dress up accessories, but don't seem to be many who actually view the Ridge as a working truck.