Up The IKE Gauntlet with 2017 Ridgeline towing 4440lbs

10150 Views 33 Replies 13 Participants Last post by zroger73, Sep 1, 2016

rjsaenz

Discussion Starter · Aug 25, 2016 (Edited)

I have posted a video "Up The IKE Gauntlet with 2017 Ridgeline towing 4440lbs "

The weight was higher on the return trip because I did not dump the black and grey tanks. Both 25 gallons and both where 2/3 full. I also had some fresh water in the tank. I really wanted to test it with allot of weight. I did go straight to the CAT scale to get an accurate weight of the Trailer. You will see that at the end of the Video 4440 lbs !

I was impressed with the way the G2 Ridgeline handled the weight up the IKE Gauntlet. It had no problem 60 - 65 mph. Even though I had the pedal to the floor it did not feel like it was struggling. As you will see from the video there was no gear hunting by the new transmission. My only complaint was near the top I wish It had down shifted a little sooner. I think the Ridgeline could have handled the full 5000 lb tow rating at speeds 55-60mph.

The surprise of the trip was the millage. Overall millage on the trip computer was 14.6 mpg. But from my manual calculations it has been about .8mpg high so actual was about 13.8mpg over the 350mile + trip. I had been using ECO on previous camping trips that had fewer hills and passes and less weight, yet it got lower mpgs, with eco on 12mpg. So don't tow with ECO on you will get better mpg.

Enjoy the Video! If you have questions just ask.

EDIT: Forgot to mention IKE run time 7min:35secs well under TFL bench mark of 8min.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuIMBAOvHgE

Save

Reactions: 5

1 - 3 of 34 Posts

Last Train

· #2 · Aug 25, 2016

Great report. Three questions . . . (1) once the truck settled in to the uphill incline, did the transmission stay in 5th gear at WOT - until it downshifted near the peak?; (2) what were the winds like?; relative direction & speed (because this as been a really key issue for us towing with our 2011 RTL - with a travel trailer that typically weighs about 100+lbs more than yours); (3) did you have a passenger on the run?.

Can't wait until the TFL guys get blown away by this kind of performance when they do their run.

Thanks again.

Save

Last Train

· #7 · Aug 25, 2016

rjsaenz said:
Question for you. Do you tow with a WDH with sway control ?

I am thinking about contacting the TFL guy to let them use my Ridgeline to do their test. It may be months till honda can get them one.

At LEAST send them this video! Would love to see their faces when they view it.

And no, per the Gen 1 manual's advice, I do not use a WDH. Although I do use a friction sway bar. Honestly, with typical tongue weight of 480 lbs I have very little drop when we hitch up. You could go to the Gen 1 forum and see my comments and a pic on a recent trip we took from the Houston area up to the Northern Ozarks. The darn thing was amazing, frankly. Despite winding and steep two lane roads everything was solid as a rock - even when we were going through rain on those roads east of Eureka Springs.

We just got back from a trip to the Rio Grande Valley, and the head winds (23 mph from the SSE) were the challenge on the way down.

With all that said, we have sort of settled on a usual towing target speed of 60-62 mph. That still leaves me with some "oomph" to pass other, slower traffic - plus, we enjoy the "travel" part of towing our travel trailer at a bit more leisurely pace!

Seriously, send your video to TFL and let us all know what they say. I would be tempted almost to "dare" them to view/analyze it!! ?

See less See more

Save

Last Train

· #27 · Aug 31, 2016

rjsaenz said:
I spoke with Andre Sminov from TFL Truck yesterday after exchanging some emails. We are trying to find a day next week for them to borrow my truck for a 5000lb Ike Gauntlet Run. I will keep you posted !.

I would pay real, "American money" to be an invisible backseat passenger on that run to get the full range of their responses! ? On the other hand, given that their video is supposed to accurately reflect their responses, can we bug their offices or dispatch a drone to clandestinely eavesdrop on their off camera comments? Regardless, this is gonna' be fun. I'll buy the popcorn . . .

Save

1 - 3 of 34 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month