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Random Quote: A friend will come and bail you out of jail, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying "damn that was fun".
My boat and trailer are about 4000 lbs. Anyone have any opinions or experience with a Honda Ridgeline to haul a rig like this? Good, bad, other? thanks
I am about to replace an Expedition and have had two conversations with my mechanic regarding his opinion on tow vehicles. Each time he has strongly dissuaded me from looking at Pilots and Ridgelines. Bottom line is he doesn't trust the transmissions even for light towing, much less heavier loads or long distances. That opinion goes for the new transmissions and 2nd gen too, not just the older models.
I have no experience with Honda's, but would research the Ridgeline well before jumping in.
Little Scout is on to something...it seems as if Honda recalled a bunch of '03 Pilots for transmission failures. Lots of folks have dumped $4-5k into rebuilt or factory transmissions. The Ridgeline is using the same motor...but the transmission problems are not showing up on Ridgelines. The owners seem to tow a bunch of different items..
I got my 2007 RTX Ridgeline because I specifically needed a truck to tow my boat. I have put about 20,000 miles on her and have been trailing the boat for 2 seasons. Considering I got the truck used for a great price and I have a Honda factory extended bumper to bumper warranty I don't really have any concerns. My boat+trailer isn't very heavy (2200lbs) but this thread from the Ridgeline Owners Club website might help you out, many of the members are towing much more then I am:
Got an '06 RTL with 70K miles. Have towed a Grady White 205, Checkmate 24, Mckee 196 and various other crap without any problems.
The Checkmate weighed around 3500 loaded I guess, and I towed it several hundred miles down I-95 without any problems.
The GW 205 probably weighed around 5K on the trailer and it pulled it fine, but the power on hills was barely adequate. No problem with the Mckee, which is only around 2800. Towing around 60 the gas mileage is ok, over 62-65 it will run in 4th gear and drop mpg a few. On steep hills 2nd or 3rd gear and lots of revs (like 5000) have been needed.
Handles well towing though. I've seen people pulling travel trailers with them, but I wouldn't want to do it. Too much wind resistance.
Just put 4 new tires, rotors on the front and brake pads on the back, otherwise just oil changes in 70K miles. No tranny problems at all, never a problem getting anything out at the ramp. Never really heard of any tranny problems on the RL, unlike the Odyssey.
Keep thinking I'm going to get rid of it and get a 1/2 ton pickup, but it just works too well with no hassles.
I have an 06 Ridgeline with 90,000 miles on it and tow my 18' Wellecraft with no problem. The truck has plenty of power and great breaks. The Ridgeline comes standard with heavy duty breaks and a transmission radiator for towing.
My usual towing is 250 miles from MA to VT over several mountain passes and the Ridgeline is just great. I'm thinking of giving my son my truck and buying a new one and it will be a Ridgeline just for the towing.
Location: SE Pennsylvania / Pirates Cove-Manteo, NC
Posts: 3,000
Love mine and tows my +/- 2500 lbs fine. I'd consider it an suv with a bed - not a truck - regardless, it's a very versatile vehicle for Avg Joe with hobbies and home duties that's a pleasure as a daily driver if needed.
__________________ 2009 Key West 186 BayReef - Yamaha F115
FOR SALE - 2001 Scout 175 Sportfish - Yamaha 115
----------------------------------------------- Send lawyers, guns and money, the "crap" has hit the fan.
I was at the docks this weekend, a Ridgeline pulled in towing a 23 foot hydrasport CC with a single large OB engine. He didn't have any issues pulling or launching. I'll guess that he does not drive up and down the interstates at 80 mph pulling that rig "like it ain't there" as so many THT posters want to be able to do. I suspect it gets the job done though when towing carefully and at a moderate rate of speed.
I'm a Honda Dealer and I've been involved in focus groups to help steer the Ridgelines development. The testing Honda did with the truck prior to it's launch was amazing. The 5000 pound rating is extremely conservative considering the truck's true ability. Towing within the limit is a non issue.
We replaced many 1999-2001 Odyssey transmissions and a few 2002-2004s but I don't think we've done a single Ridgeline Tranny ever.
Location: SE Pennsylvania / Pirates Cove-Manteo, NC
Posts: 3,000
Quote:
Originally Posted by jbg108
I'm a Honda Dealer and I've been involved in focus groups to help steer the Ridgelines development. The testing Honda did with the truck prior to it's launch was amazing. The 5000 pound rating is extremely conservative considering the truck's true ability. Towing within the limit is a non issue.
We replaced many 1999-2001 Odyssey transmissions and a few 2002-2004s but I don't think we've done a single Ridgeline Tranny ever.
Thanks for posting this info, good to hear.
__________________ 2009 Key West 186 BayReef - Yamaha F115
FOR SALE - 2001 Scout 175 Sportfish - Yamaha 115
----------------------------------------------- Send lawyers, guns and money, the "crap" has hit the fan.
Thanks all. I've got an opportunity to get a great deal on an 07 Ridgeline. Some friends of mine rave about it but don't tow anything. Good to hear positive reports.
Me Too. I strongly wanted the ridgeline a couple years ago
Quote:
Originally Posted by Little Scout
I am about to replace an Expedition and have had two conversations with my mechanic regarding his opinion on tow vehicles. Each time he has strongly dissuaded me from looking at Pilots and Ridgelines. Bottom line is he doesn't trust the transmissions even for light towing, much less heavier loads or long distances. That opinion goes for the new transmissions and 2nd gen too, not just the older models.
I have no experience with Honda's, but would research the Ridgeline well before jumping in.
But the transmission is the weak point. Also the mpg was not near what I thought a honda product should get but really didnt care that much about that. It was the transmission that scared me off a perfect sized 4 w drive PU.
but the transmission is the weak point. Also the mpg was not near what i thought a honda product should get but really didnt care that much about that. It was the transmission that scared me off a perfect sized 4 w drive pu.
...if you trust your mechanic, then trust his opinion and skip it.
I too looked into the ridgeline but landed a 1 year old expedition xlt for $19k.
The ridgeline mileage is only slightly better than what i get with the expy, and the ridgeline would probably fit inside the cavernous expy.
If you buy the ridgeline now, you will limit the size of your boat down the road...when in doubt, go big
There is really no comparison between the two vehicles capability wise, but in terms of overall reliability and resale the Honda is way ahead of the Ford.
The Ridgeline does have a fully boxed ladder frame that is like seven times more rigid than the Pilot's. It has more ability than most people will believe. It'll handle more lateral g's on the skid pad than an Accord coupe too. It's a great driving truck.
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