I am looking at purchasing a new/used Ridgeline. This will not be a daily driver we have a nice Accord and Civic for that. What I will need to do with the Ridgeline is carry a 4 wheeler and/or tow a 6x10 V nose trailer (rated at 3000 lbs. loaded 2000-3000 lbs. total weight). I am currently pulling the trailer with a 2002 Blazer. The blazer is aging having issues uphill hauling and mileage is poor even empty.
My question is to anyone that may tow a trailer, boat or what have you. How well does the Ridgeline do under a load. This will be a 4-5 time a year thing with the trailer.

Second question is how many of you carried a 4 wheeler in the bed, I'm sure the tail gate must be down...how sturdy is that since it opens horizontal and vertical?

Thanks for your input and opinions!

 

A Ridgeline will tow 2000-3000lbs without problem. Just make sure you get the tongue weight correct so the rear end won't sag too much. Obviously gas mileage will take a hit, but if you stay close to the speed limits, it won't be too drastic.

I put my Honda ATV in the bed of my Ridgeline all the time. I bought the bed extender OEM accessory and use that with the tailgate down. I have not had any issues with the tailgate. The RL tailgate is engineered pretty sturdy. Go look at one at a dealership and you'll see what I mean.

 

Thanks!

 

One caveat on the tailgate (rated at 300 lbs dynamic load) is that the cable support can corrode in the bend and snap under load. Some have mounted a removable safety chain on the other side to act as a backup.
http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/f...ad.php?t=41683

If you buy an older RL, the cable could be suspect.

Here's a post that says the tailgate can take much more weight:
http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/f...07&postcount=8

Personally, I don't care to test those limits.

 

the ridge is very sturdy...gas milage sucks though...I manage low 20's city and mid 20's hwy with my 03 pilot...driving 63mph on cruise on basically flat terrain from grand rapids, mi to Detroit, mi I bested 19mpgs in the ridgeline and average 13-16mpgs driving the exact way I do with the pilot. my weekly commute doubled in gas I use

towing im 100% sure I will be down in the single digits

 

also if your interested in a used ridgeline bring a compression tester and a socket set. mainly focus on the front bank passenger side and middle. a lot of the heads will end up cracking there....why nobody knows but its a big issue if you search that you will see what im talking about


and don't get me wrong .....I LOVE MY RIDGELINE....but had I know before I may have made a different choice for a daily driver

 

Note: the engine issue mentioned above by Scott is not specific to the Ridgeline... but is specific to the J35 engine, and similar problems have been reported on the Pilot as well. Not sure about the Ody and Accord J35 engines.