Rated at 5,000lbs but that really seems optimistic with 255hp & 252 tq. Towing reliabilty of the front biased AWD platform seems like an issue too.

 

I wouldn't trust towing a small one axle 5 ft. U-Haul trailer with that thing let alone anthing with a car on it.

I think the Ridgeline is a total joke. It looks like a jacked up Subaru Baha on steroids !

Regards,

Jon

 

It would work for a tow dolly, and a light load. I used a 93 6cyl ford ranger to pull the accord up to vir no problem. I hope its no worse than that.

 

Looked at one at the local dealership today, didn't have time for a test drive. A nice everyday light duty utility 'truck'. Well thought out. One thing I didn't like was the driving position. I'm 6'2" and with the seat at a proper leg-to-pedal distance, the steering wheel was too far away. If it had 2" of telescoping column it would be OK.

Not suited for classis truck duty, but would hold up to 70% of what most truck owners use their trucks for. (The other 30% tow stuff!)





Modified by Track rat at 6:03 AM 3/13/2005

 

It will tow 5000lbs all day long with comparable performance to a V8 equipped F150. Yes, I know a Ford can tow more overall but at 5000lbs you will find the performance similar and with much better stability (like a highway lane change manuver). Just ask the journalists who have done exactly that at the press events. The way Honda tests towing is pretty severe.

If you've got an open trailer, you'll have no issue with the Ridgeline.

 

I currently tow 4,300 lbs with a 2001 Expedition 5.4 V8. 260hp/350 tq. It weighs 5,500 lbs.

The Ridgeline weighs 1,000 lbs less, so if you calculate the power/weight ratio, the Honda has a silght hp advantage, and is down 10% in torque. Has 5 gears in the box and a shorter final drive vs Ford's 4 speeds which could balance the torque battle.

They could feel similar while pulling, Honda would loose on hills and the trailer may push around a lighter tow vehicle a bit. The combined vehicle/trailer weight would be 1,000 less...that's impressive.

Ill agree with jpl95si, a 4,000 - 4,500 open trailer might not be a problem for an occasional tow but an enclosed trailer, frequent tows or anymore weight...forget it.

 

and not to mention, with the probs they have had recently had with their 6 cyl transmissions, im not sure that I would want to put the trans through that. (its the same drivetrain as a Pilot)

 

I would imagine that when Honda says "You can tow up to XXXX with this thing", it means something a little different then when Ford or Chevy say the same thing.

For example, Chevy says their 5-cylinder Colorado can tow more then the Ridgeline

 

That thing would have no problems at all. I tow my 16' open and CRX with my 6 cyl 4Runner and although it's not ideal, it works out just fine. I think the runner is only rated at something like 183hp/225ft.lbs or somewhere in that range with a 5000 lb max tow rating. I use a sway control because I only have a class 3 hitch and it's a longer trailer on a shorter wheelbase, but I'm sure on the Ridgeline it wouldn't even be needed. From what I've read about the truck, it seems very capable. However, I don't think I'd buy one over the new Tacoma which is cheaper, looks a lot better, and has seemingly more capability.

 

So your Expedition is towing around a higher combined weight?

Not only is the transmission in the Ridgeline unique (for higher torque capacity) it's also the new generation 4 shaft variety that Honda/Acura is switching everything over to, so comparisons to any prior transmission issues are completely unfounded.

There is no weekend racer that tows more often than a Ridgeline can handle. It was designed for people who tow stuff on the weekends, not for people that tow stuff every day.

We (Team Honda Research) have towed about 30,000 miles in the past 2 seasons with the Pilot & MDX without a single hic-up. Trailer weight was between 3800-4500lbs depending on the car being transported. The Ridgeline is a whole league above that in capability & capacity.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SicNA94TegGsR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">and not to mention, with the probs they have had recently had with their 6 cyl transmissions, im not sure that I would want to put the trans through that. (its the same drivetrain as a Pilot)</TD></TR></TABLE>

We have not had replace a transmission yet on the 03+ Accord V6, Pilot or '02+ Odyssey. Now the 98-02 Accords V6's, -'01 Odyssey's are another story.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Greyout &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

For example, Chevy says their 5-cylinder Colorado can tow more then the Ridgeline</TD></TR></TABLE>

The Colorado is also on a full frame, unlike the Honda which is still somewhat a Unibody design. It's not really power that limits the towing capability of a vehicle. The Colorado also has rear leaf suspension, which I still think is better for towing a trailer.

We'll just need to see what the Honda can do when folks start using it for such. I just wish they would have made it a little more "trucky", if you know what I mean. The Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota Tacoma are both midsized trucks that I think have more ability than the Honda in terms of towing, offroad, etc. Can't wait to see the tests come rolling in on all of these. I'm sure on the road nothing will match the Honda. It's just the offroad and towing that worries me...

 

F<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Todd00 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> The Colorado also has rear leaf suspension, which I still think is better for towing a trailer.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Guys, if your towing within the weight limits... IRS is much better than live axle. Much greater stability.

Glad to see someone is willing to withhold judgement so it can be based on actual use and not just speculation.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FLATOUTRACING &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I wouldn't trust towing a small one axle 5 ft. U-Haul trailer with that thing let alone anthing with a car on it.

I think the Ridgeline is a total joke. It looks like a jacked up Subaru Baha on steroids !

Regards,

Jon</TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree with you but also remember when the first model of any car or truck comes out there are always problems so if I where you I would hold out for next year when they make the improvements, who knows they may put a more powerful engine in it next year.

 

Is the Ridgleines 5-speed radically different than anything else ever put into a honda?

I worked at a Honda dealership over a couple years, and the most common big issue with any v6 equipped Honda Accord, Pilot or Odyessy is the tranny. It seemed like once a week there was a broken one in for a new tranny.

This isnt a secret that Honda's v6 automatics have been trash in the past, nevermind the suspension, or v6's power, those would be 2nd and 3rd. My major concern would be that tranny.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jpl95si &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">F

Guys, if your towing within the weight limits... IRS is much better than live axle. Much greater stability.

Glad to see someone is willing to withhold judgement so it can be based on actual use and not just speculation.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

You can get a much greater load limit with leaf springs vs. coil springs, while still maintaining a decent ride. Look at the rear leaf packs on a dualie. Yeah, you can achieve the same with a coil spring, but you'll be bouncing off the roof every time you hit a bump because of the springrate you'd need to run.

Also, IRS on the rear of a truck requires the use of CV joints. A live axle is a bit more durable and allows more ground clearance. But, IRS does give a better ride. It's a truck though, let's not forget

Again, not saying the Honda will be a bad truck, but it appears the compromise was made toward the daily driver vs. an actual full-duty truck--like the other Japanese manufactures are making right now.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jpl95si &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So your Expedition is towing around a higher combined weight?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes, wasn't that clear? The Expy weighs about 1,000 lbs more than RL. Trailer remains constant at 4,300 lbs. So the gross combined weight of the Ford is 1,000 lbs more than the RL towing the same trailer.

An alum open trailer would knock off another 500 lbs.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Evil Nick M &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is the Ridgleines 5-speed radically different than anything else ever put into a honda? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes, the old autos were a 3 shaft design. New ones are 4.

 

Just curious jpl95si, have you heard any feedback from tall drivers about lack of a telescoping steering column? Comments on driving position?

 

Nope. Not my project but it was developed here in Ohio and I've been bugging the guys about the towing which is the only reason I can comment on that area.
I don't think we have a telescoping light truck column in inventory. Wonder if the new Odyssey has one? (haven't driven one yet) You know the RTS (EX) seat is height adjustable, not sure about the RT (LX); did you monkey with that?

 

I tried a power seat, got it perfect for my legs and pedals (I'm 6'2"), but the steering wheel seemed too far away. A little Jap dude engineer must have made the final decision .

Jeremy, does my wife's '04 Odyssey has 3 shaft or 4 shaft tranny?


Modified by Track rat at 5:02 PM 3/13/2005