Not sure about my 07 RTL

[Max]

I do not tow a large travel trailer and I do not frequent the local mud hole, but I do use my Ridgeline. The problem is that the thing rides and drives so good that I am afraid it will break. It's like driving a BMW in the woods or hauling a load of firewood in the trunk. You don't do it because you know it is not made for that. I have not read anything on this forum to indicate that the Ridge can handle the duties of an everyday work truck. Everyone loves them but I have not read where anyone has use their Ridge as an everyday work truck. I hope I am wrong.

[killerv]

I babied mine for the first year but now I've really started to use it like a truck should be used. I have had two recent instances where I had to offroad and use the VTM. Due to the drought, I had to back down into a lake to unload a boat, way past the landing, it was quite scare and every one was nervous because if I got stuck, no one else would have been able to put in until a wrecker pulled me out. A 4wd Chevy Duramax got stuck the day before in the same spot. I had no issues whatsoever. I went duck hunting in Alabama the other day and was way back in the middle of nowhere on a WMA scouting some places and decided to drive along the edge of a corn field. It looked a little nasty but I though I could go through it. Before long I was just sitting there spinning tires. I locked in the VTM and thank God I was able to get out. There was no way a wrecker was going to find me let alone pull me out of where I was at without getting stuck also. I spent 30 minutes at the car wash getting the mud off of it. Anyway, I have had 2 scary experiences but the truck didn't let me down. I think I'm going to use it to pull up some old shrubs from around the house in the next week or so.

[Max]

Thanks killerv. I guess it will take several years before we know how well the Ridge will hold up. I look under the Ridge at all the technology that Honda uses in the suspension and all the adjustments that can be made on each wheel and it makes me doubt the ruggedness of the Ridge. We'll see!!!!!!! (I gotta quit being so negative)

[BillynDeb]

Hey Max, I tow a 22 foot 1978 travel trailer that weighs in at or slightly above the 5000 lb limit for the Ridge. It tows it very well. I havn't even added the sway control bar yet because it does so well without it. As for "wheeling" it. It seems to hold its own for an Idependant Front Suspension SUV. Took it up to Big Bear to ski on a snowy day and was very impressed with the traction on packed snow and solid ice roads even without chains on! I was in a bad rain in Ohio and pulled into a mud hole at our friends house. I pushed the button and was able to barely creep out, but it was iffy. Very cool to have an on demand "locker" at a touch of a button. I consider it a "family 4X". I also have an 82 CJ7 Jeep for the tough stuff and rock crawling. Like Dirty Harry said "A man has got to know his limitations".
A Ridgeline was set up to run the Baja in the "stock" class. I believe it did encounter some problems and was not able to finish in time. Check out the links I pasted below for the story or search google for Ridgeline baja or the like. Hope you enjoy!
Bill



http://automobiles.honda.com/events-and-sponsorships/ridgeline-baja-racing.aspx

http://www.4x4review.com/events/06Baja500/default.asp

http://www.fourwheeler.com/featuredvehicles/129_0605_desert_race__honda_ridgelin/index.html

[BillynDeb]

Me again,
Mine is a 2006 RTL Navi with tow package, tonnau cover, leather, XM, etc. I use it like a truck as needed. I filled the bed with as many 4 x 8 sheets of 1/2" plywood as I could fit under the opened tonnau cover (32 approx). No problems. Just be careful not to drop heavy sharp objects on the composite bed or tailgate covers. I banged my tailgate cover with something and it frayed like broken fiberglass. Had to sand and seal it to keep from getting micro glass splinters.
We still love it though. Like a comfy car most the time and a pretty capable truck when needed!
Bill

[bigdave269]

Just a note about off-roading. I have had my truck in Hungry Valley Off-road area, out on Oceano Dunes (Pismo) and even did some off-roading around Palm Springs in the desert. Sand, snow, mud, it does not matter to this truck. It has pulled me out of everything I tried to get it stuck in, even a river bed with flowing water. The one thing you will not be able to do is climb rocks unless you get a lift, and even then, it would be dicey. If you mind your clearance, it will go anywhere. And the ride is first rate as well, which is a huge bonus where we use our trucks 95% of the time, on the highway. The handling is so good, it is the fastest vehicle I have ever driven up Little Tujunga Canyon Road, which is a winding switchback in our local mountains. That says a lot, because I have had some sports cars up there, including an RX7. This truck is truly the best of all worlds. Don't be afraid to use it!

[BillynDeb]

Well put Dave! I'll try to push mine a little harder!

[Webwader]

Max, my '06 RL has 33,000+ miles on it. Over 11,000 of those miles have been pulling either a 3,500 lb folding trailer or a 3,250 lb boat/trailer, but mostly the trailer. The majority of those towing miles are in the mountainous states and provinces, including crossing the Continental Divide four times. Towing ability is great and problems have been zero. The RL is definitely built tough and I never have any worries about hurting it.

[Max]

I now have 12k on my Ridgeline and am getting 21 mpg with 90% hwy and about 17/18 mostly city. The only thing I don't like is the constant shifting while towing. Would like to be able to lock in fourth gear.

Thanks for all the responses to the original post, much appreciated.

Max

[Waterbug]

Max wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")
Would like to be able to lock in fourth gear.
Max

Unfortunately you are faced with the trade-off of having a better highway gas milage V-6 or a high torque V-8. The V-6 has lower engine torque but achieves better highway gas milage than a V-8. The V-6 is thus required to downshift to maintain the same torque that a V-8 does. (fewer cylinders= more rpm for the same torque/power)
People that tow for a living know that nothing replaces cubes (cubic inch displacement) for towing power. If you are constantly towing heavy loads, a large displacement V-8 is the only answer. My 350 cuin Chevy V-8 gets better towing gas milage than my Ridge and it rarely needs a down shift. It's a TRUCK with a 5 speed manual trans and is nowhere near the ride that the Ridge is.

[RL Fan]

Over on the other site, I recently saw a picture of a RL hauling a pallet of sod. Did some research, a pallet equals 500 SF and weighs 1,800 lbs. 8)

[Webwader]

Waterbug wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")Max wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")
Would like to be able to lock in fourth gear.
Max
It's a TRUCK with a 5 speed manual trans and is nowhere near the ride that the Ridge is.
Does that make the Ridgeline NOT A TRUCK?