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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 9:14 pm Post subject: Towing with weight distributing hitch |
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The Ridgeline owners manual states (and I'm paraphrasing as best I can remember it) that the truck should not be used with a weight distributing hitch... due to possibility that an improperly setup weight distributing hitch may imbalance the suspension.
My question is whether there is something inherent in using a weight distributing hitch with the Ridgeline and its systems that is cause for concern, or if Honda is concerned that many users of weight distributing hitches don't properly set them up.
Does anyone plan to use a WD hitch with their Ridgeline? I purchased my RTL for towing my 19ft single axle Airstream (4500lb total, 500lb tongue) and I have a Blue Ox BX2004 weight distributing hitch already mounted on the trailer.
mswartz |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 10:25 pm Post subject: |
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| My brother put a WDH on the 16x8 enclosed trailer that we've got to pull it with his Pilot. Without the WDH the rear suspension bottoms out when there's a load in the trailer. I'll be using the hitch when I pull the trailer with my Ridgeline. I think that Honda is just concerned that it will be used improperly, but I don't think that there's any cause for concern if you know what you're doing with it. |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 7:19 pm Post subject: Re: Towing with weight distributing hitch |
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Yesterday I got to tow my Airstream with the Ridgeline for a total of 48 miles to test how everything behaved on mix of city and highway driving. The combo behaved very well and indicates no surprises. The acceleration, and more importantly, the stopping and turning, seemed better than I had expected. Didn't find any surprises so it looks like I'll fine-tune the setup and get on with it.
Ridgeline RTL with Honda dealer installed Honda 2-in hitch receiver and trailer/brake controller wiring harness.
Trailer:
2001 Airstream 19-ft Bambi, weight as tested 4700lbs, tongue weight 570lbs, single axle with electric drum brakes.
Hitch system:
The trailer has a Blue Ox BX2004 Weight distributing hitch with BX1600 antisway control.
Brake Controller:
I'm using a Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller plugged into the Honda brake controllerharness. |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 8:32 pm Post subject: Re: Towing with weight distributing hitch |
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| Very Impressive. :lol: |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 9:22 pm Post subject: |
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I'm waiting for my Prodigy to arrive before I start pulling our trailer. Even if I pull it empty I'm then going to be tempted to pull it full. :D
The braker controller should arrive Thur., which is just in time because I've got to do some major moving this weekend. I ordered 2 Prodigies actually, one for my Dad's GMC Sierra 2500 and one for me. They're $92 shipped on eBay.
My Ridgeline is black and our big box trailer is also black, I'll take a pic and post it, one empty and one fully loaded. It should be quite a sight! |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 9:43 pm Post subject: Re: Towing with weight distributing hitch |
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Sounds like the Ridgeline will handle trailers. Will I need brake controller towing a Jeep wrangler? Posted question earlier but looking for more advise/reassurance that Ridgeline can handle the job.
Power and suspension doesn't worry me, stopping does. |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 11:35 am Post subject: Re: Towing with weight distributing hitch |
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If you're towing another vehicle you can use aftermarket products, and many RV'ers do have their "toads" outfitted with brake controllers- it depends on how much you're going to tow it. See a reputable dealer and check forums such as www.irv2.com, www.airstreamforums.com, www.rv.net, looking on the subforums for motorhomes and "toads" or towed vehicles, to see what people are doing, with what equipment, and how it is working.
I don't have much experience with it other than the U-haul dolly rentals so that won't help. |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 9:04 pm Post subject: |
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| mswartz -- I just gotta say, your silver Ridgeline pulling the Airstream just looks soooo coooool! Do you think I could find a green airstream?! |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 7:07 pm Post subject: Ridgeline/Airstream update |
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Towing report:
I got back tonight from the first long tow with the Airstream. The Ridgeline behaved beautifully.
Weather was perfect and average temp 60F. Travelled from Cape Cod to Saratoga NY, then back to Cape Cod. Trip along I495, I90 and I87 includes some hills to 1700+feet. I kept the Ridgeline on cruise control at 67 as much as possible, and tried to avoid hard accelerations where possible. Average fuel consumption for towing the trailer over 550 miles was 11.4 MPG.
Ridgeline now has 2750 miles in 13 days, with 600 towing the trailer. No surprises with the vehicle whatsoever. It is meeting all my expectations. |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
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| Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 7:15 pm Post subject: |
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| Is the Airstream close to the 5,000 lbs towing capacity? |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 7:54 pm Post subject: Re: Towing with weight distributing hitch |
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See post #3 in this topic. It is close to the 5000 lb limit when fully loaded for travel.
With the Ridgeline and Airstream attached through a Blue Ox WD hitch there is no "porpoising" (vertical surge) when driving over uneven roads even at 65+mph. This has occurred for me on other vehicles when towing large loads. |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 5:01 am Post subject: Re: Towing with weight distributing hitch |
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| :oops: Of course, my mistake! |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 10:43 pm Post subject: Re: Towing with weight distributing hitch |
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| mswartz, can you pull your trailer with the tailgate down? I am thinking about a 19" Airstream but I would like to carry a dirt bike in the bed as well. Thanks. |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2005 8:18 am Post subject: |
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Doctorj -- that's a pretty small airstream! :lol: (Just kiddin')
I've never wanted an airstream so much as now, and I'm working on the other half to agree. Where is the best place to look for a 'reasonably priced' used one? |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2005 9:26 am Post subject: |
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2006Ridgeline wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")
I've never wanted an airstream so much as now, and I'm working on the other half to agree. Where is the best place to look for a 'reasonably priced' used one?
This might be a good starting place. :D |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2005 9:56 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks, but I found that one the other day (how were you to know!). I'll just keep on lookin' |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2005 4:43 pm Post subject: Airstream info / tailgate up towing |
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A good place to understand more about Airstreams is to go to the site: www.airstreamforums.com which is an independent forum only about airstream trailers and motorhomes, with 14,000+ threads, 145,000+ postings and over 7500 members. If it's Airstream, it's been discussed on that forum. And there are links to all related sites. You can find out experience people have in researching and buying used Airstreams. And of course, there are many other trailers out there to look into... some other RV sites I've browsed over the years include www.irv2.com and www.rv.net.
It would not be possible for me to tow my Airstream with the tailgate down, since it would hit the propane tank cover. I suppose it is possible to use a hitch receiver extension to move the hitch ball further to the rear of the hitch receiver, but that may have load limits lower than the receiver and will change the feel of the towing. |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
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| Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2005 6:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks for the info. I'll start my research right away...I'm getting excited about this! |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2005 10:55 pm Post subject: Re: Towing with weight distributing hitch |
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| Here's a couple pics of my Ridgeline hooked up to our trailer. We're using an Equal-I-Zer weight distributing sway controlling hitch, I haven't adjusted it yet for the Ridgeline, but I will before towing a significant load with it. |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2005 6:27 am Post subject: |
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Pretty nice day in Millwaukee, hey!
Your Ridgeline looks greats! |
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