oh yea

Currently towing the RS using an enclosed trailer weighing 1800 lbs. car weight 3200lbs spare tires tools etc. 3 to 500 lbs. total weight 5500lbs
The vehicle/truck i'm using is a Honda Ridgeline towing capacity 5000lbs.
I am using a brake controller.
Question: Is this safe or do i need a tow vehicle with a greater towing capacity to be safe on the road with this rig?

Thanks!

jimhuber

Well, I tow things everyday from semi tractor trailer to pickup and trailer. The only thing I can say is electric brakes are ok at best. I equip all pickups and trailers with air compressors and air brakes for the trailer. The GVW of the tow vehicle is the most important. I always use Dodge 3500 Cummins automatic. Your Ridgeline is not much of a truck to two with in case of emergency. I think at least a 2500 series truck.

My 2 c worth

Jim Huber

allegretto

The Ridgeline is a great little pickup, and very useful

You have it over its head IMO. Emergencies will not be handled well with that rig stressed to the max (maybe a little past the max actually)

Diesels are ideal, but even an Avalanche would be better for the task.

ex10psi

for point of reference (as i know nothing about honda pickups)...

i tow a similar set-up with my 2007 chevy tahoe (essentially a 1/2 ton pick-up without extra cab). i would never dare to tow this set-up with anything smaller than my tahoe (max tow rating i believe is 8000 lbs).

in fact, i'm considering going to a 2500 series pick-up truck with a nice long bed and quad cab, call it a day at that!

oh yea

thanks for the reply's

The Ridgeline works really hard towing everything and the last thing i want is a 160K rig flying by me or getting loose because my Tow vehicle can't handle the load. This is my first experience towing cars. moved a few jets in the AF.
Leaning towards a Toyota Tundra 10k capacity

jimhuber

My experience is you can buy a 2500 Chevy with a 400CI v8 for a lot less the Chevy is good. The Toyota is good to however it is not as strong. And by the way the total weight of any semi on the road without any special clearance is 80,000LB max. If it were 160,000 then I would be making great money.

Good Luck

Jim Huber

allegretto

I think he was saying the rig, RS and trailer was worth $160K

jimhuber

Well den, My bad.


Jim Huber

naparsei

I really wanted a Titan, but went w/ a Dodge Ram 2500 Mega Cummins. No looking back. No prior experience towing, and this thing works like a dream. I live the Rockies, and I could tow a 24' loaded enclosed trailer all day @ 80 with no problems, even in severe wind. I have a brake controller and sway bars, but it's a bumper pull.

Analog Theory

We use Ford F350 Super Duty Diesel Dually. Nothing else on the road comes close...easily the best all aorund utility/tow vehicle out there. http://www.fordvehicles.com/trucks/superduty/

VB997

ahem...keep the Honda and put a Cup Car in the trailer. Problem solved

jimhuber

Have owned them all Diesel dually that is and no was a Navstar will hold the line with the Cummins. Dodge makes the best truck out their and the new 6 speed auto and 6.7 cummins with exaust brake is the truck to owne. I know I drive this type of truck everyday. Come on my man no one lets friends drive late model Ford cars or trucks with the GT 40 being the only one. Well that is all I just love the Dodge.

Jim Huber

G car

I use a Tundra extended cab, love it. 24ft. enclosed Motiv redline trailer-Gallardo, Exige S, Cayman S, or GT3RS (oct build). Looked at Chevy 2500 just much more features on the Tundra for the money-drive one.

GT3CAR

You are correct to be concerned. You really need to get another vehicle. The limit given by Honda is not a suggestion, it is a true safety limit. I suggest having at least a 20% margin on weight.
I just traded in my F150 and bought an F250. I was in the weight limit with the F150 but it did not feel safe and stable enough for me.
Be careful with the Honda!

jrok

I was just in this same exact quandry. After weeks of tire kicking, test driving and research, I was down to the Dodge and the Ford. I ended up buying a 2008 F250 Super Duty -- not a 2007. I literally ordered almost every single option, especially the towing stuff. It's nicer and bigger inside than my Condo. MSRP was $54k, I bought for $44k.

The 2008 is a completely different truck than the 2006-07 (my best friend has one, right beside me in the picture). He drove mine all weekend as was amazed at how quiet and different it was. He was sold on the power extending and folding mirrors alone. His truck is for sale now. I'm certainly not knocking Chevy or Dodge or 2006-07 F250's, they're all really great trucks, I just liked more things about this one.

You literally almost forget the trailer is back there until a semi comes flying by and the trailer wiggles a little. I'm so glad I bought "too much truck" for my 7000 lbs. In the Ridgeline or the F150 it was always an ordeal. Best of luck.