Can a Honda Ridgeline pull a 5th wheel?

In this article,we will explain: Can a Honda Ridgeline pull a 5th wheel? We will discuss Honda Ridgeline towing capacity, payload and performance. We will also tell you how to tow a 5th wheel trailer, step-by-step. 

Can a Honda Ridgeline pull a 5th wheel?

A Honda Ridgeline can pull a small or medium-sized 5th wheel trailer, although we must mention that it has a limited towing capacity. 

All-wheel drive Ridgeline models come standard with an integrated trailer hitch with a 7-pin connector, 262 pound-feet of torque, and the ability to tow up to 5,000 lbs (2260 kg). See the table below for more information.

Honda Ridgeline Towing Capacity

Honda Ridgeline TrimsTowing Capacity (lbs)Towing Capacity (kg)
Honda Ridgeline RT3,500 lbs. / N/A lbs. (2WD / AWD)1580 kg/N/A (2WD / AWD)
Honda Ridgeline Sport3,500 lbs. / 5,000 lbs. (2WD / AWD)1580 kg/ 2260 kg (2WD / AWD)
Honda Ridgeline RTL3,500 lbs. / 5,000 lbs. (2WD / AWD)1580 kg/ 2260 kg (2WD / AWD)
Honda Ridgeline RTL-T3,500 lbs. / 5,000 lbs. (2WD / AWD)1580 kg/ 2260 kg (2WD / AWD)
Honda Ridgeline RTL-EN/A / 5,000 lbs. (2WD / AWD)N/A kg/ 2260 kg (2WD / AWD)
Honda Ridgeline Black EditionN/A / 5,000 lbs. (2WD / AWD)N/A  kg/ 2260 kg (2WD / AWD)

When buying a fifth wheel, it is crucially important to know what type of truck to get. Some people say it may be a smaller truck and others don’t even know it. We are going to shed some light on this topic.

What kind of truck do you need to tow a fifth wheel? You will need at least a 3/4 ton truck. A one-ton pickup with an eight-foot bed would be ideal because it can handle a lot more weight. The bigger the truck, the better.

How to tow a 5th wheel with a Honda Ridgeline

Fifth-wheel trailers are equipped with a gooseneck hitch that hooks onto the bed of a heavy-duty truck in order to be towed. Not just any truck will do when towing fifth wheels, however; You must use a truck with a maximum towing capacity that exceeds the weight of the fifth wheel. 

Additionally, short bed pickups, pickup trucks, and Stepside pickup trucks with bed liners cannot be used to tow a fifth wheel.

Here’s how to tow a 5th wheel with a Honda Ridgeline step-by-step:

  1. Block the trailer wheels by placing tire blocks behind the wheels. Lower the tailgate. Adjust the height of the trailer, using the trailer pins in the pin box, to the height of your truck so that it rests approximately 1 inch below the head of the fifth wheel hitch. Pull the release handle on the latch so that it is in the open position.
  1. Back up your truck slowly and carefully until the bonnet (the hitch portion on the RV) becomes perfectly seated on the hitch head (the part of the hitch installed on your truck). Close the safety latch and secure it with the pin. 
  1. Attach the wire to the brake lights and lift the landing gear (the bars that hold your trailer in a level position) up to 1 inch above the ground by turning the crank that lifts it. For the fifth wheel with a remote control landing gear setup, press the button that raises the landing gear.
  1. Test the hook up by slowly pulling forward with your truck. If the hook does not release, but the landing gear in its driving position, close the tailgate. Remove the RV wheel blocks.
  1. Practice driving with your fifth wheel attached, paying particular attention to the width and length of the entire package you are towing, as well as the limitations of your side mirrors. Always check your mirrors and consider any possible obstructions before changing lanes, turning or backing up.
  1. Back up your fifth wheel by putting your truck in reverse. If you have to point the RV in a particular direction, turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction to do so. Anticipate the movement of your vehicle with the added weight, as well as the movement of other vehicles around it to avoid collisions. 

Note: Always break early when you need to slow down or stop; the extra weight is not going to allow you to drop a dime.

Honda Ridgeline: Towing Capacity and Payload

When it comes to trucks, towing and payload capabilities are far more important than racing capabilities. Speaking of the new Ridgeline, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline offers a standard 5,000-pound towing capacity, which isn’t really an impressive figure.

The lack of power means the Honda Ridgeline isn’t very good at towing heavy caravans either. It’s something the dealer will make very clear to you when you test drive in the showroom. Additionally, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline has a 5.4-inch deck that offers a payload capacity of 1,580 pounds.

With a 5,000-pound towing capacity, it performs well behind GMCs and Chevrolets in its class. The Ford Ranger has the best towing capacity, despite the smallest engine, thanks to its excellent turbocharger technology and a robust 10-speed SelectsShift transmission.

Honda Ridgeline: Engine Performance

The Ridgeline offers customers more options than ever before, including, for the first time, two-wheel and four-wheel drive options, as well as an expanded array of premium, standard and available details and technologies, among these, including a new 8-inch Display Audio touchscreen with Android Auto ™ and Apple CarPlay ™ compatibility and a new generation of the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System ™. 

A variety of new standard and available equipment includes Three-Zone Automatic Climate Control, Push Button Start, Remote Engine Start, Smart Entry, a power rear window, exterior and interior LED lights and more.

The second-generation Ridgeline was designed, developed, and manufactured in the United States using locally and internationally produced parts. The exterior and interior design of the Ridgeline was created by Honda R&D Americas in its Los Angeles studio, while the development of the vehicle was handled by the company’s development centre in Raymond, Ohio. Honda Manufacturing of Alabama in Lincoln, Alabama, is the exclusive manufacturing centre for the  Honda Ridgeline.

Honda Ridgeline: An innovative and versatile truck bed

The Ridgeline’s new UV stabilized high strength fibreglass reinforced SMC composite enclosure is longer (3.9 inches longer, or 100mm) and wider (5.5 inches longer, or 140mm) than the model above and is the only box in the midsize class that can flatten 4-foot wide objects, such as sheetrock or plywood on the floor between the wheel housings. 

The new Ridgeline bed also brings many unique Honda features and capabilities, such as a highly versatile Dual Action Tailgate, a redesigned In-Bed Trunk with a completely flat floor and an In-Bed Audio System. The world’s first available Pickup Truck that makes this new Ridgeline the ultimate stadium parking party vehicle.

 An available 115V AC outlet in the box with a recharging capacity of up to 400 watts (with the engine running) and eight standard 350-pound (159 kg) capacity tie bars complete the Ridgeline’s capable and versatile box design. . The dent and scratch proof construction of the case is designed for rigorous daily use and does not require the protection of a liner like conventional steel or aluminum cases.

Conclusions

In terms of reliability, the 2020 Honda Ridgeline is rated 3.5 out of five by JD Reports, which is pretty moderate, below is a breakdown of this score:

  • Quality and Reliability – 81/100
  • Driving experience – 79/100
  • Resale – 87/100
  • Dealer Experience – 74/100

While the Honda Ridgeline’s JDPower score may not be all that impressive right away, customer feedback tells a different story with a positive and excellent reliability rating. To maintain its position as a reliable vehicle, the Ridgeline comes with an astonishing list of safety features and good visibility feedback. 

In addition, Honda has always delivered its vehicles with a solid body and a high-performance powertrain.

Do you have any comments or questions about towing with a Honda Ridgeline? Let us know!

FAQ on Can a Honda Ridgeline pull a 5th wheel?

Are all Honda Ridgelines AWD?

No, not all Honda Ridgelines are AWD. The Honda Ridgeline is offered in a total of 4 versions, namely: Sport, RTL, RTL-E and Black Edition. Of these, the two base models (Sport and RTL) come with an FWD transmission as standard and offer the option of AWD for an extra couple of dollars. The top two versions (RTL-E and Black Edition) have AWD transmission as standard.

What is the annual maintenance cost for a 2021 Honda Ridgeline?

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline had an annual maintenance cost of around $ 502. Since no structural or mechanical changes have been made to the 2021 Honda Ridgeline, we expect the new model to do similarly in terms of annual maintenance cost.

How many miles will a Honda Ridgeline last?

If properly cared for with timely maintenance and service, a Honda Ridgeline can last more than 200,000 miles with ease.

Can Honda Ridgeline get off the road?

There have been several claims about the Honda Ridgeline’s off-road capability. However, following the spec sheet, we suggest that you refrain from thinking about taking your Ridgeline down an unpaved road. The reason is this truck’s low ground clearance, which can result in a scrapped underbody when it takes over some serious patches.

References

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