Honda Ridgeline weight considerations - [discussion taken from TM Wanted section]

[Peds109]

Looking for a 2619 or 2720QB ... It needs to have 3000lbs or less dry weight

[Kidkraz]

Not sure you'll find a TM with those weight restrictions. The attached pic is the weight info on my 2619. Is your limit based on the tow vehicle or some other issue?

[Peds109]

TV rated at 5000lbs... but that’s inclusive of payload of truck (Honda Ridgeline) and trailer weight. Goal is to pack light and have total weight between 4000 and 4500lbs. I’ve seen most 2619 and 2720 in the 2700-3100lb dry weight range. I prefer dry weight versus GVWR bc I don’t believe I’ll max out GVWR... using 3000lbs as an estimate, that still leaves me 1000-1500lbs for people, kayaks, cargo, propane, batteries, and more. I’d likely hook up to water and not travel with full tanks.

I’m looking to keep total weight under 4500 to reduce strain on the TV. It’s my daily driver and I figure the lower profile of the Trailmanor coupled with not maxing out capacity should help to keep the TV unharmed.

Am I looking at this wrong?

[Bill]

Where do you plan to tow? Will you stay in Ct and the relatively flat country in most of New England (White and Green Mountains excepted)? Or do you plan to get out into the high, steep country of the Rockies or the Sierras? Yellowstone? Yosemite? Bryce? Zion? Tow vehicle ratings never mention this issue, but it seems obvious to me that there is at least some effect on real-world tow capability. Engine power is certainly one element, especially at altitude (figure 3-4% HP loss per thousand feet). Braking should be another, as are engine and transmission cooling.

What year is your Ridgeline? Manufacturers began using the SAE J2807 towing test in about 2015, I think. Before that time, tow ratings were a bit uncertain.

Bill

[Peds109]

I’d be at mostly campgrounds in New England that can be accessed with minimal mountainous terrain. Maybe a very seldom trip to some of the beaches between New Jersey and the Carolinas... but that’s equally flat. Ridgeline is 2017 - first year of the new generation. Beautiful daily driver: 20+ mpg, drives like an Accord, plenty of payload (1500ish), abundance of storage and features. I bought it before my wife and I had our daughter. We’ve realized quickly that our old way of vacationing (using airline miles and hotel points acquired from my extensive work travel) was going to be more challenging to do with a family. We’ve both always loved camping and it seems a more plausible way to get away.

But again... I bought the truck before this realization and I have no interest in switching the TV. So does my weight estimate look right? This might be better suited for another forum, but figured I’d ask. If anyone has a Ridgeline or similarly weighted vehicle without WDH and been on a scale with a light to medium cargo/people haul, was your combined haul in the 4000-4500 range? Tongue weight mid 400s? If so, how did it feel?

Regardless, I’ll get my weight figured out. But if anyone has a 2619 or 2720QB you’re looking to sell prior to next season, please reach out to me. If phone or text is preferred, I’m at (203) 868-5208.

Thanks!

[Bill]

I think you are good in the weight department. Most members of the Forum find that a fully loaded ready-to-camp TM weighs above 4000 pounds - and quite a bit more if you pack it heavily. So plan to pack light.

Re hitch weight, be aware that TMs are purposely made nose-heavy, in order to make them pretty much sway-proof. However, the result is that the hitch weight will almost always exceed 400 pounds. You can find several of our members' actual weights by using the Search tool on something like "hitch weight". You won't need sway control, but you probably will want a WDH (weight distributing hitch) with 600 pound spring bars, to take some of the weight off the tow vehicle's rear end and put it back on the tow vehicle's front end, where it is needed.

It is nice to see you have done your homework, and realize that the weight of all the stuff you put in the tow vehicle subtracts from its tow rating (or adds to the weight of the trailer - same thing). Vehicle manufacturers kind of hide this fact, meaning that most owners don't realize it.

Honda was one of the first to use J2807, so their tow rating should be realistic.

Your plans to stay in relatively low-altitude flat country are good. I can tell you that my wife and I towed our TMs through the Rockies and Sierras quite often, up to about 12,000 feet, in an Explorer V-8 with a 6800-pound rating. The vehicle handled the load and inclines and altitude OK - but just OK. No sign of distress, and we were able to maintain speed as required, but it was working hard.

The part of the vehicle that takes the biggest beating is the transmission. If your Ridegeline has an actual tranny temperature gauge, calibrated in degrees, rather than the idiotic Hot-Cold meter or no meter at all, then you are in good shape. If it does not have one, I suggest strongly that you buy one. Easy to use and install - it simply plugs into the vehicle's OBD-II diagnostic port under the steering wheel.

I think you have planned well. Go for it, and enjoy TMing.

Bill

[Marbet]

Peds109, I have towed a TM 09 2720 a number of years with an 07 Ridgeline and now a 19 Ridgeline RTLe without a WDH and no problems over the Rocky Mountains and elsewhere. I do carefully watch loaded weight, tires, etc. I avoid hauling water on most trips. Hope that encourages you. It can be done safely.

[tentcamper]

Larry, I think my wife took lessons on packing from your wife. Our 3023 is about 4500, but we do travel with water in the water heater.

But we do tow with a highlander.

[Bill]

Art -

Not to hijack the thread (which has wandered well off-topic already), but are you comfortable towing a 4500-pound trailer with your Toyota Highlander? Toyota gives the 2012 model a tow rating of 5000 pounds "when properly equipped", so by the time you and your wife get seated in the vehicle, you are very near the (pre-SAE J2807) tow rating of 5000 pounds, before you add any load in the truck. If I can ask, do you do most of your towing in the relatively flat areas of the midwest?

Just collecting experiences ...

Bill

[Kettlebelle]

Originally Posted by Peds109

Looking for a 2619 or 2720QB before the 2020 camping season. It needs to have 3 dedicated sleeping areas (bed at each end plus convertible dining table is ideal. 3000lbs or less dry weight is desired. Price is flexible depending on year and condition. Located in central CT and willing to drive 3ish hours or roughly 200miles.

I’ll be a cheerleader here. You can pack on the light side and enjoy yourselves in a TM under your tow rating! Our UVW is 2911. I catalogued and weighed all our camping gear that goes in our car and trailer, plus some trailer items I don’t think were in the UVW, as well as the WDH, battery and accounting for propane and water in the water heater (we don’t drive with fresh or gray water). Adding 10 lbs for ice in the prechilled cooler and 10 lbs for food, and giving each person a 14 lb personal packing allowance (a few changes of clothing and entertainment), it all totals 532 lbs. And that’s packing pretty heavy, bringing both winter gear and swim gear; we can probably cut 100 lbs and still be fully prepared for temperature swings and emergencies but have a somewhat less comfortable/convenient trip. So, you can do it.