kellem
shenandoah valley
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Joined: 05/07/2007
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Hmmm...no WDH,thats surprising.
The Honda will really sag without one not to mention sway.
I've towed with lesser vehicles then the Ridgeline and did so with a WDH.
I can't imagine towing close to max without one and would certainly investigate this claim.
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bikendan
Napa, Cal.
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Joined: 11/21/2005
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don't make the mistake most make by looking at the "dry" weight.
look at the GVWR. "dry" weight is a fictional number, designed to get people in to buy a trailer, even thought they don't have a decent TV.
we were going to get a Ridgeline but the 5000lbs. number limited us to a 19' or smaller, since we have a lot of mountains out West.
if you want to be happy, go 19' or smaller.
Dan- Firefighter , Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur , Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever , 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LS, 2007 Rockwood Roo 23SS w/Equalizer and Prodigy, and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
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Brett K
Drums, PA
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Joined: 08/11/2008
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I have done lots of reading on the subject of the weight distribution hitch. Those that do have them say they would never tow without one. Those that don't say they are unnecessary and they have no problems or sag with a properly loaded trailer. Those that have used both, say the difference are very minimal.
From Honda's perspective, the make the statement of not recommending one due to liability of an improperly adjusted weight distribution hitch and its impact on a vehicle without body on frame construction. Most of what I have read suggests that weight distribution hitches were very important when you were pulling a 25 foot heavy camper with your mid 70s Ford or Chevy sedan.
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squirescampers
Derry, NH
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Joined: 03/18/2005
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The Ridgeline is going to sag alot without a WD hitch.
Combine the sag with front wheel drive, and you are not going to be comfortable.
With alot of sag in the TV, your trailer is going to sway, not to mention the soft control of the TV.
Those who have towed without a WD are usually towing with 3/4 ton trucks etc.
The Ridgline is not a real Pick up- it is a Pilot with a pick up bed.
I put my TravelStar 19CK behind my Durango with a Hemi and will feel it pull the truck around if I didn't have the WD connected. (I tried thinking that because the trailer is half of the trucks towing capacity, and the hitch weight is half of the trucks capacity. It wasn't so much the sag (it didn't sag much) but the steering- and that is rear wheel drive, not front wheel drive.
5000 pounds is to much for front wheel drive.
Without the AWD kicking in- you are FWD.
Families who camp together, stay together...
Dad
Mom
11yr old son- knows everything now...
5 yr old son- still sweet...
4 yr old daugher- turning me grey already...
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Brett K
Drums, PA
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Joined: 08/11/2008
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Not to be defensive, but I wanted to clear up some misconceptions about the Ridgeline after a little more investigation. It is not a Pilot or an Oddyssey with a pickup bed. I beleive 93% of the components are unique to the Ridgeline. The combination of unibody on top of a fully boxed frame is not a weakness, making it stronger and more ridgid than it's competitors, something I wasn't aware of. The motor is not the same as the Oddyssey or Pilot either. Let me get some more info as to why. There is a write-up somewhere from one of the engineers responsible for the development of the Ridgeline.
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JSGlow
Carol Stream, IL
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Joined: 05/05/2004
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Can't comment on the Ridgeline but I can tell you that I would not tow my rig without a TV as stout as I have. I'm rated for 7100#. My Starcraft 215sso is plenty heavy behind our V8 Explorer. And I'd never tow it without WD. My modest boat is a whole 'nother story.
JSGlow
John, Stacey, Sarah, and Jack
2002 Ford Explorer (EB) 4.6L V-8, 3.73
2004 Antigua 215sso
1999 Starcraft Starfire 160DC
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5S Dude
California
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Joined: 11/12/2006
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We were really looking at both the Hi-Low and Trail Manor units but my better half wanted immediate restroom access while traveling. My second choice was a 21 foot super slide but the weight was towards the upper limit when camp ready and I wanted to carry our two trail bikes in the bed of the Ridgeline while towing. We ended up with the Trail Cruiser C191 and it has been the perfect choice for us. We have two college-aged kids that sometimes will join us for a campout. Checkout my link here:
http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/racks-hitches-towing/12327-ridgelines-can-tow-photos.html
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SLSAntigua
Pennsylvania
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Joined: 09/24/2006
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Brett K,
Do your home work. There are a lot of decent HTTs. Starcraft, Roo, Jayco, Palomino etc. Make sure the interior comforts conform to you. I am a big guy, 6'5 275, so the shower needed to be big enough so I stood in the showers of a lot of RVs at RV shows. I sat on the John with the door closed, to ensure I wasn't cramped. I do sometimes bump my head on the AC vent. The layout and space really matters especially if you get a rotten weekend and your are stuck inside. DW liked the white interior of the Antigua as opposed to the traditional wood grain.
As for WD, I would get it. Not sure about the ridgeline's suspension but I had an 05 Envoy XL (pictured in Profile) now have an 08 envoy. shorter wheel base. the 05 had bilstein shocks, I changed the settings on WD thinking it would do better, not the case. Felt like the trailer was dictating where to go as opposed to the tow vehicle. Haven't even considered what it would be like if I had no WD. Good Luck!
Steve, DW, 2 DDs
2006 Starcraft Antigua 215SSO
2008 GMC Envoy SLT
Voyager Brake, Reese WDH and sway control
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OUBobcat
Marietta, GA
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Joined: 02/02/2008
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Padlin,
Sorry for the delayed response, I just saw your question.
Yes, we do use a WDH to tow our Travel Star with our Ridgeline - without one I'm thinking there would be a tendency for the weight to create a lift in the front and a drag in the back. I'm far from an expert, but I believe a WDH is necessary.
ME
DH
2DDs
'06 Honda Ridgeline
'07 Starcraft TravelStar 21SB
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jrat
British Columbia
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Joined: 07/15/2007
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We have a Palamino Stampede 19.5 - and it is made by Forest river - we have had no real problems for the year we've had it and have used it alot. Just got back from 10 days in the rockies. We looked at alot of models and liked it the best although we saw a Surveyor we liked but it seems alot of the models all use the ame parts.
jrat
That's me, wife and 2 daughters!
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