Thats the boat in the picture, not at that event though. This was just before I towed that boat from LA to havasu and back in 100+ heat.
Dont have any picts of the event, or most of the fun events in my life, maybe a snapshot or two here and there.
Midsize truck shopping
- Thread starter dlundblad
- Start date
Thats the boat in the picture, not at that event though. This was just before I towed that boat from LA to havasu and back in 100+ heat.
Dont have any picts of the event, or most of the fun events in my life, maybe a snapshot or two here and there.
I would have told him that I would not pull it out, not until he video'd the event. I mean, when the non-truck can pull a boat out of the water, but not a fire breathing good ole Murican pickup...
- Joined
- Dec 16, 2022
- Messages
- 1,128
Any v8 half ton will pull circles around a ridgeline. Even a v6, though it may not accelerate as fast as a ridgeline, the heavier half ton will control and stop that trailer far better than a ridgeline. A ram with 3.6 pentastar is rated over 6000 pounds IIRC. It has a longer wheel base, bigger brakes, and its heavier, all which contribute to a better towing experience.
GVWR is also much higher in a half ton than a ridgeline, even if payload is equal or less. This means that the half ton with 1500 pounds of payload will control/support that weight better than a ridgeline even if it too has 1500 pounds of payload. It's a beefier truck, stronger axles, stronger suspension, etc.
Traction/tires probably played more into this than the truck itself. But this is more of a case why 2wd trucks don't make much sense, than it is any positive feature for the ridgeline itself.
As for going offroad in a 2wd half ton; I'll take my chances in that far over a unibody ridgeline with no flex whatsoever.
Any? Thats too big a statement.
That 4.6 ford was rated at 5K and was weaker than my ridge. (even taking 2WD out of the picture)
My 93 F150 lightning was rated to tow 5K.
Usually the half ton GVWR is more, but its a midsize truck (its 6004 I believe qualifying for 179)
Lots of 2WD trucks out there making big claims about what a real truck is but still lacking lots of versatility.
The ridgline is surprisingly good off-road, and better onroad than just about any truck period.
I have a midsized, half ton, and 3/4 ton truck.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Dec 16, 2022
- Messages
- 1,128
93? Come on man lets compare something from this century.
Again, towing performance is not just HP. It's about controlling the trailer, and yes any half ton (same year vs the ridgeline, not 93 f150's lol) will do that better than a ridgeline even if its rated to tow less. Tow rating on a half ton is determined by engine power and rear axle.
And no, the ridgeline is not better onroad than any truck. First you need to define "better". Does it haul more people? No. Does it fit them more comfortably? No. Can it haul as much? No. In other word, define your criteria. Unloaded, with one person in it, it may ride more comfortably than most half tons, but that's not what most people are looking for in a truck.
I think you're being a little blinded by your love for your truck. Yes it has advantages, it's small and nimble, easy to park, better turning radius. Other than that, most people are going to pick the half ton because half ton truck buyers are not looking for car like qualities, or at the least, its not as high priority as the advantages that a half ton brings.
When used as a truck (note the qualifier): a half ton is a far better truck than a ridgeline, both on road and offroad. Even when used as a commuter, I still prefer my half ton. It's the first vehicle I've owned that actually fits me, where I sit upright with the correct amount of leg/hip room, where I don't get tired/sore on a 3+ hour road trip, where I sit above most traffic and have a great view etc etc.
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2023
- Messages
- 1,434
Nobody with a 2wd truck should ever talk crap about what a “real truck” is. lol!
I've thought about buying a 2wd truck but mostly because it's hard to get anything resembling a station wagon. That meets my frugality that is--plenty of tarted up CUV's with price tags to match. Problem is, 2wd and snow... ick.
When I had my Tundra, once I put the bed cap on, I considered it a station wagon. Albeit on stilts as it was stupid high off the ground. The bed height was just right to push sheets of plywood off the fancy carts from Home Depot, the rest of the time it was a stupid height for everything else. When I bought a fridge I wound up using my 4x8 HF trailer as it was lower to the ground (may or may not have had the cap at the time--but even without it, I didn't want to lift it up there).
Just the other day I was looking at a Frontier and marveled at how I could reach over the bed rails and touch the floor of the bed. Crazy. I'm sure no one finds that useful.
When I had my Tundra, once I put the bed cap on, I considered it a station wagon. Albeit on stilts as it was stupid high off the ground. The bed height was just right to push sheets of plywood off the fancy carts from Home Depot, the rest of the time it was a stupid height for everything else. When I bought a fridge I wound up using my 4x8 HF trailer as it was lower to the ground (may or may not have had the cap at the time--but even without it, I didn't want to lift it up there).
Just the other day I was looking at a Frontier and marveled at how I could reach over the bed rails and touch the floor of the bed. Crazy. I'm sure no one finds that useful.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Yet another pro for the Frontier that I hadn't considered.
The bed height on them is like the Ridgeline. Very practical and usable.
Here's another con for the Frontier that I don't recall I ever mentioned.. The hood struts are such that you can't open the hood far enough. It's a head bumping nightmare under there. There are longer aftermarket struts available and I suppose you could just detach the struts for more intense work.
If it were not for the fact that I am 6'-5" then I would have a Ridgeline in my garage instead of my Tundra. I test drove a Ridgeline and it would easily have handled my hauling and towing needs but at this point of my life I just not willing to squeeze myself into small and cramped drivers seats.
The 2WD Silverado I posted a photo of was used to tow and launch a 22’ cuddy cabin. It has an open diff too. I’m guessing it was very close to being overloaded.
Manual transmission too. I feel bad for her grandma having to put the boat in and out.
It took me a brief minute then realized the expression above means "open diff (like a car)".
That's a GOOD ONE. Thanks.
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2023
- Messages
- 1,434
Yeah, that makes sense. I’m 6’1”, in shape, and I fit in the seat of the Honda Pilot really well. By comparison my Tacoma seat is laughably small. It gets painful after a while.
Trucks stick around a long time in the West. Lots of 20 and 30+ year old trucks still on the road.
My titan is 20 years old now.
Tow rating on a half ton is more than engine and axle - but also engine and trans cooling, and brakes.
In owning a boat shop and being a boat manufacturer for over a decade I've ridden and towed in just about everything made with my customers and friends , I can say from experience - no body on frame solid rear axle truck rides or handles as well as the IFS/IRS Ridgeline.
It's not my pick to tow or haul above its weight, but within its window I'll pick it over my three other choices and and every time.
Hauling a bale of hay or even a big block on a pallet is still truck work and its way better ride than a body on frame trucks
I'm well aware of where the thing falls down, and dont pretend its something its not and with two other truck and a suburban to chose from I can pick anything I want.
Last edited:
Most of the time this works fine - I did it for years.
It doesn't work at low tide on a slippery ramp pulling max weight out.
Old hot rodder language I should be more careful with my wording - Im a dinosaur and it shows in my verbiage.
Been watching your tundra thread. Really like the truck, and it looks like they solved the machining problem.
Last edited:
Naaah...There are no pirates on BITOG so the term "peg leg" won't offend anyone.