Honda Ridgeline won't cut it

[anvilmanco]

This may have been covered here, but just in case it wasn't.........

Shirley and I have been looking at Pickups for towing a 5.0 when we get one. I had heard about the Honda Ridgline, and heard a rumor that the bed was a COMPOSITE Material and would not permit a 5th wheel hitch to be mounted. IT'S TRUE. I loved the truck but the Salesman checked and you can't do it. For standard hitch mount trailers, it's great up to 4500 lbs. So, it's out for us. We still like the Nissan Frontier for all things.

[Hokie Escape]

Yep, Rease crawled up under one with the mechanic, and confirmed that the Ridgeline is out! No can do! But, it's also 2,000 lb under the payload of the Frontier, so in reality, it wouldn't be the best bet anyway. The Tacoma would work, and the Ford Ranger would work (although I don't think it has a 4 door model if that's important - which it was to me).

[Roger C H]

Hmm. I don't have a 5er but I always thought the hitch on the truck mounted to the frame and not the bed.

[Hokie Escape]

Originally Posted by Roger C H

Hmm. I don't have a 5er but I always thought the hitch on the truck mounted to the frame and not the bed.

Yes, that's true, but there's something about the Ridgeline that both the Honda mechanic, and Rease said "no go". I can't remember now, but it may have something to do with "unibody" construction He checked specifically for us, since that was our 1st choice of vehicle. However, we're mighty glad we got the Frontier instead. It has a lot more power, and is a perfect match for the 5.0.
There's a second problem with the Ridgeline as well, and it has to do with the upward sloping bed sides. They slope too high for the 5.0, even with the raised axle on the Escape.