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Old 10-23-2008, 04:21 PM   #1
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Honda Ridgeline Revisited

I am new here and just purchased a 2006 19' Bambi. I have been towing a Casita 17' Liberty Deluxe with no equalizer or anti sway set up. Some of you more knowledgeable owners with Ridgeline's please tell me how I need to set up for towing the Bambi. It is being delivered tomorrow as I bought it used (3 trips). I will not go out in it until I make sure I am set up property. The tow rating on the Ridgeline is 5000 lbs.

Thank you for your comments in advance.

Stephen
sarmstrong@allsportinc.com if you would like to email me!
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Old 10-23-2008, 06:32 PM   #2
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How much does the Bambi weigh?
what is the tung weight of the Ridgeline?

What is the weight difference between the Casita and Bambi??
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Old 10-23-2008, 06:35 PM   #3
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Stephen, I don't have the exact weights for the '06s, but the most recent Airstream Weights guide I have lists the '03 Bambi 19 with a dry curb weight of 3770 lbs, a dry hitch weight of 425 lbs and a GVWR of 4500 lbs. Your Ridgeline has a max tow weight rating of 5,000 lbs, so by the time you get gas, passengers, and luggage in the Ridgeline, it's going to be near or over it's GCVWR. You'll be OK, but barely. I don't know what the rating is for dead hitch weight on the Ridgeline, but I'll bet Honda suggests weight distribution when it pushes 500 lbs.

I have looked at Ridgelines on several occasions, but the 5000 lb tow rating was a killer for me. I recently bought a Nissan Titan to tow my 5300 lb Bigfoot 25' with. We traded in our '06 Civic with 60k on it on a new close-out '08 Accord this week and our dealer had a nicely equipped '08 Ridgeline with $7k in discounts... it was tough not to look!

I don't know what you towed your Casita with, but you won't notice much difference between it and the Bambi. I'm a big proponent of weight distribution and sway control hitches, and for the Bambi 19/Ridgeline combo, a Reese Dual-Cam with 600 lb bars would be just about right. I'd also recommend a Tekonsha Prodigy or P3 brake controller. Your trailer will weigh nearly as much as your truck, so you'll want every edge you can get in handling and braking, and the WDH/brake controller are about the best edge you can give yourself.

Good luck!

Roger
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Old 10-23-2008, 06:38 PM   #4
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Well there you Go.... Roger your the man.... Sounds good
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Old 10-23-2008, 07:04 PM   #5
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We spent spent some time a month ago with a couple that were towing a newer, large Airstream with their Ridgeline. It was a pro set up and with the "orange" connection. They said it towed great and had no complaints. Seems like a Bambi should be a piece of cake.
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Old 10-23-2008, 07:39 PM   #6
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I read an article about the ridgeline, check with your dealer / hitch installer. I am not sure on year or what but it had something to do with the unibody construction.
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Old 10-23-2008, 07:52 PM   #7
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Yes, I read somewhere that Honda did NOT recommend a WD hitch with the Ridgeline.
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Old 10-23-2008, 07:59 PM   #8
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Here's an enlightening thread from the Ridgeline Forums started by our own Jack Canavera!

Weight Distribution Hitch

Roger
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Old 10-23-2008, 08:02 PM   #9
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Old 10-23-2008, 11:18 PM   #10
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I wonder if the Ridgleline being of unibody construction is why Honda recommends not using weight distributing hitches? Perhaps it places undue stress on the roof? When we tested the Ridgeline at Ford's Arizona Proving Grounds it was the only vehicle whose roof popped( an oil can like pop) when it was driven through the twist ditches. No other unibody type Suv did that. Makes me wonder if you could buckle the roof with a WDH?
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Old 10-24-2008, 05:40 AM   #11
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Nightwind.... The Ridge is a popular TV...

Over 90% of the Ridgelines towing TT's are using WDH's and there are no reports of issues resulting from the use of a WDH. So much for Honda's document suggesting not to use one. Misprint!?!?

Check out the Ridgeline owners club. There are 40 pages of positive results and experiences from Ridgeline owners.

Ridgeline's can tow (photos) - Honda Ridgeline Owners Club Forums
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Old 10-24-2008, 08:40 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveH View Post
Yes, I read somewhere that Honda did NOT recommend a WD hitch with the Ridgeline.
This is true. We don't use one and haven't had any problems.
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