Towing with a Honda Ridgeline! Should you do it?

Towing with a Honda Ridgeline. Should you do it?
I wrap up my 4 part series of towing 3000 miles across the United States with my 2018 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E. This Awd model is equipped with Honda’s factory upgraded transmission cooler that allows for better cooling over the the FWD models.
I give you my opinions and thoughts of the trip.
Here are the times that you can forward to for specific Subjects:
1:07 - Transmission
6:04 - Cruise Control
11:28 - Fuel economy
12:25 - Confidence
14:02 - Speed
16:08 - Towing
17:35 - Accessories
21:47 - Comfort
26:12 - Fuel MPG Loss Calculation Equation
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I hope you guys enjoyed this video.
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Thank you so much for watching.
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Photo of Monteagle mountain:backtothebeginningwesttoeast....
Manual page 428 is from Hondas manual and not my own information.

[@toddshinohara]

I have towed a 5000lb trailer with Ridgeline '08 for 6 years. I ran cruise control on the flats and disengaged during transitions or grades. I never experienced the transmission heat as described because I was always mindful of the revs and slowed down when needed when fully loaded and near max. I did change the transmission fluid every 15,000 miles regardless of maintenance reminder. I still own the truck with original transmission with over 210,000 miles. A solid vehicle in my opinion.

[@YuriyMotso]

Awesome! Thanks for that information. I plan on doing transmission flush every 15-20k miles from here on out instead of the recommended honda change interval. Cheap insurance.

[@rollandsaxton]

@YuriyMotso I have a 2014 ridgeline with 88k miles and just bought a winnebago wd1780 2,620 lbs. GVWR 3,800 lbs. On flat land the transmission fluid temperature stayed around 170 -180 then climbing very steep it went to 210 is there a better trans cooler the ridgeline guys use also going to drain and refill fluid.

[@JohnDoe-dk8zz]

Did you used a brake controller ?

[@spannersautoandcomputerser1649]

@@YuriyMotso Do not "FLUSH" just perform drain and fills every 35-30K miles

[@g7003041]

Glad to hear another honest RL review that actually own a Honda Ridgeline. I am totally with you on your ownership experience. You are right about the missing volume button, I also love the way Honda did it instead of trying to put back one volume button. It much cleaner looks. Same applies to the adjustable arm rest compare to fix height. You can never go wrong with for any jobs you throw at it for most truck owners. Looking forward for more great content from you. :)

[@108dragon247]

After watching your channel and your cross country vlog, I subscribed. I also bought a 2007 Honda Ridgeline RTL today. I’m very happy with it. I credit watching your channel and your honest review from a Ridgeline owner yourself. Can’t wait to pull a trailer and boat with mine.

[@YuriyMotso]

Awesome! Welcome to the community and thank you for subscribing to the channel!

[@timgroleau1612]

Great video. love mine. Like you I drove the competitors and knew this was the one for me in the first five minutes.

[@XTeCnOX]

The reason why your transmission overheated is because you were going 20 miles over the recommended speed (75mph) when towing a camper. Using cruise control at those speeds your transmission goes into overdrive to save fuel. So it was overworking itself in the uphills on overdrive. Up and down hills you should use D3 (or turn overdrive off) so that your transmission doesn't overwork itself with all that weight uphill

[@Dellaster]

Bingo!

[@patrickmckowen2999]

Excellent review series 👍 Cheers

[@alexanderbelov4604]

Thank you very much! informative, all the info and quick video which is great!

[@lp2733]

Thanks for doing this series, as you said, there are only a few videos on the towing and your series is excellent 👍... AND for that, just subscribed. I own a 2WD 2017 RTL-T and love it. First mod was disabling the VCM with no issues at all. I’ve added the towing harness option not standard on the RTL-T and are getting ready to install the transmission cooler. Thanks again for doing this.

[@YuriyMotso]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the support and I am so glad that others can enjoy and learn from my mistakes, experience and understand what to expect with this truck. Wish you all the best!

[@leadnsteel1428]

I have a 2016 Chevy Colorado diesel.... ive done so much stuff to it lol... - disabled the egr - installed a transmission tune so it shifts better and lower rpm - installed an S&B intake... made the truck even more peppier. - installed a catch can which helps extend oil life.

[@kevinfergerson7169]

I towed a 4500 lb boat/trailer several times. Plenty of power to tow it and did have to engage 4WD to pull the boat out of the water. The limiting factor is largely due to the mass, or lack thereof, and braking capability of the Ridgeline.

[@grahamrothphotography]

Great video, I towed with my G1 2013 Ridgeline for a small camping trip, I kept it at 100km/hr rpms at 2500. It was a 2,000lb 1970 scamper which was a sail in the wind, didn’t have trailer brakes, truck brakes felt fine though. Used cruise control too, I only turned it off when climbing long grades in the mountains.

[@davids2885]

We’ve towed with our 2017 RTL-E since day one. Our camper is tiny by all standards weighing just 2800 lbs and the Ridgeline did just fine. Our big summer vacation was a total of over 5000 miles and took us all around the country. High altitude, desert heat, full loaded bed, and a family of four proved no match for the Honda.

[@ovidio722]

i have a 2017 AWD Ridgeline with the transmission cooler and tow 3000 pounds in 105+ degrees (I live in Phoenix AZ.) every weekend to the Mogollon Rim during camping season and never had the trans. or engine overheat. Keep it within it's limits and you should be fine.

[@PapiDoesIt]

I'm planning on a trip to Montreal from Atlanta next summer towing a 4200 pound camper. Thank you for making the video! It's going to help me plan my trip.

[@YuriyMotso]

Im glad I could help. Be safe. :)

[@PapiDoesIt]

@@YuriyMotso Update: It did fine! We went from Atlanta to Mackinac Island, MI, then to Niagara Falls, up to Bar Harbor, and down the east coast to SC. Canada wouldn't let us in because of that flu going around. The only time we overheated was when I was trying to back uphill into a camp site that was very primitive, let's say. I had to make a 30 point turn to get it in there. I've since added a DeRale 12K cooler. Next week we're towing it to Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

[@davidwelty9763]

This was helpful. Thank you.

[@adamlesandrini312]

What I'm seeing is you towed at an elevated speed, which increased aerodynamic drag, which led to the elevated trans temps. I tow at a max of 55 on extended trips especially. It saves your engine and trans both.

[@Lookbeneaththesurface]

Very informative. I ordered my 2020 ridgeline rtle and I have an appointment on Friday to pick it up. I am glad to have stumbled on your channel. I test drove gladiator and Tacoma. I chose comfort, ride quality, & it’s quieter than others inside the cab. Honda has Least attractive exterior but most attractive interior of the 3 imo. I don’t plan to tow/haul more than my motorcycle or landscaping materials for my home. Glad you made your trip safe!

[@YuriyMotso]

Thats Great! I would Love to have the 2020 with the 9 speed and some of the other features but in the end just like you I do not plan on towing anything greater than the 4 part series move ever again but I am glad to know the truck is capable and can do work. My main reason for the Honda Ridgeline was comfort. It was like sitting on a comfy chair up right compared to the competition and second was fuel economy. Had to throw the pride aside and get what I actually needed and not what people are telling me I need. I hope this segment of unibody trucks continues to grow and we have more competition for the Ridgeline.

[@lp2733]

Paul C. I own a 2WD 17 RTL-T and love it, smooth, quick, quiet, the trunk and two way tail gate... You will love the “E” good choice and good luck with it 👍.

[@Lookbeneaththesurface]

Thanks for that! I have had the truck since the 26th. Honeymoon phase for sure. I’m in love with the functionality of the in bed trunk. My tool box is dry. I am super impressed with the ride quality. I drove it about 275 miles round trip this past Saturday on I-95 mostly. First tank of gas mpg calculated by gallons used and mileage driven was 22.5 average. I repeat mostly highway. The Honda gauge for mpg was off 2 mpg. 24.5 mpg average on the digital gauge. I will track the first few tanks of gas and have a better idea of real world conditions. I’m sure we will see a lot more 2nd gen Ridgeline videos on KZbin with popularity! 🤞🏻 I didn’t buy a truck for fuel savings but this is not bad imo.

[@IamGroot786]

@@Lookbeneaththesurface Good for you Paul. I'm still enjoying my 2017 RTL AWD. After the first winter I put a tonneau cover on it and couldn't be happier having my gear dry and secure back there. I just threw a new set of A/T tires on it and can't wait to see how much of an improvement they are on the ice and snow here.

[@juanlucasargueso301]

Thanks for all the videos in the series - Your assessment is spot on, 100%. I will add my own experience. I've had extensive experience towing a 4000 pound travel trailer (the box is 7.5 wide, 9 tall, 17 long; so not very large), around the same areas in WY and CO planes where you experienced high transmission temps. I've monitored trans temp for the last 18 months with scangauge 2 (MUST HAVE ITEM). I've towed this camper with the Ridgeline a total ~8000 miles over 3 years, multiple trips in the west. I had the high trans temp warning come up a total of 3 times, twice before I had the scangauge 2, once after. This spring I had the stock trans cooler replaced with a much larger unit (rated for 24,000 pounds!). It helped, but not nearly enough... My guess is that the fluid flow rate through the cooler is just not high enough due to the design of the transmission pump? So the benefit of a larger cooler is limited. Three weeks ago I traded my Ridgeline, which I loved in every other way, for a more capable truck. The bottom line with the Ridgeline (2017 RTL-E, 6 speed): The towing transmission overheating problem is all about wind drag at high speed. Forget the weight. Focus only on the frontal area of your trailer. If you tow a flatbed trailer with a car on top, or a boat, you have nothing to worry about. Keep the stock cooler, relax, and go watch the next KZbin video. At most, get the scangauge 2 for peace of mind. However, if you tow an enclosed box, especially a wide and tall travel trailer, read on. The Ridgeline has plenty of power for towing 5000 lbs, including in steep mountains. Mountains are fine. I never felt under powered, even at the highest CO mountain passes. It does great in those conditions. Watch the TFL Ike Gauntlet episode, that is all real. In mountain terrain the temps do go up to ~240F in the longest ascents, but not enough to overheat, and they come down quickly after you start descending.The Ridgeline is also a very stable/steady towing platform, especially because it is so wide. Breaking is also excellent. The trailer feels well controlled the entire time. The Ridgeline's weak spot for towing is the transmission overheating issue caused by wind drag, not weight. Mine was 6 speed (I don't know about 9 speed). The prolonged and sustained wind drag that is experienced at high speed cruising in hot weather and windy conditions will bring the Ridgeline to its knees... The only remedy I found was to slow down to reduce drag, and then keep an eye on the trans temp the whole time. I totally agree that the cruise control makes the problem worse. long

[@juanlucasargueso301]

FYI - From my own experience, The high transmission warning comes up at 300F, and stays on until the temp comes down to 260F. It takes about 20 minutes for the cooling to happen while stopped with the engine idling.

[@jakes5530]

Great analysis, and it makes sense what you said about wind resistance. As a boater, I wonder if you have towed a boat with the ridgeline (or a more aerodynamic/less tall trailer) and have the numbers to support your theory. I get where youre coming from, but it’s a bold statement to say that the sole reason for trans temp overheating is trailer aerodynamics, not trailer weight. If you have any numbers to report for comparison, that would be appreciated. (I dont own a RL but strongly considering one)

[@YuriyMotso]

Thanks for that information and insight. I would agree about the wind drag. As I stated the transmission started running hotter once I increased my speed and so it seems to coincide with your report as well. Luckily I don’t plan on towing anything this larger frequently so I shouldn’t experience this again at least for some time.

[@juanlucasargueso301]

@@jakes5530 I say that towing under 5000 lbs, wind drag is the only (or at least the only major) concern, because when I slowed down to 55-60 mph, the trans temp would stabilize at ~210-220F. If I increased the speed to 70, it would jump to 230-240F, and if there was even the slightest headwind, it would escalate to 260F and higher. Wind drag force increases with the square of speed, so even a minor increase in speed is a huge amount of extra work for the truck to deal with. One time this July, hot windy day, 2pm, I was experiencing a fast increase in trans temp with headwind. It got to 280F just one hour into a 450 mile trip north to WY. I saw the writing on wall and decided to turn back south to my home in CO, and try to travel again very early the next morning. As soon as I turned back, same load, same speed, but now with a tail wind, the temp started to go down, until 200F and stayed there until I got home. The next morning I left at 4:30AM. It was cool and at the wind calm, so I was able to travel while keeping trans temp at 210-220F all the way to my destination. Luckily I had the luxury of changing my travel plans and was close to home. If I was on a tight schedule, or was far from home, I would have to slow down far below 70 (maybe 55 in a 80 mph interstate; stressful) to nurse the transmission temp the entire way. I think towing heavy (5000 lbs) at very slow speed (low air flow through the cooler) for prolonged periods, or worse, off-roading, will also cause overheating, but in my experience at least for highway towing, wind drag is the major concern. I have not towed a boat, but I would predict a much better performance than at travel trailer of the same weight.

[@crv20051]

@@juanlucasargueso301 Really appreciate your replies both times, thorough and clear. Thanks for posting.

[@ReemaSlaibi]

Your series has been so helpful and informative. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise with everyone! Could you cover how/where you parked your Ridgeline? What about overnight/hotel parking lots? Did you keep your trailer attached to your truck throughout the trip? Any tips or recommendations will help!

[@YuriyMotso]

Thank you for taking the time to watch. Glad I could help inform as best as I could. So finding a good spot while on the road is difficult. Anyone should understand that by doing so you carry a big bullseye for people to contemplate robbing you. I parked my Ridgeline either in plain sight where there is as much traffic as possible or I specifically selected rooms at hotels in order to get a clear like of sight to my truck and trailer. I also have an alarm on the trailer so I had window open so I could hear it if it was triggered. I did keep the truck attached at all times except when I parked I took the load off the truck by lowering the trailer jack onto the floor. Let the truck rest as much as possible from the heavy load it’s been towing. Hope this answers your questions. Please feel free to ask any more questions that I may be able to assist and or give some advice on.

[@BrandonADV]

This is a great video. You have gone into some serious detail regarding transmission temp. I have a G2 AWD and tow an enclosed snowmobile trailer with 2-3 sleds frequently over rolling and hilly terrain in NH and ME. Weight of trailer is about 3200lbs with 3 sleds. After seeing the high trans temp light on a trip to ME towing 70mph with cruise control ON in “D” over rolling hills I started diving into the same topic. The biggest contributor to transmission temp is not the RPM of the engine but the frequency in shifting between 6-5-4 at highway speeds with the 6 speed transmission. When you are in rolling terrain in normal “D” it will shift exactly as you describe in your video and jump between 6-5-4-5-6-5-4 etc. Every time it shifts between a gear the torque converter unlocks and will only lock back in once the load in that gear decreases a bit. Shortly after a downshift from 6-5 or 5-4 when the torque converter is unlocked it will cause an increase in transmission temps during that period. This repeated shifting on any incline or decline is what is causing your high temps. The prevent that you could do a couple of things: 1. Run entirely in D4 at 70 over the rolling terrain with cruise control set and it would stay in 4th gear and would not attempt to upshift to 5th and 6th gear on the flats or decent in attempt to save fuel. You will be at approximately 3750RPM at 70MPH and the torque converter will stay fully locked unless you get to a hill that requires 3rd gear. A hill requiring 3rd gear at 70MPH should be painfully obvious and you probably would want to disengage cruise control anyway at that point. 2. Another option over rolling terrain would be to not use cruise control and use the throttle. You could use normal “D” and just manipulate the throttle to lessen the amount of shift. The problem with “D” is that it is trying to always get into the highest gear possible for fuel savings. The problem with that in my opinion is that it is causing too many 6-5-4-5-6 shifts during a situation that doesn’t make sense. Unfortunately cruise control cannot see the road in front of you so it just doesn’t have a clue. I think the new 9 speed with paddle shifters should be an improvement as it will be easier to lock out the higher gears when towing. Don’t be afraid of D4. That 3.5L V6 can run 3750RPM at 70MPH the entire way across the country and back without an issue. It’s the transmission on the Ridgeline that is the weaker link. Best, Brandon

[@YuriyMotso]

Thank you for that detailed response. When crating these videos you can never go over everything. I always seem to forget something after I post and then its just to late. This is a very good description though of what is causing the high temps that I was not thinking about. I was thinking RPMs shear the oil quicker and hence increase the temp but I can see how the changing in gears could be another potential critical part in the overheating reason.

[@IamGroot786]

You make a great point in such great detail and depth. I've heard the same before although in much simpler terms by using the analogy of mountain biking when going uphill, where less but more efficient gears are better.

[@travelguy1564]

I tow my jet ski with my Honda Civic 2018 Hatchback 6 speed and I just take it easy on the throttle and leave it in 5th gear going up any hills. It does a great job towing the 535 lb jet ski and I get 35 miles to the gallon towing it! Manual trans is the way to go when towing anything!

[@sej4323]

I overload my first gen. RL often. Mostly trips less than 3 hrs. Never a problem. However if I was to do a trip that long, I would use a full size pickup.

[@volvoben2]

Thanks for the overview! A few notes on the G2 6-speed (2017-2019) and towing: D4 is key in avoiding transmission heat issues. The engine doesn't care about high revs. If the transmission isn't shifting, it isn't making undue heat. No need to use it downhill, but if you see the temp getting high, it's a great way to avoid overheating. I went the opposite with my brakes/monitor system, meaning I use my phone and bluetooth for temp monitoring (and also my haulgauge) and a normal, hardwired brake controller. Traditional brake controllers certainly don't need to look any messier or more unprofessional than the scangauge; plug it into the provided harness, run cable over to the console, wires easily run into the console with no drilling or work. Then you have dedicated control, and a lever to manually engage the brakes (great for quickly arresting any trailer sway and also great for testing the brakes before heading out). You are correct that with a lower profile trailer 5k really isn't much for the G2 Ridgeline. You're also correct in not recommending anything above that spec, but there are several videos on YT in which folks, purposely or not, tow well above that limit. I believe there's a tractor time with Tim video in which they scale out of a quarry at about 13,400 (gcwr of a Ridgeline is 10k). My experience is no different.

[@YuriyMotso]

So about D4, I read around and I found multiple individuals who all confirmed that in their real life testing they noticed that D4 made the transmission run hotter. Because of this I decided not to use the D4 as I stated in an earlier video. The engine when in D4 from a previous towing experience was screaming at up to 6000 rpms! In no way is that normal. So because of this I decided to go without the D4 and stick to just drive. Maybe you had different experiences with D4?

[@volvoben2]

D4 at 70mph is about 3700rpm. I just tried it this morning to confirm. If you see higher than that, you’ve dropped down below 4th and therefore it has nothing to do with using D4. D4 only locks out 5 and 6, reducing shifts, keeping the lockup engaged and avoiding heat buildup. The only time I saw higher trans temps I dropped into D4, temps dropped. Could’ve been other factors, but now when I’m towing heavy I just stick it in D4 and forget about it. If the noise at 70mph/3700 rpm gets tiresome I remind myself I could slow down or just use it to remind myself that I’m towing something very heavy with a midsize vehicle. The American philosophy seems to be “if I can’t just drive like I always do, it must be a bad tow vehicle,” but I try to adjust my driving instead. I think you do the same, which is great!

[@pm270x]

I haven’t towed with my Ridgeline yet. I did have our landscaping supplier use their 1.5 cubic yard bucket to dump compost and mulch on a few occasions. For short-box beds, Ridgeline has the largest in-class. Dumping diagonally, no product spillover occurred and with a garden rake, I was able to flatten the payload to just slightly below the height of the sidewalls and tailgate. Loose product of this type definitely requires a tarp as a liner; otherwise the product clogs the channels around the in-bed trunk. The 1.5 cubic yard of compost most likely neared the maximum payload capacity around 1.5k, and the Ridgeline still had good acceleration and handling. I recently traded in my 2019 for the 2020. The ZF9 transaxle with paddle-shifting is a huge improvement over the L and D4 options on the 6-speed transaxle. Our trips to Lookout Mountain or the Smokies are far more enjoyable with adequate engine breaking from the 2020 ZF9 transaxle. I’m hoping the Ridgeline gets the Honda 10-speed transaxle by 2022 release year. The ZF9 also doesn’t have the transaxle overheating issues that’s been reported with the old 6-speed. I do wish Honda would produce their Ridgeline Touring Edition and Ridgeline Elite Edition, as seen with their Canadian releases. I’d love to have the ventilation seating front/rear with cooling/heating. So far, in the US, we only have those models available for Passport and Pilot.

[@YuriyMotso]

Agreed. The US market NEEDS the ventilated seats and folding mirrors!!

[@aaronjo331]

Lumbar support is so true

[@redgrappler]

What a great and informative video. In your previous episode, you noted some oil splatter and tire wear. Was any of that due to the stress of the long trip? I’m assuming there wasn’t any strut or wheel issues. Again, thanks for such a informative video.

[@YuriyMotso]

Thank you. I cleaned up the wheel well and degreased everything to see if I could find out where the oil came from and I could not recreate the issue. I think it’s was from my previous oil change right before the drive. I may have not cleaned up well enough.

[@127178]

I have a 2017 Ridgeline I bought 2nd handed from a Chevy/Cadillac dealer in Winchester, VA. I was told it had never towed a trailer which you could tell was a lie by looking inside the trailer hitch. When I got it home (50 miles) I noticed the coolant bottle was empty, I filled it up with Honda brand coolant and a couple of days later it was dry again. My mechanic and friend of over 40 years looked it over, took the radiator cap off and installed a pressure gauge. I started it up and the pressure on the gauge started to climb which he diagnosed as a warped head pushing air into the cooling system. Long story short; after a couple of go arounds with the Honda dealer they finally believed me and pulled the heads and had them worked on. A few weeks later the transmission started acting up and it was diagnosed as having a bad torque convertor which had to be replaced. I believe the previous owner had pulled an overloaded trailer from Crossville, TN to Winchester but in trying to contact them they wouldn't give me any information. So, be careful about staying within the parameters of the manufacturers info. on loads. In my case I was lucky that I still had some warranty left, otherwise I would have had a lot of money out of pocket. Since then it has been great.

[@YuriyMotso]

Agreed

[@thedetroiters]

My 2020 RTL-E towed my 3,500 lb travel trailer over 6,000 miles in August 2020, from Oregon to Michigan and back. The 9 speed hunts for gears with the cruise on a lot, especially over slight grades and this hurts fuel economy. The best method I've found is to always tow in Sport / Manual mode. You can still use the cruise control as long as you manually keep your speed and rpm's in the right zone.

[@YuriyMotso]

Must be nice to have a 2020 😁 wish I had the 9 speed with the Paddle shifters.

[@janethbetancourt141]

@@YuriyMotso @John can you please explain how the 9 speed and paddle shifters would help when towing? Also, John was the fuel economy better in Sport mode? I'm really surprised to hear that!

[@hieuhughesle-au9884]

Great series man! We need more of these ridgeline video on the tube!!

[@YuriyMotso]

Thank you! Working on getting a lot more stuff out. I have some ideas that I just need to turn into videos. So if your subscribed and stick around I think at some point in the near future you will start seeing some more fun content. I’m still learning how to make content and am learning from my experiences. Definitely getting easier however got much more learning to do. I’m also up for ideas for what people want to see so that I can keep the videos coming.

[@leadnsteel1428]

I would love a Ridgeline but I don't have 40 grand for one lol..

[@j.rashid8257]

The complaint of the no volume knob is one of the most ridiculous. I have NO issue increasing or decreasing the volume with the touch screen. Also you have a volume controller on the steering wheel. It keeps that 8 inch screen looking clean.

[@YuriyMotso]

Agreed. Probably the lamest thing they could have done. It probably cost them millions of dollars to make that change too.

[@dannybarlow4256]

What’s everybody’s beef about no volume knob?.......geez it’s not an issue......just stop it......

[@j.rashid8257]

@@YuriyMotso looks like for the 2021 refresh they added a volume knob and the front redesign looks great. At least the company is listening to their consumers and making changes. Still loving my 2020 so far with 2300 miles and 23 mpg.

[@SirBoDen]

A long low trailer would have been a very different experience. 75 mph pulling that sail behind you was a good way to learn what not to do.

[@norbertmaron3635]

Great video man,i really like guys who are care about there trucks safety,runnig ability,over all respect what the manufacturer says to do to maintain your vehicle without damaging there trucks because they have take care of it and in return the truck will take care of you!!! Ive watched alot of different videos are guys who own different years of the Ridgeline and how you guys take care of them vs other manufacturer like FORD,CHEVY RAM TRKS!! Iam waiting for the 2024 Ridgeline Black Edtion because i want the more up dated technology and new middle console the new 2024 has,Thanks every one for your imput on this cool truck,iam retired and i have a 2017 Ram 1500 5.7 hemi.Gas mileage sucks,insurance is high,and iam looking for a vehicle thats ready for the winters up north were my friends live in maine and also want a more comfortable ride and ready off road small trail vehicle that now i know that can max out 5k towing and still be ready for every day driving too!!😁😁😎😎👍👍

[@peterdaniel66]

I suggest that if you have any inclination to keep your vehicle long term, you change out your transmission fluid for a premium branded synthetic such as Red Line or even Valvoline Max-Life

[@rodalmighty2003]

I personally like the knob on the infotainment center. I do understand what you mean, but if my cell phone had a knob instead of a volume rocker I'd laugh at it also.

[@mikeskaggs3763]

Thanks for this detailed video and the series. I have a 2019 RTL-E and am shopping for small trailer (Geo Pro) so now you have me a bit concerned. Would you agree that as long as i keep within speed guidelines and don't push it I should be ok? I plan to keep total trailer weight to under 4.5K to keep a buffer.

[@YuriyMotso]

So the first leg of the trip I drove the truck at the recommended speed of 55 -62mph. I went through the mountains of Washington and only about 5 hours into the trip after going through the hot plains of eastern Washington we still experienced high temperature of 230 degrees where I pulled over in Oregon. Now its possible it could have just hovered around there but I was still getting used to the truck and how it handled and how the transmission was reacting. How tall is the Geo pro trailer? My trailer was 10'6" tall and 5' wide. so the extra 3' that stuck above my truck put a significant amount of strain of the transmission even going the speed that Honda recommended. How far are you planning on towing with the trailer? If you are ok with a 10 minute stop every few hours then its not really that big of a deal. I would have probably stopped more frequently if my brother in law was not on a time crunch. I personally would not be concerned towing as long as you can monitor the transmission temp. Honda warning turns on at 300 degrees but I have heard that anything above 230 is pretty significant. Like I said in my video I was towing at up to 80mph and the average temperature I saw was 200-220 degrees for the majority of the trip. only about 3-5 times did we break through 240 and two of those times were days into the trip in very difficult climates such as High elevation/hot air/cross winds/+my tall trailer and increased speed. So as you can see a lot of factors had to be met before the truck experienced a dangerous temperature. Hope this helps you make your decision. Again I would not worry about it so much. I will be changing the transmission oil here in the next few days so will make a video on that and am curious to see what the fluid looks like after this tow. So that might be an interesting video for you to see.

[@serg4591]

RTL E has have duty cooler from the factory, not sure if RT is equipped with it...? So, it could change the all game

[@SBaseball1816]

Hey Yuriy! I have been following along with your trip and I remember once you got home, you noticed some oily looking spray in the passenger FR wheel well. Did you figure out what that was? Thanks!

[@YuriyMotso]

Yes so I looked into it and I was going to put it in this video however the video was getting extremely long. I might make a second video regarding that issue. So to quickly answer the question yes there was some grease that was expelled from somewhere. One of the boots may have heated enough that grease expanded enough to pass by. I had my father in law look over it as well and we didn’t see any cracks/rips/tears/etc. what we believe may have been the problem was that a boot may have been over filled from the factory and excess leaked out. I have since degreased the area and once I do my transmission flush here in next few days I’ll keep an eye on it and see if I can locate a problem or if it was as we expect. Which now reminds me I forgot to talk about the tire tread wear as well. 🤦🏼‍♂️ tires wore out evenly from what I can tell or atleast it’s not long enough to make significant difference to the tread.

[@SBaseball1816]

@@YuriyMotso great summary! Thanks so much! Have been really enjoying following along. Can't wait for more videos!

[@danielmejia4575]

Hi I recently purchased a scanguage 2 for my 2022 ridgeline as I will be towing a uhaul from texas to alaska but cannot seem to find a way to make it display transmission temp. Do you remember what settings you had to put in to make it register? I have tried using the scanguage xguage transmission temp 1 and 2 settings to no avail and was wondering if you used an alternate guage? Thanks so much, these videos are super informative!

[@saliston]

The AWD versions have a larger transmission cooler so they should be better. Also never use cruise control while towing.

[@davidmorgan4750]

Curious about a couple of things - does your Ridgeline have the heavy duty Transmission cooler - I’ve noticed that this is an accessory on some models - not knowing the year of yours maybe it was an accessory that year as well? 2nd. What are those little (grey) things on the hood of the truck just (appears) outside the front windshield? 3rd. I remember you said you were taking the truck/trailer to the scales to get the actual weight - what was it (or can you post that?)

[@YuriyMotso]

Thanks David for the questions. 1) It’s a 2018 rtle. The rtle has the upgraded cooler from Honda. The fwd models have the smaller cooler. All awd models have the upgraded cooler to support the 5000lb towing capacity. 2) the grey things on my hood are pod lights. I moved to Georgia and it’s far from the city so we have lots of deer here. At night I can see more with them on to help reduce chances of running into a deer. 3) I weighed it at the scale but I guess I don’t know how. It read like 6200lbs which isn’t correct. Truck weighs around 4000lbs plus I weighed all my boxes and furniture so I estimated 4800lbs additional with the trailer.

[@Davegvg3576]

Did you use the 4th selector to rev the engine and trans faster? I towed a 5K boat in 110 degree hills using it without overheating anything. Granted less wind resistance, but much hotter ambient temp with no problem,.

[@YuriyMotso]

First part I answered on your last comment but ill comment on the wind resistance. Yes that is exactly the most important and crucial thing that caused this honda to overheat. My trailer is a custom trailer at 10.5' tall. its way taller than most and its 6' wide so its a massive parachute. That is the main root cause of the overheating on the ridgeline. If it were a smaller trailer I don't think I would have overheated.

[@davidhanson5514]

When you were towing did you keep it in 4th gear all the time or did you put in standard drive on flat grade?

[@YuriyMotso]

The truck was in drive only for the entire trip. I did not use d4 at all.

[@Leon9000130]

@@YuriyMotso Running in manual at a little higher rpm will circulate trans oil and coolant faster . Cruise will be a factor if you let it try to accelerate up hill. Your description of pre acceleration before a hill and just maintaining speed is right on target for keeping things cool. premium fuel will also help.

[@Mr.FabLab3]

Did you wire the trailer hitch yourself or get it professionally installed? I got a curt wiring system but am having issues with some of the connections not matching with the controller box under the back seat. The kit came with a rectangle adapter but it was pre wired with a oval connector. I have a 2020 ridgeline sport. So frustrating 😫

[@YuriyMotso]

If you are talking about the trailer break controller then no. My system is the curt echo wireless Bluetooth controller. All I do is plug it in and it pairs with my phone. No wiring or anything. So unfortunately I’m not sure what issues you are running into at this moment. The truck should come with a wiring harness in the glove box that use use to wire your break controller to the vehicle with. It (should) be a fairly simple process.

[@Mr.FabLab3]

@@YuriyMotso thanks I will check that. The 7 pin in the back was not hooked up on my truck. Appreciate your time awesome videos

[@agaad22]

Do you think a larger transmission cooler would’ve prevented the spiking temperatures? I’m seriously thinking of upgrading the tiny oem one.

[@YuriyMotso]

Do you have a FWD or the AWD? Also if you have a 2020 the transmission is now a 9 speed and this makes a lot of difference. If you have a FWD then for sure if you plan on dong any towing then I would upgrade. If you have an AWD but plan on doing larger loads like I did then you should be fine unless the trailer is taller than your truck. The wind drag is probably the biggest issue for the transmission which causes it to overwork. If that’s the case that you will be towing taller items than your truck then an upgraded cooler would help but I would still recommend a scan gauge.

[@winddealer1]

The Ridgeline transmission supports Drive/Sport (D/S) modes. Your thoughts about whether Sport Mode been of any potential benefit to help reduce the transmission temperature with or without using Cruise Control?

[@YuriyMotso]

This my be a feature on the newer model Ridgeline but my 2018 Honda Ridgeline does not. However because of how sport modes typically work I don't know if it would benefit you for towing. It would be similar to the d4 that my Honda is equipped with. What sport mode does is it allows the vehicle to rev much higher before changing gears. This would mean you would be in a lower gear with a higher rev for much longer which would increase friction and cook your transmission fluid more quickly I would assume. Without that feature though I could not confirm this with certainty.

[@mattdagger1480]

Do they make a trans cooler aftermarket you can add?

[@thomasdragosr.841]

I heard you comment on the lack of lumbar support in the driver's seat. Those seats have an adjustable lumbar support, was it just not enough for you? In July 2019 my wife and I drove our 2019 RTL-T to New York city. The east coast was experiencing high temps (high 90's to over 100) and I did notice that in the horrible stop and go traffic in NYC and even on the interstate the transmission was acting sluggish. When I got back I went to my Honda dealer and asked about this, all I got was "the mechanic's shrug". Anyway, thanks for all the videos, Ridgeline is a very underestimated vehicle if more people would try them they would be surprised.

[@YuriyMotso]

So there is support but the maximum that if gives is still not enough. My wife’s Subaru Forester gives much more lumbar support and being that I have had a back injury in the past my lower back gets fatigued easier than most people. The support helps my back last longer. I don’t think I ever experienced a “Sluggish” transmission. But I was also not in stop and go traffic but always in motion.

[@serg4591]

Do you have a “heavy duty “cooler what honda did not put on the lower trim models?

[@YuriyMotso]

My Honda is the RTLE AWD model so it has the upgraded factory cooler over the lower FWD models.

[@russellgraff8656]

I have a 2017 Pilot EXL with 6 speed transmission and Honda auxiliary transmission cooler installed by the dealer. I tow a 2500 pound boat. Does fine on flats at 70mph with cruise control. But, have to slow down to 65 with a strong head wind. I also pre-accelerate prior to highway overpasses to avoid the down shifting of the automatic transmission. I’m updating boat to a larger 4500 pounds (when fully loaded/ full fuel tank / coolers). Any known differences between towing experiences with Ridgeline vs Pilot with boats of this size. Any input appreciated. Also any experience with weight distributing hitches making a difference with this scenario. My prior vehicle was a Toyota Sequoia and it had a Tow mode for the transmission that held a gear longer before downshifting, that was nice for highway overpasses. Maybe Honda could incorporate something like that into its snow/mud/ sand modes. Tow mode?

[@YuriyMotso]

I don’t know about pilot but it’s practically the same vehicle so I would guess it’s similar. Honda does not recommend using a weight distribution hitch. I bought one and found out that it’s useless. When loading the truck appropriately per Honda’s parameters it’s designed not not use or need one. Those hitched weight a lot which will reduce your overall capacity for towing. There are people who say you need it but I towed across America at 4800 and I saw no need to have one. That’s just my personal opinion and I know many people will not agree but my experience has proven that it’s unnecessary.

[@dmsasser]

Not sure if you tested the radio range as you mentioned, but (assuming they’re FRS) realistically they should be good for 2-3 miles unless you have clear line of sight. You’ll only get 30 miles from mountaintop to mountaintop. There are others that’s I’ll get you a bit more in most auto terrain (like 5-7). Of course, 2 miles is probably fine for people sticking together.

[@YuriyMotso]

Have not yet. Had lots of other projects. That’s a test that unfortunately requires two people which is difficult for me as I’m a solo creator. My wife is busy with the kids so maybe in a later project. But thank you for the information. We did run into some issues getting separated once.

[@abee3515]

The six speed has been known to run hot. The new 9 speed has not shared that problem. If the problem exists on your truck I would recommend a second or a larger primary cooler.

[@charleswtuggle]

What kind of tonneau cover do you have and what do you think of it. I have a 2020 Ridgeline.

[@YuriyMotso]

I have this one. amzn.to/2Rt2VWh Also have a video up on my channel if you are interested. I plan on doing a follow up video with it soon.

[@mkc9525]

Did you have any repeat of the warning light issue? After adding a Scangauge II to my 2017 Ridgeline, I began experiencing the "multiple warning light" issue at random times. This is a known issue with various Honda models, but mine has not occurred again since disconnecting the Scangauge II.

[@YuriyMotso]

Which warning light in particular? I have never had a warning light appear.

[@mkc9525]

@@YuriyMotso At 6:30 of part 2

[@YuriyMotso]

Ah the radar and brake system lights. I was thinking like a warning light that the temperature was too high or something. That was first and only time. I since then have put on over 10,000 miles and never had another problem regarding sensor issues again outside of when I dyno’d the truck but that was expected and went away. My scan gauge is always plugged in as well.

[@pm270x]

Our 1980’s Ford Ranger 2.3L long-bed caught on fire and melted in the rest area on top of Monteagle, TN which has 7% grades. It’s on I-24 between Nashville, TN and Chattanooga, TN.

[@YuriyMotso]

Yeah monteagle is no joke! Was probably the most daring place we drove and to add that at the end of the trip at night. The Honda was so surprising.

[@hdwoodshop]

What would you recommend between 4Runner and ridgeline?

[@dbeskan]

What was your payload in the truck and also in the trailer. You may have mentioned somewhere but would appreciate.

[@YuriyMotso]

No problem. It was mentioned in part 1 of the road trip. Trailer weighed in at roughly 3800lbs and the truck had 1000lbs for a total weight of roughly 4800lbs

[@jamesfournier5217]

More info is needed on the trailer size and weight in the beginning of the video.

[@YuriyMotso]

You are correct. My apologies. I should have stated that info. I am still learning how to make detailed videos. Will come with time and experience. It was based on the speculation that people saw my towing across America series. But just in case the trailer is 6ft wide 12ft long and 10.5 ft tall. total weight in trailer was somewhere around 3800 lbs.

[@mmaxx9915]

Does anyone have any experience towing with the 9 speed? 5th gear is 1to1 with a dog clutch. Also you can select any gear without gear hunting. Just curios if that will keep temps down over the 6 speed.

[@crawdaddct]

I’ve had the same issue towing with a Chevy Silverado. Towing in hills with cruise control will heat the trans up fast.

[@rickharrison3606]

What kind of tonneau cover is that.. what do like it

[@ericrichards5316]

There is nothing wrong with the transmission. You didn't follow the recommended towing procedure from the manufacturer. Plus you were maxed out on weight. If you do this with any vehicle, you will have transmission overheating issues. 5k lbs for awd. This us not a half ton with a v8 that can tow 10k.

[@YuriyMotso]

You are correct Eric, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the transmission. Transmission is great but even under the recommended speeds I over heated in Oregon going 55mph and made my first stop when I hit 230. I followed recommended procedures and then I decided not to because I wanted to test it out. Now everyone can know what to expect or what could happen if they pushed the limits. That was the main point of pushing the truck. It’s a real world test to what people could possibly do with the truck and I hope that it’s insightful for others of what to expect if they do push the limits. Obviously it’s ultimately the drivers decision and responsibility to go further than what is recommended. I do not encourage anyone to go past the recommended limits but I do give my opinion on the trucks capabilities.

[@hukmai]

Scouring the forum (cause idk when I enjoy it so much) and I read that some people are using other ATF fluids ( valvoline maxlife,Valentines Import Multivehicle) over Honda ATF DW1 As a Honda owner for year I though this was sacrilegious!! Why then?? Turns out ATF DW1 is NOT full synthetic!!( some people say conventional or semi) I was shook.. i wonder if you ran the other full synthetics atf fluids, would you would have better atf temperature 🤔🤔

[@markcesena4670]

Are your top rap around led DRL's functional,can't turn mine on??

[@YuriyMotso]

They only turn on when the headlights turn on. It’s a night ambiance light only.

[@davidwelty9763]

I think this issue was resolved with the new 9 speed ZF Transmission.

[@larrybuttrum3613]

Can anyone tell me why one wouldn't install a power tailgate lock and make electrical attachment to this trunk lock circuit? instead of running a cable all the way to the engine compartment?

[@victorlukas9277]

I have a 2021 Ridgeline and the manual doesn't say not to use a weight distribution hitch, it says it is designed to not use a WDH but adds if you wish to use one, consult your trailer maker blah blah blah. I have a single axle travel trailer that weighs about 4000 lbs loaded and a hitch weight of 600 lbs. I tried without the WDH and experienced sway above 60 mph so I now use an Anderson WDH. Better handling, I cruise around 65-70 mph. The trailer is level and Ridgeline sags about 2 inches in the rear. I just added Sumo springs in the rear with reduced the sag about 3/4 inch.

[@YuriyMotso]

Interesting because your truck is no different from mine. I towed and had the intense winds of Colorado and no swaying even at 84mph.

[@Bamboosh00ts]

How did the heat shield on the Subaru work?

[@YuriyMotso]

Oh, I forgot about that completely. It worked extremely well! If you happen to run something similar to the set up that I had then I would absolutely recommend doing this to the cargo trailer. The Subaru exhaust happens to sit very close to the cargo trailer and so its cooking whatever is behind it. That shield took a serious beating. Would have made for a good follow up video but I already cleaned it up. 1 day too late.

[@pauldrabadan9858]

Hi Yuriy. Any issues with wind noice on high speed?

[@YuriyMotso]

No. I think in part 1 of my towing trip video series I talk about how quiet the cab is. This truck is really quiet and the only time wind noise was an issue was when we were going through a wind storm and was peppered with debris. If you are wondering specifically if the trailer let off any noise then if it did I didn't hear it. If you also listen to music while you drive then for sure you will never hear it as it will drown out any bit that you do hear. Now this is not to say that there is no noise but since all vehicles have road noise when comparing to the Honda it has extremely low noise pollution from the outside.

[@pauldrabadan9858]

Yuriy Motso Thanks for quick reply. I have 2019 RTL-E and wind noice on high speed is driving me crazy. A lot of complaints on different forums so I think maybe you have some extra info. BTW great videos. Looking forward to new ones.

[@YuriyMotso]

@@pauldrabadan9858 Thank you Paul. I will have to drive it again to make sure though because again all vehicles have wind noise but I didn't hear anything on mine that would cause alarm or bother me during the whole trip. I was driving as fast as 80 mph so something would have been noticeable at those speeds. Maybe my Pod lights and brackets are helping me reduce wind noise? The truck has been sitting for the past month untouched as I am doing maintenance on it and making the videos so I am a bit out of touch on the truck to be completely honest I'm going only off memory. Will be back to driving it I think this week once the transmission fluid is changed.

[@robertg3592]

What model scan gauge for trans temp did you use??

[@YuriyMotso]

Scan gauge 2

[@mikestephenson7216]

How did you monitor Transmission fluid temperature?

[@YuriyMotso]

The tool is called scan gauge. It’s very convenient and easy to use. You can use it practically on any vehicle. amzn.to/3D2qCbQ

[@MarkBrown-uf8ct]

I have seen several articles and videos now about the transmission heat problem. Question is, as well as Honda's are made and have a great reputation for reliability, why haven't they addressed this problem? This might deter me from buying now.

[@YuriyMotso]

I guess the main question will be what are you planning on doing with it? Also remember that I pushed the truck to its absolute limits in towing and beyond in regards of towing speed. Now I have read in the forums individuals that tow religiously with the Honda Ridgeline 3000-5000lbs and have over 300k miles with no issues “yet”. Newer Honda’s have a 9 speed transmission that from what I’m reading seems to be an improvement for towing.

[@victorlukas9277]

Did you used a weight distribution hitch? Did you know your hitch weight?

[@YuriyMotso]

No distribution hitch. I need to make a video on that. It’s not necessary and actually you are hindering yourself. Even the manual says not to use a distribution hitch. Everyone spouting about needing one only says this because of possible experience with a body on frame vehicle in the past. Make sure your tongue weight is appropriate and you will be good. The rear is built to sag enough to level out. It’s higher in the rear for this reason.

[@leadnsteel1428]

You should definitely get a transmission cooler but i don't know if they have one for the Ridgeline

[@YuriyMotso]

You talking about a larger upgraded cooler for the Honda? The AWDs come with an upgraded cooler and I believe there is an after market one. My truck was doing way more than most people will do. High speed, Tall10.5' trailer and maximum capacity weight almost so for general hauling/towing I think it will do just fine. I really just pushed it to its limits where I think it falls short for long trips with intense load. Its still a great truck though! Love it.

[@leadnsteel1428]

@@YuriyMotso I changed the transmission fluid on my truck to Amsoil and i notice it runs a little cooler.. I have a Chevy Colorado

[@YuriyMotso]

@@leadnsteel1428 intersting. However Honda states to only use their fluid in the transmission. For now I am keeping it that way. I did a search for similar products and in the short time I looked didn't see any alternative fluids for the Hondas transmission.

[@multicyclist]

Can you really do any serious long haul towing with a mid-sized PU? You can but should you? Not really and only if you absolutely have to. I have owned mid-sized PUs including a Ridgeline for 30+ years. None of them are really very good for towing loads above 2000 lbs. That said, if you must tow a trailer, the Ridgeline is the most stable of the bunch. While towing a box trailer @ 75+ MPH can be done in a Ridgeline (not recommended though), I surely would not do that in the typical narrow based mid-sized PU with leaf spring suspension, if you value your safety. Having a full sized truck can make those towing trips a snap and more relaxing with no undue vehicle strain or overhearing. I have a 1997 F-350 kicking around but rarely drive it. This is because the Ridgeline works better at everything other then towing or large heavy loads. All trucks have their use cases of what they should be used for.

[@peterdement]

Failed to focus on the most dangerous part of the trip: Exceeding the speed rating of the trailer tires. A single blowout on the trailer could easily flip both the trailer and the truck.

[@YuriyMotso]

I did all my research and safety checks before leaving. I never exceeded the trailer tires which were rated to 82 or 84mph. Can’t remember now. However, yes, you are correct. If I had gone over the speed rating I would be taking on a significant risk which would have been unwise and dangerous.

[@flyingjeff1956]

When the cop pulls you over, try to mute the radio quickly. That dial just works. The software in the 2020 Ridgeline radio SUCKS.

[@mandytuning]

That temp charts are back from the 80's-90's with with type f and dexron fluids. Modern synthetic oil can run 250 all day when towing. even 2020 tundra got rid of tranny oil cooler and say 250 is normal operating temp.just check the temp of modern half ton trucks when towing,will be surprised are same as your Ridgeline.

[@YuriyMotso]

Thanks. I’ll have to look into that. You may be right. However seals still have a heat rating which if reached especially for long periods of time can cause them to fail prematurely.

[@mandytuning]

@@YuriyMotso yes, but with the new seal materials used know days your truck will have a ton of mileage when that finally occurs and all that if you keep running above the 270 range all time,

[@mandytuning]

The constant high temp will form acidics in the oil that will accelerate the seal to harden,replace your oil more often than recommend and they will keep rejuvenating the seals.im an auto transmission tech for 30 years.there is to much myths out there.

[@YuriyMotso]

I replace my oil regularly and often so I should be good there. I have worked in the mixing industry for 16 years and seal failure is quite common from High temps. They get brittle and crack. The oil might be cooler than the seal itself because it’s under constant friction with the rotating part. They do have multiple different materials to help reduce fatigue and increase life on these seals but again I’m not sure what is being used today as you stated. It’s very likely that it will be alright but I just have not done the research on this particular issue. Do you have a link that I could read about transmission operating temperatures that you find informative?

[@stricklandgarageaviation2864]

Will an additional transmission cool help?

[@stricklandgarageaviation2864]

Cooler

[@YuriyMotso]

I think it will but not enough. The high altitudes and long assents or heavy cross winds will still heat up the transmission. I have yet to finish my second Tacoma towing video with upgraded cooler and it wanted to overheat so many times. I had to keep pulling back frequently in order to keep it under 230.

[@lennykibbs260]

How about a trans cooler? sorry if this is a repeat question

[@YuriyMotso]

What specifically are you asking? If the question is Did I install larger or upgraded cooler then the answer is No. The factory AWD models come with the larger upgraded cooler designed for up to 5000 lbs towing. Hence why I put it to the test. This is as real world and to the extreme that people will push this truck. Its 10.5' tall. Its 6' Wide and totaled 4800lbs of weight for almost 3000 miles cruising upwards of 82 mph. So under all these conditions the Honda performed exceptionally well IMO.

[@lennykibbs260]

@@YuriyMotso yup, that was the question

[@markprefontaine3621]

Does your Ridgeline have a transmission cooler?

[@YuriyMotso]

Yes. This is the RTLE so it has the upgraded cooler over the base models. However I am not sure how the newer models from 2019 and on are. They may all have an upgraded cooler now but not sure as I have not looked into it yet.

[@jwalbrig]

Wow, the Honda Ridgeline manual says 55 MPH is max speed for towing a solid sided trailer (page 428). Seems 70 MPH is really putting excessive wear on all the components. Shortening the life of the engine/transmission for sure. ??

[@YuriyMotso]

I pushed my truck so you don’t have too. 😉 Honestly not worried about it at all. I followed the recommended speeds through Oregon into Idaho. I still hit 230 in Oregon. After that I made the decision to show you all what could happen if you push the truck to it’s limits. I hope the 4 per series was insightful and could help people make better decisions on how to operate their trucks.

[@F4izzle]

I got a warranty. I’m just going to send it.

[@YuriyMotso]

Just gonna send it!!!!! 😂🤣

[@3dsmackdown]

Do not agree with dial comment, I am a tech person and I want more buttons. It is all about being intuitive and on the fly adjustment that does not cause distraction while driving and buttons help against that.

[@YuriyMotso]

You have those buttons in the steering wheel. So it’s redundant and unnecessary in my opinion. Adds clutter, an additional failing point, increases cost, dates the vehicle, it’s a place where dust can collect and the list goes on.

[@3dsmackdown]

@@YuriyMotso Steering wheel buttons fail all the time. It would suck not to able to adjust audio volume or worst stuck on high. Plenty of times I am in a parking lot and the car starts with loud volume while I turning the steering and it like shyt where the f volume knob, there is a Cop close by, volume is either the cruise or volume up on steering shyt!

[@toddwolfe8178]

I'm going to assume your Ridgeline does not have a transmission cooler?

[@winddealer1]

Hi Todd, would a transmission cooler be a stock item with any midsize truck manufactured in the last 10 years?

[@bernarrcoletta7419]

It does have a transmission cooler, but it’s pretty small. If you tow regularly, a lot of people upgrade it to a larger one.

[@winddealer1]

@@bernarrcoletta7419So, the Ridgeline comes with both transmission and transmission cooler yet the cooler was not satisfactory for the trailer trip. Interesting. Do most mid side trucks come stock with an added transmission cooler or is the Ridgeline cooler integrated into the the 11 speed transmission?

[@YuriyMotso]

Todd the Honda Ridgeline FWD and AWD models have different size radiators/coolers. I have the larger upgraded cooler form Honda since I drive the RTLE model. Now if you are asking if I upgraded it from there to an even larger one then no. Its just the factory one.

[@YuriyMotso]

ALTv7, sometimes transmission coolers are built into the radiator of vehicles in a lower portion of the radiator. However vehicles also can be equipped from factory or after market that are external and separate from he radiator which could be larger.

[@Moonless6491]

Towing is serious business that most people take too lightly. Car companies seem to increase capacity every couple of months to attract buyers. The Ridgeline is a great truck, but it should not be marketed as a mid size truck. It's an SUV with a bed. It's a light truck at best, but that's really all most people ever need. A solid rear axle is a must for towing stability. There is a reason dump trucks and tractor trailers have them. Anything marketed for towing should have a large trans cooler and a large transmission with plenty of fluid capacity. Sure you can tow with whatever, but is it ideal? Good review btw

[@mercanyinriechert6732]

The ridgeline tows 5000 pounds just fine. You can't compare a dump truck and a tractor trailer to a light duty pickup. Apples and Oranges sir.

[@Moonless6491]

@@mercanyinriechert6732 The concept is the same. Independent rear suspension is not good for heavy weight. Just making a point. Don't critique me to death.

[@mercanyinriechert6732]

@@Moonless6491 I disagree. Independent suspension is a better form of control.

[@Moonless6491]

@@mercanyinriechert6732 seen tires blow during towing because the suspension angle changes wearing the tire on the inside wall

[@mercanyinriechert6732]

@@Moonless6491 That is a lack of maintenance not a design flaw. Ever see a mustang do a burn out and sail off into a light pole? #solidrearaxle

[@watchmanonthewall14]

I stopped the video at 3 minutes and will continue after this comment. Why not just install a transmission cooler on the truck? I have a medium sized crossover, and that's what I did. Tow a trailer with no temperature problems in the tranny.

[@YuriyMotso]

Thank you for your time! Here’s what I was thinking. I wanted to show what the capabilities of the truck were in a real world situation. If I had put on a transmission cooler on the truck then this entire trip would falsely show the effectiveness of the capabilities of the truck which would in turn potentially hurt other drivers. It’s now out there, the Ridgeline struggles to tow long distances, specifically at the higher altitudes and winding hills without overheating. Yes, I tried going slow, fast, really fast, and everything in between because people will do this in real life. I plan on doing a transmission upgrade video and towing a trailer again before and after the install to show what kind of improvements one could expect.

[@gallopingsalmon]

Wouldn't it be more of an liability issue for Honda. Imagine the headlines "stolen Honda Ridgeline suddenly stops on freeway causing a 30 car pile up and four fatalities".

[@warrenbarnes9653]

The transmission temperature issues indicate that the Ridgeline is not engineered to tow that much weight at the speeds you were going, given the ambient temperatures. Slow down.

[@YuriyMotso]

Yes and for that reason is why I decided to push the truck past its recommendation in order for people to see and learn. This I hope is educational for everyone. Im not worried about my truck so I put it through a vigorous test in a real world scenario because people will do this and I hope they can make the best judgements for them selves when driving after watching my 4 part series. Thanks for taking the time to watch the video.

[@warrenbarnes9653]

@@YuriyMotso Thank you for the video. It is very helpful.

[@voltecrules624]

Towing at 82 mph seems reckless.

[@YuriyMotso]

Tell that to the many fords that passed me going 90. 😂 I figured I would test it out because realistically people are going to drive fast. So it’s as real world of review as possible. I would not recommend going that fast though. I would Stay 70 mph or less for future tows. Better fuel economy and less stress on tranny. Honda recommends 62mph.

[@voltecrules624]

@@YuriyMotso with that sweet V6 Honda motor I don’t blame you. I would have too

[@YuriyMotso]

@@voltecrules624 I also wanted to know what it feels like at those speeds and again I honestly felt very safe, stable and in control the whole time. I was extremely impressed.

[@voltecrules624]

@@YuriyMotso I bet. I drive a Honda Clarity PHEV. It consistently gets over 200 mpg daily for me. I drive 60 miles minimum. On tank of gas I got 833 mpg. It handles great, and is well put together, like all Honda’s.

[@YuriyMotso]

@@voltecrules624 WOW. Thats crazy.

[@norbertmaron3635]

PS...One other thing too you Ridgeline owners,FORD,CHEVY,RAM have had lots and lots of trouble with there TURBO'S 4 & 6 Cylinders,except Ram who is coming out in 2025..I got frustrated friends that have Turbo 4 or 6 who tired of the BS when it comes time to fix them,warranty and available parts to fix them,or especially the turbo manufacturer who cant keep up with there own good turbos too😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@bikebudha01]

It's hard to take anything someone who chose Georgia over Washington seriously...

[@Morehills840]

Troll

[@michaelbayliss1794]

Next time rent a Uhaul truck with a diesel and a car trailer . Save your self headache.

[@rainstateearthworks2729]

If you wanna tow get a ram 3500 That truck can tow But I bet you can tow a lot with this Going downhill

[@coopula3387]

I wish there was more content from actual real people. I see all these videos we saved this dog we did this or that I towed a trailer with my Honda to a giant house. Maybe its because the people that do content have the money to piss away on multiple go-pros not sure. I guess being a working stiff I appreciate people that don't have a mile long driveway and every high dollar toy for their kids still doing good things.

[@BrazenInc]

i towed my buds 2019 ram hemi with my 2017 Ridgeline AWD twice. 3rd time his dodge broke down on the side of the road i told him to give it to the next person that walked by. 🖕🤣