Thinking of Tow Vehicle & Trailer

[miatapeter]

There is a 2010 Honda Ridgeline (published towing capacity is 4500#) available close by. Anyone have an opinion/suggestion ? Also, interested in an aluminum open trailer. Any opinions/suggestions ?
I would be towing 1990 Miata that weighs in at 2250 lbs. Without me in it.

[jvangelder]

I have no actual experience with a Honda, but I imagine if it's rated to tow 4500, it's not really great to tow with at all.

[paultg]

Agreed on the Ridgeline. Do yourself a favor and buy a 1/2 ton truck. It will be more than you need but you'll never need to worry.

That is my plan eventually. - Paul G.

[jeffw]

I have a friend that towed a miata on an aluminum trailer with a Ridgeline quite successfully.

I can put you in touch via email if you like.

[Grippy]

I pulled my Miata with a Tacoma and aluminum trailer for years without issue. Tow rating for a Taco is 6500 IIRC. Personally I wouldn't want to drive anything bigger than that, it is my DD and can do real "truck work". I usually get 15MPG when towing, which is pretty good, granted my Trail-ex trailer only weighs 780lbs.

I don't consider a ridgeline to be a real truck, I wouldn't want to fill the bed with firewood with that storage box lid as the bed floor. But the guys at GRM seemed to like theirs.

Gordon

[brucesallen]

There are so many half ton pickups sold every year that you can get a great deal on a reliable low mileage base model. Forget the leather and extended cab and 4WD unless you have other uses than towing. Likewise look for used aluminum trailers. Or you can go the usual route and get a $500 pickup and spend more time on the road fixing the truck than the car-- like some COM members I know.

[TXBDan]

Bigger is always better, but fwiw, the Grassroots Motorsports guys used a Ridgeline as their tow vehicle for many years. They had an article about it last year I think. They bought it new and put 140k+ miles on it. I think they switched to a new Chevy Colorado.

[paultg]

GRM actually purchased a new Ridgeleine.
They "tow" with it but not sure what, I suspect an open wheel autox car (light weight). Plus it's really flat down there.

You could always ask them on their message. Board or via email, but I don't think you'll be happy towing a heavy car/trailer with it.

[SEISAN]

As a former GM Salesman,

The best way to purchase a truck is to calculate the specs for your future loads.
Vehicle Weight ( Curb weight) + Trailer Weight ( empty) + ( vehicle load weight of the car ) = combined gross towing weight.

Also, add tools, extra tires, miscellaneous item to the list to make sure you are not over.

GM has the Tow/Haul option which changes the shift pattern on the transmission to extend the length of each shift for a smoother and easier tow.

Now the bad. If you are like me and I drive a GM Chev 1500 ( 1/2 ton ) I am with 3.73 rear gears ( 4.11 are better ) I am limited to the amount I can tow. I am usually at my limit with all I carry. I normally have the weight of everything I carry.

That makes it especially tough going up hills unless you are carrying some speed. The correction: Go to a 2500 or 3/4 ton truck.

Buying a truck is like buying a computer. If you buy it with today's specs in mind then it could be obsolete in a couple of years and you will be looking for another. If you purchase it with more towing capacity ( this is where bigger is better ) then you still have room to add more tools, a heavier vehicle, more tires without sacrificing power.

Before purchasing, check out all the towing specs from the truck company's brochure and then make your decision based on your needs.

Hope this helps.

Best of luck,

BB

[TroyV]

I'm pulling a 1200 lb aluminum trailer with a 2016 Colorado. It tows beautifully. I love the tech package and connectivity, and it gets reasonable mileage such that it is also my DD. The towing cap is 7000 lbs, but I would never consider towing that heavy a load. I have pulled heavier cars on that trailer, and have pulled heavier steel trailers and would say that anything over 5000 lbs is too much for the Colorado.

It would be perfect for your set up assuming you get an aluminum trailer. I would not recommend towing with a vehicle that doesn't have a full frame under it......such as a Ridgeline.

[MiataSteve]

What you need Peter

http://f650pickups.com/adrenalinedebut.html

[lou m]

I just saw this on the forum and ordered one. Probably could save a few bucks with used, but this is a great deal.

http://www.factoryfive.com/factory-five-18-car-trailer/

As mentioned, all we have around here are really big hills. No fun with a marginal tow vehicle. The Honda could probably do it. If you ever run a heavier car you'd have to change the setup.

[miatapeter]

Thanks for all the input guys.
I've decided to buy Mark Swienhart's Tacoma truck and trailer. It's been tried and tested.
I had my mechanic check the truck out and they gave their full approval.
Now I'm really looking forward to the 2017 season and all those far away tracks!

[jeffw]

Welcome to the trailer crew!

[brucesallen]

Now you can mod the hell out of your Miata!