Honda Ridgeline

[nmrt]

Looking for a midsize pickup truck and am interested in the Tacoma. I only buy manual transmission cars. So for me Tacoma was the only one to get (Yes, the Frontier and the Gladiator have MT as well). Well, test drove the Taco 6-MT. Drove okay. Handled okay. But man...the pickup is slooooow....

Then on a whim test drove the Ridgeline and was blown away on how car-like it drove. So blown away by the Ridge's asphalt driving dynamics that I am considering buying it even if it has an automatic transmission.I understand it is because of the unibody and the independent suspension. And it pays for it in it's lack of off-road capability due to the absence of solid rear axle.

Anyways here's my question to Ridgeline owners:
1. How reliable have you found your Ridgeline to be?
2. How much off-road chops does it really have? I have watched videos where the Ridge has been taken off road and after some driving over some Colorado dirt roads, the "Transmission fluid too hot" warning come on.

Thanks guys/gals! I hope you can sway me back to the Taco. I do not plan to do serious off-roading but living in CO, I will be taking this on mining roads -- is that serious off roading?

[AngryScientist]

https://memegenerator.net/img/instances/56931951/he-told-me-he-drove-a-truck-pulled-up-in-a-honda-ridgeline.jpg

[ultraman6970]

No experience with that truck but if you liked it... buy it.

[cinema]

buy the tacoma. better yet tundra. the ridgeline is a unibody and will fatigue on mining roads sooner than a body on frame design

[AngryScientist]

Seriously though....

The current taco is a pretty awful choice in the truck market. I had romantic memories of some serious good times in an old taco, but then i drove the newest ones.......big meh.

manual trans aside, and overall long term reliability TBD - the Colorado is 10x the truck the taco is in every way. the nissan is a pretty darn un-inspiring truck too. i would not buy one of those either.

regarding the ridgeline, i'm reasonably certain it's quite similar to my odyssey in most regards, a little more ground clearance and AWD. the engine is still in the bay the wrong way. it should tackle dirt roads fine, but it's a unibody independent suspension vehicle that prioritizes on-road manners.

you should clearly identify your real needs and priorities. if you need real off road chops, the ridgeline is not the right vehicle. if you're doing mostly highway miles and the occasional fire road or unimproved road, the ridgeline is probably a good choice.

again, i'm with you. i really, really wanted to like the taco, but did not.

if i was going to spend money buying a new truck now, i would get either a tundra or a Jeep pickup.

[Yoshi]

I have a Ridegeline I bought in 2016. It has been faultless. One set of tires in 52K.
Change the oil and put gas in it.
I have had 2 Tacomas and a Tundra. The Ridgeline is superior for comfort and driving. Waaay more comfortable. Lots more room for 4 inside. Seats in back flip up and I carry my bike inside for solo road trips.
Carries 4 people and all their crap for ski and bike trips no problem.
If they would make an electric one I would buy again no question.

[Yoshi]

Also, I live in Maine. I can tell you, without hesitation, that AWD and antilock brakes are superior to 4WD for winter driving.
FWIW.

[p nut]

Mining roads? As in, say, the Alpine Loop? Ridgeline will have a hard time. I took my old ‘18 Tacoma down Black Bear Pass, Imogene, Engineer, and around Alpine Loop. It was awesome. So places like that, go with the Tacoma, Colorado, Ranger or Gladiator. If you’re doing dirt roads, Ridgeline will be great. My old neighbor has the 1st gen and my new neighbor has the current. Both great trucks for daily driving and weekend projects. I wouldn’t hesitate to own one for those purposes.

Did better than the Taco on washboard roads.

https://youtu.be/CWYqEinNGUM

[nmrt]

Yes, the Alpine Loop. :banana:

Mining roads? As in, say, the Alpine Loop? Ridgeline will have a hard time. I took my old ‘18 Tacoma down Black Bear Pass, Imogene, Engineer, and around Alpine Loop. It was awesome. So places like that, go with the Tacoma, Colorado, Ranger or Gladiator. If you’re doing dirt roads, Ridgeline will be great. My old neighbor has the 1st gen and my new neighbor has the current. Both great trucks for daily driving and weekend projects. I wouldn’t hesitate to own one for those purposes.

[Mike V]

The Ridgline is a Pilot with a truck backend. Tacoma is a truck.

If you are buying a vehicle to be a truck and do truck things like loads, sheet of plywood, transporting motorcycles then get the Tacoma. Riddling can do it but not well.

Off-road Tacoma hands down. Two wheel drive kills Ridglinge all wheel drive off-road easy.

One is a truck the other is a SUV with a truck backend.

[cinema]

The Ridgline is a Pilot with a truck backend. Tacoma is a truck.

If you are buying a vehicle to be a truck and do truck things like loads, sheet of plywood, transporting motorcycles then get the Tacoma. Riddling can do it but not well.

Off-road Tacoma hands down. Two wheel drive kills Ridglinge all wheel drive off-road easy.

One is a truck the other is a SUV with a truck backend.

yep. the end. for what u want... real truck w/ truck suspension/frame seems like no brainer

[Ken Robb]

April 1962 I drove a Jaguar XK-120 up Phantom Canyon Road.

[p nut]

If you are buying a vehicle to be a truck and do truck things like loads, sheet of plywood, transporting motorcycles then get the Tacoma. Riddling can do it but not well...

Funny thing is....Tacoma’s payload is downright poor. Worse than the Ridgeline. Mine was around 980lbs (SR5, hardly any options, 6MT).

I’d pick the Ridgeline for hauling.

[p nut]

Yes, the Alpine Loop. :banana:

If you can do auto, I like the Ranger. You can add a locker to any trim level. 2.3 turbo is pretty quick. With a slight lift and 32’s, you can tackle most of the Alpine Loop.

[jtakeda]

I’ve never driven a ridge line or a turd gen but I’ve driven my friends 2nd gen and I’ve owned 2 1st gens and I can’t complain at all about the taco.


I’m also fairly psychotic about maintenance so that might play a factor. FWIW I got helicoptered out of a remote wilderness area last winter because a snow storm and had to rough it up a completely unmaintained snowed over road and my taco was flawless.

There was a graveyard of other trucks that had come up for a snow day about 10 miles from where I was parked that all got stuck.

[nmrt]

yep, that's true. if it is hauling you care about, ridgeline can haul 1500 lb and the taco 1100 lb. astonishing! the taco can tow more. but i aint towing anything.

Funny thing is....Tacoma’s payload is downright poor. Worse than the Ridgeline. Mine was around 980lbs (SR5, hardly any options, 6MT).

I’d pick the Ridgeline for hauling.

[djg21]

Looking for a midsize pickup truck and am interested in the Tacoma. I only buy manual transmission cars. So for me Tacoma was the only one to get (Yes, the Frontier and the Gladiator have MT as well). Well, test drove the Taco 6-MT. Drove okay. Handled okay. But man...the pickup is slooooow....

Then on a whim test drove the Ridgeline and was blown away on how car-like it drove. So blown away by the Ridge's asphalt driving dynamics that I am considering buying it even if it has an automatic transmission.I understand it is because of the unibody and the independent suspension. And it pays for it in it's lack of off-road capability due to the absence of solid rear axle.

Anyways here's my question to Ridgeline owners:
1. How reliable have you found your Ridgeline to be?
2. How much off-road chops does it really have? I have watched videos where the Ridge has been taken off road and after some driving over some Colorado dirt roads, the "Transmission fluid too hot" warning come on.

Thanks guys/gals! I hope you can sway me back to the Taco. I do not plan to do serious off-roading but living in CO, I will be taking this on mining roads -- is that serious off roading?

I leased a Taco Baja DCSB for 4 years. I never had leased before, and figured that the residual on Tacos is so good, I’d quickly sell it if I chose not to buy it off my lease. That was overly optimistic. By year 4 I couldn’t wait to get rid of the thing, and the only buyers interested wanted me to give it away. I ended up trading it in and walking from it.

The Taco just was not great to drive, and only got about 15 mpg on the highway if I drove 55mph downhill with a stiff tailwind. It accelerated like crap, and barely could get to 80mph. The short bed was too short to accommodate bikes without taking the wheels off, and loading MTBs was a PIA. I put a mid-rise cap on, and could strap road bikes sans wheels against the sides of the bed, but carrying more than 2 bikes securely was difficult. The Bluetooth Audio/phone never worked, and all Toyota could say was that it was a known problem. The interior was crap. And this was the top of the line Taco.

If you are going to get a pickup that gets crappy gas mileage, you might as well get a real one like an F150 ecoboost that actually drives decently, has a more powerful engine, and gets substantially better gas mileage. I was ready to pick up an F150 Platinum coming off lease, but my wife vetoed the purchase and we settled on a more luxurious SUV.

[cetuximab]

I love my Ram 1500 ecodiesel. I get 25 mpg. It rated for 27 (not sure how they calculated that).
Eight speed auto keeps the turbo diesel in the perfect rpms. If I need to, it will pass at freeway speeds going over mountain passes with ease.

The new automatic transmissions will get better mileage than manual transmissions.

Ford makes a half ton diesel as well.
10 sp auto.

[superbowlpats]

A friend had a 2019 Ridgeline with the 6spd auto transmission. he loved it, we took it to race in VT - 3 plus hour ride and I was impressed how car like it was. all good until his transmission bit the dust at 26K miles. seems to be a common problem. he started having other problems and just traded it in on a Dodge Ram.

[pcxmbfj]

I've have a 2007 Ridgeline purchased around 2008.
Now has 80,000 mi. and has been rock solid, just do maintenance.
Swiss Army knife but wouldn't do a lot of off-road.

[Mikej]

Check out the Ridgeline owners club (ROC) forum got all kinds of Ridge stuff.

[Hilltopperny]

I had a last gen Tacoma 4x4 quad cab with the 4.0 and it was a good truck. Test drove a previous generation Ridgeline and liked how it drove better on the road, but not on the dirt/seasonal roads.

I also had a Chevy 1500 z71 and liked the way that drove better than any truck I had previously driven or owned. It was more fuel efficient than the Tacoma and could haul just about anything, but at right around 60,000 miles would just stop starting randomly. I brought it to every Chevy dealership within 3 counties and got no help from them, so traded it in on a new Tundra.

The Tundra drives like a truck. It has more power with the 5.7 liter than the Tacoma while still getting close to the same MPG. More room and can haul more stuff. It is a much larger truck, but you won’t get stranded anywhere that you take it. Right now in the Summer I am averaging a little over 17 mpg and my Tacoma was around the same if not a little worse with the 4.0.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[oldpotatoe]

I looked at trucks for a while but was put off by the YUGE $..no doubt because it's the major part of the vehicle market today in the US..but maybe look at the Ford Ranger?

As for the Ridgeline..isn't that a truck version of the pilot?

As for the Tundra(or F150 or Silverado or Nissan Titan)..yee gads those things are GIGANTIC...

Or wait till 2022 model year?:)

[reuben]

I looked at trucks for a while but was put off by the YUGE $..no doubt because it's the major part of the vehicle market today in the US..but maybe look at the Ford Ranger?

As for the Ridgeline..isn't that a truck version of the pilot?

As for the Tundra(or F150 or Silverado or Nissan Titan)..yee gads those things are GIGANTIC...

I tend to buy used, both cars and trucks. Saves $$.

Size - yeah, I had a 2001 or 2002 F150. It was puny compared to the F150 and similar trucks made now. No reason that I can tell. Same basic towing capacity, hauling capacity, etc. Is it a macho thing? I dunno.

Now I have a used 2013 Tacoma. It's a TRD, so it definitely feels like a truck, with a fairly harsh ride due to the suspension. But then, it's a TRUCK, not a luxury car, or even a normal 4 door sedan. I don't know why people expect trucks to ride like luxury cars - that's not what they're made for. It's nice if the ride is smooth, but they're made for work, not touring.

FWIW I put two extra leaf springs in a previous 1990s F150. Adds to the hauling capacity in the bed. Don't go too far though or you'll have to spend mo' money to level it out.

[dancinkozmo]

ford is putting an onboard generator on some f150 for 2021..

https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/car-technology/a32970167/f-150-generator-pro-power-onboard/

perfect for charging up your ebike !!

[Mikej]

I looked at trucks for a while but was put off by the YUGE $..no doubt because it's the major part of the vehicle market today in the US..but maybe look at the Ford Ranger?

As for the Ridgeline..isn't that a truck version of the pilot?

As for the Tundra(or F150 or Silverado or Nissan Titan)..yee gads those things are GIGANTIC...

Or wait till 2022 model year?:)

HA is that a tuck version of a Passat? If anyone is worried about the mechanicals in a Ridge, just get the Honda Care warranty.

[Tickdoc]

All the truck you'll ever need is such a hard argument to beat when it comes to the ridgeline.

Many great online reviews prove that point.

Here where I live, the ridgeline is a sissy truck. Tacos are too. Tundras are just barely acceptable. Trucks outnumber cars two to one easily and the small penis quotient is high. The majority of the lifted f250 platinum or King ranch trucks around here that have 3/4 ton capacity are purely daily drivers and don't seem to haul anything heavier than old mattresses and maybe a washer/dryer from one front porch to another. They are constantly blocking parking spaces because they don't fit and you are always waiting on them to make a four point correction parking attempt. Anytime a truck doesn't use a blinker, pulls out in front of you, crosses the line from texting, etc, my wife will affectionately call them "dicks in trucks", but we had to rename them "f*cks in trucks" because there as many women drivers as men here. I love it when I see an old farmer in an old ford ranger or an old s10 cruising by. Those old little trucks were still more than most ever needed. My truck duties are for light hauling, and messy hauling. It would pain me to put the limbs, molded clippings, dirt, trash, and occasional furniture I haul into the back of a nice Ridgeline or even a Taco.

My truck needs are for something beatup that runs. It doesn't even have to run well. I don't care about gas mileage as I rarely drive it far.

Confession: I've never actually owned a truck myself, because I've always had access to one. Growing up raising cattle we always had to have a truck around. To this day I still borrow my mom's old truck when I need one....a 2001 ford with like 80k miles on it. It looks like most old generic beat up trucks do. makes funny noises from the undercarriage, sits outside under a tree for it's whole life. Paint is getting rough, bed is starting to rust a bit, but it starts every time and has an ac.

My next vehicle will be a truck and If I were buying one today it would probably be a ridgeline. It is way more than I'd ever need and it has the most amenities and comfort combined with usefulness on the market today, imo. You get the reliability of a Honda and the comfort of a sedan. That is hard to beat. I don't think you could go wrong there and the fact that it will see some washout will not upset it anymore than any suv would. YMMV.

[p nut]

I looked at trucks for a while but was put off by the YUGE $....but maybe look at the Ford Ranger?


When I was shopping last year, I found the price difference between mid and full-size wasn’t that much. Less than 10%. ie Ranger was around $28-29k for an XL and few options. Crew cab 4wd. Equivalent F150 was $30-31k.

[paredown]

I'm driving an almost real truck--2003 Gen 1 Tundra--that has been reliable. It's a stripper V6 and has made a great work truck.

If I do it again, I will consider the Ridgeline--not least because the Taco is now the size of my Tundra and the Tundra is a behemoth--both are bloated beyond recognition. If I wanted a passenger vehicle, I would get one--but you can't even get the stripper full-size box 2 door Tundra any more--it has been dropped!

This is the article that I read that made me think the Ridgeline might work for what I'm doing now--that, and it made the C&D 10 Best in 2017:

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a25606089/2019-honda-ridgeline-reliability-maintenance-update-20k/

[Michael Maddox]

I own a 2019 Ridgeline Black Edition, which I moved into from a 2015.5 Volvo V60 T6. I LOVE it. Truly.

As a bike carrier, it's the shiz. The bed is a bit short for fork-mounted MTBs, but fine for road bikes. I typically use a tailgate pad or a Kuat two-bike hitch rack just because of this. The back seat is far larger than my Volvo's was, comfortable and spacious (for a modern vehicle...I'm not comparing it to a Roadmaster).

Off road chops? None whatsoever. It's a car. It drives like a car, it feels like a car. It's GREAT on the road. Truly. Nearly as comfortable and well-appointed as my Volvo. Well-built, smooth, and good mileage. But there's nothing that would entice me to put on anything rougher than a dirt road.

It's the best bike vehicle I've ever owned. Plenty of space to carry stuff (the bed trunk is AWESOME), plenty of room for people. But don't go thinking it's a truck. It isn't. It's a truck-shaped bike carrier.

[BobC]

I love my Ram 1500 ecodiesel. I get 25 mpg. It rated for 27 (not sure how they calculated that).
Eight speed auto keeps the turbo diesel in the perfect rpms. If I need to, it will pass at freeway speeds going over mountain passes with ease.

The new automatic transmissions will get better mileage than manual transmissions.

Ford makes a half ton diesel as well.
10 sp auto.

Ram 1500 ecodiesel??? Is yours one of the ones that are under recall for engine fires due the faulty exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) coolers????

If so, RUN don't walk to the Ram dealer. One of my co-workers actually had his go up in flames waiting for a light.

[54ny77]

that is really friggin' cool. what a great idea.

would've loved having that on my truck. the headache of setting up ramps, hoisting a large portable generator up/down, etc. etc....got old. fast. esp in cold climate.

the new f150 redesign looks pretty good.

ford is putting an onboard generator on some f150 for 2021..

https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/car-technology/a32970167/f-150-generator-pro-power-onboard/

perfect for charging up your ebike !!

[FriarQuade]

I was close to buying a new truck earlier this year. I really needed a full size though. I currently have a Tundra and it's a tool, just like every other truck. What I was impressed by is how well the Ford and Chevy trucks handled and drove, they were miles ahead of the current Tundra which was pretty awful. I wound up passing on the truck to buy a new cnc but when my Tundra really needs to replaced the F150 is where I'm headed.

[Mikej]

that is really friggin' cool. what a great idea.

would've loved having that on my truck. the headache of setting up ramps, hoisting a large portable generator up/down, etc. etc....got old. fast. esp in cold climate.

the new f150 redesign looks pretty good.

Interesting, too bad it won’t fit in my garage.

[Ralph]

Don't own a Ridgeline, but have driven one. I thought it drove like the Honda vehicle it is. Very nice. Perfect for light duty truck use. It's really what most people who buy a pickup need a truck for.....and I don't mean for work.

FWD or AWD for bad weather use. However....I really don't think it was designed for serious off road use. And don't overlook just how good these new 8, 9, and 10 speed automatic transmissions are in various vehicles. Have also driven a new Ford Ranger with 10 speed auto. Way better than a manual for performance. Maybe some serious off roaders still prefer manuals for some traditional reason....but the new automatics perform better about any way you measure.

[David Kirk]

I own a 2006 Ridgeline that I predominately use to tow my autocross car to events. I bought it a bit over 2 years ago and it now has 150,000 miles on it. I can't imagine a better vehicle for my use. It tows the 2500# of car/trailer with ease even at high altitude up and down the mountains of Montana and it's quiet and smooth and dare I say 'sophisticated'. I love it.

Before the Honda I owned a Chevy Silvarado and it was a tough POS. I hated driving it and it felt like an old covered wagon in comparison to the Honda. What it lacked in ride quality and handling it more than made up for with crappy mileage and wind noise.

I get busted on by my 'real' truck driving friends about it not being a real truck and that all stops once they have a ride in it. I have two friends that have sold their 'real' trucks and bought a Honda.

If you don't need to load it up with 3000# of gravel it's hard to beat IMHO.

dave

[pbarry]

I'm driving an almost real truck--2003 Gen 1 Tundra--that has been reliable. It's a stripper V6 and has made a great work truck.

If I do it again, I will consider the Ridgeline--not least because the Taco is now the size of my Tundra and the Tundra is a behemoth--both are bloated beyond recognition. If I wanted a passenger vehicle, I would get one--but you can't even get the stripper full-size box 2 door Tundra any more--it has been dropped!

This is the article that I read that made me think the Ridgeline might work for what I'm doing now--that, and it made the C&D 10 Best in 2017:

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a25606089/2019-honda-ridgeline-reliability-maintenance-update-20k/

Gen 1 Tundras are the best deal in used Toyota trucks. Similar mileage to a Tacoma, but better torque, payload, bed room. Used Tacos fetch stupid $$ in CO..

[rice rocket]

regarding the ridgeline, i'm reasonably certain it's quite similar to my odyssey in most regards, a little more ground clearance and AWD. the engine is still in the bay the wrong way. it should tackle dirt roads fine, but it's a unibody independent suspension vehicle that prioritizes on-road manners.

The new Ridgeline AWD is decades more advanced than what Toyota is using. Call it "wrong way" if you want, but it'll do up to 70% to the rear, and can split 0-100% torque to the left or right.

That said, if you want to brodoze your mall lot, you'll want that extra suspension travel that's much cheaper to attain on the Taco. :fight:


Jokes aside, I have an '06 RTL and it's been a treat. Closing in on 200k miles and it hasn't missed a beat, although things are getting a bit rusty unfortunately. Probably should've replaced some of these bolts back in the 100k mile service. Living in the rust belt things, I guess.

[reuben]

https://forums.thepaceline.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1698003291&stc=1&d=1593795467

dave
Your image shows exactly why I couldn't buy one. The slope from the cab to the top of the bed, and the slope of the top of the bed as well. That makes it more difficult than necessary to load/unload stuff from the side. I could never figure out why they did that. My assumption has always been that it was their version of "style". Maybe someone here knows more about it.

[p nut]

Your image shows exactly why I couldn't buy one. The slope from the cab to the top of the bed, and the slope of the top of the bed as well. That makes it more difficult than necessary to load/unload stuff from the side. I could never figure out why they did that. My assumption has always been that it was their version of "style". Maybe someone here knows more about it.

New gen is flat so no issues. I don’t load/unload from the side much anyway. All Ridgeline have that nifty dual action tailgate (that Ram has now adopted) which makes grabbing stuff easier.

[rice rocket]

Your image shows exactly why I couldn't buy one. The slope from the cab to the top of the bed, and the slope of the top of the bed as well. That makes it more difficult than necessary to load/unload stuff from the side. I could never figure out why they did that. My assumption has always been that it was their version of "style". Maybe someone here knows more about it.

Two things, the bed on the Ridgeline is much higher than most midsized trucks by design, because one of the design requirements was to be able to fit a standard 4x8 plywood/drywall sheet flat so you didn't have to do weird bodges to haul flat goods. This means raising the bed above the wheel wells, which means it's above the height of most regular beds, which means also raising the sides of the bed as well.

Ridgeline:
https://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/media/i-prefer-transporting-a-sheet-of-plywood-this-way-than-on-the-roof-of-a-car.23665/full

Taco:
https://i.imgur.com/lMeXBnj.png

Second, the Rdigelines (despite all the internet BS) is not unibody, it is a unibody cabin welded to a fully boxed framerail, but it still does rely on the superstructure for rigidity. In the first generation, the buttress was added to meet their torsional stiffness design goals, it was removed in the second gen because they enhanced the substructure where it was not necessary.

[rice rocket]

Some reading.

http://www.trucktrend.com/how-to/chassis-suspension/1705-honda-ridgelines-frame-the-untold-story

[thirdgenbird]

Some reading.

http://www.trucktrend.com/how-to/chassis-suspension/1705-honda-ridgelines-frame-the-untold-story

I know that water crossing. It’s outside San Antonio. I had the facility rented just prior to the Honda press event.

[David Kirk]

Your image shows exactly why I couldn't buy one. The slope from the cab to the top of the bed, and the slope of the top of the bed as well. That makes it more difficult than necessary to load/unload stuff from the side. I could never figure out why they did that. My assumption has always been that it was their version of "style". Maybe someone here knows more about it.

The buttressed sides contain structural members that give the chassis huge torsional stiffness. There are large beams running from the cab back the base of the bed and you can feel the stiffness when you drive it compared to a flexi body-on-frame set up. It's day and night.

You're right - you can lift something big and heavy over the side near the front. If that is the most important thing to you you wouldn't like the Honda. I've not once found it to get in the way of my use of it but I have enjoyed the car light ride every time I've been in in.

Different strokes.....

dave

[dancinkozmo]

Some reading.

http://www.trucktrend.com/how-to/chassis-suspension/1705-honda-ridgelines-frame-the-untold-story

thanks for the link

[Cornfed]

I have a Ridegeline I bought in 2016. It has been faultless. One set of tires in 52K.
Change the oil and put gas in it.
I have had 2 Tacomas and a Tundra. The Ridgeline is superior for comfort and driving. Waaay more comfortable. Lots more room for 4 inside. Seats in back flip up and I carry my bike inside for solo road trips.
Carries 4 people and all their crap for ski and bike trips no problem.
If they would make an electric one I would buy again no question.

Almost identical experience. Had the 2006 and loved it. Drove it into the ground over 14 years and never once went to the shop. Loved the way it drove, the capacity inside and out, and adored the trunk. Can't figure out why no one has copied that feaure. Invaluable. I was all set to buy the new version but was completely disappointed by the design. Anyway, if they go electric and change the design, I'd buy one in a heartbeat, as is, I'll wait for the electric F150 or Rivian.

[nmrt]

Thanks for all the responses. What i also am wondering is this:

I plan to use the Ridgeline (or the Taco) to carry a popup camper. Now, the payload of the Taco is 1100 lb and the payload of the Ridge is 1500 lb. How on earth are the Taco people carrying a popup camper weighing around 1000 lb (I presume) and then have a few people in the truck?

Anyone who owns a short bed (5 ft) truck and has a pop up camper care to shed some light?

[p nut]

Thanks for all the responses. What i also am wondering is this:

I plan to use the Ridgeline (or the Taco) to carry a popup camper. Now, the payload of the Taco is 1100 lb and the payload of the Ridge is 1500 lb. How on earth are the Taco people carrying a popup camper weighing around 1000 lb (I presume) and then have a few people in the truck?

Anyone who owns a short bed (5 ft) truck and has a pop up camper care to shed some light?

They’re basically overloaded. Unless you go with something like a GFC and keep everything light. Think weight weenie.

Get a domestic 1/2 ton, or better yet, 3/4 ton if you’re going to a slide in camper. Toyota trucks downright suck for payload.

[AngryScientist]

Thanks for all the responses. What i also am wondering is this:

I plan to use the Ridgeline (or the Taco) to carry a popup camper. Now, the payload of the Taco is 1100 lb and the payload of the Ridge is 1500 lb. How on earth are the Taco people carrying a popup camper weighing around 1000 lb (I presume) and then have a few people in the truck?

Anyone who owns a short bed (5 ft) truck and has a pop up camper care to shed some light?

are you talking about a slide-in bed camper or towing a pop-up?

if the second thing, you may be confusing the payload and towing capacity. the payload refers to how much weight can sit in the truck and not how much it can safely tow, although the towing capacity goes down as the actual payload goes up.

for example the towing capacity of the ridgeline is listed as 3500-5000 pounds, depending on configuration. which is pretty standard for a light duty suv/pickup. those numbers generally assume minimal payload, but there are ways to calculate safe towing capacity based on expected payload.

[nmrt]

Not towing the camper. But looking at pop up camper for the truck. Hence, payload capacity comes into play.

are you talking about a slide-in bed camper or towing a pop-up?

if the second thing, you may be confusing the payload and towing capacity. the payload refers to how much weight can sit in the truck and not how much it can safely tow, although the towing capacity goes down as the actual payload goes up.

for example the towing capacity of the ridgeline is listed as 3500-5000 pounds, depending on configuration. which is pretty standard for a light duty suv/pickup. those numbers generally assume minimal payload, but there are ways to calculate safe towing capacity based on expected payload.

[cinema]

in the truckbed, unless your very 'large' family likes to sleep in the popup camper while you're driving down the road, i don't see the issue. their figures are very conservative in america especially due to litigious culture. if u exceed payload while stationary camping i wouldn't worry about it. people in europe do some crazy things with very small vehicles.

go for the tundra / honda/ or a diesel if going for the big kahuna 2k lb camper. i think you would get much better mileage as that engine is doing less work then the v6 to carry same weight

[AngryScientist]

Not towing the camper. But looking at pop up camper for the truck. Hence, payload capacity comes into play.

gotcha. can you post a generic picture of the type of camper you are thinking about, out of curiosity?

[choke]

in the truckbed, unless your very 'large' family likes to sleep in the popup camper while you're driving down the road, i don't see the issue. their figures are very conservative in america especially due to litigious culture. if u exceed payload while stationary camping i wouldn't worry about it. people in europe do some crazy things with very small vehicles.
A vehicle's payload includes any added weight like people, gear, etc. regardless of where it's located. So if there's an 1000lb camper in the back and two 200lb occupants in the front that's 1400lb.

[p nut]

their figures are very conservative in america especially due to litigious culture.

Caveat is, if you end up getting in an accident, being over GVWR could hold you liable.

[nmrt]

This is what I have in my mind. :banana:

gotcha. can you post a generic picture of the type of camper you are thinking about, out of curiosity?

[cinema]

very true. dont listen to me.
people also really like current gen gm v6 and ford v8. chevy using isuzu platform very popular across the globe. mazda set to release theirs on the same platform. lots of interesting competition now the market is primed for it as people move away from smaller vehicles

[Mikej]

A vehicle's payload includes any added weight like people, gear, etc. regardless of where it's located. So if there's an 1000lb camper in the back and two 200lb occupants in the front that's 1400lb.

And tongue weight has to be added to that as well.

[AngryScientist]

This is what I have in my mind. :banana:

yea, got you now.

honestly, having driven the taco on stock suspension, i think adding much bigger rubber and running the payload near capacity would make driving it on the highway, and especially in the mountains a real drag.

[nmrt]

true. but then the bigger truck than the taco (say, F-150 or tundra) are huge. that will be only only car as we are are one car family. i have no idea how i will drive it around town and park while running errands etc.

as an aside, i love small cars. The E46 BMW wagon was my ideal family car, or the Audi A3 hatch, or the GTI all were my ideal family car. now imagine my mental turmoil trying to go from that size to a tacoma. then imagine the shock of going even bigger...tundra! :eek:

yea, got you now.

honestly, having driven the taco on stock suspension, i think adding much bigger rubber and running the payload near capacity would make driving it on the highway, and especially in the mountains a real drag.

[Jeckel30]

true. but then the bigger truck than the taco (say, F-150 or tundra) are huge. that will be only only car as we are are one car family. i have no idea how i will drive it around town and park while running errands etc.

as an aside, i love small cars. The E46 BMW wagon was my ideal family car, or the Audi A3 hatch, or the GTI all were my ideal family car. now imagine my mental turmoil trying to go from that size to a tacoma. then imagine the shock of going even bigger...tundra! :eek:

If your ideal family car is an E46 wagon(I agree and miss mine) you will vastly prefer the Ridgeline to a Tacoma. I have had a bunch of full size trucks for towing purposes and they do great. As soon as I was done towing what I needed I sold them as I hate to drive them on a daily basis. I moved on to a Tacoma which was great and isn’t overly big but I wouldn’t classify it fun to drive. I currently have a 1st Gen. Ridgeline which is a much better daily driver. I have a Land Cruiser for off-road and an E36 M3 when I want to go fast.

[nmrt]

actually, i wish they made a e36 m3 in a wagon. and it would have been my perfect family car. i drove my friend's e36 m3 (5-MT) coupe and was blown away. now that is a driver's car!

but yes, i agree. i test drove the 6-MT 2020 Taco and the 2020 9-speed auto Ridge. For driving on asphalt, they both simply cannot even be compared. The Ridge is in an entirely different league. But the reason why the Taco is even in comparison is two fold: 1. it has a manual transmission, 2. If is better off-road.

I know that the Ridge can do some fireroads and wash board stuff. But I am not entirely certain if that is all I will ask the Ridge to do. If I start taking my popup camper up some gnarlier stuff out here in CO to camp, the Ridge might not make it. Hence the undeniable dilemma.

If your ideal family car is an E46 wagon(I agree and miss mine) you will vastly prefer the Ridgeline to a Tacoma. I have had a bunch of full size trucks for towing purposes and they do great. As soon as I was done towing what I needed I sold them as I hate to drive them on a daily basis. I moved on to a Tacoma which was great and isn’t overly big but I wouldn’t classify it fun to drive. I currently have a 1st Gen. Ridgeline which is a much better daily driver. I have a Land Cruiser for off-road and an E36 M3 when I want to go fast.

[oldpotatoe]

I tend to buy used, both cars and trucks. Saves $$.

Size - yeah, I had a 2001 or 2002 F150. It was puny compared to the F150 and similar trucks made now. No reason that I can tell. Same basic towing capacity, hauling capacity, etc. Is it a macho thing? I dunno.

Now I have a used 2013 Tacoma. It's a TRD, so it definitely feels like a truck, with a fairly harsh ride due to the suspension. But then, it's a TRUCK, not a luxury car, or even a normal 4 door sedan. I don't know why people expect trucks to ride like luxury cars - that's not what they're made for. It's nice if the ride is smooth, but they're made for work, not touring.

FWIW I put two extra leaf springs in a previous 1990s F150. Adds to the hauling capacity in the bed. Don't go too far though or you'll have to spend mo' money to level it out.

My brother in law works at a Ford dealership and the number(before the virus) of $100,000+ trucks they sold is..well, it's amazing....I just priced one for giggles on their website, $89,874...:eek:

[alancw3]

My brother in law works at a Ford dealership and the number(before the virus) of $100,000+ trucks they sold is..well, it's amazing....I just priced one for giggles on their website, $89,874...:eek:

Prediction. my grandsons could care less about a pickup truck or a classic old corvette that I have owned. I am just thinking that when we are gone that traditional car purchasing world is also gone. maybe it will all be self driving Ubers. who knows. I do know that my grandsons attitudes towards cars ia different than me at that age. probalbly for the better.

[djg21]

actually, i wish they made a e36 m3 in a wagon. and it would have been my perfect family car. i drove my friend's e36 m3 (5-MT) coupe and was blown away. now that is a driver's car!

but yes, i agree. i test drove the 6-MT 2020 Taco and the 2020 9-speed auto Ridge. For driving on asphalt, they both simply cannot even be compared. The Ridge is in an entirely different league. But the reason why the Taco is even in comparison is two fold: 1. it has a manual transmission, 2. If is better off-road.

I know that the Ridge can do some fireroads and wash board stuff. But I am not entirely certain if that is all I will ask the Ridge to do. If I start taking my popup camper up some gnarlier stuff out here in CO to camp, the Ridge might not make it. Hence the undeniable dilemma.

The manual transmission Tacos aren’t as fuel efficient as those with automatics. At least they weren’t when I had leased mine in 2014. I never could figure that out.

[reuben]

My brother in law works at a Ford dealership and the number(before the virus) of $100,000+ trucks they sold is..well, it's amazing....I just priced one for giggles on their website, $89,874...:eek:

Yeah, it's mind boggling. My use has always been hauling stuff in the bed, so a standard F150 did the trick. Trucks nowadays are so much bigger and so much more expensive that I can scarcely believe it. And they're still 1/2 ton trucks. But now they're fancy schmancy, and cost a boatload. I don't understand it.

When did I start to need an "infotainment center" instead of a radio? Good Lord, packages like the Lariat and King Ranch are freakin' Cadillacs! I tend to call "all hat and no cattle" on that kind of stuff, but I'm sure that there are exceptions.

And the vast majority I see around here are always in pristine shape, 1/2 ton and larger. It's pretty easy to tell an honest-to-goodness roofer or mason from a poser. Apologies in advance if I've offended anyone.

Last year I downsized from an F150 (old - 2001, so definitely smaller than a 2020) to a used 2013 Tacoma. I miss the 8 foot bed, but I don't haul nearly as much stuff as I used to. I figure that in a few years when I move and haul a bunch of building supplies I can just rent a UHaul or Home Depot truck for a few days. In the meantime I've got enough room to haul what I need, and it's a lot easier to drive and park since it's smaller.

[pasadena]

No question with a pop-up and primitive camping, the Taco is the way to go.
The Ridgeline is good for urban pickup duties.
Honestly, if I got a pickup, the only one I would get is the Taco. It's not the best driving, but it's the best midsize pu for a lot of reasons.

Guy that bought my rtt worked for Honda. Guess what pickup truck everyone at Honda buys that offroads?


actually, i wish they made a e36 m3 in a wagon. and it would have been my perfect family car. i drove my friend's e36 m3 (5-MT) coupe and was blown away. now that is a driver's car!

but yes, i agree. i test drove the 6-MT 2020 Taco and the 2020 9-speed auto Ridge. For driving on asphalt, they both simply cannot even be compared. The Ridge is in an entirely different league. But the reason why the Taco is even in comparison is two fold: 1. it has a manual transmission, 2. If is better off-road.

I know that the Ridge can do some fireroads and wash board stuff. But I am not entirely certain if that is all I will ask the Ridge to do. If I start taking my popup camper up some gnarlier stuff out here in CO to camp, the Ridge might not make it. Hence the undeniable dilemma.

[nmrt]

here is the biggest problem with the Taco and a pop-up camper: the Taco has a payload of 1100 lb (this includes the weight of the passengers). very, very lightweight campers are around 800-1200 lb + weight of passengers. so, i am wondering if the Taco will even cut it payload wise.

who here owns a Taco and a pop up camper?

No question with a pop-up and primitive camping, the Taco is the way to go.
The Ridgeline is good for urban pickup duties.
Honestly, if I got a pickup, the only one I would get is the Taco. It's not the best driving, but it's the best midsize pu for a lot of reasons.

Guy that bought my rtt worked for Honda. Guess what pickup truck everyone at Honda buys that offroads?

[HenryA]

You could go with something like this:

https://gofastcampers.com/pages/camper-landing

Simplest is a camper shell and an air mattress. How many people will you need to haul and sleep?

[bronk]

I drive a 2010 taco sport access cab. Resolved the sloooow issue with a factory supercharger.

Note: Tacos have had known frame rust issues. Toyota recalled and bought my 2000 for 150% of blue book to get it off the road. I was happy so I went and bought a 2010 assuming they had fixed the issue. In 2019 Toyota at their cost replaced the frame on my 2010 taco for the same issue.

[oldpotatoe]

Yeah, it's mind boggling. My use has always been hauling stuff in the bed, so a standard F150 did the trick. Trucks nowadays are so much bigger and so much more expensive that I can scarcely believe it. And they're still 1/2 ton trucks. But now they're fancy schmancy, and cost a boatload. I don't understand it.

When did I start to need an "infotainment center" instead of a radio? Good Lord, packages like the Lariat and King Ranch are freakin' Cadillacs! I tend to call "all hat and no cattle" on that kind of stuff, but I'm sure that there are exceptions.

And the vast majority I see around here are always in pristine shape, 1/2 ton and larger. It's pretty easy to tell an honest-to-goodness roofer or mason from a poser. Apologies in advance if I've offended anyone.

Last year I downsized from an F150 (old - 2001, so definitely smaller than a 2020) to a used 2013 Tacoma. I miss the 8 foot bed, but I don't haul nearly as much stuff as I used to. I figure that in a few years when I move and haul a bunch of building supplies I can just rent a UHaul or Home Depot truck for a few days. In the meantime I've got enough room to haul what I need, and it's a lot easier to drive and park since it's smaller.

I agree, when I had a Ford Ranger, had for 3 years, didn't even wash it. Spilled paint and baby head rock dents in the bed and back tailgate. It was a 'fleet' truck, paid about $9k for it..early 2000s..sold it for almost as much as I
paid for it. But I'd like a basic truck, no A/C, a radio...extended cab, not CREW cab..mid size but even old ones that need things like a new tranny are BIG $.

[reuben]

When I was shopping last year, I found the price difference between mid and full-size wasn’t that much. Less than 10%. ie Ranger was around $28-29k for an XL and few options. Crew cab 4wd. Equivalent F150 was $30-31k.
Yeah, apparently this is part of why Ford quit making the Ranger for years. During that time Chevy, Toyota, and others took over the small truck market.

There wasn't/isn't much difference in price between small and full size trucks, and the mileage is about he same, so consumers didn't see much of a reason to buy the smaller trucks - for the same amount of money they got more truck.