Are Honda Ridgelines good for towing?

Yes — Honda Ridgelines can tow up to about 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, which makes them suitable for light- to moderate-towing needs like small campers or boats. They prioritize ride comfort and daily practicality, but their towing capability is more limited than many body-on-frame pickup rivals.

Towing capabilities and specs

This section covers the core specifications that affect what you can tow with a Ridgeline, including engine performance, drivetrain options, and the official tow rating.

Powertrain and stability systems

The Ridgeline uses a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing roughly 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. It’s available with either front-wheel drive or Honda’s Torque-Vectoring All-Wheel Drive (i-VTM4) system, which helps with stability when towing on varying road surfaces.

• Official towing capacity: up to 5,000 pounds with proper equipment.


• Payload capacity typically around 1,500 pounds, which affects how much trailer you can safely carry and hitch weight you can support.


• Tow-related features include a hitch setup and trailer-sway management that aid stability.


• Unibody construction delivers a smoother ride compared with traditional body-on-frame pickups, with a stable feel when towing lighter loads.

In practice, these specs position the Ridgeline as a capable option for light-to-moderate trailers while prioritizing everyday comfort and daily usability.

Suitability for different towing scenarios

Before choosing a Ridgeline for towing, consider the typical weight range and usage you have in mind. The following guidance helps map common scenarios to the vehicle’s capabilities.

• Light travel trailers and modest boat trailers — well within the Ridgeline’s 5,000-pound limit when properly equipped.


• Small utility or cargo trailers for weekend projects — generally manageable within the same 5,000-pound cap.


• Frequent or heavy towing (close to or at 5,000 pounds) — acceptable for occasional trips, but you’ll want to monitor payload and tongue weight closely.


• Heavy, long-haul, or commercial-grade towing — not ideal; consider a larger, body-on-frame pickup with a higher towing rating.

Overall, the Ridgeline excels at everyday towing tasks that don’t push its upper limits, offering ease of use and confidence at moderate tow weights.

Alternatives to consider

If your towing needs regularly exceed 5,000 pounds, several rivals offer higher maximum tow ratings. The following options are common choices in the midsize segment.

• Toyota Tacoma — up to around 6,800 pounds with the right Tow Package and drivetrain configuration.


• Ford Ranger — up to about 7,500 pounds in capable trims, with the appropriate tow package.


• Chevrolet Colorado — up to roughly 7,700 pounds with the V6 and Tow Package.


• Nissan Frontier — up to about 6,720 pounds in higher-spec configurations.

These options typically offer higher towing capacities than the Ridgeline, but they may trade some ride comfort or daily practicality for that extra hauling capability.

Real-world towing tips

To maximize safety, efficiency, and reliability when towing with a Ridgeline, keep these practical guidelines in mind.

• Know your exact towing and payload limits for your specific trim and equipment; never exceed them.


• Use a proper hitch with the recommended tongue weight and, if needed, a weight-distributing hitch for better stability.


• Ensure trailer brakes and electrical connections are functioning correctly; consider a brake controller if you frequently tow heavier loads.


• Check tire pressures on both the Ridgeline and the trailer; underinflated tires reduce stability and increase wear.


• Distribute weight appropriately and avoid overloading the trailer’s tongue weight; plan for safe braking distances and keep speeds moderate in towed conditions.


• Allow extra stopping distance and accelerate smoothly to minimize trailer sway or instability.

With careful preparation and adherence to limits, the Ridgeline can handle common towing tasks with confidence, while still serving well as a comfortable daily driver.

Summary

The Honda Ridgeline is well-suited for light-to-moderate towing, offering a comfortable ride, refined interior, and a maximum tow rating of about 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. It’s a strong choice for those who tow smaller trailers, boats, or campers while prioritizing everyday usability. If your trailer needs regularly exceed 5,000 pounds or demand frequent heavy towing, you’ll likely prefer a rival midsize pickup with a higher towing capacity. Always verify your specific configuration and follow the manufacturer’s guidance to tow safely.

What are the negatives of the Honda Ridgeline?

Cons of the Honda Ridgeline include a lower towing capacity compared to larger trucks, limited off-road capability, a dated and sluggish infotainment system, and a narrower selection of trim options. Other drawbacks mentioned are potential issues with wind noise, connectivity problems with Apple CarPlay, and a lack of engine options beyond the standard V6.
 
This video explains 7 problems with the Honda Ridgeline: 59sFuel ForceYouTube · Sep 29, 2025
Performance and capability

• Lower towing capacity: The towing capacity is respectable but does not match that of larger, body-on-frame trucks. 
• Limited off-road capability: The comfortable, car-like ride means it is less capable off-road compared to trucks built on a more rugged platform. 

Technology and interior

• Outdated and slow infotainment: The touchscreen system is frequently described as sluggish, frustrating to use, and visually dated. 
• Connectivity issues: Some owners report problems with Apple CarPlay disconnecting, and wireless charging not functioning correctly. 
• Poor voice recognition: The voice command system can be inconsistent and struggle with accuracy. 
• Underwhelming audio: The sound quality from the standard audio system is considered underwhelming by some. 

Other drawbacks

• Limited trim options: The number of available trim levels is more restricted when compared to competitors. 
• Wind noise: Some reviews have noted the presence of wind noise, even at lower speeds. 

This video explains 6 reasons why you should avoid the Honda Ridgeline: 52sSpeed SpectrumYouTube · Oct 21, 2024

How much can a Honda Ridgeline really tow?

The Honda Ridgeline has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, a capacity it has held for recent model years, including the 2023, 2024, and 2025 models. This maximum applies to all-wheel-drive (AWD) models, while older two-wheel-drive (2WD) models had a lower capacity of 3,500 pounds.
 

• 5,000 pounds: This is the maximum towing capacity for most recent models, including all trims of the 2025 Ridgeline (Sport, RTL, TrailSport, and Black Edition). 
• 3,500 pounds: This was the towing capacity for the 2WD Sport and RTL models of the 2020 and 2019 Ridgeline. 
• Standard features: All recent models come with an integrated trailer hitch. 
• Towing package: An optional towing package includes additional accessories like a trailer hitch ball mount and locking pin. 
• Important considerations: Always be mindful of the total weight of your trailer and its cargo, and pay attention to the tongue weight for a stable and safe towing experience. 

0:142024 Honda Ridgeline Sport Towing And Payload NumbersYouTubeVehicle Visionary · 1y 0:142024 Honda Ridgeline Towing And Payload DetailaYouTubeVehicle Visionary · 1y 0:22Honda Ridgeline Towing Capacity | Pat Peck Honda #shortsYouTubePat Peck Honda · 2y (function(){
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Is the Honda Ridgeline a good truck for towing?

The ridgeline is a great weekend/active truck for most homeowner projects like building materials & It'll handle towing jet skis, a small John boat, canoes etc just fine. If you're hauling stone or towing a large trailer regularly then look to a full size or taco.

Can you fit a 4x8 sheet of plywood in a Honda Ridgeline?

It's interesting that a lot of full sized trucks can't lay a 4x8 sheet flat between the wheel wells but my midsized Honda Ridgeline can. The Ridgeline is 50 inches between the wheel wells and has 1 inch on each side to spare.