towing HONDA RIDGELINE 2007 1.G User Guide

Check the weight of the unhitched
trailer. Limit: See page . Towing
generally requires a variety
of supplemen tal equipmen t. To
ensure the best quality, we
recommend that you purch ase
Honda equipment whenever possible.
Calculate the tongue load.
Subtract the weight in step 6 from
the weight in step 7.
Limit: See page .
Recommended: See page .Your dealer of f ers an optional trailer
package f or models other than RTX.
The package includes a hitch, a ball
mount, and a wiring harness.
Discuss any additional needs with
your trailer sales or rental agency,
and make sure all equipment is
properly installed, maintained, and
also meets state, f ederal, province,
and local regulations.
A weight distributing hitch is not
recommended f or use with your
vehicle, as an improperly adjusted
weight distributing hitch may reduce
handling, stability, and braking
perf ormance. Read the trailer manufacturer’s
instructions, and select the
appropriate draw bar f or the height
of the trailer you will be towing. We strongly recommend that you
have your dealer install a class 3
hitch. Using non-Honda equipment
may result in serious damage to your
vehicle.
7.
8. 212
214 214
All models except RTX
T owing Equipment and
A ccessoriesHitch
Weight Distributing Hitch
Towing a Trailer
216

There are two common types of
trailer brakes: surge and electric.
Surge brakes are common f or boat
trailers, since the brakes will get wet.
If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electronically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your
vehicle’s hydraulic system. No
matter how successf ul it may seem,
any attempt to attach trailer brakes
to your vehicle’s hydraulic system
will lower braking ef f ectiveness and
create a potential hazard.
Seeyourtrailermanufacturerfor
more inf ormation on installing
electric brakes. Honda requires that any trailer with
a total trailer weight of 1,000 lbs (455
kg) or more have its own brakes.A f actory installed, 4-pin gray
connector is located under the
instrument panel near the top of the
parking brake pedal. This connector
has all of the circuits required to
install most electric trailer brake
controllers. A jumper harness to
adapt your electric trailer brake
controller to the vehicle is included
with the optional Genuine Honda
trailer hitch kit. To obtain a trailer
hitch kit, see your dealer.
Have a qualif ied mechanic install
your trailer brake controller
f ollowing the trailer brake controller
manuf acturer’s instructions. Failure
to properly install the trailer brake
controller may increase the distance
it takes f or you to stop your vehicle
when towing a trailer.Use this illustration to identif y each
terminal in the trailer brake
controller connector.
CONT INUED
Trailer Brakes
Towing a Trailer
Driving
217
BRAKE
(20A)
(BLUE)
GROUND
(BLACK)
ELECTRIC BRAKE
(BROWN/WHITE)
STOP
(WHITE/BLACK)

Always use safety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
sl ack to allow the trailer to turn
co rners easily, but do not let the
ch ains drag on the ground.
This device is recommended if your
trailer tends to sway. Your trailer
maker can tell you what kind of sway
control you need and how to install it.
Many states and provinces require
special exterior mirrors when towing
a trailer. Even if they don’t, you
should install special mirrors if you
cannot clearly see behind you, or if
the trailer creates a blind spot. When
towing a trailer, we
recommend that you carry a full-size
spare wheel and tire for your vehicle
and trailer. See page for proper
tire size, page for how to store a
full size wheel and tire, and page
f or inf ormation on changing a
flat tire.
Remember to unhitch the trailer
bef ore changing a f lat. Ask your
trailer sales or rental agency where
and how to store the trailer’s spare
tire. 269
280
275
Saf et y Chains
Sway Cont rolTrailer Mirrors Spare Tires
Towing a Trailer
218

´
Trailer lights and equipment must
comply with f ederal, state, province,
and local regulations. Check trailer
light requirements f or the areas
where you plan to tow, and use only
equipment designed f or your vehicle.Since lighting and wiring vary with
trailer type and brand, you should
also have a qualif ied mechanic install
a suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer.
Your vehicle is equipped with a
connector to install an optional trailer
lighting connector that mates with
your vehicle. We recommend that you have your
dealer install a Honda wiring harness
and converter. This harness has
been designed f or your vehicle. Ref er to the above illustration f or
wiring information.
Trailer Lights
Towing a Trailer
Driving
219
GROUND
(BLACK)
LEFT TURN SIGNAL
AND BRAKE LIGHTS
(GREEN/WHITE)
TAILLIGHTS
(GREEN/BLACK)
ELECTRIC BRAKE
(BROWN/WHITE) RIGHT TURN SIGNAL
AND BRAKE LIGHTS
(GREEN/RED)
BACK-UP LIGHTS
(BLUE)
GROUND
(BLACK)
B CHARGE
(GREEN)

Your vehicle has a class 3 trailer
hitch as standard equipment.
The cover, the ball mount, the hitch
pin, the hitch pin clip, and the jumper
harness are stored in the In-Bed
Trunk.
Also see page f or trailer-related
inf ormation. We recommend that you always use
the cover when you are not using the
ball mount to keep dirt, mud, and
snow f rom clogging the hitch.
To install the cover, slide it into the
opening at the end of the trailer
hitch. To remove the cover, pull it
out and store it in a saf e place.
Install the ball mount bef ore you tow
a trailer. Check f or and remove
f oreign material inside of the trailer
hitch bef ore installing the ball mount.
To install the ball mount, slide it into
the trailer hitch. Line up the holes in
the trailer hitch with the holes in the
ball mount, then insert the hitch pin
into the hole. Secure the hitch pin
with the hitch pin clip.
218
On U.S. RTX model only
Towing a Trailer
Towing EquipmentInst alling t he Cover
Inst alling t he Ball Mount
220
TRAILER HITCH
7-PIN TRAILER CONNECTOR
4-PIN TRAILER
CONNECTOR
TRAILER HITCHCOVER
HITCH PIN HITCH PIN
CLIP
BALL MOUNT
TRAILER HITCH

CONT INUED
The 7-pin trailer connector is needed
f or the trailer lights. To connect the
connector, do this:Make sure the connector and the
socketarefreeof dirt,moisture,
or other f oreign material.
Open the socket lid by pulling it up. Insert the connector securely into
the socket.
Hook the retaining tab on the
inner side of the lid against the
retaining tab of the connector to
prevent disconnection during
operation.
Remove the socket cover, and
attach it securely over the socket.
Insert the connector into the
socket securely to prevent
disconnection during operation.
The 4-pin trailer connector is also
needed f or the trailer lights. To
connect the connector, do this:
1. 1.
2. 3.
4.
2.
Towing a Trailer
Connect ing t he T railer Connect ors
Driving
221
7-PIN TRAILER CONNECTOR SOCKETRETAINING
TAB
RETAINING
TAB
LID
4-PIN TRAILER CONNECTORSOCKET COVER
7-PIN TRAILER
CONNECTOR 4-PIN TRAILER
CONNECTOR

To disconnect the connectors,
reverse the connection steps, then
make sure the socket lid and
socket cover are securely in place.
Avoid using excessive f orce when
disconnecting the connectors.Electric current f lows through the
electrical supply circuit only when
the ignition switch is in the ON
(II) position.
Using the electrical supply circuit
when the engine is at a stop or
idling can discharge the battery.
Bef ore you submerge the trailer
hitchinwater(suchasataboat
ramp), make sure the connectors
are removed and the socket lid
and socket cover are securely in
place. Failure to do this will result
in electrical system problems.
Af ter the connectors are
submergedinwater,openthe
socket lid and the socket cover to
drain them.
Towing a Trailer
Import ant Precaut ions
222

´
Refer to the above illustrations for
wiring information. The
trailer jumper harness is used to
install the controller for the electric
trailer brakes. For more information,
see on page . 217
Towing a Trailer
T railer Connect or Socket s
Trailer Brakes
T railer Jumper Harness
Driving
223
7-PIN TRAILER SOCKET
ELECTRIC
BRAKE
(BLUE)
SMALL
LIGHT
(GREEN)
B
CHARGE
(BLACK)
BACK LIGHT
(YELLOW)
GROUND
(WHITE)
4-PIN TRAILER SOCKETGROUND
(WHITE)
GROUND
(BLACK)ELECTRIC BRAKE
(BROWN/WHITE)
BRAKE LIGHTS
(WHITE/BLACK)
BRAKE
(20A)
(WHITE)
LEFT TURN/
STOP
(YELLOW)
RIGHT TURN/
STOP
(GREEN)
SMALL LIGHTS
(BROWN)
RIGHT
TURN/
STOP
(BROWN)
LEFT
TURN/
STOP
(RED)

The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
Your vehicle tires and spare are in
good condition and properly
inf lated.
The trailer tires and spare are in
good condition and inf lated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, cooling system, and
lights are in good operating
condition.
The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
Allitemsonandinthetrailerare
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive. Towing perf ormance can be
af f ected by high altitude, high
temperature, or when climbing
steep grades. Theref ore, premium
f uel (premium unleaded gasoline
with pump octane number of 91 or
higher) is recommended when
towing more than 3,500 lbs (1,590
kg).
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
below.
Avoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle’s f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
Pre-T ow Checklist
Towing a Trailer
Break-In Period
224

If youmuststopwhenfacinguphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
place by pressing on the accelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed, and use D3. Do not
‘‘ride’’ the brakes.
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
When towing a f ixed-sided trailer
(e.g., camper), do not exceed 55 mph
(88 km/h). At higher speeds, the
trailer may sway or affect vehicle
handling.
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.
When towing a trailer on level roads
under normal driving conditions, do
not use D3. This will increase the
automatic transmission fluid
temperature and may cause
overheating. Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses.
Allow more time and distance f or
braking. Do not brake or turn
suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.
When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
With heavy cargo on the pickup bed,
your vehicle has a higher center of
gravity. Drive more slowly and
cautiously. Loading heavy cargo
could af f ect your vehicle’s handling
and performance.
CONT INUED
Remember, it
takes longer to slow down and
stop when towing a trailer.
T owing Speeds and Gears
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Making T urns and Braking
Driving on Hills
Towing a Trailer
Driving
225