HONDA RIDGELINE 2008 1.G Owners Manual

The maximum weight of the trailer
andeverythinginoronitdependson
the number of occupants in your
vehicleandthetypeof trailerbeing
towed (see page ).
Towing a load that is too heavy can
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and perf ormance.
Your vehicle has been designed to
tow a trailer, as well as carrying
passengers and their cargo. To
saf ely tow a trailer, you should
caref ully observe the load limits (see
page ), use the proper equipment,
and f ollow the guidelines in this
section.
Be sure to read the
sectiononpage
if you plan to tow of f paved
surf aces.
The weight that the tongue of a f ully-
loaded trailer puts on the hitch
should f ollow the recommended load
guidelines (see page ). Too
much tongue load reduces f ront-tire
traction and steering control. Too
little tongue load can make the
trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
191
232
219219
T ot al T railer Weight T ongue L oad
Load Limits
Off-Highway
Driving Guidelines
Towing Weight Limits
Driving
217
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
beforestartingtodrive.
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µµ µ Thebestwaytoconfirmthatall
loads are within limits is to check
them at a public scale (see page
).
Add the weight of your trailer (as
quoted by the manuf acturer) with
everything in or on the trailer. Then
check the tables on page to
make sure you do not exceed the
limit f or your conditions.
To help ensure a saf e drive to a scale,
or if you cannot get to a public scale,
we recommend that you estimate
your total trailer weight and tongue
load as described.
The maximum
allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all accessories, all cargo,
and the tongue load is 6,050 lbs
(2,745 kg).
The GCWR must be reduced 2
percent f or every 1,000 f eet (305
meters) of elevation. The maximum
allowable weight of the f ully loaded
vehicle and trailer is 10,088 lbs
(4,575 kg) with the proper hitch. The maximum
allowable weight on the vehicle axles
is 3,105 lbs (1,410 kg) on the f ront
axle, and 3,245 lbs (1,475 kg) on the
rear axle. 217
219
Estimating Loads
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR)
Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR)
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GA WR)
To Estimate the Total Trailer Weight
Towing Weight Limits
218
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ÎÎÎ
Î
ÎÎ
µµ
Number of
Occupants 2
3
4
5 Max. T ongue Load
Max. T railer Weight
Towing Weight Guidelines
Driving
219
Total Trailer Weight and Tongue Load Guidelines:
600 lbs (272 kg)
600 lbs (272 kg)
570 lbs (258 kg)
516 lbs (234 kg)
5,000 lbs (2268 kg)
4,750 lbs (2155 kg)
4,750 lbs (2155 kg)
4,500 lbs (2041 kg)
Recommended tongue load should be 5 15% of the total trailer weight for boat trailers, and 10 15% of the total trailer weight for all other
trailers.
The corresponding weight limits assume occupants fill seats from the front of the vehicle to the back, each occupant weighs 150 lbs (70 kg),
and each has 15 lbs (7 kg) of cargo in the cab, pickup bed, or In-Bed Trunk. Any additional weight, including cargo or accessories, reduces
the maximum trailer weight and maximum tongue load. Never exceed the gross axle weight ratings (see page ).
218
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To accurately check your loads at
the public scale, the vehicle and
trailer should be f ully loaded, and all
occupants should stay in the vehicle
while the attendant watches the
scale.Check the f ront gross axle weight.
Limit: 3,105 lbs (1,410 kg) Check the gross vehicle weight.
Limit: 6,050 lbs (2,745 kg)
Check the weight of the hitched
trailer. Write this number down.
Remember, maximum gross
combined weight should be
decreased 2 % f or every 1,000 f eet
(305 meters) of elevation.
Check the gross combined weight.
Limit: 10,088 lbs (4,575 kg)
Remember, maximum gross
combined weight should be
decreased 2 % f or every 1,000 f eet
(305 meters) of elevation.
If you cannot weigh the rear axle
directly, you can calculate the rear
gross axle weight by subtracting
the weight in step 1 from the
weight in step 2.
Limit: 2,945 lbs (1,335 kg)
Check the rear gross axle weight.
Limit: 3,252 lbs (1,475 kg)
1. 2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Checking L oads
Towing a Trailer
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Check the weight of the unhitched
trailer. Limit: See page .Towing generally requires a variety
of supplemental equipment. To
ensure the best quality, we
recommend that you purchase
Honda equipment whenever possible.
Calculate the tongue load.
Subtract the weight in step 6 f rom
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. 217
219 219
CONT INUED
All models except RTX
T owing Equipment and
A ccessoriesHitch
Weight Distributing Hitch
Towing a Trailer
Driving
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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.
Trailer Brakes
Towing a Trailer
222
BRAKE
(20A)
(BLUE)
GROUND
(BLACK)
ELECTRIC BRAKE
(BROWN/WHITE)
STOP
(WHITE/BLACK)
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Always use saf ety 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
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains 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 f ull-size
spare wheel and tire for your vehicle
and trailer. See page f or proper
tire size, page f or 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. 271
282
277
Saf et y Chains
Sway Cont rolTrailer Mirrors Spare Tires
Towing a Trailer
Driving
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´
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.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.
Your vehicle is equipped with a
connector to install an optional trailer
lighting connector that mates with
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.
Trailer Lights
Towing a Trailer
224
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)
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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.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.
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CONT INUED
On U.S. RTX model only
Towing EquipmentInst alling t he Cover Inst alling t he Ball Mount
Towing a Trailer
Driving
225
TRAILER HITCH
7-PIN TRAILER CONNECTOR
4-PIN TRAILER
CONNECTOR
TRAILER HITCHCOVER
HITCH PIN HITCH PIN
CLIP
BALL MOUNT
TRAILER HITCH
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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.
Connect ing t he T railer Connect ors
Towing a Trailer
226
7-PIN TRAILER CONNECTOR
SOCKETRETAINING
TAB
RETAINING
TAB
LID
4-PIN TRAILER CONNECTORSOCKET COVER
7-PIN TRAILER
CONNECTOR 4-PIN TRAILER
CONNECTOR
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