HONDA RIDGELINE 2019 Owner's Manual (in English)

419
uuBefore Driving uCarrying Cargo
Driving
You can also support motorcycles on the pickup bed floor with the cleats.
The floor panel of the pickup bed is designed to hold motorcycle tires. Be sure to
tighten motorcycles securely, with an ap proved tie-down or motorcycle strap,
according to the motorcyc le maker’s instructions.
When carrying motorcycles or any other cargo, do not spill any oil or fluid on the
pickup bed. A spilled liquid may damage the pickup bed.

420
Driving
Towing a Trailer
Towing Preparation
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if you carefully observe the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and follow the towing guidelin es. Check the load limits before driving.
■Total trailer weight
Do not exceed the maximum allowable
weight of the trailer, cargo, and everything in
or on it shown in the table.
Towing loads in excess of this can seriously
affect vehicle handling and performance and
can damage the engine and drivetrain.
Each weight limit is calculated based on the following conditions:
• Occupants fill seats from the front of the vehicle to the back
• Each occupant weights 150 lbs (68 kg)
• Each occupant has 15 lbs (7 kg) of cargo in the cargo area
Any additional weight, cargo or accessori es reduce the maximum trailer weight and
maximum tongue load.
■Towing Load Limits1 Towing Load Limits
Check if all loads are within limits at a public scale.
If a public scale is not available, add the estimated
weight of your cargo load to the weight of your
trailer (as quoted by the manufacturer), and then
measure the tongue load with an appropriate scale or
tongue gauge or estima te it based on cargo
distribution.
Refer to the trailer owner’s manual for additional
information.
Break-in Period
Avoid towing a trailer duri ng your vehicle’s first 600
miles (1,000 km).
Never exceed the gross weight ratings.
Gross weight information 2 Vehicle Specifications P. 602
3WARNING
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 before starting to drive.
Total Load
Number of
occupantsAWD models2WD models
25,000 lbs (2,267 kg)3,500 lbs (1,587 kg)
44,750 lbs (2,154 kg)3,250 lbs (1,474 kg)
54,500 lbs (2,041 kg)3,000 lbs (1,360 kg)

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uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Continued
Driving
■Tongue load
The weight of the tongue with a fully loaded
trailer on the hitch should be approximately:
Boat trailers: 5 – 15% of the total trailer
weight
Other trailers: 10 – 15% of total trailer weight
Tongue LoadTongue Load
Number of occupantsAWD models2WD models
2600 lbs (272 kg)420 lbs (190 kg)
4570 lbs (259 kg)390 lbs (177 kg)
5495 lbs (224 kg)360 lbs (163 kg)

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uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Driving
■To estimate the tongue load
Excessive tongue load reduces front tire traction and steering control. Too little
tongue load can make the trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
You can estimate the tongue load by meas uring the trailer hitch height from the
ground in the following steps:
1. Park the vehicle on level ground.
2. Measure the distance between the ground and the bottom of the trailer hitch.
3. Connect the fully loaded trailer to the hitch.
4. Measure the distance between the ground and the bottom of the trailer hitch
again.
5. Subtract the second measurement from th e first measurement, then refer to the
following table.
If the difference becomes more than indicated in the table, distribute the load or
remove cargo as needed.
If the difference isAWD models2WD models
1 inches (2.5 cm)150 lbs (68 kg)
1 1/2 inches (3.8 cm)250 lbs (114 kg)
2 inches (5.1 cm)350 lbs (159 kg)
2 3/8 inches (6.0 cm)450 lbs (205 kg)—
2 5/8 inches (6.7 cm)500 lbs (227 kg)—

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uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Driving
■How to weigh the trailer load s using the public scale
Check each weight in the order indicated as shown.
Refer to the table on the right for each we ight’s limit except for the tongue load.
2Tongue load P. 421
•If you cannot weigh the rear axle, subtract 1 from 2.
• The maximum gross combined weight (4) decreases by 2% for every 1,000 feet
(305 meters) of elevation.
• To calculate the tongue load, subtract 5 from 6.
• Refer to the trailer owner’s ma nual for additional information.
1How to weigh the trailer loads using the public scale
Fully load the vehicle and trailer. An attendant who
watches the scale is needed as all occupants should
stay in the vehicle.
If a public scale is not available, add the estimated
weight of your cargo load to the weight of your
trailer (as quoted by the manufacturer), and then
measure the tongue load with an appropriate scale or
tongue gauge or estima te it based on cargo
distribution. Weight limit for 2WD models AWD models
Front gross axle3,042 lbs
(1,380 kg)3,131 lbs
(1,420 kg)
Gross vehicle 5,710 lbs
(2,590 kg) 6,019 lbs
(2,730 kg)
Rear gross axle3,042 lbs
(1,380 kg)3,219 lbs
(1,460 kg)
Gross combined 8,201 lbs
(3,720 kg) 9,987 lbs
(4,530 kg)
1. Front gross axle weight.
2. Gross vehicle weight.4. Gross combined weight.
3. Rear gross axle weight. 5. Hitched trailer weight.
6. Unhitched trailer weight.

uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
424
Driving
Towing generally requires a variety of supplemental equipment.
To ensure the best quality, we recomme nd that you purchase Honda equipment
whenever possible.
Your vehicle has a class 3 trailer hitch as standard equipment. The jumper harness
and trailer brake fuse are stored in the glove box.
2 Trailer brakes P. 425
Open the lid of the socket (located next to the
trailer hitch) to expose the 7-pin trailer
connector.
■Hitches
Read the trailer manufacturer’s instructions , and select the appropriate draw bar for
the height of the trailer you will be towing.
■Towing Equipment and Accessories
Models with AWD1 Towing Equipment and Accessories
Make sure that all equipment is properly installed and
maintained, and that it meets federal, state, province/
territory, and lo cal regulations.
Consult your trai ler maker for prope r installation and
setup of the equipment.
Improper installation and setup can affect the
handling, stability, and br aking performance of your
vehicle.
Consult your traile r sales or rental agency if any other
items are recommended or required for your towing
situation.
The lighting and wiring of tra ilers can vary by type
and brand. If a connector is required, it should only
be installed by a qua lified technician.
Trailer packages and products:
•Ball mount, hitch plug, hitch pin etc.•Wiring harness kit
•Trailer hitch kit (jum per harness included)
Are available at a dealer.
7-Pin trailer connector
Lid Trailer hitch

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uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Driving
■Weight distribution hitches
Your vehicle is designed to tow without the need for a load distributing hitch. If you
wish to use one, please cons ult your trailer maker for proper installation and set-up.
Improper set-up could degrade the handling, stability, and braking performance of
your vehicle.
■Safety chains
Always use safety chains when you tow a trailer. Leave enough slack to allow the
trailer to turn corners easily, but do not allow the chains to drag on the ground.
■Trailer brakes
Recommended for any trailer with a total weight of 1,000 lbs (450 kg) or more:
There are two common types of trailer bra kes: surge and electric. Surge brakes are
common for boat trailers, since the brakes will get wet.
If you choose electric brakes, be sure th ey are electronically actuated. Do not
attempt to attach trailer brakes to your ve hicle’s hydraulic system, as it will lower
braking effectiveness and create a potential hazard.
The 4-pin gray connector installed in your vehicle has all of the circuits required to
install most electric trailer brake controllers.1 Trailer brakes
The 4-pin gray connector is located under the
instrument panel near the top of the parking brake
pedal.

426
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Driving
Have a qualified mechanic install your trailer
brake controller followi ng the trailer brake
controller manufacturer’ s instructions. Failure
to properly install the trailer brake controller
may increase the distance it takes for you to
stop your vehicle when towing a trailer.
The trailer hitch harness is used to install the
controller for the electric trailer brakes.
Insert the trailer brake fuse into the engine
compartment sub fuse box.
2 Engine Compartment Fuse Box Type B
P. 593
Electric Brake
(Brown) (20A)
Ground
(Black) Brake (Light
Green)
Stop
(Violet)
Trailer brake controller
connector’s terminals:
Electric Brake
(Brown)
Brake (20A)
(Blue)
Ground
(Black)
Brake Lights
(Sky Blue)

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uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Driving
■Trailer light
Trailer lights and equipment must comply with federal, state, province/territory, and
local regulations. Check with your local trailer sales or rental agency for the
requirements in the area where you plan to tow.
We recommend that you have a dealer inst all a Honda wiring harness and converter.
They are designed for your vehicle.1 Trailer light
The trailer lighting connect or is located behind the
trailer hitch.
Even if you are planning to use the non-Honda trailer
lighting harness and converte r, ask a dealer for the
correct connector and pins.
Left turn signal and
brake lights (White)
Electric brake (Brown) Right turn signal and
brake lights (Red)
Back-up lights (Blue) Ground (Black)
Tail lights (Black)
+B Charge (Green)
Pins’ wiring color codes and their purposes:
(For 2WD Vehicles Only):

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uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Driving
The 7-pin trailer connector is needed for your trailer lights. When inserting the
connector to the socket, ch eck if the connector and the socket are free of dirt,
moisture, or other foreign material.
The lighting and wiring of trailers can vary by type and brand. If a connector is
required, it should only be installed by a qualified technician.
■Sway control
This device can be used if your trailer te nds to sway. Your trailer maker can tell you
what kind of sway control you need and how to install it. Improper installation could
degrade the handling and stability of your vehicle.
■Trailer mirrors
Many states, provinces and te rritories require special exterior mirrors when towing a
trailer. Install special mirrors whenever you cannot clearly see behind you, or if the
trailer creates a blind spot.
Pins’ wiring color codes and their purposes:
Tail lights
(Black)
Left turn
signal and
brake lights
(White)
Ground (Black) +B Charge
(Green)
Right turn
signal and
brake lights
(Red)
Electric brake
(Brown)
Back-up lights (Blue) 1. Pull the socket lid to open.
2. Insert the 7-pin trailer
connector into the socket. 3. Hook the lid
retaining tab onto the
socket retaining tab.
Socket
(For Vehicles Equipped with Trailer Hitch Harness Only):