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flat6s
Groupie
Joined: 21 Mar 2016
Location: Burlington, Ind
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 84
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Topic: What is towing your pod? Posted: 21 Aug 2017 at 3:13pm |
Tsherv... My 2009 Ridgeline is struggling from a handling standpoint. Rear end droop is making steering very light and sway is an issue. I use a friction sway bar, which helps, if I install it very tight. I am wondering if you are using a wdh and if so, what brand or style ? From a horse power stand point I feel the Ridgeline is average, as long as you do not mind high rpm... I have found, like the guys on the Ridgeline forum state, that switching to 93 octane makes a huge difference, gas mileage is way better and the performance increase is well worth it. Transmission stays locked in gear much better. I just need to get the front end planted. Thanks for any help you can give me. Joe and Bessie the Bassett
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tsherv
Newbie
Joined: 24 Mar 2017
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Posts: 35
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Posted: 21 Aug 2017 at 3:40pm |
Hi Joe,
I do use a WDH. I use the this hitch: Fastway 94-00-0600 Round Bar Weight Distribution Hitch. I bought it on Amazon. There is a long history of discussion around the use of a WDH on a Ridgeline. Some people feel you shouldn't use one. If you do a web search you can read up on it and come to your own conclusion. Honda recommends not using a WDH because an improperly adjusted hitch can make the vehicle unsafe. Isn't that the case with any WDH? I have close to 6,000 miles on it just this Summer with the WDH. It works great for me. Besides wind resistance I can hardly tell the camper is behind me.
I also you high octane and have better results.
I also always pull it with my water tanks empty, unless I'm going shorter distances.
Let me know if you have questions!
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GlueGuy
Senior Member
Joined: 15 May 2017
Location: N. California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2629
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Posted: 21 Aug 2017 at 5:26pm |
Originally posted by flat6s
Tsherv...My 2009 Ridgeline is struggling from a handling standpoint. Rear end droop is making steering very light and sway is an issue. I use a friction sway bar, which helps, if I install it very tight. I am wondering if you are using a wdh and if so, what brand or style ? From a horse power stand point I feel the Ridgeline is average, as long as you do not mind high rpm... I have found, like the guys on the Ridgeline forum state, that switching to 93 octane makes a huge difference, gas mileage is way better and the performance increase is well worth it. Transmission stays locked in gear much better. I just need to get the front end planted. Thanks for any help you can give me. Joe and Bessie the Bassett |
Sounds like you're not using a WDH? Using one will transfer a significant amount of weight forward, and give you better steering response. If you're not using a WDH, I would recommend using one.
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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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flat6s
Groupie
Joined: 21 Mar 2016
Location: Burlington, Ind
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 84
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Posted: 25 Aug 2017 at 6:32pm |
Hey tsherv, Based on your recommendations, I made an appointment and had a round bar Fastaway wdh installed today. They only had the 8000 lb model, but said it is a little overkill but won't hurt anything. On the 25 mile drive home, it is a wonderful improvement. Truck front end feels planted now. Rear end ag is now gone. Absolutely no sway. Actually got it up to 65 mph, something I would never do before because of sway and buffeting. So thank you for your reply. I learn so much from this forum and want to thank everyone that participates. What agreat forum Joe, and of course, Bessie the bassett
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Wayword1
Newbie
Joined: 04 Aug 2017
Location: Waterville, Oh
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 19
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Posted: 28 Aug 2017 at 10:42am |
Hi,
I am confused about WDH for a Ridgeline. I had a 2006 and pulled a 5000# boat through mountains and at highway speeds with no issues. I now have a 2017 Ridgeline and a 182G on order. It just seems difficult to see the need for weight distribution or sway. As I am writing this a thought comes to mind. Trailer suspension. I guess if the rpod does not have a very ridged suspension then sway could be a problem.
Any thoughts on this?
What about the added weight on the tongue - don't want that either.
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Anne, Joe
and Quinn our Cairn Terrier
2017 182G
2017 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E
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Keith-N-Dar
podders Helping podders - pHp
Joined: 03 Apr 2011
Location: Mayville, WI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1447
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Posted: 28 Aug 2017 at 12:00pm |
The other issue is wind. Your boat is likely more streamlined tan a trailer. You may want to consider anti sway at least.
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Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
2010 Ford F-150
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Wayword1
Newbie
Joined: 04 Aug 2017
Location: Waterville, Oh
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 19
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Posted: 28 Aug 2017 at 1:38pm |
Thanks
I did a quick read on wind and side forces of a trailer. I see that sway is a mathematical calculation of the side surface area of each vehicle. Unless they are equal sway occurs. Maybe because a lot of the side area of the boat is not strictly vertical it has less effect. Since I no longer have the boat I can't have fun measuring it.
Either way better safe, so I will get one and with both. Now to wade through all the manufacturer's hype. Husky center control looks good at this point.
Thank you for your quick response.
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Anne, Joe
and Quinn our Cairn Terrier
2017 182G
2017 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E
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tsherv
Newbie
Joined: 24 Mar 2017
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 35
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Posted: 29 Aug 2017 at 8:21am |
I think the big difference is the wind resistance in comparison to a boat.
I could have easily pulled my R-pod using my Ridgeline without a WDH. But, the WDH made towing so much nicer. The trailer and Ridgeline felt incredibly stable using the WDH. When I tow without it, the front end feels a bit light.
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Wayword1
Newbie
Joined: 04 Aug 2017
Location: Waterville, Oh
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 19
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Posted: 29 Aug 2017 at 10:24am |
Thanks tsherv,
I've elected to go with the Fastway 92-00-0600 trunnion weight distribution hitch that promises to reduce sway. Seems like a good application for my Ridgeline with its lower ground clearance.
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Anne, Joe
and Quinn our Cairn Terrier
2017 182G
2017 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E
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