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Topic ClosedWhat is towing your pod?
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flat6s View Drop Down
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Joined: 21 Mar 2016
Location: Burlington, Ind
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Posts: 84 		Direct Link To This Post 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 View Drop Down
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Posts: 35 		Direct Link To This Post 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 View Drop Down
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Posts: 2627 		Direct Link To This Post 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.
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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Posts: 84 		Direct Link To This Post 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 View Drop Down
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Posts: 19 		Direct Link To This Post 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.
Anne, Joe
and Quinn our Cairn Terrier

2017 182G
2017 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E
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Posts: 1447 		Direct Link To This Post 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.
Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
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Wayword1 View Drop Down
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Posts: 19 		Direct Link To This Post 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.
Anne, Joe
and Quinn our Cairn Terrier

2017 182G
2017 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E
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tsherv View Drop Down
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Posts: 35 		Direct Link To This Post 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 View Drop Down
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Posts: 19 		Direct Link To This Post 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.
Anne, Joe
and Quinn our Cairn Terrier

2017 182G
2017 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E
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