2020 HONDA RIDGELINE tow

uuBefore Driving uMaximum Load Limit
362
Driving
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers
that will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers
from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb. passengers in
your vehicle, the amount of av ailable cargo and luggage load
capacity is 650 lbs. (1,400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being
loaded on the vehicle. That we ight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will
be transferred to your vehicl e. Consult this manual to
determine how this reduces th e available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.1 Maximum Load Limit
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR):
The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all a ccessories, all cargo, and the tongue
load. 2 Specifications P. 568
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR):
The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle axle. 2 Specifications P. 568
3WARNING
Never let passengers ride in the
pickup bed, in the trunk space, or
on the bed rails. This could cause
very serious injuries or death. No
one should ride in any position on
your vehicle that is not equipped
with seats and seat belts.
Exceeding load limits or
improperly loading cargo on the
vehicle can cause a crash in which
you can be seriously injured or
killed.
Load the cargo carefully before
starting to drive.

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uuBefore Driving uMaximum Load Limit
Driving
In addition, the total weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
accessories, cargo, and trailer tongue load must not exceed the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). Both are on a label on the driver’s doorjamb.1Maximum Load Limit
Towing a Trailer:
See Towing a Trailer to determine whether your
vehicle is designed to tow a trailer. 2 Towing a Trailer P. 366
Load Limits Example
Example1
Max Load 1,477 lbs (670 kg) Passenger Weight
150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs (68 kg x 2 = 136 kg) Cargo Weight
1,177 lbs (534 kg)
Example2 Max Load 1,477 lbs (670 kg) Passenger Weight
150 lbs x 5 = 750 lbs (68 kg x 5 = 340 kg) Cargo Weight
727 lbs
(330 kg)

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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 to wing guidelines. 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 17.6 lbs (8 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. 568
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)
34,875 lbs (2,211 kg)3,375 lbs (1,531 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
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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)
3585 lbs (265 kg)405 lbs (184 kg)
4570 lbs (259 kg)390 lbs (177 kg)
5540 lbs (245 kg)360 lbs (163 kg)

uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
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Driving
■How to weigh the trailer lo ads 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. 367
•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 manu al 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.

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uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Driving
Towing generally requires a vari ety of supplemental equipment.
To ensure the best quality, we recommend 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. 370
Open the lid of the socket (located next to the
trailer hitch) to expo se 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 equipmen t 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

uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
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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 consult 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 brake s: 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 ve hicle 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.

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uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
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Have a qualified mechanic install your trailer
brake controller following 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. 558
Electric Brake
(Brown)
Ground
(Black) +B (Light
Green) (20A)
Stop
(Violet)
Trailer brake controller
connector’s terminals:
Electric Brake
(Brown)
+B (20A)
(Blue)
Ground
(Black)
Brake Lights
(Sky Blue)