I was all set to go with a new 4-WD F-150 ...

W

wannabeowner2

New member
And then I found out it wouldn't fit in our garage! Too long at 233" and a bit too high since our garage doors have a 75" jamb. (Who designed this house anyway?)

So now I am reassessing the "compact trucks" such as the Frontier/ Tacoma/ Chevy Colorado all of whom are around 206" long and 70" high plus seem to pull in the 6,000# range. (We're looking at either a 16' or 22' C-Dory.)

Then the Ridgeline popped into view. Sigh. Seems like it might work though a bit more pricy with little rebates/ pricing room. (I had a killer deal on a new 2008 4 WD Super Crew F-150 at 21K lined up.) But will the Ridgeline's 5,000# tow capacity be enough? (I would get the factory tow package.) I see at least one person is towing with a Pilot but does anyone have experience on the Ridgeline?

I do very light remodeling material hauling occasionally and seldom if ever go off-road.

General comments/ other suggestions in the current market are welcome too.

Thanks in advance for the great C-Brats advice,
Steve
 
You might add the Dodge Dakota to your list . It seems to be a decent sized smaller tow rig....which reminds me, I supposed to be trying to sell my brother's Dakota.
 
You could easily tow a 22' Cruiser with a Ford Ranger (XLT 4.0L) or a Jeep Liberty (Limited Edition 3.5L). They're both rated for 3500 lbs I believe. We towed a heavily loaded 16' Cruiser from Fairbanks to Haines without any problems. Gas milage didn't drop much with the extra weight.

Given the current economy, I'd say buy "American" & help keep jobs in the US!
 
The Ridgeline and Pilot will both tow the C Dory 22 easily. We towed our 22 with a Pilot. We found the C Dory 22 to weigh over 4000 lbs --closer to 4500 depending on what gear was aboard.
 
I just hauled my 22 from the Bay area to and from Eagle Lake, which involves several steep grades up to as much as 5700 around Lassen Park. My Expedition 4.7L was absolutely maxxed out making 30 mph max on some grades and pinging terribly on mostly premium gas even at 5000 plus feet. Didn't seem to be like that a few years back and I'm wondering if some of the new gas formulations might have anything to do with it. It was also the last trip for my single axle trailer. Single axle trailers and soft shoulders do not mix well.

By the way I saw 3 other CD's at Eagle. A 16 and 2- 22's (angler and cruiser). Wow what a great fishing spot this time of year and no better place for a CD. Felt pretty good to go by some guys in open boats wearing wet suits with full face covers at 20 degrees.

Chris
 
Sorry, Bob. I don't have any room. Since we are here in Kansas City care-giving my 84 year old mother-in-law we snapped up a house just down the street from her. Not my preferred layout but as they say in retail- "It is all about location, location, location!"

Steve

PS Thanks for the comments above. I am torn right now between the Tacoma, the Frontier or the Ridgeline. Since as someone a while back posted it will be "driveway jewelry" 90% of the time AND since I don't even have a C-Dory yet to pull it with I don't want to invest huge amounts. BTW, anyone have a 16' or 22" in the middle of the country they would like a quick cash sale on?
 
cemiii":365a8shy said:
I just hauled my 22 from the Bay area to and from Eagle Lake, which involves several steep grades up to as much as 5700 around Lassen Park. My Expedition 4.7L was absolutely maxxed out making 30 mph max on some grades and pinging terribly on mostly premium gas even at 5000 plus feet. Didn't seem to be like that a few years back and I'm wondering if some of the new gas formulations might have anything to do with it. It was also the last trip for my single axle trailer. Single axle trailers and soft shoulders do not mix well.

By the way I saw 3 other CD's at Eagle. A 16 and 2- 22's (angler and cruiser). Wow what a great fishing spot this time of year and no better place for a CD. Felt pretty good to go by some guys in open boats wearing wet suits with full face covers at 20 degrees.

Chris
Click to expand...

Chris-

My son and I are going up to Eagle Lake for a week starting next Saturday.

Have a rented cabin right in front of the lake by the air strip in Spaulding!

It's the new moon on Tuesday, and we're taking the CD-22, of course.

I've never had any problems pulling the boat and tandem trailer up County Road A-4 or Highway 139 with my Durango and the 5.9L V-8.

How was the fishing? Any hot lures, bait presentations, or locations?

Joe. :teeth :thup

1579845069_e2d2947f70.jpg

Typical Eagle Lake Trout (Caught and Released, Oct. 2007)
 
I feel your pain as reagards garages. I park my F-250 outside. My door is 78" tall, tops. I'd have more than enough depth...if my truck was the only thing in my garage.
 
Steve,
I have a 2007 Ridgeline and 2006 CD - 22. Yes it is a little pricey but it tows well. Rides like a car when not towing and with the tailgate down, can carry 4 x 8 sheets of plywood or drywall or other stuff. Payload is only 1500 lbs. Its a short bed so it parks ok. Nice feature is the lift-open, lockable under bed- storage.

Fuel mileage is 19/20 hwy and about 15/16 around town.

It works for me now but at 5000 lb towing & 1500 payload limit, I would consider the F-150 with towing upgrades if I would remotely need more capacity in the future.

Allan
 
Our CD 19+ single axel trailer tips the scale at 3815#. The 04 Honda Pilot pulls it easily - uphill and down. And on slick ramps, the smallish SUV (AWD) draws an occasional dirty look from a pickup owner spinning his wheels. And the Pilot fits the garage.. Happy shopping
 
Our 4.0 L Ranger tows our C-D 22 Cruiser without problems. The automatic transmission option is required to pull this much weight and the available 4.10 gear ratio differential is helpful.
If the trailer has electric brakes a load equalizing hitch will work. If the trailer has surge brakes Air-Lift rear auxillary springs and air pump will increase stability.
 
Our 22 Cruiser on a single axel trailer weighted 4200 pounds. we had 1/2 fuel and a full tank of water, but not too much gear when it was weighted.
 
We looked at the Ridgeline ,Tacoma ,Frontier all the mid-range trucks and SUV's. We ended up with the Honda Pilot same drivetrain as the Ridgeline fits in the garage better and will tow 16-22 easy . When we towed the Duck CD-22 we towed without H2O and very little fuel about 3800lb this was on a galv single axcel trailer with 90 suzuki. We now tow a cc--23 with with the Pilot on small outings no real long distance in florida flatlands towed weight is right at 4500lb no water and very little fuel 5-9 gallons on a tandem axcel alum. trl. If we end up towing all over we will upgrade the Honda but for under 4500lb its a Great all wheel drive vehicle

If you think you might go to a 23-25 cd get a tahoe or f150-250 or whatever make you like . If you are staying with a 19 or 22 then get the ridgeline Good luck in your Quest for the perfect tow vehicle
 
Thanks to all for your input. Due to waaaaay too many looming family issues we're not quite there on buying a C-Dory yet but want to purchase a vehicle for the future. (I doubt we'll ever have any C-Dory model larger than a 22' and most likely will wind up with a 16' in the beginning.)

It sounds like the Ridgeline may be what we want. I have a quote on a new 2008 RTS (mid trim level) at 22,468.00 (MSRP 31,060.00) out the lot cash price to me. The dealer says it had "minor hail damage" but has been repaired. Guess I better go look at it and actually drive one!

Thanks for the great C-Brat responses and advice.

Steve Toburen
King of the Lurkers

PS Any other ideas on Internet buying resources for cars? Especially Hondas?
 
For those of you that constantly complain about the outsourcing of good American jobs, look in your driveway. If the car or truck says, Honda, Toyota, Nissan.........you think that might be part of the problem? I think so. But, in retrospect, at least your tow vehicle will match your outboard :)
 
You are right buying Honda's or Toyota's or any other foreign brand could be bad for our American economy . Most of the SUV and trucks we are talking about are made right here in the USA .Nissans built in TN.Honda's built in indiana ,Toyota's built in Texas. So we are supporting the American worker.If I do buy Japanese I look for the cars made in America.I'm waiting for the new diesels coming out of Detroit in 2010 the smaller maybe F-100's? with 4.2 Diesels not sure of the name yet.

I'm hoping that our 3 Auto makers can get it together and build cars that America wants and needs . like Hybrids ,diesels etc. 2010 looks like a good year for the American truck buyer .
 
T.R. Bauer":113i68cw said:
For those of you that constantly complain about the outsourcing of good American jobs, look in your driveway. If the car or truck says, Honda, Toyota, Nissan.........you think that might be part of the problem? I think so. But, in retrospect, at least your tow vehicle will match your outboard :)
Click to expand...

When I look in my driveway their are 5 vehicles two Chevrolets, two Jeep Cherokee's and a Ford Pickup all made in America. When I retired I bought a new fishing boat and wanted and American made engine and the only thing available was Mercury which is mostly made by Yamaha. While I hope to never own and imported car it's getting harder every day. When I was working I worked in a lot of car plants. Honda in Ohio, Toyota in Indiana and Nissan in Tennesse plus GM, Chrysler, Saturn and Ford in other areas. It's hard to tell today where something is made it you aren't really diligent. A lot of Chevrolets are made in Mexico as are many Dodge trucks. This is kind of off subject but my point is just because a vehicle has an American companies name doesn't necessarily mean its made in America and just because it has a Japanese name doesn't necessarily mean it's made in Japan. :?
 
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