Tow Vehicles 2013 and newer

The new Ridgeline does share an engine with the newest Pilot and the power output is up significantly over the older versions. They also have more gears to push the power through. The new Ridgeline transmission is a 6 speed auto while the new Pilot offers a 9 speed unit. I have not seen any mention of why there is that difference. Maybe the 9 speed is a little more fragile?

I can say it is the first "truck" I have even considered owning in the last 20 years. But I am not a truck person.

Greg
 
So you have the Highlander, Pilot and Ridgeline all at 5,000 lbs tow capacity. All good for at least a short distance tow of a 22. Maybe the longer wheelbase of the Ridgeline would be a plus?
 
Longer wheel base would help. The standard Pilot transmission is the 6 speed. The nine speed is only in the higher end:

Pilot Touring and Elite models are equipped with a new 9-speed automatic transmission, featuring steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. The new 9-speed automatic is 66 lbs. lighter than the Pilot's standard 6-speed automatic, with more closely spaced gear ratios and 25-percent faster gear shifts and the capacity for multi-gear downshifts that enhance performance. The 9-speed automatic transmission has an even greater ratio spread than the 6-speed automatic, further enhancing acceleration performance.
Click to expand...

Lets see you want to "hot rod" shift a SUV which had "Idle stop" feature....My wife's car has "Idle stop"--and it drives me crazy in city traffic!
 
Jake, the Highlander, at least my 2010, does fine for long distance tows. In fact in the last two years, from Wisconsin, I've made two trips out to the west coast (over the Rockies), a trip down to Florida, and numerous trips to Door County and some other 1000 mile round trips. The only reason I started looking was my Highlander is going to turn 100,000 in a few more miles. And I thought it might be good to have just a little more leeway in the maximum tow rating, since I'm at about 4700 lbs with the CD-22. However, after spending some time looking at what's available out there, it boils down to a lot more money only to get something new or with lower mileage, that just barely equates to what I have now. Several vehicles state a higher tow rating, but when you look at payload, it's a farce! Of course I can spend a lot more money and get a big honk'n deasel, but I really don't want a big beast. :mrgreen: Colby
 
Colby,

My limited research agrees with your extensive research, just nothing out there which isn't mega bucks and/or mega size which is rated to tow something larger than a 22. I only said "short distance" to avoid attacks from those who believe a Highlander rated at 5,000 lbs is a bad choice for towing a 4,700 lb load. :)
 
There is probably a few of those Jake! :mrgreen: Sure wish they'd bring the Ford Bronco back. And the 302. (5.0L) Great little engine, and the Bronco was a great SUV. As long as I don't need to tow anything bigger than the CD-22, the 5000lb tow ratings are fine. And for now, I barely have the payload numbers I need with my current Highlander. (The newer ones came out with a bit bigger body, so that took away some payload room! :-( Colby
 
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