Out of curiosity, research, and planning ahead in case our Honda Odyssey bites the dust, we stopped at CarMax today to check out mid-sized pickup trucks as a potential TV. Fantastic Honda Ridgeline was sitting there waiting for us with bells and whistles (the dog would love the drop down DVD player - not!) and decent price for a 2011 with only 47K miles. Long story shorter...we didn't buy it (I said it was research) but were sorely tempted. I looked up any info on CanvasCampers for any Ridgeline topic but couldn't find it, but did find some info on other websites (Riddenred from here maybe commented on the Forest River site) and the Ridgeline is NOT for us. No brake controller on it but we found Honda does not recommend a WDH. Can you believe that?!! Guess no matter how nice that TV was, we won't be going back to sign the papers!

The ridgeline is a unibody vehicle, no separate frame which is why you can't use a WDH on them.

the only car company that tells owners NOT to use a WDH with their only truck, that they advertise as a great tow vehicle

That's because it isn't a real truck... 😉 ;D

Thanks for the info! I called our local Honda dealer and asked why the WDH is not recommended, and the service manager said it was because of the tongue weight and how the motor, frame, and undercarriage would not handle a WDH. I asked then about the Chevy Avalanche that "looks the same," and he said it was a total different build underneath and that's why you can use a WDH (and should) with the Avalanche. He actually said the Ridgeline would not be a good tow vehicle!  I even pushed it since our TrailManor would never weigh over 3500 lbs. (but the tongue weight would always be the same).

When the time comes, we may even keep the Odyssey and just have a rebuilt transmission or whatever done and save money while keeping a very nice vehicle (MHO) that I love to drive.

[quote author=chrispycamper link=topic=1840.msg24551#msg24551 date=1372705205]
The ridgeline is a unibody vehicle, no separate frame which is why you can't use a WDH on them.
That's because it isn't a real truck... 😉 ;D

True for both the Ridgeline and the Pilot, but the Odyssey is also unibody, isn't it? And Honda clearly advocates for using WDH with the Odyssey with any trailer over 2000 pounds.

"If the total trailer weight is more than 2,000 lbs, you must also use a weight distributing hitch." Odyssey 2000 Owner's Manual

In contrast, here's what the 2003 Pilot owner's manual says.
"A weight distributing hitch is not recommended for use with your Pilot as an improperly adjusted weight distributing hitch may reduce handling stability and braking performance."

Why the difference in their recommendations for the Pilot and Ridgeline. Are they concerned about overloading the front axle on the Pilot and Ridgeline?

Judy, check out Toyota Tacoma with a factory installed tow package. Mine is rated to pull 6500 lbs. and you can use a WHD. Not bad with a V-6 engine. By the way, I bought a Prodigy 2 brake controller and bought a wiring adapter to hook it up to the truck which had the wiring adapter ready under the dash for a brake controller.