Ridgeline tow vehicle

[Catchalot]

Just acquired a 2012 ridgeline . Want to keep it to tow my c21rbh , weighs about 3000 lbs. Towed it 200 miles and got only 9 mpg ! Is this about the range with a light weight set up ?? Any other trucks that would do better ? (Other than big diesels). Thanks

[Mr_D]

Yep, the Ridgeline has the same engine as our '05 Ody. Trying to tow much with only 3.5L (212 ci) is pretty tough on them. You're into the throttle quite a ways so it sucks the gas to do it.
Yes, others with bigger engines or diesel will get better mileage. I sometimes tow a small utility trailer with a ½ yard of gravel (slightly over 1500#'s) with the ODY and I can really feel it back there.
Our 50,000# MH towing our Ody gets us 7.6 mpg average, BTW.

[SmokeyWren]

I've towed a 7x14 enclosed cargo trailer with a 2009 Odyssey and got about 10 MPG between west Texas and Scottsdale AZ, with cruise control set on 62 MPH The trailer grossed around 5000 pounds going and 2000 pounds coming home empty. Weight didn't matter, it got about 10 MPG both ways. It's the aero-dynamic drag that kills MPG. I usually tow at around 62 MPH, but if I speed up to 70 or 75 the MPG goes in the gutter.

I now tow with an F-150 EcoBoost (twin turbo 3.5L V-6). The EcoBoost is a much more capable towing engine because it has so much more torque, but it still gets only around 10 MPG towing that cargo trailer or our small travel trailer that has about the same frontal area.

[bluepill]

Yup, gas engine pulling a full-height trailer = low MPG. It's just physics. That is why I chose this combo:



The A Frame design minimizes air drag, and the new Honda/Acura Direct injection V-6 gets great MPG. At 65MPH cruise I get 27 not towing and 22 towing.

I love it when a plan comes together.