Honda ridgeline Owner's Manual page 55

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
Number of
AWD models
occupants
2 600 lbs (272 kg)
4 570 lbs (259 kg)
5 495 lbs (224 kg)
To estimate the tongue load
Excessive tongue load reduces front tire traction and steering control. Too little
tongue load can make the trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
You can estimate the tongue load by measuring the trailer hitch height from the
ground in the following steps:
1. Park the vehicle on level ground.
2. Measure the distance between the ground and the bottom of the trailer hitch.
3. Connect the fully loaded trailer to the hitch.
4. Measure the distance between the ground and the bottom of the trailer
hitch again.
5. Subtract the second measurement from the first measurement, then refer to the
following table.
If the difference is
1 inches (2.5 cm)
1 1/2 inches (3.8 cm)
2 inches (5.1 cm)
2 3/8 inches (6.0 cm) 450 lbs (205 kg)
2 5/8 inches (6.7 cm) 500 lbs (227 kg)
If the difference becomes more than indicated in the table, distribute the load or
remove cargo as needed.
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Total load
Tongue load
2WD models
420 lbs (190 kg)
390 lbs (177 kg)
360 lbs (163 kg)
AWD models 2WD models
150 lbs (68 kg)
250 lbs (114 kg)
350 lbs (159 kg)
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How to weigh the trailer loads using a public scale
Check each weight in the order indicated as shown. Refer to the table below for
each weight's limit except for the tongue load.
1. Front gross axle weight.
4. Gross combined weight.
2. Gross vehicle weight.
3. Rear gross axle weight.
• 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 m) of elevation.
• To calculate the tongue load, subtract 5 from 6.
• Refer to the trailer owner's manual for additional information.
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,
Weight limit for
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 estimate it based on
cargo distribution.
DRIVING
5. Hitched trailer weight.
6. Unhitched trailer weight.
2WD models AWD models
2,734 lbs 2,855 lbs
Front gross axle
(1,240 kg) (1,295 kg)
5,545 lbs 5,842 lbs
Gross vehicle
(2,515 kg) (2,650 kg)
2,921 lbs 3,097 lbs
Rear gross axle
(1,325 kg) (1,405 kg)
8,025 lbs 9,755 lbs
Gross combined
(3,640 kg) (4,425 kg)
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