How "safe" to be a little overweight?

[Skyco]

On a national basis, there most certainly is no problem with any Honda transmission that I've seen ........

Might want to read this-

http://www.hondatransmissionsettlement.com/php/pdf/caht1not.pdf

 

[craigNC]

Exactly my thoughts, Keith. Makes no sense to put yourself in the position of being the "deep pocket." I also suspect I should take my business to a dealer who does not advise me to run overweight!

I've looked at Featherlite trailers, but at asking prices for a 17.5 ftcar carrier in the $5,000+ range, it makes you think about getting a thousands-of-dollars-less expensive-but-heavier trailer and leaving a few hundred dollars worth of (insured) implements in harm's way. I'd rather get the tractor and FEL and the expensive MMM out of the way, if it's practical. To put that kind of money into a trailer, though, it would need to be my primary trailer which in my case would mean (removable?) mesh sides to make hauling pinestraw, brush and large boxes easier ... and a lot of D-rings or other tie-down points, not just 4 ...

 

[Dargo]

Might want to read this-

http://www.hondatransmissionsettlement.com/php/pdf/caht1not.pdf

Not to sound sarcastic, but please do tell, exactly what does that have to do with a Honda Ridgeline?! If you have ever spent any time in or around the auto industry, you'd know that I can show you tens of thousands, yes, tens of thousands of similar letters for just about every vehicle on the road in this country.

Please feel free to believe precisely whatever you please. However, when I deal with these exact issues each and every working day, and have for almost 25 years, I feel that I have a rather firm grasp of the statistics of what I see and pay out. One of the business I'm an owner in is a warranty company that covers cars, light duty trucks, SUVs etc. Other divisions cover powersports, watercraft and RVs. You see, it's sort of important for us to know the actuarial statistics on the breakdown frequency and severity of most major components on most all vehicles sold in this country that we opt to cover, which is just about everything except known bad risks and exotic vehicles. My database of statistics only grows by about 40k to 50k entries per month, so you may have a larger data sampling even though it's been proven much larger samplings have proven somewhat irrelevant. Our database has taken decades and millions of dollars to develop and keep relevant to current trends. Based on our data, I could tell you, with surprising accuracy, what percentage chance there is for your...say alternator to fail in the next given time frame...say 6 months on your vehicle if I know the year, make, model and current miles on your vehicle. But, since it took so much time and cost so much money to be able to develop the ability to do so, that's not something I'd do nor would anyone else with that data.

So, my statement about his vehicle not being one with a junk transmission isn't based on seeing a couple break due to reasons unknown to you (unless you have the complete COF report with measurements and samplings) nor from reading something on the internet. Make sense?

 

[Skyco]

First- I never said Honda Ridgelines had transmission problems.
In fact I even said -quote -"I will state I haven't heard about Ridgeline transmissions being particularly troublesome, or good for that matter..."

Second- to quote I said "Honda transmissions are already considered weak by many"
That is an undisputable statement, it doesn't matter what data says about actual failures, it was a statement about peoples beliefs. So many people tend to put Hondas on some perfect lofty pedestal, that they are stunned to find they have design flaws just like any brand does.


You then said "On a national basis, there most certainly is no problem with any Honda transmission that I've seen" So I pointed out ONE of MANY links stating the contrary, there are many troublesome Honda transmissions, even though in all your data and research YOU'VE never seen any evidence of it.

Again I'm not bashing Honda, heck I own two Hondas, a Pilot and a Civic and also a Honda motorcycle, two Honda generators, a Honda powered pressure washer, did own a Honda outboard, have owned 4 Honda ATVs and did own many other Honda motorcycles besides the one I presently own.

Maybe I should bash Honda more- my 2003 Pilot had to go in for a transmission recall shortly after buying it, my Dad's 2002 Odyssey is on its second transmission in 70,000 miles, my old 2000 Honda Accord had its transmission warranty extended because of numerous reported problems.


Shall we get into the reports of Honda Ridgelines buckling sheet metal body panels from over weight towing due to not having a real frame and being unibody type construction?

 

[RollTideRam]

I know my wife would make me leave a rotary cutter and box blade behind (tractor and loader also) if I to get out of town for an incoming storm. Those two items would save you alot of money on an aluminum trailer. Have you priced insurance on your tractor? That may be your best bet. JC

 

[craigNC]

RollTideRam -- tractor and implements are covered by my homeowner's, flood and auto policies as long as they are on my property or on my trailer attached to my insured vehicle (all confirmed with my insurance company a few days ago). The reason for getting them out of flood's way is that they are among the few items of any value that we cannot elevate above, say, a 2-3 foot level. Any more water than that, like the storm surge we had in 2003 (Isabel), and I will need a working tractor badly after the storm .

Maybe I should just get a really tall trailer with rear jackstands, load my tractor on it, and leave it in the workshop for storms rather than trying to tow it

 

[Diamondpilot]

Buy a 4 post lift. One can be had for about $1800. They are hydraulic and 110 volt so no major mods to the garage. You just need a 4" thick concrete floor to mount it on which 99% of all garages have. Its my next purchase. Will be great for changing oil ect. Also give you that much more square feet to store stuff. A gal my dad works with went out and bought a new mustang and told her husband he was going to leave his toys outside in the winter. She got him a 4 post lift after comparing it to the cost of adding on to the garage. 1/2 as much and he now has a toy also. He stores the stang on it and parks his Ranger under it through the winter months.


Chris

I just thought about something. I wonder if she has a sister? I need a woman with a stang and willing to buy me a 4 post lift.

 

[radioman]

adding my 2 cents. After having towing my BX on my 16ft trailer with s-10 blazer with towing capacity of 5k as well is so so experience. I find that its a little unnerving when towing without my WD bars on the curves. I find I can stop just fine. Its the wind turbulence that can make things unsafe as well. I also tow a 22 ft travel camper and I know I need my sway bar due to short wheelbase of blazer. Having said this - your ridgeline is probably right on the fine line of safe enough or can end up in diaster just like me. I know for sure I need to upgrade my blazer with more towing capacity for better handling. A longer wheel base and more weight for sure. you mentioned an aluminum trailer - The only thing i can think of why SHOULD you get aluminum trailer is salt in the wintertime if you use the trailer often on salt encrusted roads.

So to recap- Light duty truck , medium duty trailer, need to have extra towing gear to "increase" the safety margin closer to safe side of the fine line i was mentioning. No need to spend extra bucks for aluminum trailer unless you plan to drive on seasonal salt roads. If you feel you must take your baby tractor with you , then leave the implements and fell behind if you can since every shedded pound will count in the emergency evacuation situation.

 

[LBrown59]

RollTideRam -- tractor and implements are covered by my homeowner's, flood and auto policies as long as they are on my property or on my trailer attached to my insured vehicle (all confirmed with my insurance company a few days ago). The reason for getting them out of flood's way is that they are among the few items of any value that we cannot elevate above, say, a 2-3 foot level. Any more water than that, like the storm surge we had in 2003 (Isabel), and I will need a working tractor badly after the storm .

Maybe I should just get a really tall trailer with rear jackstands, load my tractor on it, and leave it in the workshop for storms rather than trying to tow it

As I asked earler isn't there some place higher and dryer that's less than 90 miles from you.
I can get to higher ground in less than a mile from anywhere around here.

 

[farmboy12]

Lots of advice here....mine is as follows, considering you are wishing to have a hurricane escape rig and need to stay with the pickup you already have.
This means the only flexibility is in what kind of trailer you get... and admittedly you will be pushing the limits. Thus, in the emergency situation you are projecting, you need the trailer to give you as much margin for error as possible.

This means the trailer must:
be a gooseneck (much more stable/safe than bumper pull)
have good brakes on both axles
have a brake controller in the pickup
have good lights
have numerous tie down points with available chains and boomers
have good tires rated beyond the minimum required
have two independent axles (you don't want 1 flat to stop you)
a savy and careful driver in the pickup (get experience before the storm)
ramps for loading the tractor
have sufficient length to allow proper weight/load balance..maybe 2 feet longer than the length of your tractor and implements.


Nothing you can do will make things 100% safe... but these will each increase the probability that you will make the trip OK under emergency conditions.

Sure, it's important to focus on weight limits,etc... but you MUST also understand why I've listed each of the above items...I consider each essential to make your safe haven objective as safely as possible.

Do they even make gooseneck hitches for the Ridgeline?