The new Honda Ridgeline.....anyone eyeing this for tailgating?

northGAcock

...an interesting article in Tailgater Magazine re: their redesign with tailgaters in mind. Love the bed speakers.....https://cloud.3dissue.com/96043/96462/113567/Tailgater0316/files/85.html

Updated with actual page link.

DieselkW

I missed the honda, but when I got to page 56 I called my broker to see if I had enough to buy that awesome ride.

northGAcock

Updated to the actual page....sorry about that....on page 85.

SmokeyPitt

That sounds pretty cool.  Here is an article with pics:
http://www.automobilemag.com/news/5-things-to-know-about-the-2017-honda-ridgeline/

I like the idea of a tool bed that doubles as a cooler.  Only issue I see is you might not always want to leave the beer and music in the truck.  A cooler and a decent bluetooth speaker is relatively cheap.  You can keep it in the back of the truck or it can go with you.   If I were in the market for a truck this vehicle but these features wouldn't sway my decision much.  

YukonRon

I have a Bose Bluetooth and several Bose sound docs, battery powered. My Bose mini blue tooth gets most of the outdoor action, powerful yet small. Plus I have a Yeti. Throw that in with the MM, I am mobile, agile and partying. Love my set up. I have friend that owns a Honda Ridgeline, and he loves it. Very cool concept.

DoubleEgger

Lost me at Front Wheel Drive

SmokeyPitt

SmokeyPitt said:

 If I were in the market for a truck this vehicle but these features wouldn't sway my decision much.  

I hate it when I go back and read one of my posts and I sound like an imbecile. I think what I meant to say was "if I was in the market for a truck I would definitely consider this vehicle but these features wouldn't sway me much".  

Sometimes when I am doing important stuff like eggheadforuming stupid work distracts me. 

Jeremiah

DoubleEgger said:

Lost me at Front Wheel Drive

Both the Ridgeline and pilot share the "platform" of the odyssey minivan, which basically means if you cut the body off each the drivetrain and suspension all the same. The only differences is that all wheel drive is offered for the pilot and Ridgeline. The concept of sharing platforms is nothing new, as automakers have been doing it from the start, but the idea of a front wheel drive, unibody "truck" is a Honda special. Nothing against it here, I've fixed several ridgelines and have no issues except the payload and towing capacities. But if those are non issues, the Ridgeline is a great "truck"....er minivan. 

DoubleEgger

@Jeremiah I don't discount that Honda's are good vehicles. My folks put 300k on an Accord and I know someone who put 450k on one. I just can't get over the feel of a front wheel drive vehicle. I can't bring myself to buy one. Not wanting one cost me a mint at the dealership when buying our last car. 

WeberWho

I think I'd take an old 80's Chevy K10 if I had play money. When trucks were trucks. Nothing fancy. Today's trucks are so over the top. You can hardly tell if your sitting in a Cadillac or Pickup. You just have to shake your head when guys demand push button tailgates. You'd hate to chip or break a nail when loading soccer balls and groceries. I'm not sure some truck owners would even know where the hitch is. Sorry about the rant but what happened to trucks....

DoubleEgger

WeberWho said:

I think I'd take an old 80's Chevy K10 if I had play money. When trucks were trucks. Nothing fancy. Today's trucks are so over the top. You can hardly tell if your sitting in a Cadillac or Pickup. You just have to shake your head when guys demand push button tailgates. You'd hate to chip or break a nail when loading soccer balls and groceries. I'm not sure some truck owners would even know where the hitch is. Sorry about the rant but what happened to trucks....

Amen. Nothing like a square body Chevy

bgebrent

DoubleEgger said:

WeberWho said:

I think I'd take an old 80's Chevy K10 if I had play money. When trucks were trucks. Nothing fancy. Today's trucks are so over the top. You can hardly tell if your sitting in a Cadillac or Pickup. You just have to shake your head when guys demand push button tailgates. You'd hate to chip or break a nail when loading soccer balls and groceries. I'm not sure some truck owners would even know where the hitch is. Sorry about the rant but what happened to trucks....

Amen. Nothing like a square body Chevy

Yup.  Got 04 crew cab Chevy.  Kicks ass. And Robin, you know how to weigh my opinion. 

Ladeback69

WeberWho said:

I think I'd take an old 80's Chevy K10 if I had play money. When trucks were trucks. Nothing fancy. Today's trucks are so over the top. You can hardly tell if your sitting in a Cadillac or Pickup. You just have to shake your head when guys demand push button tailgates. You'd hate to chip or break a nail when loading soccer balls and groceries. I'm not sure some truck owners would even know where the hitch is. Sorry about the rant but what happened to trucks....

The push button tail gate is only on the high end F150 Platinum that I know of.  I have a 2011 F150 Crewcab 4x4 and believe my I have had to pull some front wheel drive vehicles out of the mad, because the person didn't believe the road closed signs.  The Ridgeline is ok, but it is not a truck.  I like the looks of the old style.  I will stick with my big pickup truck over this or the minis.  The only thing I would replace my truck with would be a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.

Focker

WeberWho said:

I think I'd take an old 80's Chevy K10 if I had play money. When trucks were trucks. Nothing fancy. Today's trucks are so over the top. You can hardly tell if your sitting in a Cadillac or Pickup. You just have to shake your head when guys demand push button tailgates. You'd hate to chip or break a nail when loading soccer balls and groceries. I'm not sure some truck owners would even know where the hitch is. Sorry about the rant but what happened to trucks....

I'm with you V.  Most of the truck owners out there don't even use their truck.

I'm sure it's a fine hybrid and rides smooth like my dad's Pilot, but they are weak at pulling in their class.....a tailgater's toy.....similar to a Jeep.  

IMHO, wouldn't trade my 1994 Silverado for one.  But then again, I wouldn't trade it for a 2016 Silverado shortbed 4 X 4.  

Begger

FOCKER,  TOW rating for the '17 Ridgeline is up to 7000lb.    It can be had with a 9 speed automatic.
For the 'ask' of around 33,000$, I'll pass, but it may have a following and maybe even a built-in fan base.
The Ridgeline MAY fail at trying to be too much to too many people?

If I had need of a pickup?   One of the BIG Dodge trucks with the Eco-Diesel.  They can be had all day long for <30,000$ sticker.  

My Brother has one with EVERYTHING on it and it is wonderful.   A true 'Cowboy Cadillac'.  

For now?   My Element works for me.   You can wet-mop it out and even pull the rear seats for some heavier hauling.    Limited towing, however.

McStew

 Unibody enough said = broken truck first trip Offroad 

nolaegghead

Most trucks are driven like cars, so unibody suffices.   Towing is a function of vehicle mass, horsepower and especially torque.

Since most people drive their trucks with nothing in the bed, one passenger, and on smooth roads, why not have all the features of the Ridgeline?   

Or not.  Hondas are reliable.  Not my bag in cars, but I'd consider their truck, and I have a bike from them.

MaC122

nope. love me a tundra

Phatchris

WeberWho said:

I think I'd take an old 80's Chevy K10 if I had play money. When trucks were trucks. Nothing fancy. Today's trucks are so over the top. You can hardly tell if your sitting in a Cadillac or Pickup. You just have to shake your head when guys demand push button tailgates. You'd hate to chip or break a nail when loading soccer balls and groceries. I'm not sure some truck owners would even know where the hitch is. Sorry about the rant but what happened to trucks....

My truck didn't even come with a hitch ball... Lol

Phatchris

I have  a 2014 Ram 1500 sport with all the goodies ... I wasn't in the market for a truck, but wanted something big enough for the kids , dog, and all their crap.. This thing rides like an Escalade for about 30k less and I can haul stuff to them dump whenever I need.. 

NPHuskerFL

Weak Payload, Unibody and front wheel drive. Is this thing a truck or an oversized tampon? Oooh speakers and cooler in the bed!.....well then let me stroke a check. Ya, I don't think so. There are too many other options out there to settle with this. I owned an Accord many yrs ago and it was a great car. But, it was a car. 

northGAcock

NPHuskerFL said:

Is this thing a truck or an oversized tampon? 

A classic line there my friend. 

Photo Egg

DoubleEgger said:

Lost me at Front Wheel Drive

Front wheel drive, in a mid size, for towing a small boat, might not be a bad thing. Especially for pulling a boat up a wet boat ramp. Agree, all wheel or 4 wheel drive would do the job better. 

Griffin

When I'm in the market for a front wheel drive, unibody, independent rear suspension instead of a solid axle truck, I'll consider it. Oh wait...that'll never happen.

Photo Egg

Griffin said:

When I'm in the market for a front wheel drive, unibody, independent rear suspension instead of a solid axle truck, I'll consider it. Oh wait...that'll never happen.

True, but you actually need a real truck.lol
MOST truck owners never use their vehicle in a way that demands a REAL truck.
Just like SUV owners. Most are glorified station wagons.
My friends with SUVs make fun of little Subaru Outback...but I have more ground clearance than most of the SUVs except for the real big ones that do use a true truck frame. And the Cops leave me alone for the most part. They love to pull over big man trucks for speeding.lol

NPHuskerFL

Truth be told most of my day-to-day daily driving this vehicle would suffice. But I do use my truck to capacity and this model simply put...doesn't cut the mustard in that regard. I'm sure it's a decent daily driver though. 

fishlessman

i would look at one, it would tow my boat with the 7000 # rating, dont know if it would panic stop towing that boat too well i already have offroad vehicles and a ramp truck with full dump and lift gate

HeavyG

I always thought that REAL MEN that drive REAL TRUCKS also cooked their Q with stick burners rather than these little green girly egg shaped ceramic easy bake oven thingies.

Photo Egg

HeavyG said:

I always thought that REAL MEN that drive REAL TRUCKS also cooked their Q with stick burners rather than these little green girly egg shaped ceramic easy bake oven thingies.

...and would never use an automatic garage door opener

WeberWho

HeavyG said:

I always thought that REAL MEN that drive REAL TRUCKS also cooked their Q with stick burners rather than these little green girly egg shaped ceramic easy bake oven thingies.

Nah. They use their engine block.

texaswig

@WeberWho So does this mean there's flames coming out of their carb? Haha they've got problems.