Honda Ridgeline Towing Capacity Chart by Year 2006 to 2026
The Honda Ridgeline towing capacity reaches 5,000 pounds when you have the correct drivetrain and towing equipment. That maximum has remained surprisingly consistent, but it does not apply to every Ridgeline sold since 2006.
The biggest exception is the 2017 to 2020 second-generation Ridgeline. During those years, 2WD models are rated at 3,500 pounds while AWD models can tow up to 5,000 pounds. Honda switched the lineup to standard AWD for 2021.
Use the chart below to match your model year and drivetrain before connecting a trailer.
Honda Ridgeline Towing Capacity 2006 to 2026
The Ridgeline has carried a 5,000-pound maximum through most of its history. The key exception is 2017 to 2020, when 2WD and AWD models had different ratings.
Towing Capacity by Ridgeline Era
Original Ridgeline
3.5L V6 with Honda VTM-4 drivetrain. The published maximum stayed at 5,000 pounds throughout the first-generation run.
No Ridgeline Model Years
Honda paused the Ridgeline between generations. The redesigned second generation returned for the 2017 model year.
2WD and AWD Ratings
These are the most configuration-sensitive Ridgeline years. Confirm drivetrain before using a towing figure.
Current AWD Era
AWD is standard across the lineup. Sport, RTL, TrailSport, and Black Edition share the same published maximum towing capacity.
Before You Tow
Maximum towing capacity is only one limit. Passenger weight, bed cargo, accessories, trailer tongue load, GVWR, and GCWR can reduce the trailer weight available for your trip.
Honda Ridgeline Towing Capacity Chart by Year
The Ridgeline’s towing history falls into three main groups. First-generation trucks have a 5,000-pound maximum, early second-generation trucks vary by drivetrain, and 2021 and newer models return to one AWD rating.
| Model Year | Generation | Engine | Drivetrain | Max Towing Capacity | Key Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Second | 3.5L V6 | AWD | 5,000 lbs | All trims |
| 2025 | Second | 3.5L V6 | AWD | 5,000 lbs | All trims |
| 2024 | Second | 3.5L V6 | AWD | 5,000 lbs | All trims |
| 2023 | Second | 3.5L V6 | AWD | 5,000 lbs | All trims |
| 2022 | Second | 3.5L V6 | AWD | 5,000 lbs | All trims |
| 2021 | Second | 3.5L V6 | AWD | 5,000 lbs | AWD standard |
| 2020 | Second | 3.5L V6 | 2WD | 3,500 lbs | Sport and RTL available in 2WD |
| 2020 | Second | 3.5L V6 | AWD | 5,000 lbs | AWD configurations |
| 2019 | Second | 3.5L V6 | 2WD | 3,500 lbs | Drivetrain changes capacity |
| 2019 | Second | 3.5L V6 | AWD | 5,000 lbs | AWD configurations |
| 2018 | Second | 3.5L V6 | 2WD | 3,500 lbs | Drivetrain changes capacity |
| 2018 | Second | 3.5L V6 | AWD | 5,000 lbs | AWD configurations |
| 2017 | Second | 3.5L V6 | 2WD | 3,500 lbs | Second generation launch |
| 2017 | Second | 3.5L V6 | AWD | 5,000 lbs | AWD maximum |
| 2016 | No model | None | None | N/A | No 2016 model year |
| 2015 | No model | None | None | N/A | No 2015 model year |
| 2014 | First | 3.5L V6 | VTM-4 | 5,000 lbs | Final first-generation year |
| 2013 | First | 3.5L V6 | VTM-4 | 5,000 lbs | Class III hitch setup |
| 2012 | First | 3.5L V6 | VTM-4 | 5,000 lbs | Class III hitch setup |
| 2011 | First | 3.5L V6 | VTM-4 | 5,000 lbs | Class III hitch setup |
| 2010 | First | 3.5L V6 | VTM-4 | 5,000 lbs | GCWR about 10,085 lbs |
| 2009 | First | 3.5L V6 | VTM-4 | 5,000 lbs | Updated 250-hp V6 |
| 2008 | First | 3.5L V6 | VTM-4 | 5,000 lbs | First generation |
| 2007 | First | 3.5L V6 | VTM-4 | 5,000 lbs | First generation |
| 2006 | First | 3.5L V6 | VTM-4 | 5,000 lbs | Launch model year |
Honda’s original 2006 announcement described the new Ridgeline as capable of 5,000-pound towing. Official Honda brochures for 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2014 continue to list the same maximum, confirming the 5,000-pound rating across the first-generation run.
The second generation returned for the 2017 model year. Honda’s 2017 documentation lists 3,500 pounds for 2WD models and 5,000 pounds for AWD models. That split remained through 2020.
How 2WD and AWD Change Ridgeline Towing
The most common Ridgeline towing-capacity mistake involves 2017 through 2020 trucks. A 5,000-pound rating should not automatically be applied to every truck from those years.
2WD Ridgeline Tow Rating
Honda rates 2017 through 2020 2WD Ridgeline models at a maximum of 3,500 pounds when properly equipped. Honda’s 2020 specifications, for example, list both Sport and RTL with 2WD configurations carrying that rating.
A buyer comparing used trucks should therefore confirm the drivetrain before using an online towing chart.
AWD Ridgeline Tow Rating
AWD versions from the same period increase maximum towing capacity to 5,000 pounds. AWD models also received the heavy-duty transmission cooler and standard 7-pin trailer connector in Honda’s towing configuration.
The 1,500-pound difference is large enough to change whether a particular camper, boat, or utility trailer fits within the truck’s rating.
AWD Standard Model Years
Beginning with the 2021 Ridgeline, Honda lists AWD across the lineup and rates every trim at 5,000 pounds. The 2021 specifications show the Sport, RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition at the same towing maximum.
Honda continues the same 5,000-pound rating for the 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 model years.
How Payload and GCWR Affect Ridgeline Towing
A 5,000-pound maximum tow rating does not mean you can put 5,000 pounds behind a fully loaded Ridgeline without checking anything else.
GVWR, or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, is the maximum permitted weight of the loaded truck. GCWR, or Gross Combined Weight Rating, covers the loaded truck and trailer together.
For the 2026 Ridgeline, Honda lists a 6,019-pound GVWR and 9,986-pound GCWR across the lineup. Payload varies because each trim has a different curb weight.
| 2026 Trim | Payload Capacity | Maximum Towing |
|---|---|---|
| Sport | 1,583 lbs | 5,000 lbs |
| RTL | 1,544 lbs | 5,000 lbs |
| TrailSport | 1,521 lbs | 5,000 lbs |
| Black Edition | 1,509 lbs | 5,000 lbs |
Passengers, tools, bed cargo, accessories, and trailer tongue weight all consume available payload. Honda states that towing capacity is affected by passenger and cargo load, along with the engine, transmission, tires, and brakes.
Honda gives a useful real-world example for the current Ridgeline RTL. Its published guidance shows an RTL towing a 4,750-pound boat and trailer with up to 600 pounds of tongue load while carrying four occupants whose combined estimated weight with personal items is 761 pounds.
If you carry tools, coolers, camping equipment, or a bed full of luggage, include that weight before assuming the headline 5,000-pound limit remains available. A Honda Ridgeline tonneau cover can also add useful bed security, but its installed weight still becomes part of the truck’s load.
What Towing Equipment Does the Ridgeline Need
Honda equips newer Ridgelines with much of the hardware needed for towing, but model year still matters.
Current Ridgeline models include an integrated trailer hitch and standard 7-pin connector. Honda also fits a high-capacity radiator, dual high-power fans, and a heavy-duty transmission cooler.
Factory Hitch and Wiring
The first-generation Ridgeline also had substantial towing provisions. Honda’s 2010 brochure lists an integrated Class III trailer hitch, pre-wiring for a trailer brake controller, and pre-wiring for the trailer harness. RTS and RTL trims included the trailer harness.
Honda’s 2012 brochure lists the Class III hitch and 5,000-pound towing capacity as part of the truck’s towing equipment.
Owners setting up a truck for camping or recreational use can also check our Honda Ridgeline accessories guide for other model-specific equipment.
Cooling System Requirements
Cooling capacity is part of Honda’s towing package rather than an optional afterthought.
The first-generation truck used a heavy-duty radiator, transmission-fluid cooler, and power-steering-fluid cooler. On 2017 through 2020 trucks, Honda specifies the heavy-duty transmission cooler for AWD models.
For current Ridgelines, the heavy-duty transmission cooler is standard across the AWD lineup. Honda also recommends premium unleaded fuel when towing more than 3,500 pounds.
Trailer Brake Requirements
Honda recommends that a trailer weighing 1,000 pounds or more have its own brakes. This guidance appears in Honda’s current Pickup Truck 101 material and in earlier Ridgeline towing documentation.
The Ridgeline is pre-wired for an electric trailer-brake controller. Boat trailers commonly use surge brakes because the trailer brakes may be exposed to water.
Trailer-brake laws can also vary by state, so follow both Honda’s requirements and the regulations where you tow.
How Ridgeline Towing Changed Across Two Generations
The numbers become easier to understand when the Ridgeline is divided into four periods.
First Generation 2006 to 2014
The first-generation Ridgeline launched for 2006 with a 3.5L V6, Honda’s Variable Torque Management four-wheel-drive system, and a 5,000-pound maximum towing rating.
The maximum stayed at 5,000 pounds through the 2014 model year. Later first-generation trucks used a 250-hp 3.5L V6, a 5-speed automatic transmission, heavy-duty cooling equipment, and an integrated Class III hitch.
Production Gap 2015 to 2016
Honda did not sell a 2015 or 2016 Ridgeline model year in the U.S. The first generation ended after 2014, and the redesigned second-generation truck returned as a 2017 model.
Honda launched the completely redesigned 2017 Ridgeline in June 2016.
This gap matters when reading automated charts because a row showing a 2015 or 2016 towing capacity is incorrect.
Second Generation 2017 to 2020
The redesigned truck kept the 3.5L V6 but introduced 2WD configurations alongside AWD.
Honda rated 2WD models at 3,500 pounds and AWD models at 5,000 pounds. This configuration split is confirmed in Honda documentation for 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.
The 2020 model switched to a 9-speed automatic transmission, but its maximum towing limits remained 3,500 pounds for 2WD and 5,000 pounds for AWD.
Second Generation 2021 to 2026
Honda made AWD standard for 2021, which removed the 3,500-pound 2WD rating from the lineup.
Every 2021 through 2026 Ridgeline configuration carries a published 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity when properly equipped.
The 2026 Ridgeline still uses a 280-hp 3.5L V6 and 9-speed automatic transmission. Sport, RTL, TrailSport, and Black Edition configurations all share the same maximum tow rating.
What Can a Honda Ridgeline Tow Safely
Trailer category alone does not determine whether a Ridgeline can tow it. The actual loaded trailer weight is what matters.
A properly configured Ridgeline may work for:
- Small fishing boats and boat trailers
- Personal watercraft trailers
- Pop-up campers
- Lightweight travel trailers
- ATV and motorcycle trailers
- Small utility trailers
- Light equipment trailers
Do not use a trailer manufacturer’s dry weight as the final towing number. Honda defines total trailer weight as the trailer plus everything loaded on or inside it.
Tongue load also matters. Honda states that tongue load should not exceed 15 percent of total trailer weight. Excessive tongue weight reduces front-tire traction and steering control, while insufficient tongue load can increase trailer sway.
A trailer near 5,000 pounds therefore requires more planning than simply checking the towing column.
How to Confirm Your Exact Ridgeline Tow Rating
Use the chart as a starting point, then verify the exact truck before towing.
- Check the model year. This separates first-generation, early second-generation, and current trucks.
- Confirm 2WD or AWD. This is critical for 2017 through 2020 models.
- Identify the trim. Some early second-generation trims were offered in both drivetrains.
- Check the driver’s door-jamb certification label. Use it to verify the truck’s GVWR and load information.
- Read the towing section in your owner’s manual. Honda provides occupant-based trailer-weight limits and towing-equipment instructions.
- Add passengers and cargo. Include people, tools, bed cargo, accessories, and trailer tongue load.
- Check total trailer weight. Use the trailer’s actual loaded weight rather than empty or dry weight.
- Verify combined weight. The loaded truck and loaded trailer must remain within the specified GCWR.
Honda’s 2017 owner’s documentation shows why occupant count matters. With two occupants, an AWD Ridgeline can have a 5,000-pound trailer limit. With four occupants, Honda’s table reduces that figure to 4,750 pounds, and with five occupants it falls to 4,500 pounds.
That is why the maximum rating should never be treated as an automatic allowance for every loading condition.
Which Ridgeline Years Have the Highest Towing Capacity
Every 2006 through 2014 Ridgeline can reach a published maximum of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. AWD versions of the 2017 through 2020 Ridgeline also reach 5,000 pounds.
For 2021 through 2026, AWD became standard and the entire lineup is rated at 5,000 pounds.
That means newer Ridgelines do not necessarily have a higher headline towing rating than the original 2006 truck. The main improvement is consistency across trims and drivetrains.
Payload can still vary substantially between trims. On the 2026 truck, Sport carries up to 1,583 pounds of payload while Black Edition is rated at 1,509 pounds, despite both having the same 5,000-pound towing maximum.
If towing is your priority, compare payload and loaded combined weight instead of choosing a trim based only on the 5,000-pound figure.
Best Way to Use the Ridgeline Towing Chart
The Honda Ridgeline towing capacity chart is simple once you know the key breakpoint. First-generation 2006 to 2014 trucks top out at 5,000 pounds, while 2017 to 2020 models require you to check whether the truck is 2WD or AWD.
From 2021 onward, the Ridgeline uses AWD across the lineup and carries a 5,000-pound maximum rating.
That number is still only the starting point. Check your owner’s manual, payload, GCWR, passenger load, trailer brakes, and actual loaded trailer weight before towing.
Honda Ridgeline Towing Capacity FAQs
How Much Can a Honda Ridgeline Tow?
A properly equipped Honda Ridgeline can tow up to 5,000 pounds in applicable configurations. The main exception is 2017 through 2020 2WD models, which Honda rates at 3,500 pounds.
Can a Honda Ridgeline Tow 5,000 Pounds?
Yes. First-generation models, 2017 through 2020 AWD models, and 2021 through 2026 Ridgelines have a maximum rating of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.
Passenger, cargo, and tongue weight can reduce the trailer weight available for a specific trip.
What Is the Honda Ridgeline 2WD Towing Capacity?
The 2017 through 2020 Honda Ridgeline 2WD towing capacity is 3,500 pounds. Honda confirms this rating for the 2WD configurations sold during that period.
What Is the Honda Ridgeline AWD Towing Capacity?
The Honda Ridgeline AWD towing capacity is up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. Honda uses the same maximum for current Sport, RTL, TrailSport, and Black Edition models.
Can a Honda Ridgeline Tow a Travel Trailer?
Yes, if the travel trailer’s actual loaded weight and tongue load remain within the limits for your exact Ridgeline configuration.
A lightweight trailer with a low dry weight can become considerably heavier after water, batteries, propane, food, camping equipment, and other cargo are added.
Does the Ridgeline TrailSport Tow More?
No. The 2024 through 2026 TrailSport is rated at 5,000 pounds, which is the same maximum towing capacity as Sport, RTL, and Black Edition.
TrailSport changes off-road equipment and chassis details, but it does not increase Honda’s published maximum trailer rating.
Did Honda Make a 2015 or 2016 Ridgeline?
No. There was no U.S. 2015 or 2016 Ridgeline model year between the first and second generations.
Honda returned with the redesigned 2017 Ridgeline, which launched in June 2016.
