Honda Ridgeline Towing Capacity: What the Unibody Truck Can Pull

Every 2026 Honda Ridgeline tows exactly 5,000 pounds, no matter which trim you buy. That's easy to remember, and it's also 2,700 pounds less than the best midsize trucks.

Honda Ridgeline towing capacity has been 5,000 pounds for the all-wheel-drive truck in every generation. What the Ridgeline gives you in exchange is a smooth, car-like ride, a unibody build, and a lockable trunk in the bed.

Whether that trade works for you depends on what you plan to hook up.

How Much Can a Honda Ridgeline Tow?

The short answer is 5,000 pounds, with one exception for older front-wheel-drive trucks.

Honda says the rating applies to a properly equipped truck. Dealer pages describe the Class III hitch and 7-pin connector as standard, but TowingSpecs lists the tow package as optional. Check the window sticker or build sheet before you rely on the number.

Honda Ridgeline Towing Capacity by Generation

2021 to 2026: Second Generation, AWD Only

The second-generation truck dropped front-wheel drive for 2021, so every Ridgeline since then carries the full 5,000 pound rating. All use a 3.5L V6 with a 9-speed automatic and i-VTM4 all-wheel drive. Output is 280 hp and 262 lb-ft through 2025, and 285 hp for 2026.

Honda's 2026 spec sheet lists the same rating on every trim:

Honda publishes the same 500 pound tongue weight limit for every trim, and the GVWR is 6,019 pounds. You can buy on price and features without chasing a tow number.

2017 to 2020: Front-Wheel Drive or AWD

The second generation launched for 2017. Through 2020, dealer sources list 3,500 pounds for front-wheel drive and 5,000 pounds for all-wheel drive. If you're shopping used, check the drivetrain first, because a front-wheel-drive Ridgeline is rated 1,500 pounds lower.

2006 to 2014: First Generation

The first-generation Ridgeline was all-wheel drive with a 3.5L V6 and is rated 5,000 pounds, according to TowingSpecs for 2012 to 2014 and reference sites for earlier years. Honda skipped the 2015 and 2016 model years.

Why Does the Ridgeline Tow Less Than Other Midsize Trucks?

The Ridgeline is the only midsize pickup with unibody construction, meaning the body and frame are one structure. Its midsize rivals all use a separate body-on-frame design. That gives the Ridgeline its smooth ride, and Honda trades some towing ability for it.

Torque matters too. The V6 makes 262 lb-ft, well below the 430 lb-ft in a current Chevy Colorado. If you're not sure why torque matters more than horsepower when pulling, the difference between horsepower and torque explains it.

Payload and Tongue Weight

The 5,000 pound rating only measures the trailer. Honda's tongue weight limit is 500 pounds, which is exactly 10 percent of the tow rating. The usual rule of thumb is that tongue weight runs 10 to 15 percent of the loaded trailer. A nose-heavy 5,000 pound trailer at 12 percent puts 600 pounds on the hitch, 100 over the limit.

Payload also counts tongue weight, passengers, and gear. At 1,509 to 1,583 pounds, a Ridgeline with a full cab and a trailer near the limit can run out of payload before it reaches 5,000 pounds.

What Can a Honda Ridgeline Tow?

Utility trailers, motorcycle trailers, and pop-up campers fit easily. Small boats and ATV haulers usually do too. Heavier loads like most travel trailers, car haulers, and many boat trailers don't, since their typical loaded weights run past 5,000 pounds.

If your trailer stays light, the Ridgeline has a real edge over smaller trucks. Ford's Maverick tops out at 4,000 pounds with its tow package, as the Ford Maverick towing capacity breakdown shows.

How Does the Ridgeline Compare With Other Midsize Trucks?

The Ridgeline trails the Tacoma by 1,500 pounds. Tacoma ratings also shift with cab, drivetrain, and trim, as the Toyota Tacoma towing capacity guide explains.

Against the Ranger, the gap is 2,500 pounds, and the Ranger's number depends heavily on its tow package. The Ford Ranger towing capacity guide shows how much.

What's Next for the Ridgeline?

In July 2026, Honda confirmed a third-generation Ridgeline is coming within two years. Automotive News reported that the current truck will pause production while Honda updates its V6 for emissions rules, with the redesign expected around 2028. Honda hasn't published a 2027 Ridgeline lineup, pricing, or tow rating, so the 2026 may be the last of this generation.

FAQs

Can a front-wheel-drive Ridgeline tow 5,000 pounds?

No. Front-wheel-drive Ridgelines, offered from 2017 through 2020, are rated at 3,500 pounds. Only the all-wheel-drive trucks reach 5,000 pounds, and every Ridgeline since 2021 is all-wheel drive.

Does the Ridgeline need a tow package?

Honda's rating assumes the truck is properly equipped. Dealer sites describe the hitch and wiring as standard, while TowingSpecs lists the tow package as optional. The build sheet for your truck settles it.

Can a Honda Ridgeline tow a travel trailer?

Only a light one. Many travel trailers weigh more than 5,000 pounds loaded, and the tongue weight has to stay within 500 pounds. Check the trailer's loaded weight, not its dry weight.

Can a Honda Ridgeline tow a boat?

Small boats like fishing boats and runabouts usually work. Many mid-size boats with their trailers weigh more than 5,000 pounds, so weigh the whole setup, including fuel and gear.

Is the Ridgeline's in-bed trunk useful for towing?

Yes. The 7.3 cubic foot lockable compartment under the bed floor holds tow gear like chains, hitch pins, and locks, and it keeps them out of sight.

Check the Trailer, Then Choose the Truck

Honda Ridgeline towing capacity is simple: 5,000 pounds on every recent truck, with a 500 pound tongue weight limit and roughly 1,500 to 1,600 pounds of payload. If your trailer stays well under that, the Ridgeline's ride and bed trunk can outweigh the lower rating.

If you regularly pull more, a body-on-frame truck is the better fit.