I know a secret

rslifkin wrote:

Bobzilla wrote: Hey Tim, did they increase the rear suspension travel on the RL? That was always something I never understood with the Oddy/Pilot/MDX/RL. The rear suspension has so little travel and when compressed had hella camber. It wasn't unusual to get one with 20k and the inside of the tires were gone because they used them like they were designed, to haul people and stuffs.

That's a good point. I totally forgot about the independent suspension camber gain problem in the rear. Moving heavy stuff is the one time where a solid axle just works better. The same camber gain that's good for cornering with an independent suspension is a problem for carrying weight, as you now have excessive camber while going straight due to the suspension being compressed.

Ridgeline may have too much gain, but not all independent suspensions have camber gain like that. Make the arms equal and you have zero change in camber, and a small change in track (for the better) as its compressed.

The automatic transmission is the lit fuse on any truck. Honda hasn't had a sterling reputation for the autos behind their V6s for the last 15 years or so. This would be my only concern....otherwise I love it. And I commute in a 2500HD most days.

Tim Suddard wrote: We now have a story on our site as well and will have more in the next issue of the magazine. Wow, what a lot of passion on this subject. In typical internet fashion, it goes a long way to replace real knowledge on a topic.

Well, that's because there was no knowledge unless you're an embargoed journalist. I'm not sure what else you expected. You wanted discussion, and without any information that discussion is going to center on the general attributes of the vehicle and how it fits into the truck ecosystem - or not.

GRM reviews the Ridgeline because it's a staff favorite. I don't remember, do you review any other trucks? Other than vintage ramp trucks, of course.

I watched a bunch of videos about the new Ridgeline months ago when it was revealed at an auto show. It's not like there was nothing out there. 90% of what was said in this thread was totally predictable and any amount of facts wouldn't have stopped it from being said.

I'm kinda curious about the claim Tim made about seeing 30 mpg at about 60 mph. No one else is claiming gas mileage that high. Not Honda or anyone else reviewing the vehicle. Honda peaks the highway mileage at 25 mpg.

In reply to ProDarwin:

The first gen pilot/mdx and that generation ody used an odd rear suspension that had all of about 5" (while a small exageration, not much of one) or total suspension travel and hte camber gains was CRAZY! WE'd have the MDX's roll in with the inner edge of the rear tires worn smooth and 7/32 on the outer edge because they carry 5 people everywhere.

In reply to Keith Tanner:

They have reviewed more traditional trucks, but didn't buy one.

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/new-cars/2014-chevrolet-silverado-1500-z71/

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/new-cars/2008-chevrolet-tahoe-hybrid/

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/new-cars/2010-58-dakota-crew-cab-trx4-4x4/

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/new-cars/2010-58-ram-2500-laramie-crew-cab/

In general, I'm underwhelmed by the MPG estimates of the Ridgeline. To get my business, and out of a more traditional truck, you'd have to get signifcantly better mileage. Around town there is a difference, traditional trucks do horrible around town, but on the highway just not that great of a difference. Give it a small diesel and I'd be in.

I'm kinda curious about the claim Tim made about seeing 30 mpg at about 60 mph. No one else is claiming gas mileage that high.

TFL got 33mpg out of an EcoDiesel Ram.

Not Honda or anyone else reviewing the vehicle.

Oh you mean on a Ridgeline.

I can't for the life of me find any info about it, but on fb yesterday there was a ridgeline type r concept. Weird but might be cool. Doubt it'll happen though.

I don't get trucks. The only reason I'd drive one is because I absolutely had to. And if I absolutely had to drive a truck it would be the best combination I could find of dirt cheap, reliable and able to fit whatever circumstance I needed it for, because these things allow me to spend the maximum amount of money on things that aren't trucks. I wouldn't care about styling because it's a truck and I don't like trucks. I wouldn't care about the interior or comfort because a car will always be better. I wouldn't care about offroading unless I absolutely had to go offroading.

In other words, I would buy a truck purely for its utility. In other, other words, I'd buy something like this:

The fact that such a truck would be an absolute sales disaster in North America tells me that pure utility just isn't a big part of the calculus.

DaewooOfDeath wrote: I don't get trucks...I don't like trucks.

Congratulations?

In reply to foxtrapper:

I was trying to imply that criticizing a truck for not being a real truck might be a bit misplaced. A real truck, the kind that's ruthlessly utilitarian and work focused is the same kind nobody buys anyway. Kind of like what I said in the parts you didn't quote.

Basically, a lot of people in f250s seem to me to live in glass houses when they criticize an RL for not being "real."

DaewooOfDeath wrote: I don't get trucks. The only reason I'd drive one is because I absolutely had to. And if I absolutely had to drive a truck it would be the best combination I could find of dirt cheap, reliable and able to fit whatever circumstance I needed it for, because these things allow me to spend the maximum amount of money on things that aren't trucks. I wouldn't care about styling because it's a truck and I don't like trucks. I wouldn't care about the interior or comfort because a car will always be better. I wouldn't care about offroading unless I absolutely had to go offroading. In other words, I would buy a truck purely for its utility. In other, other words, I'd buy something like this: The fact that such a truck would be an absolute sales disaster in North America tells me that pure utility just isn't a big part of the calculus.

I like that size, put it in 4 doors so I can bring my indentured servants (read children) along with me and you have a winner.

Don't think I haven't looked at a NPR yard work truck instead of pickups before.

We ran the std cab box version at Aaron's for delivery trucks and man were those things good. No down time other than normal maintenance. Great trucks.

I'd drive an npr.

DaewooOfDeath wrote: In reply to foxtrapper: I was trying to imply that criticizing a truck for not being a real truck might be a bit misplaced. A real truck, the kind that's ruthlessly utilitarian and work focused is the same kind nobody buys anyway. Kind of like what I said in the parts you didn't quote. Basically, a lot of people in f250s seem to me to live in glass houses when they criticize an RL for not being "real."

I've done 900 miles days in my truck towing a two car trailer, so yeah I'd like some comfort.

Cotton wrote:

DaewooOfDeath wrote: In reply to foxtrapper: I was trying to imply that criticizing a truck for not being a real truck might be a bit misplaced. A real truck, the kind that's ruthlessly utilitarian and work focused is the same kind nobody buys anyway. Kind of like what I said in the parts you didn't quote. Basically, a lot of people in f250s seem to me to live in glass houses when they criticize an RL for not being "real."

I've done 900 miles days in my truck towing a two car trailer, so yeah I'd like some comfort.

We did 5600 miles in 6 days in ours. Comfort is highly requested.

DaewooOfDeath wrote: I wouldn't care about the interior or comfort because a car will always be better.

My Ridgeline is a lot more comfortable than the last Daewoo I drove. In fact, my tall frame has a problem getting comfortable in most cars unless they have lots of headroom.

I hated the way my old F150 handled but man was it comfortable.

A real truck, the kind that's ruthlessly utilitarian and work focused is the same kind nobody buys anyway.

That reminds me of the recurring theme where guys decry the fact that they can't buy decontented sports cars. Then somebody actually makes one and practically nobody buys them.

But there is a market for fairly stripped down trucks - my company owns three, plus the same number of e-series Ford vans. But of course the manufacturers would rather sell the quad-cab, leather upholstry, yada-yada because that's one of the most profitable horses in their stable.

There's a regional aspect to all this. Having been raised in a fairly dense urban environment, I never understood the appeal of big American cars till I spent time in Nebraska. When all the roads are straight, what sense does it make to have a small, agile car? When you go North you see trucks with tall, skinny tires for cutting through mud and slush, whereas to the south you have more fat tires, which would spin on the surface of the wet stuff. I've spent a lot of my life driving full-sized trucks and vans in the city, and I avoid it whenever possible. The Ridgeline is still oversized for this environment, but it's a damn nice compromise. If I lived in the wide-open country, a Chebby would probably grace my driveway.

jv8 wrote:

DaewooOfDeath wrote: I wouldn't care about the interior or comfort because a car will always be better.

My Ridgeline is a lot more comfortable than the last Daewoo I drove. In fact, my tall frame has a problem getting comfortable in most cars unless they have lots of headroom. I hated the way my old F150 handled but man was it comfortable.

I love how the Sierra handles. 2wd and R&P instead of hte 400 joints and lube points of the older trucks. Huge sway bar up front and a long wheelbase makes it stupid stable. Running through northern Arizona, southern Utah and SW Colorado on the 2 lane highways was absolutely stunning and effortless. Sure, a small sports car would have elicited more giggles, but listening to that 4.8 cackle off the walls of the slopes as we're decel'ing was beautiful. Plus, the seats are so comfy and having a 600mile range sure made things easy.

My goal is to win the lottery so I can hire a driver to tow my car while I fly in my private jet. Thats hauling in comfort!