The Honda Ridgeline offers a unique combination of pickup truck utility, everyday comfort, and all-wheel-drive capability. But if you plan to use your truck for weekend adventures, home projects, or pulling a trailer, one question is especially important: How much can a Honda Ridgeline tow?
The 2026 Honda Ridgeline can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. Even better, that maximum towing capacity is available across the current Ridgeline lineup, giving shoppers plenty of flexibility when choosing a trim.
Below, we’ll take a closer look at Honda Ridgeline towing capacity, payload, towing equipment, and the types of trailers and recreational equipment that may fall within its capabilities.
2026 Honda Ridgeline Towing Capacity at a Glance
Honda rates the 2026 Ridgeline for a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Unlike trucks where towing capability can vary significantly depending on trim or drivetrain configuration, every current Ridgeline trim offers the same maximum towing rating when properly equipped.
| 2026 Honda Ridgeline Trim | Maximum Towing Capacity |
|---|---|
| Ridgeline Sport | 5,000 lbs. |
| Ridgeline RTL | 5,000 lbs. |
| Ridgeline TrailSport | 5,000 lbs. |
| Ridgeline TrailSport + HPD Wheels | 5,000 lbs. |
| Ridgeline Black Edition | 5,000 lbs. |
| Ridgeline Black Edition Two-Tone | 5,000 lbs. |
Maximum towing capacity depends on proper vehicle and trailer configuration. Always consult the owner’s manual and applicable towing information for your specific vehicle before towing.
What Gives the Honda Ridgeline Its 5,000-Pound Towing Capacity?
Towing capability involves much more than engine output. Honda equips the Ridgeline with several features that work together to support its truck capability.
280-Horsepower V6 Engine
The 2026 Ridgeline is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Standard i-VTM4® All-Wheel Drive
Every 2026 Ridgeline comes equipped with Honda’s i-VTM4® all-wheel-drive system. The system can distribute torque between the front and rear axles and between the rear wheels to help provide traction in varying driving conditions.
Integrated Tow Hitch
Honda equips the Ridgeline with an integrated Class III trailer hitch, helping make the truck ready for towing without requiring owners to start from scratch with the basic hitch hardware.
7-Pin Connector
A standard 7-pin trailer connector provides an electrical connection between the Ridgeline and a compatible trailer.
Heavy-Duty Transmission Cooler
The Ridgeline also includes a heavy-duty transmission cooler, an important feature when the powertrain is operating under the additional demands associated with towing.
What Can a Honda Ridgeline Tow?
A 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity gives the Ridgeline the ability to handle many of the trailers recreational and everyday truck owners commonly use.
Depending on the total loaded trailer weight and proper configuration, potential examples may include:
- Small utility trailers
- ATV or motorcycle trailers
- Personal watercraft trailers
- Some small boats and boat trailers
- Some lightweight travel trailers
- Small equipment trailers
The important number is not simply the advertised weight of the item you’re towing. The weight of the trailer itself, cargo, equipment, fuel, water, accessories, and other items can all contribute to the total loaded trailer weight. Always determine the actual weight of your specific setup before towing.
Honda Ridgeline Towing Capacity vs. Payload Capacity
Towing capacity and payload capacity describe two different things, and understanding the difference is important when determining how much your truck can safely carry and tow.
Towing capacity refers to how much trailer weight the vehicle is rated to pull.
Payload capacity refers to the weight carried by the truck itself, including passengers, cargo, and applicable tongue weight from a trailer.
For the 2026 Ridgeline, Honda lists payload capacities that vary by trim. The Ridgeline Sport offers the highest listed total payload capacity at 1,583 pounds, while other configurations vary based on vehicle equipment and curb weight.
This distinction matters because loading the bed with cargo and passengers while simultaneously towing a trailer can affect the vehicle’s available capacity. Drivers should consider the complete vehicle and trailer setup rather than looking only at the 5,000-pound maximum towing figure.
How Much Can the Honda Ridgeline Carry in the Bed?
The Ridgeline’s utility extends beyond towing. Its truck bed provides 33.9 cubic feet of cargo volume, and the bed measures 64 inches long with the tailgate up.
Honda designed the bed with minimal wheelwell intrusion, creating a relatively flat and usable cargo area. The Ridgeline can also accommodate 4-by-8-foot sheets of plywood laid flat above the wheelwells.
Heavy-duty bed tie-down cleats help secure cargo and are rated by Honda at 350 pounds each.
The Ridgeline In-Bed Trunk® Adds More Cargo Versatility
One feature that distinguishes the Ridgeline from many traditional pickups is its lockable In-Bed Trunk®. The 2026 Ridgeline provides 7.3 cubic feet of additional storage beneath the truck bed.
The compartment is weather-resistant and includes a drain plug, making it useful for storing tools, outdoor gear, wet equipment, or other items you would prefer to keep separate from the main bed.
The dual-action tailgate can also open traditionally downward or swing open to the side, making it easier to reach the In-Bed Trunk® and load certain types of cargo.
Is the Honda Ridgeline Good for Towing?
The Ridgeline can be an appealing towing vehicle for drivers whose needs fall comfortably within its 5,000-pound maximum rating.
It is especially worth considering for drivers who need occasional truck capability but also want a vehicle that works well for commuting, family transportation, errands, and everyday driving.
For buyers who routinely need to tow loads exceeding 5,000 pounds, a truck with a higher towing rating would be more appropriate. But for boats, recreational equipment, utility trailers, and other lighter towing needs, the Ridgeline offers useful capability without requiring shoppers to move into a larger pickup simply to have access to towing functionality.
Which Honda Ridgeline Trim Is Best for Towing?
Because every 2026 Ridgeline trim is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds, shoppers don’t have to choose a higher trim simply to access the maximum towing rating.
Instead, you can compare trims based on the features that matter most for how you plan to use your truck. The Sport provides the core Ridgeline capability, while the RTL adds additional comfort features. The TrailSport is designed for drivers interested in greater off-pavement capability, including an off-road-tuned suspension and all-terrain tires. The Black Edition adds distinctive styling and additional premium features.
That makes the Ridgeline lineup relatively straightforward for towing shoppers: choose the trim that best fits your lifestyle without sacrificing the truck’s maximum available towing capacity.
Tips Before Towing With a Honda Ridgeline
Before connecting a trailer and heading out, take time to verify that your complete towing setup falls within Honda’s specifications.
- Confirm the total loaded weight of the trailer.
- Account for passengers and cargo carried inside the Ridgeline.
- Verify proper trailer tongue weight and weight distribution.
- Make sure the trailer and towing equipment are compatible with the vehicle.
- Check tire pressure on both the truck and trailer.
- Verify that trailer lights and other required connections are working correctly.
- Follow all instructions and limitations in the Honda owner’s manual.
Remember that the maximum advertised towing capacity is a vehicle rating, not a recommendation that every trailer weighing exactly that amount will be appropriate for every driving situation.
Explore the Honda Ridgeline at Grainger Honda
The Honda Ridgeline brings together a 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity, standard all-wheel drive, a versatile truck bed, and clever storage solutions in a midsize pickup designed to handle much more than the daily commute.
If you’re considering a Ridgeline, explore the current selection at Grainger Honda or visit our team to compare trims, learn more about towing and cargo capability, and find the Ridgeline that best fits the way you plan to use your truck.
Honda Ridgeline Towing FAQs
How much can a Honda Ridgeline tow?
The 2026 Honda Ridgeline has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. Honda lists the same maximum towing rating across all current Ridgeline trims.
Can a Honda Ridgeline tow 5,000 pounds?
Yes. The 2026 Honda Ridgeline is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. Drivers should account for the complete trailer, passenger, cargo, and vehicle configuration and follow Honda’s towing requirements.
Can a Honda Ridgeline tow a camper?
A Honda Ridgeline may be capable of towing certain lightweight campers and travel trailers, provided the complete loaded trailer weight and towing setup remain within the vehicle’s applicable ratings. Always verify the actual loaded weight and Honda’s towing requirements before towing.
Can a Honda Ridgeline tow a boat?
The Ridgeline’s 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity can accommodate some boats and boat trailers. The combined loaded weight of the boat, trailer, fuel, equipment, and gear must remain within the vehicle’s applicable towing limits.
Does the Honda Ridgeline come with a tow hitch?
The 2026 Honda Ridgeline includes an integrated Class III trailer hitch and a 7-pin connector, providing important equipment for compatible towing applications.
Which Honda Ridgeline trim can tow the most?
All 2026 Honda Ridgeline trims have the same maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, so shoppers can choose a trim based on their preferred comfort, technology, styling, and capability features.