Our Silverado 2500 is getting too old for us to maintain. I don’t trailer anymore, and have a teeny-tiny 2000lb bp trailer. We have to downgrade to a newer used truck. I would only tow to a local equine hospital for emergencies. My husband thinks a used Honda Ridgeline would be appropriate. I don’t know anything about the newer smaller trucks. I know stopping power is as important as pulling power.
I’m completely clueless (and feel loyalty to my silverado!). Any feedback would be appreciated.
I know my choice will have pearls clutched, but I tow with an SUV. Currently a '16 6cyl Explorer.
Before that an '07 Chevy Trailblazer - also a 6.
First trailer - in '96 - was an aluminum 2H BP, towed by a '94 Chevyy Blazer, then a brand-new '02 Explorer.
Not a lot of hauling, but an annual 3+h haul with 1 horse never caused a problem. Blazer did need brakes sooner than if we’d not hauled, but no transmission issues or braking problems.
I briefly had a 10cyl F250 that came as a package with a 2H LQ GN.
Hated that setup & traded for an aluminum slantload BP, then a Stock BP, sold the Monster Truck & got the ('07) Trailblazer.
For your purposes, the Ridgeline s/b sufficient for the emergency haul.
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Accounting for horses you would still be comfortably under the 5000lb towing capacity of the ridgeline; however, you may want to look into the tongue weight and whether you would exceed that with a loaded trailer. Another thing to consider would be adding a hitch with equalizer bars, which do dramatically increase the allowable tongue weight.
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we stepped down from a 25 year old F-350 almost 3 years ago. Went to a 2022 Tundra. Also sold my 23 year old sundowner gooseneck and bought a 2 horse bumper pull. The combo works great, even hauling 2 horses over a 9000 foot mountain road.
Would a Ridgeline have a long enough wheel base???
The idea of hauling a horse trailer with a little truck is terrifying to me. We have a 2024 GMC Canyon Denali as our “car” since we both have crew cab diesels. It’s a turbo 310hp and I have towed our 2 seater Polaris side by side with it. Not only did it suck fuel worse then my 2007 I felt it behind me every step of the way. I also hauled our airboat a few times and that was even worse. I think once you are used to hauling with a heavier truck you aren’t going to like how the little truck seems to struggle in comparison.
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We have towed with Chevy Tahoes for years with no problems. A little bigger than what you’re considering, but great vehicles. The current one is 2025 and I don’t notice the horse trailer or our camper trailer. The thing handles far better than it should for its size.
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How much do your horses weigh? Two QHs? No problem. Two draft Xs? Might want to look into the tongue weight.
Generally speaking even the smaller trucks today have better towing packages than they did a decade ago. As long as you are not in a mountainous or particularly challenging area, and you aren’t hauling two Percherons, a Ridgeline would be fine. But - just something to consider from a daily use angle - the Ridgeline’s bed is a PITA. If you are going to use the truck as a utility vehicle around the farm, you may want to look into something with a standard bed.
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One of my boarders’ husband bought a Ridgeline. After he passed away, she investigated towing w it and was told very definitively “no”. She does have a gooseneck; your comment about the bed triggered that memory.
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Ridgeline will absolutely fit your (OP) stated towing requirements.
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One QH who weighs 1000lb.
