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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