Why the Honda Ridgeline’s Towing Setup Beats the Competition

The Honda Ridgeline might be the best example of the unassuming truck that could. While its rear-seat packaging, in-bed underfloor storage, and multi-function tailgate are well-documented, its towing setup is what truly impresses. Unlike most modern pickups, the Ridgeline nails the receiver and safety chain hookups, making towing simpler and more reliable.

Honda Ridgeline: A Towing Setup Built for Convenience

The Ridgeline’s receiver is a standard single-wall design augmented by large, straightforward safety-chain hookups. These hookups are neither overly thick, overcomplicated, nor confusing, and they appear compatible with nearly every type of hookup and emergency brake hook encountered. The seven-pin light connector is mounted directly next to the receiver, which may require bending down more than some trucks but ensures the plug cord doesn’t need to stretch as far.

This might seem like a minor detail, but it’s a stark contrast to the competition. Let’s compare the Ridgeline to its full-size, light-duty rivals.

Ram 1500: Safety Chain Hookups That Fall Short

The Ram 1500’s receiver is functional, but its plug outlet is mounted near the license plate, making it difficult to reach for older trailers with shorter light wiring harnesses. The real issue, however, lies with the safety chain hookups. While they appear clever at first glance—featuring a square hole in the rear-facing box wall and a circular opening below—the design fails to accommodate smaller emergency brake hooks, which won’t fit through both openings.

Toyota Tundra: A Double-Walled Receiver That Causes Problems

The Toyota Tundra, along with other trucks sharing the TNGA-F platform, has a baffling towing setup. Its receiver is double-walled with an air gap, which means a standard 3.5-inch hitch pin—used in nearly every other vehicle—won’t fully clear the receiver. Instead, a 4-inch hitch pin is required. For those who don’t own one, this oversight can lead to significant frustration. As Toyota engineer Sheldon Brown noted, "We now own a 4-inch hitch pin."