Towing 3k boat with 4R versus a Ridgeline?

With only 1,000 miles a year driven just to tow this boat.. why aren’t you just looking for a used little pick up truck?? A 4Runner is a lot of money and vehicle to just sit parked.

 

Jcoon,

You raise a valid point for sure. I guess the short answer is being single with no kids in 40s I don’t have much else in life. So why not treat myself.

 

I’d be looking for a camp on a lake to dock the boat at then!

 

Yeah I am not a fan of docking a boat. I like to keep them clean and no scum. I fish for walleye. I go to different parts of Lake Erie and Lake St Clair. When Canada was open Id go there also. It’s nice to go different launches and parts of the lake. Plus I like having my boat at my house. Less worry of theft and o clean and rig it up. Charge batteries at home etc. Everyone is different though.

Plus if wanted I can tow to Northern MI in summer. Like anything else in life trailering vs docking had trade offs

 

Sounds like your looking for a tow rig more than a 4Runner..

 

Yes not your typical buyer.

Full size pick up won’t fit in garage so out. That leaves a few SUVs and mid size pickups to choose from. Jeep quality not a fan but like the V8. Yukon’s and Tahoes fit but quite a bit more money and guys I work with have GM quality issues.

The 4r quality is what got my attention. Am I am off road guy nope. But still plan to use it for recreation.

There is not much to choose from. The Explorer, Blazer are not rated as well and not full frame. The New Bronco is too small only tows 3,000lbs. Plus I don’t want to be a test pilot for new turbo 4cylinder engine in Bronco or Ranger.

The idea of having a covered SUV appeals to me more than the pickup. I have brought tons of cars home to see how they fit in garage with other stuff.

I work with guy who has a 4R and a Tacoma. He goes from Detroit to Utah to Maine and tows a 2,000 camper the whole way and loves the 4R. He turned 110,000 miles in three years and changes oil and tires. That’s how I started down this path. He said his wife loves the Tacoma and he is the 4R.

 

My best wishes to your dad for a speedy recovery.

I think you can't make a bad decision. The 4-Runner is the superior tow vehicle and it depreciates much more slowly than the Honda so whenever you decide to sell it you'll get more than you expect for it. The 4-Runner is made in Japan on a Lexus assembly line and that may change after 2022 so it's your last chance to get a real 4-Runner. It's the same vehicle since 2010, absolutely one of the most proven, dependable vehicles you can buy (explaining the high resale value). The Honda ride is so much more sophisticated and car-like and it's a fast, modern vehicle. At 3000 pounds you're well within the tow capacity of the Honda. Both are great vehicles; I'd strongly consider a Passport when I replace my 4-Runner but I have no desire to replace my 4-Runner!

 

Ok fair enough! Have you looked at all in the used market?