2026 Honda Ridgeline Summer Prep: Towing, Trail Modes, and the In-Bed Trunk Explained

Summer puts a different kind of demand on a truck than the rest of the year. Cottage runs involve loaded beds, gravel access roads, and sometimes a trailer hitched to the back. Trail duty means uneven ground, embedded rocks, and the kind of slow-speed terrain work that tests traction rather than power. The 2026 Honda Ridgeline is built for both — but getting the most out of it over the summer means knowing what to check, what to load, and how to use the features already built into the truck.

Whether you're heading north for a long weekend or keeping the Ridgeline working all summer, here's what to do before the first run and how to run it right through the season.

Know What You're Working With

The 2026 Ridgeline comes in three trims — Sport, TrailSport, and Black Edition — and all three share the same powertrain: a 3.5-litre V6 producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and i-VTM4 AWD standard. All three trims are AWD-only; there is no FWD option.

Towing capacity reaches 5,000 lbs (2,267 kg) with the accessory towing package, which is available as a dealer-installed item. Payload capacity is 687 kg (1,515 lbs) on the Sport, 679 kg (1,497 lbs) on the TrailSport, and 677 kg (1,493 lbs) on the Black Edition. The cargo bed holds 960 litres. The In-Bed Trunk adds a lockable, 207-litre weatherproof storage compartment under the bed floor — useful for tools, recovery gear, or items you don't want loose in the bed.

Pre-Summer Checks Worth Doing

The Ridgeline's Maintenance Minder system tracks oil life and service requirements directly on the instrument display, so you don't need to guess where you stand. That said, before a season of heavier use, a few manual checks are worth the time.

Tire condition and pressure. All three Ridgeline trims ride on 18-inch tires — the TrailSport on all-terrain P245/60 R18 rubber, Sport and Black Edition on all-season P245/60 R18. Before summer cottage runs and trail work, check tread depth and inflate to the recommended pressure. The Ridgeline includes a Tire Pressure Monitoring System with tire fill assist to help maintain correct pressures, but a manual pre-season check is good practice.

Towing setup. All three Ridgeline trims come with an integrated Class III trailer hitch and 7-pin connector standard. If you plan to tow a boat, trailer, or ATVs this summer, confirm that the accessory towing package is installed and the trailer wiring connection is clean and properly seated. Tow mode is one of the four Intelligent Traction Management modes (Normal, Snow, Sand, Mud) and engages AWD and throttle calibrations suited to towing.

In-Bed Trunk check. Inspect the trunk floor seal and drain plug before the season. Summer rain and washing the bed can work water into the trunk if the seal is worn.

Battery and fluids. For vehicles approaching the service interval, the Maintenance Minder Code B includes replacement of engine oil and filter plus inspection of brakes, driveshaft boots, brake hoses and lines, and all fluid levels. Code 1 adds tire rotation and engine air filter replacement. If either has been triggered or is close, address them before your first long haul.

Packing the Bed Right

The Ridgeline's cargo bed is 1,625 mm long with the tailgate up and 2,108 mm long with it down. Width at the bed walls is 1,524 mm, narrowing to 1,270 mm at the wheel wells. The eight heavy-duty tie-down cleats in the bed are designed for securing loads without sliding — use all four corners for longer items like lumber, kayaks, or lumber-style camping gear.

For gear that needs to stay clean and dry, the In-Bed Trunk handles what you'd otherwise need a toolbox for: spare straps, recovery gear, a first-aid kit, jumper cables, or a portable compressor. It keeps the bed surface free for bulkier cargo.

The dual-action tailgate swings out or drops down, which is worth factoring in when loading longer items — the drop-down position essentially extends your usable load length for items like paddleboards, lumber, or rooftop tent platforms.

On the Trail: Using What the Ridgeline Has

The Ridgeline's Intelligent Traction Management system offers four modes selectable from the cabin: Normal, Snow, Sand, and Mud. For summer trail work on loose gravel, dirt roads, and soft ground, Sand mode optimizes AWD engagement and throttle calibration for surfaces where traction is variable. Mud mode adds a different calibration for deep ruts and wet off-camber situations.

The TrailSport adds off-road tuned suspension for increased articulation on rougher terrain. If your summer routes regularly include unmaintained cottage access roads, washboard gravel, or moderate trail work, the TrailSport's tuning and all-terrain tires are meaningfully better suited to that use than the Sport or Black Edition.

Honda Sensing is standard across all three Ridgeline trims, including Adaptive Cruise Control for highway stretches between destinations. Blind Spot Information and Cross Traffic Monitor are useful during the kind of tight-turn parking that cottage docks and campsite lanes often demand.

At a Glance: 2026 Ridgeline Summer Capability

Get Summer-Ready at Lallier Honda Hull

If your Ridgeline needs a service check before the season gets going, or you're considering moving up to a TrailSport for more serious trail capability, the team at Lallier Honda Hull in Hull is the right starting point. Come in and talk through what your summer driving looks like.