I think the gas mileage is like 15 to 21 mph or so. I've heard I can get better mpg when I get a tonneau cover. I admit that I am sorely tempted to get one of the camper tops-- but a lightweight one that can be easily removed for rainy days when we are hauling stuff that won't fit in the cab and trunk. But we'll probably just go with a somewhat decent flat cover. I need to find out if any of them will work if I trim the rails to not block the operation of the trunk.
There was a dude who made his own cover (and made it so the rails didn't block his trunk).
Ridgeline Owners Forum thread
Here's the trunk in mine:
The navigation / backup camera display screen folds down to reveal the 6 CD changer
I'm planning to get an LED bulb set to replace the stock bulbs-- I think there is a kit of 19 bulbs on amazon. I'm also going to get OEM mud guards for the rear since it only came with front mud guards. They are no-drill and my friend said he can put them on for us.
I can't remember if I mentioned that there is a way to add a lock to the tailgate and link it to the powered door locks. There is a kit for just powered for like $90 and one for manual that is about $80-- but some of the members on the ridgeline forum figured out how to DIY a powered one for under $10. It involves buying an actuator for under $5 and a set of T-braces for under $3 and then using some self-tapping screws, nylon washers, speaker wires, etc. They even devised a failsafe pull cord to use in case of a lock failure). People who made their own said it lasted longer than the expensive retail one. I'm trying to figure out how to make a diy version of the combo manual/power lock because the company wants $150 to $162 for theirs and apparently the mechanism sucks.
I may make a thread about that on the garageretreat forum if I can find the appropriate section. I think some folks might like the diy discussion and figuring out how stuff works. People said the most complicated part was the wiring-- which has to be done with the retail version.
The lock would be used to add extra security to prevent people from accessing the trunk (since the tailgate has to be down or open for the trunk to be opened). The trunk does lock, but I like to do things just-in-case. And while a locked tailgate won't stop someone who is highly determined to steal stuff, it might discourage lazy criminals from stealing stuff out of the back if they find it is locked-- and it will add extra security when we get a cover. I'm seriously considering making my own cover, but I have other things that are higher priority.
We tried to register the vehicle today, but the lady at the DMV said we can't register it until we bring the title-- which is hopefully in the mail. But in the past we have been able to register it by showing proof of purchase and my friend just got his truck registered and still doesn't have the title (either it wasn't sent or it got lost in the mail) but he went to a town over an hour away. We may have to do that-- and maybe then I can get a picture of the "muffler man"-- a sort of urban scarecrow someone made out of car parts.
I admit that I always had a fascination with el caminos. I've never had one, but I love the idea of them.
If any of you are ever in my neck of the woods, you can come for a ride in the Ridgeline. It has great steering and the heated seats are very comfy in the winter. My friend's 3-year-old was refusing to get out of the truck the other day because she wanted to continue sitting on the heated seat while watching youtube videos on her mother's phone. Kid already knows how to use a smartphone better than I do.
Btw, anyone know where Brandon, Mississippi is? One of the vehicle listings for CR-Vs we were looking at was there.
On a side note, since I'm still really sore from the accident, I've been playing with google sketchup. I made a mockup of my existing laundry room and guest bathroom as well as a mockup of my plans. I'll post pics in my thread on the houserepair forum. I'm trying to add the plumbing stuff, but it's going to be sloppy since I have a hard time positioning and rotating things.