Used ridgeline - towed 3.5k over capacity
 

Okay, before you call me crazy... dude is selling a 140k 2007 ridgeline and I talked him down to 7.5k. Needs an O2 sensor and the guy told me he towed an 8500 lbs trailer up a very steep hill for 120 miles because he had no choice. This was 5 years ago.

should I just walk away? I really want this truck and for that price it's by far the best in the area. Could the transmission cooler and engine coolant keep up or would I be setting myself up for disaster down the line? I guess with the saving I could cover a tranny rebuild. It drove great on test drive.

welcome to the forum. if you have saved for the cost of a trans overhaul and down time, then it may be worth purchase of the vehicle. just for info the 07 ridgeline value for a clean trade in is 7.5k i don't see the 2500 you're saving to overhaul the trans for the future. most stock trucks do not have an added trans cooler, most go through the hot radiator to cool. ( info only when I towed with my 76 c-20 truck, i had a 400 trans, and a external trans cooler put in to tow a 7000# load.)