i own a repair shop,and your dad is right on this one the ridge line isn't rated to pull that much weight at a long distance,when they do a rated towing capacity,they mean up to that amount,and not for a real long distance,or for a long period of time either,in basic terms there's not enough vehicle there to pull that much weight and be safe doing it,the ridge line is a good vehicle,but doesn't have the power or the suspension to handle this,a lot of people have found this out the hard way,and had to trade them back in for larger vehicles,he,s right about everything he told you on this one,you need something like a suburban to do this with,they have the power,and the suspension to handle a load like this,and do it safely,you could tow a small boat ,with the ridge line,but i wouldn't have a load behind me that weighed almost as much as what i was driving,good luck,i hope this help,s.