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ata3001's avatar
ata3001
Explorer
Jul 05, 2015

ATF gets too hot

This weekend pulling my camper in my signature with the truck in my signature in 75* weather, my ATF was running 196*-201* at a steady 60 mph. When I got to some side roads the temp went to 207*. Pulled into in laws property to my parking area, but needed to turn camper around & walk it back & forth to get it moved over to where it needed to be. Not much room to maneuver. This required putting truck into 4 wd to keep from digging up his lawn. When finished moving it (3 or 4 mins), the ATF temp was 225*. Camper weighs about 6k lbs in travel form. Total occupant weight was about 320 lbs, weight in bed of truck was maybe 200 lbs. Total load capacity is about 1800 lbs per door tag, towing capacity is 9600 lbs. I was way under my capacity. 2014 Silverado has factory tow pkg, 3.42 rear gear, & only me (170 lbs) in truck while parking it. Need suggestions. Can I add a stacked plate ATF cooler & if so what size is recommended?
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  • ACZL's avatar
    ACZL
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2015
    Look at this another way. While you're jogging, you are breathing heavy and sweating. When you stop, you really start to sweat more and feel hotter than blazes. Why? No air blowing across your body--not moving. So your truck is doing the exact same thing. While moving, it's at 1 temp, you stop, and temp climbs. Like others have said, use 4 low. You should have synthetic oil in trans, if not switch to it. I wouldn't worry about 225* as long as it was short in duration. If running down the road and it's at that temp, then I'd start to get concerned.
  • Troy35's avatar
    Troy35
    Explorer
    Jul 05, 2015
    I have a friend who's Allison was getting hot while towing. He had the transmission serviced and added a deeper pan and it continued to get quite hot while towing. All the while it turned out his fan clutch was bad and his truck wasn't cooling under heavy loads/low speeds. Maybe check that out before spending too much chasing your temp problems.
  • Bamaman11's avatar
    Bamaman11
    Explorer
    Jul 05, 2015
    Anyone that's going to pull a travel trailer or fifth wheel trailer needs to add all the transmission cooling they can get. You can buy a TruCool or B&M auxiliary tranny cooler for less than $150 in most cases, and they're very easy to install.
    It's the cheapest insurance to protect your transmission you'll ever buy.
  • ktosv's avatar
    ktosv
    Explorer
    Jul 05, 2015
    Did you have it in tow haul mode?

    As suggested, before adding or changing anything I would try using 4Lo and see what it does.

    I had a 2004 3/4 Ton Suburban with the 6.0L that had the engine coolant start to overheat maneuvering a trailer like that. It was just the lack of airflow, so I dropped it in neutral and revved the engine to get the fan going. Difference is, your truck probably has an electric fan and revving the engine probably wouldn't do much to help.
  • MitchF150's avatar
    MitchF150
    Nomad
    Jul 05, 2015
    I put mine in 4lo when doing tight manuevering. Really helps keep the trans temp down.

    My trans will run 195* not towing anything in the middle of winter.. Runs 195* towing when it's 90* outside too. It'll climb a bit when it's working, but 225* for a short time wouldn't phase me now.. Only because I now know that's 'normal' for the new trucks.

    My old 97 would run a lot cooler, but a totally different rig.

    Don't fret it!

    Mitch
  • SouthpawHD's avatar
    SouthpawHD
    Explorer
    Jul 05, 2015
    I have a similar vehicle as you, similar temps as you when pulling. I wouldn't worry at all about 207*. As for the 225, temps will climb while vehicle is not moving much in a confined space as no air flow is getting to the trans cooler. Wouldn't really worry about it.

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