I recently got a 5th wheel camper that I will be towing with my 2011 Silverado 1500 LTZ. It has the HD trailering and HD cooling packages (RPO codes K5L and Z82). What would you consider to be high transmission temperature? I can monitor the temp. from the info panel on the dash. The short trip bringing the camper home (10 miles, city, flat with one hill) going 40-45 avg it got no higher than 183F. What temps would I see on the highway going 55-60 tops?

In an '09 Silverado C1500 (with tow package, tranny cooler) that I use to pull the trailer in my signature, I'd routinely see 180s and 190s. If coming off highway and to a quick stop (lack of airflow over radiators), I'd see it spike to 205 to 208, before starting to come back down. Discussions on this topic seem to indicate we are okay with very short spikes to 220 or 225. As temps rise, life of the transmission fluid is shortened. There are tables with the temps / miles flowing around on the Internet.Hope this helps.

When I first got my 07 tahoe, the temps during the first pull (short trip, flat lands) spiked up to 200. I then added the additional factory cooler (which I am guessing you have already) and the temps now stay around 190. Grade, outside temp and humidity, all have an effect on this. I think the highest I have seen is 205, during a climb, or during a high temp high humidity situation. This also occurred directly following a slight increase in engine temp, before it fell back within normal range.I think your temps are fine. When I see 200 I start paying attention, just to be sure it comes back down, which it always does.

All the experts will agree that 250 is no problem with modern fluids. At 270F you better start thinking about doing something. It's a mute point anyway. If you are not over the GCVWR you won't even see close to these temps. 100 + ambient is a rule of thumb and close to what you should be seeing.In short, with a modern truck you don't have to worry about tranny heat if loaded correctly.

I'd personally shut down at 230* (stop at a pullout, idle truck to circulate fluid and help cool transmission). I hit 223 the other weekend while pulling in 95-105 ambient. All was well climbing the grade until we caught a motorhome, then a dump truck with a pup, and I was screwed. I was in 1st gear fluid coupling only, not going fast enough to get a decent amount of air across the coolers. We got stopped at some construction for a few minutes so I kicked on the high idle at 1500rpm to spin the fan faster and draw more air across the cooler, helped it cool down about 10*. Once we topped out and got going fast enough to lock the torque convertor again (above 25mph) the trans cooled right off to just under 200.I was pulling only ~6500lbs. I pretty much had worst case scenario.

Turtle n Peeps wrote:All the experts will agree that 250 is no problem with modern fluids. At 270F you better start thinking about doing something. It's a mute point anyway. If you are not over the GCVWR you won't even see close to these temps. 100 + ambient is a rule of thumb and close to what you should be seeing.In short, with a modern truck you don't have to worry about tranny heat if loaded correctly.x2

Tranny temps: how hot is too hot? | Good Sam Community

_tpc_
Explorer
Jul 13, 2015
When I first got my 07 tahoe, the temps during the first pull (short trip, flat lands) spiked up to 200. I then added the additional factory cooler (which I am guessing you have already) and the temps now stay around 190. Grade, outside temp and humidity, all have an effect on this. I think the highest I have seen is 205, during a climb, or during a high temp high humidity situation. This also occurred directly following a slight increase in engine temp, before it fell back within normal range.

I think your temps are fine. When I see 200 I start paying attention, just to be sure it comes back down, which it always does.
TomHaycraft
Explorer
Jul 13, 2015
In an '09 Silverado C1500 (with tow package, tranny cooler) that I use to pull the trailer in my signature, I'd routinely see 180s and 190s. If coming off highway and to a quick stop (lack of airflow over radiators), I'd see it spike to 205 to 208, before starting to come back down.

Discussions on this topic seem to indicate we are okay with very short spikes to 220 or 225. As temps rise, life of the transmission fluid is shortened. There are tables with the temps / miles flowing around on the Internet.

Hope this helps.

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Tranny temps: how hot is too hot?

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