trans temp when towing

Also all the new fluids are full synthetic so they can take hotter temps.

Not all transmissions have synthetics in the trannies. GM uses Dexron VI on their D/A's.

My rig is a 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 with a Goering billet transmission. When I tow a 30 trailer at highway speeds my tranny temp stays around 170, but when stuck in traffic or backing, the tranny temp will get up to 220 if I don't take extra precautions- in neutral race engine to 1800 to 2000 Rpm. I'm thinking about adding an electric fan to supplement my factory fan. Any suggestions on what size and CFM?

Mine runs 185 - 195 towing, and 205 or so when towing in hilly terrain.

Passin Thru wrote:
Gues none of you ever pulled the 17 mile South Pass West bound out of Needles on a 110 degree day. I just put my hat over it at 260 on a Duramax /Allison and keep going. Don't know how hot it gets but fan runs all the way up and Duramax will cut power if it gets too hot.

Done it both ways going from AZ to Ca and back. Never turned the AC off either. lovin the 7.3 and 4.88 gears

Gordon2448 wrote:
I have a 2012 Chevy DRW. Towing approx 17k, outside temp 70, tow/haul mode ON, trany runs between 140-160 on flat ground. With outside temp hotter, traffic or steep climbs it has pushed 160-190.

Similar to my Ram.

I have a 2012 Chevy DRW. Towing approx 17k, outside temp 70, tow/haul mode ON, trany runs between 140-160 on flat ground. With outside temp hotter, traffic or steep climbs it has pushed 160-190.

04 Chevy 3500K (k=heavy duty) bought used and when towingTT my 33ft 8000lbs tt the tranny temp went well above 200degrees. I posted about it here. Endend up getting a new fan cluch and tranny fluid flush. Temp is hovering around 150 to 180 depending on road and grade.

ib516 wrote:

thebudman wrote:

eHoefler wrote:
On a trip up the Big Horn in 2009, they were in a massive reconstruction of the highway, it was in gravel and very rough. I had an 08 Ram 3500 DRW pulling or fully loaded 40' fifth wheel crawling along at 3-8 MPH. The transmission never had a chance to lock up the convertor for 20+ miles. The tranny temp went well over 285*, pegged my added gauge with the sensor on the cooler line to the cooler. Stayed there way too long in my mind, engine fan locked in, warning light on, system is dinging, and still had about 7 miles to go. When we finally got back on pavement and was able to get up to road speed, everything cooled down very quickly, and seemed OK. Checked the fluid at the very next place I could pull over, still bright pink, and no smell to it at all. Called my dealer back in Mo., he said he doubted I hurt anything and the fluid seemed fine, just run it and bring it in when I got home. I was still under warranty, had 9,000 on it at the time, so I did as he suggested. Returned home a week later, made an appointment, had them check it over, all was in great shape. Never had an issue with the transmission and traded at 82,000 miles for the 2010.

Or, you could have got a manual transmission and not had to deal with any of this.

The 6 speed stick has it's advantages, but then you're stuck with the lower output Cummins. In 2013, MUCH lower.

Very True!!!!

What this demonstrates, is the heat rejection that the coolers have and the durability of the transmission. I do not know what the return temperature was, but it was cool enough to prevent failure! I think that is a testament of how far the Ram trucks have come! I am looking forward to purchasing my 2014 for sure!

From what I've read and experienced, ~100* over ambient temps on relative flats is expected. Once you get in the 250+ range, you should be looking for a way to cool it off, or pull over soon.

thebudman wrote:

eHoefler wrote:
On a trip up the Big Horn in 2009, they were in a massive reconstruction of the highway, it was in gravel and very rough. I had an 08 Ram 3500 DRW pulling or fully loaded 40' fifth wheel crawling along at 3-8 MPH. The transmission never had a chance to lock up the convertor for 20+ miles. The tranny temp went well over 285*, pegged my added gauge with the sensor on the cooler line to the cooler. Stayed there way too long in my mind, engine fan locked in, warning light on, system is dinging, and still had about 7 miles to go. When we finally got back on pavement and was able to get up to road speed, everything cooled down very quickly, and seemed OK. Checked the fluid at the very next place I could pull over, still bright pink, and no smell to it at all. Called my dealer back in Mo., he said he doubted I hurt anything and the fluid seemed fine, just run it and bring it in when I got home. I was still under warranty, had 9,000 on it at the time, so I did as he suggested. Returned home a week later, made an appointment, had them check it over, all was in great shape. Never had an issue with the transmission and traded at 82,000 miles for the 2010.

Or, you could have got a manual transmission and not had to deal with any of this.

While what you say is true, the end result was no trans damage so in a strange way, his case is a pretty good testimonial to the durability of modern automatics and fluids.