Hi,I am looking into purchasing our first pop-up camper but I'm concerned our minivan may not handle it. We have a 2006 town and country 3.8L V6 with the stow and go. My brother is comfortable installing a class 2 hitch and doing the wiring. My concerns lay with the transmission. I've read various forums but cannot find a straight answer if a trans cooler is definitely needed. I'm looking at pop-ups between 12-16' that are less then 2000 unloaded. We're in Michigan so not really any mountains or crazy heat. Probably would not be traveling more then 5hrs drive time ever (small children). I'm not wanting to invest the extra $400 on the trans cooler in such an older van if I don't have to. Not trying to be overly cheap just realistic that I'll probably be replacing our van in the next 2 years anyway. Any advice is appreciated

Had the same dilemma with a Chevy front wheel drive minivan years ago, never pulled the trigger but I understand your concerns. From what I recall the Chrysler minivans had the best tow rating for quite awhile. Anyway....look up the info on the towing package for your specific model from the factory. You'll probably find it had a transmission cooler and heavier rear springs...? things you could reasonably add yourself. Others more knowledgeable will probably be along soon!

Well, first of all, I don't think it would cost you $400. At least it shouldn't. I was able to get one installed for between $200 and $300, although I don't remember the exact cost.I look at it as insurance. It will definitely keep your transmission fluid cooler than it would be otherwise, and it is heat that kills transmissions. So you'll be investing in protection, and it will be effective and helpful. No question about it. Do you need it? Maybe; maybe not. But why not err on the side of protection?When I was faced with the same question I wanted to get a read on just exactly how hot my transmission fluid was while towing. So I bought a ScanGauge II in order to get that information. I found that my transmission fluid was approaching 250 degrees on some hills. I definitely knew then that I wanted to spring for the auxilliary cooler. After that my temps never went above 230 - even on some very long grades in WV. No doubt a worthwhile purchase in my case. Your mileage may vary, of course.(BTW - I no longer need my ScanGauge II, and I have it for sale on Craigslist for $85. New they are $160. You probably don't want to buy it, since you are concerned about investing in an older vehicle, but there it is anyway. https://rochester.craigslist.org/pts/6022248237.html)-Speak

The pop-ups have a low profile, so low additional wind resistance behind a van. The main requirement for additional transmission cooling is extended driving with the high profile trailers, with their high drag. If your going to do 85 mph for long periods of time you may need additional cooling, but it's unlikely one is required for normal use and a pop-up.This is why some cars and vans specify trailer frontal area in their towing requirements.

We have a large teardrop trailer about the same weight as your pop-up. I did add a transmission cooler but we were going to be mountain climbing in the Sierras, and did. some 8% grades and 110+F. I also switched to synthetic ATF and have an Ultraguage that tells me the actually tells me the engine temp and on certain vehicles the transmission temps.Given your situation I would not add the cooler (we also camp in Michigan) and you are fresh out of mountains.

Regardless of what you decide about the cooler, you can help keep the temps down by slowing down and shifting down. Turn off overdrive, hold your speed down, and any time you feel a lot of shifting going on, manually downshift and leave it there. The worst thing on a transmission is continually hunting for gears. Also depending on how many miles you travel towing, you should shorten your interval for flushing the transmission, and checking or changing other fluids.

Transmission cooler? | Good Sam Community

horton333
Explorer
Feb 28, 2017
The pop-ups have a low profile, so low additional wind resistance behind a van. The main requirement for additional transmission cooling is extended driving with the high profile trailers, with their high drag. If your going to do 85 mph for long periods of time you may need additional cooling, but it's unlikely one is required for normal use and a pop-up.
This is why some cars and vans specify trailer frontal area in their towing requirements.
SpeakEasy
Explorer
Feb 28, 2017
Well, first of all, I don't think it would cost you $400. At least it shouldn't. I was able to get one installed for between $200 and $300, although I don't remember the exact cost.

I look at it as insurance. It will definitely keep your transmission fluid cooler than it would be otherwise, and it is heat that kills transmissions. So you'll be investing in protection, and it will be effective and helpful. No question about it. Do you need it? Maybe; maybe not. But why not err on the side of protection?

When I was faced with the same question I wanted to get a read on just exactly how hot my transmission fluid was while towing. So I bought a ScanGauge II in order to get that information. I found that my transmission fluid was approaching 250 degrees on some hills. I definitely knew then that I wanted to spring for the auxilliary cooler. After that my temps never went above 230 - even on some very long grades in WV. No doubt a worthwhile purchase in my case. Your mileage may vary, of course.

(BTW - I no longer need my ScanGauge II, and I have it for sale on Craigslist for $85. New they are $160. You probably don't want to buy it, since you are concerned about investing in an older vehicle, but there it is anyway. https://rochester.craigslist.org/pts/6022248237.html)

-Speak
Ventureman
Explorer
Feb 28, 2017
Had the same dilemma with a Chevy front wheel drive minivan years ago, never pulled the trigger but I understand your concerns. From what I recall the Chrysler minivans had the best tow rating for quite awhile. Anyway....look up the info on the towing package for your specific model from the factory. You'll probably find it had a transmission cooler and heavier rear springs...? things you could reasonably add yourself. Others more knowledgeable will probably be along soon!

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