Just put a set of gauges in my truck, 05 cummins automatic with Banks Engine Brake. We are headed out Monday for a 6 week cruise around the Midwest from California. GVW should be around 18k. What kind of temps are normal and what would be concerns?First time pulling this trailer I pulled from Clearlake California to Redding and back last month and the transmission temp high was 154 and manifold temp high was about 870 at 24 pounds boost in the mountains. Flat land it never got over 140/670/4 with cruise set at 55 mph, California max for towing. Thanks in advance for your feedbackSam

Boy those temps sound low to me. You should have no problems at all if you get that kind of temp. Even if it gets over a 100 you should still be very low on temps in the truck. That part of California are in the tipple digits for the next few days but I don't think the high temps will last. At any rate you should be good to go.

Sam, where is the trans temp taken, Outlet line to cooler? in the Pan? it makes a difference in the temp of course. On our last Dodge an 03(3500) with a mild upgrade the temps were IIRC a lot higher, trans going down the road 170's, EGTs climbing the Siskiyus I had to back off to get the EGTs below 1200, and boost would run somewhere around 22 pounds.So it sounds like your doing fine with those temps, although Clear Lake to Redding is not very mountainous IIRC?? Try Clear Lake to Salem Or for some hills LOLGood Luck and have fun on your trip:)

Yeah those temps are awfully low. Mine is hotter than that just driving it to town with no load. I'd like to know where the sensors are.

Where is the EGT temp? Pre or post turbo? Last I read automatics have seconds to live when above 250degrees. Under 200 degrees is preferred. If your EGT is preturbo your running cool. Keep the EGT under 1200deg preturbo. Technically your engine should have no problem with 1200deg preturbo. However, there is manufacturing differences from gauge to gauge. Did you monitor the back 3 cylinders vs the front 3 cylinders? I prefer not to run my equipment at 100%. Keeping it under 1200deg preturbo would be considered safe.

srt20 wrote:Yeah those temps are awfully low. Mine is hotter than that just driving it to town with no load. I'd like to know where the sensors are.OP doesn't say what ambient air temp. was where he was driving.My 05 3500 typically runs 160-180 transmission temp in 70 to 90 degree ambient temps (temp sensor is in the pan) and 190-210 degrees coolant temp in the same ambient range.

truck temps | Good Sam Community

ib516
Explorer II
May 15, 2014
thomasmnile wrote:
Wouldn't say totally useless. My mechanic told me the stock transmission temp monitoring on my 05 doesn't activate the dash warning light until the fluid temp hits 280 degrees and that may be a tad late. When towing our fifth wheel the only time things got dicey was towing in the hills East of San Diego area heading to I-8. Saw 220 on the gauge and could SMELL it briefly, but the light never came on. Once off the steep grades all was fine and temp settled in around 180, ambient temps were high 90's.

Actually, the threshold for the warning light is 260F, then it will lock out OD and lock the converter until the temp drops to 230F before it allows OD again.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
May 15, 2014
On my '07 5.9L CTD towing 14K tall 5vr
Tranny temp......output line 200*F pulling grades
EGTs........pre-turbo rear cylinders 1250*F pulling grades
Boost......28# pulling grades

Cruising 62 mph
Tranny 150*F
EGTs' 850*F
Boost 20#
mountainsam
Explorer
May 19, 2014
Thanks folks for your feedback. Quess I will find out tomorrow what she does when I run up to Reno and beyond. When I bought the gauges ( TOWMAX) I installed the sending units as per dealers instructions and as the directions inside the packaging. I would think the inspection plug opening picks up oil and would have some value as a temp source. Not being a mechanic I didn't know for sure so that's why the question. Thanks again. Good Rv int to you all.

Forum Discussion

truck temps

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Winter temp

RV to power home temp

One Night of Freezing Temps...

Temp. Sensor???

Condensation/Temp Control