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How hot does she get?

kodiakcanuck
Explorer
Explorer
Just wanted to check with others on how many degrees your coolant rises to when towing up hills?

This past trip was the first time I have taken this truck and trailer combo through the Adirondacks to Lake George NY. I have a digital display for the coolant and typically when towing the temp is around 204 -205 F. On some of the longer and steeper grades (I'd say mountains to me but not when comparing to the Rockies :B ) it heated up to around 215-217 F with the highest temp I recorded was 222 F. The outside air temp was only around 70 F.

On previous trips the truck has never heated up this much, but these are the highest mountains I've climbed. I wasnt all that concerned because it cooled quickly and was really only slightly higher that half way on the gauge. Our friends where towing a similar trailer with a 4.7 Dakota and it was heating up a LOT more than that!

So does this seem acceptable, or is it time for a coolant flush, change and perhaps a newer, higher thermostat? The truck only has 54K miles on it.
2011 Kodiak 240KSSL
Husky Center Line WDH
2014 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 Outdoorsman 3:92,8-speed,5.7L HEMI
2007 Kodiak 214 HTT (prior)
2010 Dodge RAM 1500 4x4, 3:55, 5.7L (prior)
16 REPLIES 16

Tystevens
Explorer
Explorer
I don't know my exact temps, and I don't really care. The truck will tell me if I'm getting too hot.

My gauges show a little bump on inclines, of course. On a near WOT ascent up a long 6-7% grade at freeway speeds, my truck will heat up to about 3/4 of the gauge. Interestingly, on slower but steeper climbs, the gauge doesn't move much at all.
2008 Hornet Hideout 27B
2010 Chevy Suburban 1500 LT, Z71 package, 5.3/6A/3.42
2015 Ford F150 XLT Supercrew, 2.7 Ecoboost/6A/3.55 LS

Prior TVs:
2011 Ford F150 Ecoboost 3.5
2006 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax LBZ
2005 Chevy Suburban 1500 4x4 LT, 5.3/4A/4.10

kvangil
Explorer
Explorer
Raising alarms at 220-degrees is premature. By comparison, my truck's engine temps runs at about 203-204 degrees without trailer. Towing on a 2000-mile round-trip to SD, temps got as high as 220-degrees on some hills and with headwind. The temp needle was still at about 1/3 of the way up to red, so I was not concerned. You're fine at 222 degrees.
2004 Jayco X23b
2005 Nissan Pathfinder LE 4x4

ib516
Explorer II
Explorer II
Much over reaction here guys.

Newer engines run much hotter than older ones did. My 2014 truck runs 200* to 210* with no load, same with my 2014 Jeep Cherokee. You can't compare old to new. I'd bet the old C----H gauge was somewhere in the middle at those temps.

When to worry is when the temperature keeps climbing to the red zone on the gauge. Engine temp increasing when climbing a grade with a heavy load is NORMAL. It'll cool down on the other side, or the truck's computer will let you know it's getting too hot.

Here's a picture of my temp gauge in my 2007 Cummins diesel after towing my 37' 5er up a very steep grade at slow speeds due to all the switchbacks (Teton Pass). It was a 10% for 5 miles. No coolant lost, no drop in performance, and no warning lights on the dash. Just normal operation for the conditions I was operating in - which were admittedly severe. There's no need to panic.

This would be about 240*F...


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wandering1
Explorer
Explorer
Why don't you ask your truck dealer instead of asking for personal opinions from expert wannabes?
HR

pasusan
Explorer
Explorer
4x4ord wrote:
220 is too hot for my liking. 220 is where I would pull over and let things cool down.
I'd be worried at 220 also.

We got up to 215 going up a very long steep grade on our way to Asheville, NC on 23. That made us nervous, but it cooled right down on the other side going down.

As far as pulling over... What then - turn the engine off or let it idle?

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4x4ord
Explorer III
Explorer III
220 is too hot for my liking. 220 is where I would pull over and let things cool down.
2023 F350 SRW Platinum short box 4x4.
B&W Companion
2008 Citation Platinum XL 34.5

intheburbs
Explorer
Explorer
With a total weight of 14,500 lbs, approaching the Eisenhower tunnel in CO, trans was at 230ยฐ and engine was at 220ยฐ. Engine was turning at 4,000 RPM in second gear, doing about 40 MPH. Outside temp was 78ยฐ. I was not concerned.

Had both the engine and trans around 230ยฐ while we were 4 wheeling on the Gemini Bridges trail outside of Moab, UT. Ambient temps were around 102ยฐ.

Only thing I'll probably do for the truck is have the trans fluid changed at the dealer.
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gwalter
Explorer III
Explorer III
I just pulled my 5ver with boat behind in CO up 5-6% grades for 25 miles and pretty much uphill most of the time. Engine temps ran 212-219 and trans about 190. Outside temps were in low 80s.
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Goostoff
Explorer
Explorer
I never worry about temps. In fact I wish mine would run a little hotter. The ole 454 usually runs about 125 to 150 no matter how hot it is outside and what grade I am pulling. Thats with about 13k behind me. I have a huge 4 core diesel radiator and a direct drive racing fan on the engine. Thinking about switching to electric fans to gain a little gas mileage. Going to put on an Edelbrock Performer RPM intake this winter so it will get a little hotter thermostat as well at that time.
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Bionic_Man
Explorer
Explorer
Towing around 15,000 pounds through the Rockies this weekend I saw temps max at about 250*. Trans temp got to 215.
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ChooChooMan74
Explorer
Explorer
If you have a fan clutch, it could be on its way out. I recommend changing it. I personally am going to a clutchless race fan and maybe hood louvers.
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sch911
Explorer
Explorer
We test our trucks way beyond 222F. Trailer tow test abort temperatures can be as high as 250F! So you're fine...
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naturist
Nomad
Nomad
A hotter thermostat won't help at all. I agree with the others that what you report is not alarming at all. 222 ยฐF is well within the envelope, certainly well below what your engine and coolant can handle. When the engine is working hard dragging a load uphill, you expect it to run warmer than usual.

My TV normally runs 190 ยฐF just puttering around, and the ECU doesn't start taking steps to reduce power to prevent overheating until 235 ยฐF. The "you got a problem" BONG sounds if you get to 245 ยฐF.

Since 222 ยฐF seems hotter than normal to you, it may be that your thermostat is failing and should be replaced. But definitely NOT with a hotter-running thermostat. That would not help. Stick with the current temperature range.

TravelsWithCha2
Explorer
Explorer
Kodiak, your report details exactly what your thermostats are suppose to do. They crack around 190, and are full open coolant flow around 220.
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