New truck first tow report. Good, Bad, Ugly

[Huntindog]

We have finished our first towing trip with the new truck... So here is the good the bad and the ugly.

We went from Phoenix to the North Rim and back.
Our lashup was in the 25-26K range. Performance was out standing. The hottest the trany got was 182 climbing Sunset point. 155-165 most of the time. 205 for the coolant temp, and the fan never engaged.
The 10 speed tranny is a game changer. I had the CC set at 70 up Sunset Point. It slowly dropped to 65 then climbed bact up to 70. The third time it happened, I noticed it was dropping a gear. With so many gears, the rpm only changed 4-500 rpm. If you are not watching the tach, it is easy to miss it. That small gear change multiplied the TQ enough regain the lost speed.
Down hill was very imppressive as well. With more gears, the EB is able to more closely hold the speed that the CC is set for. No more having to click the set point down below the desired downhill speed.
We take this trip every year, so we now just what the fuel consumption has been previously. This new truck gets noticeabley better mileage. Normally upon arriving home, a refuel is a priority. Not so this year We drove around town for 2 weeks before refueling.

So better performance with a far more capable truck (vs my 2011) and better mileage. A win win. And the more capable platform is not an exageration, this truck is FIRMLY in control of the load.
So the good is VERY good.
On to the bad.
When we picked the truck up, there was a large bag of loose parts in it. We were told the cameras for the invisible trailer system were in there along with some stuff for the upfitter switches .
Upon going thru the bag at home.... No cameras.
After some discussion with the dealer, it was determined that when the High Country trim level was selected, GMs system deleted the cameras... IOW, it is impossible to order a High Country with the cameras... The truck is equipped for them, but they must be purchased seperatly.... Dealer says 500.00.
That is bad. really bad. I checked off nearly every option available, yet I have no cameras for this great camera system.

Now the ugly... Upon looking into the camera system, I found that it is a hard wired system (vs bluetooth) and it has a trailer length limitation of 32'... This won't even work on my present 34' TT, let alone the 44' toyhauler I have on order. This is UGLY real UGLY. GM builds this fantastic truck than can tow anything on the market eaisily, but it's much advertised invisible trailer camera system will only work with baby trailers.

Review/conclusion: If I had known about the camera situation being screwed up, I still would have bought this truck.
It was new truck time, and I did not want another CP4 truck.
But it sure puts a damper on the experience.

So there it is. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

Maybe, just maybe, some here will stop with the fanboy inferences now.

[Huntindog]

buc1980 wrote:
I wander if the 2020 Ford 10 speed transmission will run hot like the 2017 and up.

Yes it runs hot. Ford says it is OK, as it is designed that way. Some believe it others don't.

You get to decide for yourself whether or not to believe them.

[buc1980]

I wander if the 2020 Ford 10 speed transmission will run hot like the 2017 and up.

[ExxWhy]

I apologize for a late report. I have been able to get the system to calibrate for the invisible trailer function by lying to the computer. My trailer is 35' from the camera on the back to the ball, a bit over 3' longer than the limit. The stitching of the image isn't perfect, but not bad. I need more experience with it to decide if I like the invisible view or just the straight rear view out of the trailer camera best.

I was very happy with the tow experience, rock solid. Nothing too taxing, some rolling hills in Ohio about 90 miles each way. A bit under 17K combined with a 2500. The 10 speed is sweeeeet!

[Huntindog]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Huntindog wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
I was actually referring to the new 10 speed Ford trans.

Yes the one that runs hot by design...
Translation : It has poor cooling, and we are fine with it that way.


The thing is, high heat is bad for the seals in trannys and really just about anything else.

Ford does not have some magical seals that are immune to heat. Overtime, seals will degrade. The hotter it runs, the faster it will happen.

I am NOT saying it's bad I am saying I am very happy with 160's to low 170's in 100 degree temps at 35k combined.

We are on the same page

I disagree with Fords statement that It’s 10! Speed is designed to run hot

[Cummins12V98]

Huntindog wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
I was actually referring to the new 10 speed Ford trans.

Yes the one that runs hot by design...
Translation : It has poor cooling, and we are fine with it that way.


The thing is, high heat is bad for the seals in trannys and really just about anything else.

Ford does not have some magical seals that are immune to heat. Overtime, seals will degrade. The hotter it runs, the faster it will happen.

I am NOT saying it's bad I am saying I am very happy with 160's to low 170's in 100 degree temps at 35k combined.

[Huntindog]

Edd505 wrote:
25-26K with 2010 PALOMINO SABRE 30BHDS - APPROXIMATE DRY WEIGHT--8,105 LBS + truck and equipment, not close.

Look at the pic in my profile

[Huntindog]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
I was actually referring to the new 10 speed Ford trans.

Yes the one that runs hot by design...
Translation : It has poor cooling, and we are fine with it that way.


The thing is, high heat is bad for the seals in trannys and really just about anything else.

Ford does not have some magical seals that are immune to heat. Overtime, seals will degrade. The hotter it runs, the faster it will happen.

[Edd505]

25-26K with 2010 PALOMINO SABRE 30BHDS - APPROXIMATE DRY WEIGHT--8,105 LBS + truck and equipment, not close.

[Cummins12V98]

I was actually referring to the new 10 speed Ford trans.

[ACZL]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"The hottest the trany got was 282 climbing Sunset point"

I assume you meant 182 ???

My Ford will run high temps both oil and tranny (200-230), BUT I'm attributing that to the fact I have a bug screen in front of the grill so while air is still passing thru, just blocked some. My semi has a screen behind the grill but in front of all the rads-----see no problems with temps unless climbing a hill, 65*-75*, towing 2 -28' trailers and have 25,000-33,000 lbs of product (basically grossing between 65,000-80,000) or close behind another semi in front blocking air. Then the water temp climbs to 225-230 and "forward parachute" (engine fan) come on. Tho the semi is an auto, do not have temp readout for it, so cannot tell how hot that gets.

[Cummins12V98]

Me Again wrote:

NJRVer wrote:
Why do you type in blue?

Because he secretly wanted a Ford, however his DW made him by a GM.

Me thinks you hit the nail!

[Me_Again]

NJRVer wrote:
Why do you type in blue?

Because he secretly wanted a Ford, however his DW made him buy a GM.

[Cummins12V98]

Huntindog wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"The hottest the trany got was 282 climbing Sunset point"

I assume you meant 182 ???

Fat fingered
It’s fixed

Sounds like GM's trans runs nice and cool like the RAM's 68RFE and AISIN. Ford runs hot but I guess that's how it's designed.

[Huntindog]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"The hottest the trany got was 282 climbing Sunset point"

I assume you meant 182 ???

Fat fingered
It’s fixed