trans temp when towing

[invstr55]

I have a 2012 Ram 3500 and have a question for those with similar trucks. When towing in the tow/haul mode with the exhaust brake active what is an acceptable transmission temp. My previous truck did not have an exhaust brake and seldom went above 170.

[eHoefler]

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.

[Mont_G_J]

FWIW.

[Passin_Thru]

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.

[et2]

2010 with 4:10. Generally 150 - 160 not towing. 165 - 175 towing. If towing in the city stop & go traffic,ours got up to 208 last year.

[pgboone7607]

On my first tow with my 2012 2500 earlier this month we left in the late evening and the transmission temp stayed around °140 and on the trip home during the day it was around °165 hope that helps.

[modern_family]

Also not a dodge, a 1 ton... My 2011 F-350 runs at 190-195 degrees both towing / not towing. Takes about 15 miles to get to that temp, but then stays there.

[elkhorn98]

Not a Dodge but my Duramax/Allison hit 228 F on a slow climb up a forest service gravel road hauling a 7,500 lb 5th wheel. Was a little worried but it sounds like newer trannys and fluid can take more heat. Overall it sounds like 240 or 270 (sorry forget) is a bad limit. I also figured the truck will tell you to pull over if it gets too hot.

[Cummins12V98]

My Dually Ram 28K combined load. 181 at 90+ outside. Flat land or 6% grades. 170 at 80 and so on. I did a complete fluid exchange to AMZ/OIL ATF and a Mag Hytec deep pan. Mine does run cooler than others I have read about.

FYI leave TH and EB on all the time.

[carringb]

Keep in mind the newest transmissions from all the makes run hotter than the older generations. They don't fluctuate as much when pulling hard however. But having warmer fluid means helps them improve efficiency ever so slightly. Also all the new fluids are full synthetic so they can take hotter temps. Also your PCM will retard power in the unlikely event you did overheat the transmission.

[goducks10]

invstr55 wrote:
I have a 2012 Ram 3500 and have a question for those with similar trucks. When towing in the tow/haul mode with the exhaust brake active what is an acceptable transmission temp. My previous truck did not have an exhaust brake and seldom went above 170.

Have you tried here?
http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/4th-gen-powertrain/

[joe_b_]

The highest I have seen on my 2011 Chevy diesel/ Allison transmission was last summer in New Mexico, at 106°F outside temperature, was 155°F on the tranny gauge. This was pulling our 31 ft. fifth wheel. When I was pulling Monarch Pass in Colorado, the transmission temperature was about the same with cooler outside temperatures. Climbing the pass, this was using the tow haul and exhaust brake turned on. I didn't check it going down the west side of Monarch though. The cruise control was set at 45mph, so the exhaust brake and Allison working together, held it to within 5mph of the set speed. Should check the tranny temperature when going down hill next time.
Around here on the way to Orlando, a three hour drive, I would expect it to be in the 135/145°F range. Now these are not with the tow haul engaged, but are with the exhaust brake turned on, as I always have it on when towing the trailer.

[Jayco23FB]

I have a Chev 2500HD 6.0 gas & pulling a 6000# TT. Trans temp in mine ranged from 150 flat to near 200 while pulling a steep grade in Idaho mts. As a guide think of cars & trucks without an external cooler they utiize the radiator coolant as a cooling medium so they will run 190 - 210 all the time. It would be good to here some more info on this subject.