First Towing Experience

[KenHokie]

Took the 5th wheel out for the first time this past weekend. Last summer I had an '00 Ram 2500 with the 5. 9L V8 gas'er. Traded that truck for my CTD last fall because I was not happy towing with the gas engine. All I can say about the difference between towing between my gas'er and my CTD is: WOW ! Pulled most of the way in OD, only needed to shift into 3rd for one mountain pass and the truck easily held 60MPH going over that pass. My only complaint is the noise from the fan when it kicks in when then engine started to heat up from working hard going over that pass. It sounds like there is a jet engine under the hood !

 

[Sarge]

Noise........

Don't worry Ken, that's just Diesel testosterone... ... ... .

 

[Ron Bissett]

Originally posted by KenHokie

Took the 5th wheel out for the first time this past weekend. Last summer I had an '00 Ram 2500 with the 5. 9L V8 gas'er. Traded that truck for my CTD last fall because I was not happy towing with the gas engine. All I can say about the difference between towing between my gas'er and my CTD is: WOW ! Pulled most of the way in OD, only needed to shift into 3rd for one mountain pass and the truck easily held 60MPH going over that pass. My only complaint is the noise from the fan when it kicks in when then engine started to heat up from working hard going over that pass. It sounds like there is a jet engine under the hood !

Well now you know the fan works mine has yet to come on and its a 99 enjoy . Ron in metro Louisville KY

 

[claymike]

Yup the fan can be loud, does not come on much while towing here in the NW but while on vacation it gets a work out.

 

[KenHokie]

I forgot to mention that is was hot last weekend: low to mid 90's. My temp gage never moved higher than 1 gage pointer width past center (190). Does anyone know at what temp the fan clutch is supposed to engage? I assume that it engages based upon the air temp behind the radiator and not coolant temp?

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by KenHokie

I forgot to mention that is was hot last weekend: low to mid 90's. My temp gage never moved higher than 1 gage pointer width past center (190). Does anyone know at what temp the fan clutch is supposed to engage? I assume that it engages based upon the air temp behind the radiator and not coolant temp?

Sounds just like mine. 1 needle width above the 190 degF mark, no matter how hard you work it - we tow a 36' 5th wheel that puts us at 21,180 lbs GCW (21,500 lbs GCWR).



Unless you have a 2003, the fan clutch is thermal and engages based primarily on the air temperature around it and secondarily on the heat transmitted out the shaft from the water pump. The 2003 fan clutch is computer controlled and can run based on A/C usage, inlet air temperature and a lot of other factors unrelated to coolant temperature.



Rusty

 

[dremelts]

KenHokie,



We just returned from a trip to southern Utah (Zion, Bryce, Cap. Reef, Arches). One scenic byway that we were on (Hwy 12) between Bryce and Hwy 24 has some really steep grades - 12% according to the Mountain Passes book. The Cummins pulled them with flying colors but I had to run in 3rd gear (5sp manual trans).

 

[bdaniel]

dremelts:



I will be traveling that same highway in a week or two. I've never been there and have read that it is a beautiful drive.



I want to camp in the area for a couple of days and do some 4-wheelin' on the dirt roads.



What did you enjoy most about the area?

Any places I must go to or see?



Thanks,

Bobby

 

[KenHokie]

Dave,



I hope it didn't get to hot during your visit to So. Utah. Last week the weather was more like July than May. It hit 99 here in SLC. HWY 12 is a beautiful drive but, you are correct, the grade is a real killer. When I had my gas'er, I'd be in 1st doing 30 - 35 towing up a grade like that. Not anymore with my CTD! .



Bobby, Just outside of Bryce Canyon is Ruby's Inn and Campground. It's kind of touristy but a nice family place if you are traveling with kids.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I have 12k miles and recently drove to southern Ca. and back with our 5k lb TT and the fan has never come on. Going up the Grape Vine I dropped it into 5th and kept it floored to 75 and the temp just barely went over 200. Its never come on with the A/C either, Is it supposed to?

 

[TowPro]

Don't forget that air that is turning on the fan clutch is also heated by the Intercooler, AC condensor, Trans cooler AND radiator, so your temp gauge might be "normal" but that air can be hot after it crosses all those "coolers"

Originally posted by KenHokie

I forgot to mention that is was hot last weekend: low to mid 90's. My temp gage never moved higher than 1 gage pointer width past center (190). Does anyone know at what temp the fan clutch is supposed to engage? I assume that it engages based upon the air temp behind the radiator and not coolant temp?

 

[CPG]

You people think that a OEM fan is noisy while towing, you must hear the Horton fan. It works all the time on most grades, but not on the flats. The OEM fan has only 7 blades, versas the 8 on the Horton. Any HP trend gained is minimum when pulling the grades as the Horton is a heavy fan assembly. Must be great in the colder states though. Having had the Horton fan on for five years, the noise drove my wife nuts. I recently took it off and installed the stock fan. It is much more quiet than the Horton in hot weather. On a recent trip down hwy 395 in Cal. here, the noise reduction was evident. My wife is a happy camper now and I figure I should have stayed original. No extra mileage savings with the Horton were achieved. As a matter of fact, the OEM runs cooler. Just My experience here.



Chuck Goode

 

[HEYBOSS]

Originally posted by Prairie Dog

I have 12k miles and recently drove to southern Ca. and back with our 5k lb TT and the fan has never come on. Going up the Grape Vine I dropped it into 5th and kept it floored to 75 and the temp just barely went over 200. Its never come on with the A/C either, Is it supposed to?

Believe you me it will come on or that temp will let you know for sure. Now with an 5k TT that engine is not even working hard yet and may be why it's not coming on, don't forget that the guys with a tall 5er have a lot of wind resistance and the CTD will work harder. I tow 12k 5er around here and never heard the fan come on but on Vac. to FL I'll hear it once in while.

 

[HEYBOSS]

Originally posted by KenHokie

Took the 5th wheel out for the first time this past weekend. Last summer I had an '00 Ram 2500 with the 5. 9L V8 gas'er. Traded that truck for my CTD last fall because I was not happy towing with the gas engine. All I can say about the difference between towing between my gas'er and my CTD is: WOW ! Pulled most of the way in OD, only needed to shift into 3rd for one mountain pass and the truck easily held 60MPH going over that pass. My only complaint is the noise from the fan when it kicks in when then engine started to heat up from working hard going over that pass. It sounds like there is a jet engine under the hood !

Now throw and EZ or Comp, RV275's, Do a trans upgrade and an Exh. brake and you'll have one hell of a towing machine