?? for you frequent haulers

[46mech]

I've had my '95 since it was new and I've towed some things, but not frequently and definitely not in real steep climbs. Recently I helped move a relative from Las Vegas to S. D. using the I-15 up through Salt Lake and then across the I-80.



Using my truck, I was towing an 8x16 enclosed trailer that couldn't have weighed over 4,000 lbs. The temp was in the high 80's or low 90's and I entered the climb in OD and AC was on. The truck didn't seem to be struggling at all until about the last 500 hundred feet. During this last 500 ft I noticed the transmission temp and water temp rising and I wasn't getting any more out of the throttle. Of course, I turned off the AC and I even put the heater on to lower the water temp and hopefully to help lower the transmission temp. Both temps never got to the dangerous point, but just as I crested the climb I noticed my EGT was holding steady right at the top end of the yellow zone on the gauge and I can't say for sure how long it was there because I was focusing on the other two temps.



So my question to those of you with frequent hauler miles: What is the best way to use my automatic transmission in situations like this? What should I have done different? On some subsequent climbs I noticed that when I shifted out of OD the EGTs went down almost immediately. Thanks!

 

[Ragain]

Here's what I do during a hard pull..... Keep RPM's up (2300~2400). Boost pressure low (15 psi). EGT's should stay between 800~1000° and coolant @ 190~200°. I have a NV5600 w/ underdrive and I tend to "baby" mine on hard pulls and I believe this is the trick to get the most life outta "Ol Shep"!

Long story short... . select a gear besides overdrive that allows you to climb the grade at part throttle so the RPM's stay up, keeping boost & EGT's low. Then enjoy the extra miles you'll get out of your drivetrain!

 

[steved]

When I had my 215HP 99 auto, I towed my M37 home from New Mexico... I'd drop out of OD BEFORE I hit the bottom of the hill to ensure I was locked into drive, then it was drag it to the top... I had no gauges, but the trans never even got above 150*F for the trip (the TC locked)...



It meant thinking ahead for the terrain, but it wasn't bad. You also pulled bigger hills at 60-65mph, but you still kept up with most trucks to the top...



steved

 

[46mech]

Yikes! I was thinking I would get more input than this; however, I do appreciate the two responses.

 

[R C Cola]

Number of replies ! ! ?

You have very solid and (accurate I might add) responses to your question from experienced haulers. I have 500k of commercial hauling with these trucks and decided not to add anything further since prev. answers were good. You can do a search on temperature and cooling and wil find a mountain of info but not expecially more valuable. There are a few things you can add that will contribute somewhat to the cooling of exhaust gas temps, but they all cost quite a few bucks for a little return. If you want to run 75 all the way to the top you will need a very large wallet !! Like the mechanic told me the other day " With a torch, welder, and a fat wallet we will make it happen. " #@$%!

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

You might want to check your radiators. My '98 early last year with 200k on it started overheating when towing. I pulled the radiator and intercooler out of the truck and cleaned them real well - sprayed simple green all over the fins and let it sit for about 5 minutes and then hose them out from the back side. Instantly my temps were back to normal and wouldn't move at all when towing. Just looking at them in the truck they looked very clean but were in fact quite plugged up.

 

[46mech]

You have very solid and (accurate I might add) responses to your question from experienced haulers. I have 500k of commercial hauling with these trucks and decided not to add anything further since prev. answers were good. You can do a search on temperature and cooling and wil find a mountain of info but not expecially more valuable. There are a few things you can add that will contribute somewhat to the cooling of exhaust gas temps, but they all cost quite a few bucks for a little return. If you want to run 75 all the way to the top you will need a very large wallet !! Like the mechanic told me the other day " With a torch, welder, and a fat wallet we will make it happen. " #@$%!

Please don't get me wrong, it was only in my ignorance that I thought I could or should be running up an incline at top speed... ... especially a climb like that one was. I just want to do it right from now on since I'm now living on the middle coast and may very well run into the situation again.



Again, thanks to those of you who commented.

 

[OL RATLR]

Please don't get me wrong, it was only in my ignorance that I thought I could or should be running up an incline at top speed... ... especially a climb like that one was. I just want to do it right from now on since I'm now living on the middle coast and may very well run into the situation again.



Again, thanks to those of you who commented.

Take it from a retired Trucker if you see that much of a change in temperature you need to change to a lower gear. :-{}