Towing coolant temps Go up?

[David Brown]

Hi All,

I made a run with the 01. 5 this weekend, pulling a 14 ft WW enclosed trailer containing about 3K, so a total tow load of about 6K.

When I pulled on to I40 east and locked the cruise in at 75, looked at the temp gauge and my heart just about stopped. It showed about 195, I took it off cruise and slowed to 65 and the temp droped to just under 190. I watched it there for a while and then put the cruise back on. My old truck never showed a temp increase while towing.

Now to the question, Is this something you all have been seeing or is there a problem here? The truck is stock with about 7K miles, and a fresh oil change using Delo 400.

BTW fuel mileage was 13 for the trip

 

[trning]

coolant temps

I tow a travel trailer that weighs about 4500lbs. When I tow it my coolant temp goes up a little bit also. That is pretty much normal. On the big cummins engines the thermostat opens at 195 and the fan clutch engages at 205 and when your pulling hard the temp might go up to 210 or higher.

 

[Archive]

Temps can go up and down with a load... depending on the winds, grades, etc. Doesn't sound like you need to worry.

 

[Evan A. Beck]

There should not be too much fluctuation in your water temperature as long as your thermostat is working correctly. Also, keep your radiator clean, and don't use any sort of "window screen" to prevent bugs from collecting on the fins. The screen material can cause up to a 25% restriction in airflow, which means all the coolers on the front of the truck will not function to their full ability. Just hose the bugs off instead of using a screen.

 

[hammersley]

Evan - you stated "Also, keep your radiator clean, and don't use any sort of "window screen" to prevent bugs from collecting on the fins. The screen material can cause up to a 25% restriction in airflow... " Can you provide some empirical data to validate this statement?

 

[Archive]

Originally posted by Evan A. Beck

and don't use any sort of "window screen" to prevent bugs from collecting on the fins. The screen material can cause up to a 25% restriction in airflow, which means all the coolers on the front of the truck will not function to their full ability. Just hose the bugs off instead of using a screen.

Evan... if you clean the screen each time you wash your truck, the thing becomes insignificant. I have used them on every rig I have owned, which is substantually more than two. What about the Lund warm fronts? They are much more restrictive! Etc, etc.



Besides, other than borrowing my trailer, what experience do you have with towing???

 

[Archive]

Originally posted by hammersley

Can you provide some empirical data to validate this statement?

No, he can't... it is an OPINION... just like the old days when they would hang a canvas bag full of water in front of the radiator... some people loved it, some hated it. But that canvas bag was lots more rstrictive than a piece of window screen.



BTW, post a pic of your two Labs... my favorite breed!

 

[chuck3]

Temp.

Mine goes up a little when towing. allso hear the fan cycle on and off when the outside temp. is up around 90 an 100 deg. But belive thats normal,mine has been that way since day one.

 

[TowPro]

I think what you are seeing is you finaly did something to cause the Cummins to warm up! Under normal conditions, the thermostat is always modulating open and closed!

Originally posted by David Brown

Hi All,

I made a run with the 01. 5 this weekend, pulling a 14 ft WW enclosed trailer containing about 3K, so a total tow load of about 6K.

When I pulled on to I40 east and locked the cruise in at 75, looked at the temp gauge and my heart just about stopped. It showed about 195, I took it off cruise and slowed to 65 and the temp droped to just under 190. I watched it there for a while and then put the cruise back on. My old truck never showed a temp increase while towing.

Now to the question, Is this something you all have been seeing or is there a problem here? The truck is stock with about 7K miles, and a fresh oil change using Delo 400.

BTW fuel mileage was 13 for the trip

 

[David Brown]

Thanks Guys,

I feel a little better, however I will continue to wathch it closely, the '94 never wiggled, so that was new to me.

If you have read any of my previous posts you know I am less than thrilled with the fuel mileage and when pulling a load I just plain don't like it at all. In a post some time ago I thought I read that the computer will advance the timing at the 10K mile mark. Can any of you verify that, if true maybe threr will be some improvement then?

 

[Evan A. Beck]

Rob, I have towed more than you think... I have towed various cars and such across the state, and NOT used your trailer for it. I had to rent a bigger one. Plus, I have towed my friend's '68 Ghia on a trailer a number of times... Again, without using your trailer. Also, next time you are at the shop, ask Chuck about the screen thing. He'll enlighten you.



And please, stop following up everything I post on with a negative reply. I'm getting sick of it.

 

[Archive]

Evan... for your info, I am not "following" you around... If you look at this post, for example,

I posted first. And, you know darn well I use a bug screen, and so do many others... we had this discussion on another thread less than a month ago. If you have the data to prove that I lose 25 percent with my screen, post it. If not, get off of it... and me and my Ram.



Who followed me to the "leaf blower" thread... maybe you should go look into a mirror, instead of saying some of the things you are.

You towing? You could not even back the trailer up! I had to drive your Ram and do it for you. That sure is some plentiful experience you have there!

 

[Evan A. Beck]

And it all comes out... Seems you are bitter about something... Not sure what it is, but you have been rather irritable towards me recently. What gives? What did I do? Explain this so we can work it out...



I have not purposely directed anything negative towards your Ram, or anyone elses... I'm not like that, you know me better than that.



And that time you had to back the trailer for me... That was the FIRST time I had ever towed! Give me a break... That was waaay back in '99 with my other truck...

 

[Archive]

Lets see... I have known you for less than two years... now you say I had to back up your trailer the "first tow" for you... but by now, you are an expert! Geez... leave me and my Ram alone! Please!

 

[Evan A. Beck]

All I want is an explanation of what you think I am doing... I don't understand it... One day, things are great... We are going out to lunch, BS'ing like we always do. The next, you are toally cold to me on the Board, for no apparent reason. What's going on?

 

[tlippy]

I wish I could get my truck to run 195! The OE stat was defective and replaced - truck ran past 210 while going around Mt. Hood last year with the TDR guys. I replaced the replacement with another stat and still the truck never gets hotter than 180 - even during a tow 0f 7000# - and in outside temps of 100! I did learn one thing during the 3rd replacement - the stat has 180 stamped on the body. So I'm just goin to drive!!!!!!!!!

 

[SLightfoot]

Keep it offline guys...

Hey, keep this bickering offline guys.



The original thread "Towing Coolant Temps Go Up" is not the only temp going up.

 

[JJW_ND]

I have noticed the 2000 and newer run warmer then previous trucks. My 96 runs very cool (160 - 170) unless I am pulling a substantial load. Changed lots to T-stats, but all do the same.



The 2001 truck work truck I drive runs 190 most all the time and when towing in warmer weather or faster speeds it will run 195 - 200 until I slow down or sundown. I think the stat is fully open at 200.



BTW... with all the mpg info I have tracked with my 96, I think running 190 - 200 is much more efficient then running 160 - 180.



I wish I could keep my 96 at 190 when running empty. Gets old taking the winter front in and out all spring and fall.



jjw

ND

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Rob and Evan, please take your discussion off line. If you don't want to do it through email you can use the private messaging feature here on the board. There's no need to hash this out in public. In the future if either of you has a problem with something the other says, please just drop it on here and take it up privately. Thanks in advance.



-Steve St. Laurent

Lead Moderator

 

[Archive]

Steve...

You are right. And I apologize. I went about it in the wrong way.