Engine temperature towing

[Bigdomino]

Have a new GMC Sierra with a 6.2 liter v8 with 8 speed trans. Pulled my 6000 trailer for the first time. Temperature sat at 210. When I went up a hill it jumped to 220 or so. As soon as I stopped the climb it went down immediately. As assume this is normal.

What do you guys see with your tow vehicles?

Steve

[01tundra]

On our 2500 (6.6L) the factory gauge pretty much always shows 200F towing or not, but my Edge Insight CTS 2 gauge actually shows the engine temp is at 187F.

[JeremiahM]

Originally Posted by 01tundra

On our 2500 (6.6L) the factory gauge pretty much always shows 200F towing or not, but my Edge Insight CTS 2 gauge actually shows the engine temp is at 187F.

Where is the temp probe getting its reading for the insight? I have a hard time believing 187 when towing, also how heavy?

As for our 06 F250 with 6.0L powerstroke, it's definitely dependant on ambient temps, but generally speaking during fall, winter and early spring hear in GA, water temp would be between 185-190, and between 190-198 during summer months. Oil temp usually being +5-8 degrees. Towing our 13k Fiver, 190s during the cooler months, and between 205-215 during the hotter months, again with a +5-10 degrees for oil temp, once our truck hits the 212-215 mark, the thermostat kicks the fan on (it's VERY loud) and water temp comes down 10 degrees back to 203-205 easily with 10-15 seconds, the fan Hardley ever kick on unless we're pulling a grade of some sort

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[bdreinv]

Originally Posted by Bigdomino

Have a new GMC Sierra with a 6.2 liter v8 with 8 speed trans. Pulled my 6000 trailer for the first time. Temperature sat at 210. When I went up a hill it jumped to 220 or so. As soon as I stopped the climb it went down immediately. As assume this is normal.

What do you guys see with your tow vehicles?

Steve

Have an 06 Ram 3500 dully automatic bought new, tow10000 lb 16 Eagle.On flat roads not much wind 200.We have a road outside of Flagstaff Az. Going north uphill its 18 miles grade 6-8. Never go over 210.I bet once your truck is broke in it will run cooler. Happy Trails

[01tundra]

Originally Posted by JeremiahM

Where is the temp probe getting its reading for the insight? I have a hard time believing 187 when towing, also how heavy?

*Edit - correction, the factory gauge stays at 210F, not 200F. But the Edge says 187F.

I imagine the same sending unit that the factory gauge picks up from.

Not heavy, about 3,800 lbs. But even pulling a long 8% grade last month (Monteagle) the engine coolant temperature never got over 200F on the Edge gauge.

So a pretty light weight TT and a TV that has 31.4 qts of coolant in the system.

[01tundra]

This is pretty much where my temps sit towing or not (to date, I'll have a better feel in a few weeks when the outdoor temps are a little higher, but for now this is what mine does) -

[LiftedAWDAstro]

My Ram shows 190 - 192 whether empty or towing. I am towing at 50% rated. I would expect it to go up a few degrees this summer. No warm tows yet.

[JeremiahM]

Originally Posted by 01tundra

This is pretty much where my temps sit towing or not (to date, I'll have a better feel in a few weeks when the outdoor temps are a little higher, but for now this is what mine does) -

I will say this, GM has come a long ways on their instrument clusters, finally have that luxury feel

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[pop up pilot]

I use my 2004 Dodge Dakota to tow my pup. The engine never overheats, but the temp gauge goes from low acceptable to high acceptable when towing up hill. I checked, and the fan clutch is operating normally. The thermostat appears to be working normally. It is a 195 degree thermostat (factory spec). Electric fan comes on as designed. Light is visible through the radiator fins. I am worried that, on a long uphill climb with the A/C on, I could overheat. I was thinking of having the radiator flushed. If that doesn't help, I was thinking of replacing the radiator. Anyone have any advice?

[bdreinv]

Originally Posted by pop up pilot

I use my 2004 Dodge Dakota to tow my pup. The engine never overheats, but the temp gauge goes from low acceptable to high acceptable when towing up hill. I checked, and the fan clutch is operating normally. The thermostat appears to be working normally. It is a 195 degree thermostat (factory spec). Electric fan comes on as designed. Light is visible through the radiator fins. I am worried that, on a long uphill climb with the A/C on, I could overheat. I was thinking of having the radiator flushed. If that doesn't help, I was thinking of replacing the radiator. Anyone have any advice?

Maybe a radiator flush and new coolant plus cap.We have a Cummins and that engine requires special coolant made by Xerox.They have an interesting web site on radiator coolants.Also maybe shut your ac down on steep hills.

[bdreinv]

That's is cool!!!!!!

[oh355mbqs]

Hi Bigdomino,

Check your owner's manual. I had a 2010 GMC 2500HD with the 6.0l. When I towed a 30' camper thru the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming the engine temp went to about 230 and the transmission when to about 240. I was worried to death about that so we pulled to the side and I opened the hood to let it cool off. While we were setting there I got out the owners manual. It said the engine would go to 234 when towing in the mountains and the transmission would give an error code thru the computer if it was too hot, so I shut the hood and on we went. That was 3 years ago and the truck was still running great when I traded it in a few months ago. At about 110k miles it did break an exhaust manifold bolt, think it was the rear on passenger side. I always wondered if that was because of the heat when towing in the mountains. After some Google work it turns out that the GM 6.0l is notorious for that problem, not necessarily the heat.