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Old 02-24-2013, 06:31 PM   #1
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Transmission Temp. & Towing

So I am planning on pulling a 20ft trailer that will weigh about 5000lbs when full of "stuff" between the trailer and other "stuff" in the box of the truck.

I plan on driving with it for 22 hours breaking it down over 3 days, we have a little one and it would be to much to do in two days.

What transmission temperature range would or is acceptable for towing?

Is there a critical temperature that I should not let it go above?

Cheers

Jim
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Old 02-24-2013, 06:44 PM   #2
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I wouldn't classify my TV/TT combination as the norm, and I'm sure different drivetrains may differ..... but...., my tranny temp when towing runs at approximately 180 - 190 degrees, but will rise a little on a long grade with high outside temps. I also found that if towing conditions allow me to tow in 'overdrive' my tranny temp will drop almost 10 degrees.

I get a little nervous if my tranny temp gets above 210 degrees for an extended period of time, and if the temp continues to climb I pull off for a cool down. This has only happened on two occasions during a long 5-7 mile grade towing in the mountains out west.

Also, since my TV is used for towing 90% of the time, I change my tranny fluid/filter every 30K miles.

Bob

Some more good stuff on temps:

http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthrea...smission+temps

http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthrea...smission+temps

http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthrea...smission+temps
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Old 02-24-2013, 06:50 PM   #3
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Jim, as you probably know excessive heat will toast any transmission. Does your Ram have an external transmission cooler? If so, you're probably OK. When I tow with my F-250, my transmission temp seems to be around 200 to 210 towing 9200 lbs. Hope this helps, Terry
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Old 02-24-2013, 06:55 PM   #4
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I'm no expert, in fact asked a similar question a while back. My experience when using our previous TV (1/2 ton) I would consistently see 100* above ambient temp, with a 170* min. Now with the 3/4 ton I have yet to see anything above 180*. If your transmission Fluid is mainatained properlly I wouldn't be worried till sustained >220* and would stop towing before hitting 230*
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Old 02-24-2013, 07:17 PM   #5
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I like below 190. At what ever temperature, the hotter it is, the worse off you are. Anything over 210 makes me nervous.

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Old 02-24-2013, 07:24 PM   #6
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Is there an aftermarket gauge that can be added to monitor transmission temps?
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Old 02-24-2013, 07:31 PM   #7
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ScanGuage II, is what I use on TV w/o trans temp on the dash. Uses OBDII port and can be moved from vehicle to vehicle. Also very useful if you throw a code that turns on the CEL. It can read & clear codes.
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Old 02-24-2013, 07:33 PM   #8
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I like below 190. At what ever temperature, the hotter it is, the worse off you are. Anything over 210 makes me nervous.

X
I do too, but with our '04 1500 I found when towing in CA central valley summer temps of 102+ staying under 200 wasnt possible.
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Old 02-24-2013, 07:50 PM   #9
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Does your Ram have an external transmission cooler? If so, you're probably OK.
It has a cooler Terry, just not 100% sure of temps, etc. This will be the first vacation using it and I just want to make sure I got as much info as possible before the gas pedal gets pressed.
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Old 02-25-2013, 11:32 AM   #10
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[QUOTE=Rustic Eagle;118876]I wouldn't classify my TV/TT combination as the norm, and I'm sure different drivetrains may differ..... but...., my tranny temp when towing runs at approximately 180 - 190 degrees, but will rise a little on a long grade with high outside temps. I also found that if towing conditions allow me to tow in 'overdrive' my tranny temp will drop almost 10 degrees.

I get a little nervous if my tranny temp gets above 210 degrees for an extended period of time, and if the temp continues to climb I pull off for a cool down. This has only happened on two occasions during a long 5-7 mile grade towing in the mountains out west.

Also, since my TV is used for towing 90% of the time, I change my tranny fluid/filter every 30K miles.

Bob

When the tranny temps get above 220 change it as soon as you get home..... also if you still have a lot of driving to do pull the dipstick and check the level... if the fluid is black or has a burnt smell to it change it immediately.
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Old 02-25-2013, 01:52 PM   #11
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Seann,

I also have my transmission fluid tested by the GM transmission tech at every engine oil change.., one of the main reasons I have the synthetic engine oil/filter changed at my GM dealership.

Bob
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Old 02-25-2013, 01:59 PM   #12
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Transmission Temp. & Towing

Keep trans temp under 215 degrees and change it every 25 to 30 thousand miles and your transmission will last a long time.
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Old 02-25-2013, 04:44 PM   #13
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Jim, if you can't monitor transmission temps via the trucks on board info screen, [if applicable] just keep an eye on the temperature gauge in the instrument cluster. Make sure it stays in the normal range because engine coolant is primarily responsible for cooling the entire power train. Remember, as stated above, outside air temps and terrain will play a big role in how hot the transmission will be. Again, check it when you stop for gas or something and make sure it doesn't smell burnt as Seann said. Also, make sure you stay within the trucks payload capacity. Payload; Sticker weight-people-hitch-gear etc. One last note: 5000lbs is no match for your hemi!
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Old 02-26-2013, 05:12 PM   #14
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Here is a guide I found when I used to pull my trailer with a 1500 Suburban, my Suburban had an auxillary transmission cooler and kept the oil changed regularily. I also had the Scangage II to monitor my transmission temperature.

Because of the Scangage and this temp guide, I realized the transmission on Suburban was the weak link on my vehicle and ended up selling the Suburban and buying my Ram 2500. I no longer have transmission temp problems.

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Old 02-27-2013, 10:55 PM   #15
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One thing to consider is where your trans temp is being measured. If you are getting a temp from the pan, then what you are measuring is not the hottest the fluid is getting. You want to make sure to allow for this. My Ram doesn't have a gauge (yet), so I just take it easy and closely monitor the fluid condition. Our Tahoe liked to hang around 180* to 200* with a bit higher (up to 210*) on long grades. One thing I learned was that dropping a gear to increase RPM's also increases flow through the tranny cooler and I saw my temps drop off pretty quickly. Keeping overdrive off helps a lot too (and is recommended for towing with many rigs).

Your rig is pretty new, but it doesn't hurt to be pro-active with the tranny fluids. I do a drain and fill every other oil change or so. This only gets about 1/2 the fluid, but I figure none of the fluid should be getting to old or "used up" using this method.

With 5k and the 3.92 the Hemi shouldn't even be breaking a sweat!
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Old 02-28-2013, 07:25 AM   #16
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Also, since my TV is used for towing 90% of the time, I change my tranny fluid/filter every 30K miles.
Bob...and others,

When you change the tranny fluid/filter do you just drop the pan and change the filter and what fluid is lost there, or do you have all of the fluid pumped out and replaced?

Thanks,
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Old 02-28-2013, 09:12 AM   #17
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Ken,

I incorrectly stated "change" in my post, but I actually have my transmission "flushed" (pumped) at my GM dealership. One can have their tranny fluid changed in a single session, but I believe it leaves behind the old fluid in the torque converter and possibly some of the trans cooler (it may very with each vehicle).

Bob
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Old 03-03-2013, 08:57 AM   #18
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hey! I am not familiar with transmission temperature but getting to know it since we'll be towing this summer and wanted to know what the normal temps were
We are at 56 000 km (a little over 30 000 miles) and we had the transmission flushed at the Dodge dealer. I have been looking at the transmission numbers on the EVIC and although it is cold here right now, around 35 degrees outside, the transmission temp were up to 185 degrees without towing, driving on the highway. This seems high. Is that normal?
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Old 03-03-2013, 09:00 AM   #19
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hey! I am not familiar with transmission temperature but getting to know it since we'll be towing this summer and wanted to know what the normal temps were
We are at 56 000 km (a little over 30 000 miles) and we had the transmission flushed at the Dodge dealer. I have been looking at the transmission numbers on the EVIC and although it is cold here right now, around 35 degrees outside, the transmission temp were up to 185 degrees without towing, driving on the highway. This seems high. Is that normal?
To be that cold out and not towing 185 is high IMO. What kind of temps were you seeing when towing in warm weather?
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Old 03-03-2013, 09:15 AM   #20
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Hey! I got this from a guy in Ram forums : "That's normal range. When you consider you engine operates around 200F, it's not bad at all."
So how about when towing, would I expect temps to go up much or does the Transmission (heavy duty on the Ram 2010) cooler kicks in?
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