Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Jayco RV Owners Forum
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 08-11-2011, 07:41 AM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 26
High tranny temps

We just upgraded from a pop up to a 2004 27BH. With the 1500# pop up I hardly noticed it was there while towing. But this camper is a lot different to tow. We tow with a 2008 Yukon XL Denali.

The first thing to get used to was when the big trucks pass by they seem to suck me in and then as they are passing push me back out. I assume this is normal? I only have 1 friction style sway bar along with the WD, but it seemed sufficient as I didn't notice any sway.

The thing that is concerning me is the temps in the truck. My coolant temp without towing is normally dead at 210 and the tranny will fluctuate up to 180.
While towing this monster (at least it seems so after pulling a popup for years) going up hills at about 65 the tranny temp would start climbing and then the coolant would also rise. I would let it get to about 220 on both and then back off. If I would slow down to about 50-55 the temps would come down. I guess this is somewhat normal? What is a safe temp to allow them to go up to before I back off? I am considering a larger tranny cooler. Would this help? I am also considering changing the tranny fluid after each season.
__________________
2008 GMC Yukon XL Denali 6.2
2004 Jayco Jayflight 27BH
delongboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2011, 08:43 AM   #2
Member
 
Leroy2u's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Spring Texas
Posts: 59
First the sucking and pushing is normal, I haven't really found a vehicle big enough where that stops... :hihi:

As far as the tranny I can tell you what I have with my '10 silverado. My norm is also 210 and I watch it going up the hills when towing in all different conditions. I went to 245 once and was a bit concerned so I made a trip down to the Chevy dealer and had him look up the spec limit for overheating. Get ready for this, he told me the light comes on at 270! I haven't pushed the truck over 240 though, I always slow down. Keep in mind that these temps came when the hills were long and the temps were in the 100's.


Mark
__________________
2012 Chev 2500 DMax 4x4
2009 Octane 24ZX
2008 Artic Cat 500 TRV
2008 Artic Cat 650 TRV

Leroy2u is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2011, 09:18 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Seann45's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,714
A tranny cooler ... it can never hurt...

Pull your tranny dipstick and sniff it if it smells burnt or if the tranny oil is black on a white cloth then CHANGE IT NOW.....
__________________
Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days boondockinig in2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12

Seann45 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2011, 07:38 PM   #4
Moderator Emeritus
 
Rustic Eagle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
Quote:
Originally Posted by delongboy View Post
snip........While towing this monster (at least it seems so after pulling a popup for years) going up hills at about 65 the tranny temp would start climbing and then the coolant would also rise. I would let it get to about 220 on both and then back off. If I would slow down to about 50-55 the temps would come down.....snip
IMO, don't try to pace traffic when towing, don't use overdrive (D), use 3rd gear..., especially on a grade, and slow it down a little. If you find your transmission down-shifting a lot (or hunting for gears), expect the temp to rise.

Also, the more you use your vehicle for towing, consider changing your tranny fluid more often than the manufacturer's recommended 100K miles. I changed mine at about 35K miles and after a trip through the mountains out west....., my tranny temp reached 230 degrees a couple of times on some long grades, engine oil temp never moved.

If you find that you have worked your tranny at above average temps for a long periods of times during a given trip, changing the fluid would be good insurance. The higher the operating temp, the faster the degrade on the fluid and it's ability to do what it's designed to do.

Bob
__________________

2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
Rustic Eagle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2011, 09:25 AM   #5
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 26
Tranny fluid still looks pink and smells fine.
270 sounds crazy high.
I already have a tranny cooler. Maybe I'll look into replacing it with a bigger one.
For now I guess its take it easy and change the fluid more often.

Bob, do you change your fluid yourself or take it in?
__________________
2008 GMC Yukon XL Denali 6.2
2004 Jayco Jayflight 27BH
delongboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2011, 01:32 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Seann45's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,714
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle View Post
IMO, don't try to pace traffic when towing, don't use overdrive (D), use 3rd gear..., especially on a grade, and slow it down a little. If you find your transmission down-shifting a lot (or hunting for gears), expect the temp to rise.

Also, the more you use your vehicle for towing, consider changing your tranny fluid more often than the manufacturer's recommended 100K miles. I changed mine at about 35K miles and after a trip through the mountains out west....., my tranny temp reached 230 degrees a couple of times on some long grades, engine oil temp never moved.

If you find that you have worked your tranny at above average temps for a long periods of times during a given trip, changing the fluid would be good insurance. The higher the operating temp, the faster the degrade on the fluid and it's ability to do what it's designed to do.

Bob
Bob you should have the MIGHTY Allison transmission in your truck... you can tow in OD with the tow haul enabled... this is the same transmission that GM puts in 5 and 10 ton trucks...
Seann
__________________
Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days boondockinig in2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12

Seann45 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2011, 05:26 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: North Idaho/Arizona
Posts: 5,446
It is important for a lot of tow vehicles to not tow in OD. Transmission temp can vary a lot depending on where the probe is located. If it is in the tanny pan it will read a lot different than if it is on the line going from the transmission the the oil cooler. Mine is in the pan and I never let it exceed 240*.
clutch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2011, 05:44 PM   #8
Member
 
Leroy2u's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Spring Texas
Posts: 59
[QUOTE=delongboy;33420]
270 sounds crazy high.


Yes it is, do yourself a favor and research at what temp triggers the overheat idiot light to come on.
__________________
2012 Chev 2500 DMax 4x4
2009 Octane 24ZX
2008 Artic Cat 500 TRV
2008 Artic Cat 650 TRV

Leroy2u is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-16-2011, 04:31 PM   #9
Moderator Emeritus
 
Rustic Eagle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
Quote:
Originally Posted by Seann45 View Post
Bob you should have the MIGHTY Allison transmission in your truck...snip
Seann,

Oh how I wish!!

I can however tow my TT in OD ("D") if the road/weather conditions are ideal and without any tranny hunting. I can maintain about 65 MPH, drop 500 RPM, and also watch my tranny temp drop about 10-15 degrees compared to using 3rd gear under the same conditions.

Bob
__________________

2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
Rustic Eagle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-16-2011, 06:45 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
TexasA&M's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Ft. Worth, TX
Posts: 388
Typically, the torque converter isn't locked in 3rd on a standard overdrive auto (4 speed), which is why the temps will be higher in 3rd. You should do some googling and see if you can add a switch to allow you to lock the torque converter in 3rd. I did this on my Chevy (with a 700r4) and it drops the RPM a couple hundred and also lets the tranny run cooler.
__________________
'11 G2 32BHDS
TexasA&M is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2011, 05:20 PM   #11
Moderator Emeritus
 
Rustic Eagle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
In my case the torque converter locks in 3rd and "D" (4th), but not in 1st and 2nd. On climbs I try to hold 3rd as long as I can until the tranny decides it's time to shift to a lower gear, then I keep an eye on the temp gauge.

Bob
__________________

2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
Rustic Eagle is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Jayco, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:49 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2002-2016 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.