summertime towing with the air on in TV??

seaswirl · 07-10-2015, 07:10 PM

I am planning a trip the end of July to cherrystone campground, My TV is a 2010 dodge ram 1500 with the 5.7 hemi, my trailer is a 2014 jayco jayflight 22FB, I am wondering if I should be concerned if trailering in the heat with my AC on in the TV, will the temp climb too high?? any info would be appreciated.

SkyBound · 07-10-2015, 07:18 PM

Sheesh, with that old goat of a truck you never know... You should probably send it out to pasture and climb into a FORD! LOL

All kidding aside, you should be just fine. If your truck is in sound mechanical order there should not be a problem - your hemi has the ability to make good power (although I hear they are thirsty), just make sure your transmission stays locked up most of the time and not searching for gears. Make sure you are in tow/haul mode, or whatever Dodge calls it, and lock out your overdrive gear if it won't hold steady. That hemi needs higher RPMs to make its power so let it rev if it needs to.

dmward · 07-10-2015, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyBound

Sheesh, with that old goat of a truck you never know... You should probably send it out to pasture and climb into a FORD! LOL

All kidding aside, you should be just fine. If your truck is in sound mechanical order there should not be a problem - your hemi has the ability to make good power (although I hear they are thirsty), just make sure your transmission stays locked up most of the time and not searching for gears. Make sure you are in tow/haul mode, or whatever Dodge calls it, and lock out your overdrive gear if it won't hold steady. That hemi needs higher RPMs to make its power so let it rev if it needs to.

+1 on keeping an eye on transmission temperature. Engine should be more than powerful enough to blast the AC, charge the iPads and keep the tunes going!

We are heading on a two week trip tomorrow and it'll be around 30C/high 80s. [emoji33]

Jagiven · 07-10-2015, 10:21 PM

One more thing. I recommend cleaning the outside of the radiator. A clean radiator runs cooler. I use a pressure washer, but be careful, or you will bend the fins. Stay back 3-4 feet. I clean mine every few years.

seaswirl · 07-11-2015, 04:29 AM

oh it tows the trailer very easy, I always use the tow/haul thanks

Angus · 07-11-2015, 07:34 AM

I had this discussion with my DW on our last trip. With my Taco, I definately felt a power draw with the A/C on, but no increase in engine temp. We ended up comprimising and cycling the A/C only on the downhills and straights. You should be more than fine.

NewBlackDak · 07-11-2015, 10:37 AM

I'm not driving anywhere without the AC. If the truck can't tow with the AC running, it's time for a new truck.

TWP723 · 07-11-2015, 11:57 AM

You should be fine. You'll lose a little 'umph' due to the compressor running but you'll be fine. Power loss is more common in older vehicles. When I say older, I mean 10 years or older.

North of 49° · 07-11-2015, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TWP723

You should be fine. You'll lose a little 'umph' due to the compressor running but you'll be fine. Power loss is more common in older vehicles. When I say older, I mean 10 years or older.

I notice a little less "giddy-up" when running the A/C, but not enough to really affect anything. Having the A/C running while towing in warm weather is necessary for us; DW gets motion sickness, and if the A/C isn't running, then she has to have a window rolled down. Out of the two of those, I vote for the A/C.

gcloss · 07-11-2015, 06:40 PM

You should be fine. One thing I liked about a 2007 Ram 1500 I had was the split radiator design. One side was for the engine cooling and the other side was A/C. It wasn't the typical A/C in front of the radiator.

I just did a 2500 mile round trip with temps in the high 90's and had no issues with my 5.7 Hemi pulling 34' and 8000#s. When I travel I like it so cold in my truck, DW wraps herself and the dog in blankets

bluie5 · 07-11-2015, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewBlackDak

I'm not driving anywhere without the AC. If the truck can't tow with the AC running, it's time for a new truck.

Same here. We bought a large TT to be comfortable and I want to be comfortable in my TV too.

wags999 · 07-11-2015, 10:07 PM

I have towed all over the rocky mountains with my Tundra towing a '15 27rls. Never had an issue and never noticed any difference in power or mileage using or not using the AC. Being from Arizona, we seem to tow often in 100 plus temps with zero issues. Engine or transmission never have overheated..

seaswirl · 07-12-2015, 06:20 AM

thank you everyone, now how often do you do a tranny flush/service, I do mine once a year in the spring??

314BHDS · 07-14-2015, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seaswirl

thank you everyone, now how often do you do a tranny flush/service, I do mine once a year in the spring??

It all depends on mileage and how much abuse/use the transmission see's.i have 80k on my truck and my trans fluid looks and smells brand new still.But I also have external filter that I change every 10k and that helps with keeping it clean.Changing every spring might be overkill,but sometimes it peace of mind and simple maint that makes a difference in the tranny lasting.Also watch out for flushing higher mileage transmissions,it has been known to create more problems in the long run.

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