How Hot is too Hot?

[clubhouse]

At what temperatures, engine coolant and/or transmission fluid, do you begin to pull over and let things rest?

According to my TV manual they mention the trucks computer will start adressing things at 265 but I know that is way too long to wait. I tow a lot in sunny and hot CA central valley where ambient outside temps are easily 100+. And I see engine temps in the 210-220 range.

[nylyon]

What truck do you have? Also of concern should be oil temperature and exhaust temperature on turbo diesel's. My F250 (2003 6.0) will see 225 coolant temperatures pulling a hill and oil temperatures of 235. My "slow down" temperatures are:

230 - Coolant
250 - Oil
1300 - Exhaust
200 - Trans

[clubhouse]

Thanks. We have 2 TV depending on if the dogs are making the trip or the kids bring a friend and we need more cab space. For the past 6 mths we have been towing a 2012 26BH, ready to camp at 6300-6500lbs. Both TV are gassers...

04 Chevy Tahoe 5.3 3:73
08 Chevy Silverado crew cab 5.3 3:73

As you can see they both have the same basic power train, little more wheel base with the PU. Both both pull as good as can be expected for gassers...little sluggish on big grades but still able to maintain 50-55mph. However it's the Sierra Nevada grades I notice the temp climb and want to watch it closer. Both TV have factory tow Package and aux transmission coolers. I now have the ScanGuage OBDII monitor capable of monitoring more accurately than the analog dash gauges. I really don't want kill a trany or something else trying to save 15min, hence the question on when to back off or pull over.

[dmax_83]

Originally Posted by nylyon

My "slow down" temperatures are:

230 - Coolant
250 - Oil
1300 - Exhaust
200 - Trans

Good guidelines to follow. Usually my coolant is at 190 and my trans hovers at about 80 over ambient when towing. Have yet to see EGT's over 1200.

[clutch]

From a bad past experience I don't let the water temp get above about 210. The transmission gauge depends on where the probe is located. If mine were to hit 200 I would stop. I seldom let the pyro get over 1200. These temps are easy to manage with a simple down shift and slow down a little when on a hill.

[JAMMFAM]

I have the same truck you do and have asked several people. They all said not to get worried until about 225-235 on the tranny temp then just pull over and let it cool down. As long as it is matching the engine temp. it is ok.