5.7 engines oil temp while towing

[DC Tradesman]

While towing an ultra light trailer & climbing a moderate incline over a mountain range the engine oil temperature reached 250 degrees. I have 85% remaining on the oil change. I change @ 6000 mile intervals regularly.
The temperature will stabilize at around 225 degrees during recovery which is usual parameters during towing @ 70 degree days.
My question is what do other people experience while under the relatively same circumstances. I have 36000 miles on 2018 Ram.
Best Regards.

 

[RamInfo]

That seems high for a light trailer. On my 2016/5.7/3.92 Laramie I never see those kinds of temps when pulling a 2600lb flatbed open trailer (motorcycles), even on a steepish climb. Usually peaks around 220, and I’m in high desert country.

Assuming you’ve checked your coolant level I think next thing to check is whether or not your shutters are working properly. What are your coolant temps showing?

Best,
RI

 

[EdGs]

Do you know what temps your transmission and coolant are running at the same time your oil temps are spiking?

250° oil temp seems high to me, but these engines are set to run on the high side, too, so it could be within 'normal' range. TBH, I would question it too.

There's plenty of members here who would know better than me.

 

[Burla]

Its normal for summer towing with warm ambient temps. It is a good idea to pull over and idle down at 255f, and also make sure you never turn off truck when it is that hot. What was coolant temps?

 

[ibike]

 

[ibike]

Oil temp on mine is pretty much the same as the coolant temps. This was just driving to town no trailer attached.

 

[Grams]

Oil temps typically run same or 10-15 F degrees warmer than radiator-coolant temps.

Any oil temp above 250 is not normal and hard on the oil. I’d look into that as a problem, towing or not. (Plugged or problem oil cooler possible or bad temp sensor, less likely but possible.)

 

[turkeybird56]

Oil temp on mine is pretty much the same as the coolant temps. This was just driving to town no trailer attached.

normal temps

 

[04fxdwgi]

Never saw temps that high on mine while towing my boat (6500 on the trailer), even during 95 degree days. To see temps 10 or 15 deg higher than coolant, then OK.

I run a 197 stat, have the entire shutter assy removed, am running a clutch fan delete electric fan and running 5W30 Mobile 1 oil.

 

[ramffml]

Yes those temps are "normal" in the sense that your truck is working like everyone else's. You can remove the active grill shutters if you have them, and install a 180 tstat, that will make your truck run cooler on the straights and give you a longer runway before hitting those temps. But if you hit a longer grade next time, they might climb up again to 250+.

After doing those upgrades in my truck, it now tows at 222 to 225 in 6th gear for hours, which is the temps it used to sit at unloaded in 8th gear. Brief spikes up to 230 or 240 when climbing longer grades or stop and go which is also very hard to keep temps under control. I do not hit 250 anymore, but if I did I'd tune the fan to come on sooner and also install a thermostat controlled oil cooler.

I'd definitely be running a good 5w-30 or even 5w-40 though if you can't get it under control.

 

[pacofortacos]

If you were running at higher rpms during the climb, those temps are normal and nothing to worry about.
I've seen around those oil temps pulling the boat over mountain passes.

I change oil well before 6k miles though but don't run fancy oil or filters either.

 

[CamperMike]

Pulling a travel trailer. Even one that claims to be " ultra light" can easily see those oil temps. Mine will see 250 when towing my ultra light tt up an incline or against the wind in warmer temps. It's been that way since i got my truck in 2019.

 

[crash68]

While towing an ultra light trailer & climbing a moderate incline over a mountain range the engine oil temperature reached 250 degrees.

How fast are you trying to climb the grade?
The weight doesn't load the engine nearly as much as one thinks, it's the air drag from the trailer that adds the load.
If your running a full synthetic oil, spikes to 250°F shouldn't be a problem. If you do a lot of towing you might want to consider running a 5W30 oil.