Any ideas why my engine overheats and I lose power steering when backing up a 6000lb camper?

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Lhawkes

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Ram Year
2019
Engine
5.7L Hemi
I have a
2019 RAM 1500 LARAMIE CREW CAB 4X4 5'7" BOX
8-Speed Automatic 8HP75 Transmission
5.7L V8 HEMI MDS VVT Engine-3.92 Rear Axle Ratio

MAX PAYLOAD LB
1,387

MAX TOWING LB
11,287

I'm towing a
2020 29 1/2 ft - Prime Time Tracer:
Dry weight 5571 pounds
Payload capacity 1966 pounds
GTWR = 7595 lbs
Hitch weight 595 lbs

After about 15 minutes of backing up maneuvers, the power steering quits and engine is extremely hot. Once I put it back to drive position, the power steering is ok again.
 

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PolarisCobra

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Are you backing up hill? In that case the truck works harder. Fifteen minutes seems like a long time to be backing up.

The only air cooling the motor is what the fan pushes through (are you sure the fan works?). You might try 4Lo, the low gear provides a lot more torque to the wheels, the motor does not need to work as hard.
 
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Lhawkes

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Thanks for answering. No I'm not on a hill. On a flat parking lot. Just practicing backing up. 15 minutes is not very long practice practice time but maybe more than my truck can handle. I'll try 4 low.
The fan is working.
 

BossHogg

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What is the ambient temperature you are running in? I believe the engine cooling fan is engine driven in your model and likely there isn't enough airflow through the radiator to cool. Also, check to make sure the air dam in front of the radiator is open and not stuck closed. I'm thinking the EPS is also overheating.

As mentioned, use four-wheel drive low, you will find that much easier to maneuver since the lower gears don't require accelerator input to move the vehicle and trailer. There is a kit out there that allows you to select 4-wheel drive low without engaging the front axle. I have this on my 3500 and it stops steering binding.

This is the link to the kit;

 
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cdn cj

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I don’t think you should be using 4 low on hard surfaces.
 

jawzs2

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What is the ambient temperature you are running in? I believe the engine cooling fan is engine driven in your model and likely there isn't enough airflow through the radiator to cool. Also, check to make sure the air dam in front of the radiator is open and not stuck closed. I'm thinking the EPS is also overheating.

As mentioned, use four-wheel drive low, you will find that much easier to maneuver since the lower gears don't require accelerator input to move the vehicle and trailer. There is a kit out there that allows you to select 4-wheel drive low without engaging the front axle. I have this on my 3500 and it stops steering binding.

This is the link to the kit;


Nice find!
 
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