Coolant temps when towing weight...

[Bigpoppa99]

My question is how much hotter can you expect the engine to get when towing/hauling weight?

Just got back from a beach trip pulling my travel trailer and my temps ranged from 217° to 226° at max. I'm just curious if that's ok temps while pulling weight? I did tow with Overdrive OFF the entire duration of the 5hr drive. Roads were mostly highway with some stop and go as usual.

Facts:
02' 2wd Ram 1500 quad cab 5.9
Outside temp: 95°-99°
Trailer dry wt: 5600lbs + maybe 250lbs cargo
Truck bed wt: Roughly 200lbs
OD Off
Coolant checked before trip for proper mix and level (full)
No mountain crossing, mostly flat roads with normal rolling hills
Thermostat is not old, was replaced when engine was rebuilt about 2 yrs ago

Now sometimes it would cool down to around 214° ish, but mostly stayed between 222 and 226

 

[cat199]

I'm not sure of my actual temperature , but when towing a tt about 5000 pounds I will get to half on my gauge. Not towing I run about 1/8" -3/16" under half on my gauge. So my temperature gauge doesn't change much. It was going up to 3/4 on the gauge before I replaced the fan clutch. Hope that helps-- what is your MPG when towing?? I'm getting just over 8 At 65mph.

 

[Bigpoppa99]

Mine was running between half mark and about 3/16" past halfway mark. I was using a Bluetooth OBDII reader and my normal operating temps is about 195° when not towing. When towing at max it got to 226°

 

[Jbaker33]

I installed a 190 degree thermostat in my 5.7 and when towing my 4k lb camper it rarely went up to 200 degrees this summer. I was really impressed.