Oil Coolant and Tranny Temps

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zeus2120

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I have a 2014 1500 Hemi with 3.92 gears. Last month, I purchased a cargo trailer and have just recently gotten into the towing world. The other day I had about 4,000 pounds behind me at ~75 mph for about 1 hour. Are these temperatures concerning in any way? Outside air temp was 31F. My oil temp peaked at 248. When I cut speed to ~65, oil temp dropped to 223. Am I paranoid or is something wrong?

Outside Temp: 31F
Speed: 75
RPM: ~3,000
Oil Temp: 244
Coolant Temp: 204
Trans Temp: 210

Edit: Dash pic is looking distorted on my end so not sure if it's messed up or just me -- so removing pic and adding temps via text.
 
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Wild one

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7th gear / 75 mph /4000lbs and 3.92's,think you answered your own question,"slow down".3,000 rpm in 7th gear towing 4,000lbs what do you expect to happen with your temperatures.
 
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zeus2120

zeus2120

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7th gear / 75 mph /4000lbs and 3.92's,think you answered your own question,"slow down".3,000 rpm in 7th gear towing 4,000lbs what do you expect to happen with your temperatures.

Not sure, that's why I'm asking here. I'd imagine there are people out west towing in 75-80mph speed limits. If those temps are normal at that speed, I'd like to know.
 

Wild one

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Not sure, that's why I'm asking here. I'd imagine there are people out west towing in 75-80mph speed limits. If those temps are normal at that speed, I'd like to know.
I think you answered your own question,when you noticed the temps dropping when you slowed down.You're on the verge with your oil temps,if you're gonna tow that fast with 3.92's,you'll want to be changing your oil probably every 3,000 miles,and change your transmission fluid probably every 55 to 60,000 miles,and your diff fluid on a yearly basis.
 
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zeus2120

zeus2120

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I think you answered your own question,when you noticed the temps dropping when you slowed down.You're on the verge with your oil temps,if you're gonna tow that fast with 3.92's,you'll want to be changing your oil probably every 3,000 miles,and change your transmission fluid probably every 55 to 60,000 miles,and your diff fluid on a yearly basis.

That is good to know. I probably should slow down a bit just to minimize the wear and tear, especially with 100k+ miles. I wonder what those numbers would look like at 80F outside temp with say 8,000 pounds. Just seem high for only 4,000 pounds, even at 75.
 

Wild one

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That is good to know. I probably should slow down a bit just to minimize the wear and tear, especially with 100k+ miles. I wonder what those numbers would look like at 80F outside temp with say 8,000 pounds. Just seem high for only 4,000 pounds, even at 75.
It's more the rpm you're holding,with that weight. RPM has as much to do with oil temps as the 4,000lbs
 

HuskerRam

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That is good to know. I probably should slow down a bit just to minimize the wear and tear, especially with 100k+ miles. I wonder what those numbers would look like at 80F outside temp with say 8,000 pounds. Just seem high for only 4,000 pounds, even at 75.
I 100% agree with what Wild one said. Towing 6500 lbs at 60-65 mph at 90+ degrees ambient temp nets me 240s for my oil and around 195-200 degrees for my transmission. Your temps look about right for towing what you are at that speed. You're sprinting with a moderate load, so of course it's going to sweat a bit.
 

crash68

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wait till the outside temps get warmer, so will your oil and and coolant expect temps pushing 220s coolant and 260 oil. Not to mention fuel economy of a double digit number will be a distant memory. Slowing down will alleviate all of those since that's all seem to be concern about let alone your own safety.
At 75 mph your covering a football field in 3 seconds, and given it takes about 150 ft to stop just the truck if you slam on the brakes at 60 mph. That distance will more than double to triple towing a trailer so anything that happens a football field in front of you while your towing the physics are against you.
 

Wild one

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I have a 2014 1500 Hemi with 3.92 gears. Last month, I purchased a cargo trailer and have just recently gotten into the towing world. The other day I had about 4,000 pounds behind me at ~75 mph for about 1 hour. Are these temperatures concerning in any way? Outside air temp was 31F. My oil temp peaked at 248. When I cut speed to ~65, oil temp dropped to 223. Am I paranoid or is something wrong?

Outside Temp: 31F
Speed: 75
RPM: ~3,000
Oil Temp: 244
Coolant Temp: 204
Trans Temp: 210

Edit: Dash pic is looking distorted on my end so not sure if it's messed up or just me -- so removing pic and adding temps via text.
Just you,the pic was good for me,lol
 

Shawn Burns

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A 180 degree thermostat and good 5w-30 synthetic oil could lower your temps a bit. I used to get those temps when the truck was new while towing with the stock thermostat and 5w-20 oil. Removing active grill shutters (if you have them) has been reported to lower coolant temps, which should help to keep oil temps down.

I tow about as much weight as you pretty often in the summertime. My temps only spike now when I go up long grades. I also have 3.92 gears. I typically try to drive 72 mph. I occassionally go faster when I need to make up time.

What oil are you using and what is the condition of your coolant?
 
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zeus2120

zeus2120

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A 180 degree thermostat and good 5w-30 synthetic oil could lower your temps a bit. I used to get those temps when the truck was new while towing with the stock thermostat and 5w-20 oil. Removing active grill shutters (if you have them) has been reported to lower coolant temps, which should help to keep oil temps down.

I tow about as much weight as you pretty often in the summertime. My temps only spike now when I go up long grades. I also have 3.92 gears. I typically try to drive 72 mph. I occassionally go faster when I need to make up time.

What oil are you using and what is the condition of your coolant?

I run full synthetic (whatever type the Ram dealer uses). Coolant is fresh -- just had a coolant leak a couple months ago that was repaired along with a full flush and refill. I'm interested to see the performance this upcoming summer. As long as I don't get to a point of doing any damage, I'm ok with making it sweat.
 

CamperMike

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I would not worry a whole lot about those temps . I assume you have an enclosed trailer as the wind resistance makes the truck work a bit. In summer towing our travel trailer I usually see oil temps in the 240s or low 250s. And i don't drive much over 70. If going up a grade I watch temps. If they start increasing I slow down. Otherwise i will let it run all day like that. Coolant on the other hand rarely goes much over 220 unless something is wrong. And if it starts climbing up slow down. Overheat warning is around 240 but less than that blew the head gasket on mine.
 

joesstripclub

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I'm with CamperMike, the cargo trailer is like dragging a giant sail behind you. Definitely makes the truck work hard. Another thing to consider is what the trailer tires are rated for. I think mine are only good for 77mph or something like that, so I personally slow down especially when loaded to make sure I don't have any tire issues.
 

healthyrx

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Not exactly identical to you but just so you have an idea in similar temps.
I have a 17 1500 cc with 6.4 ft bed, 35s and 3.92 gears. I had about 1k in the truck this weekend (500lb motorcycle in bed plus me, my girl and 2 dogs in the cab) and in 41degrees I was driving on i24 west from Chattanooga going up the 4-5% grade at 60 in 7th gear. I had been driving for 9 hours at this point and mid way up the climb my temps were
Oil: 203
Coolant: 206
Trans: 188
Oil pressure 52 psi
 

06 Dodge

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I run full synthetic (whatever type the Ram dealer uses). Coolant is fresh -- just had a coolant leak a couple months ago that was repaired along with a full flush and refill. I'm interested to see the performance this upcoming summer. As long as I don't get to a point of doing any damage, I'm ok with making it sweat.

I would ditch the dealers oil for some good 5w30 synthetic like Mobil One Truck SUV or Rotella T6 5w30 if you can find it
 

caulk04

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I can help with the trans temp, lol. Seems everything is working as intended really, even if they seem scary. Knowing these engines, I'll never run 5w20 in mine.

The RPM is driving the trans temp up for sure, load and RPM both contributing to the oil temp. Grille shutters are a non-issue here, they're wide open.
 

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