Trans temp

[bigbluecrew]

ok so never owned a ram b4 and bought a 2011 2500 crew cab 5.7 hemi with8ft box only had 31k on it to tow my camper.
I’ve towed many trailers with many vehicles but it seems like the ram trans temp is high. We just went to hershey pa over the weekend towing 9000 lbs trans temp got up to 225 a few times climbing engine pegged at 5000rpm for extended periods of time. I also notice sitting in traffic trans temp will get to 200
so i guess my ?? is what’s to hot
ps i always tow in tow/haul mode and changed all fluids including trans fluid and filters when i got it.

 

[OC455]

From what I've read, if you start ******* into the 240 or over for trans temps it would be a problem. I just returned from my camping trip pulling my TT (5500k +) and pulled some long hills a few times, and the hottest my transmission got was 208, at 65MPH tow/haul mode, cruise control set.

 

[bigbluecrew]

just out of curiosity what engine rpm ?

 

[dhay13]

My son is currently on his way to North Dakota from PA towing his ~8000lb camper and he has about another 500lbs of gear in it plus himself. He has a 2018 2500 with the 6.4 Hemi and his trans temps were running about 225* today. Truck has about 8000 miles on it now. From what I read 225 is pretty safe

EDIT: he said it was about 94* ambient temps where he was today

 

[OC455]

The long steep hill it dropped down a few gears, was getting up to 4k RPM. On the flat part of the highway temps dropped down to 188 cruising. Ambient air temps were close to 80 for the day.

 

[bigbluecrew]

i was also thinking about putting a cooling fan on the cooler

 

[AFMoulton]

So a few things with these transmissions.

1) The biggest culprit is there is a thermostatic valve on the cooler lines that will not open til 170*. Which could be an issue. I’ll link my video to the replacement of this valve at the bottom.

2) if everything is working properly you shouldn’t see anything over 200*. I’ve towed my 10,340lb loaded camper over some pretty steep grades in the southern Rockies at 100*+ OAT, never seen it over 200*. All of this was prior to Valve replacement.

The valve could be stuck partially closed/opened (all depending on how you look at life! LoL). They have been know to fail at all different time/mileage and blow transmissions up.

Easiest thing to do is pay the $103 and replace it. Super easy and you don’t lose a lot of fluid.

Also a trans temp general guide.



Picture of my set-up just because.



And videos as promised.






2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper St MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Redline 5W-30 RP 10-48
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

 

[AFMoulton]

Oh I forgot to mention my trans never sees over 165* now after replacing the thermostatic valve.


2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper St MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Redline 5W-30 RP 10-48
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

 

[bigbluecrew]

well I’m not sure if it matters but I do not have a diesel and from what I’ve read the diesel transmissions are different from the gas also I was thinking about putting a fan on only because the simple fact that I see some of the new engineering of all new vehicles and very stupid if you ask me is putting the condenser in with the trans cooler

 

[dhay13]

on the phone with my son now. he said his hit 218* when he was going through the 'mountains' but right now it is at 168* on flat roads. he has a 2018 2500 with 6.4 Hemi and 4.10s, not a diesel

 

[AFMoulton]

well I’m not sure if it matters but I do not have a diesel and from what I’ve read the diesel transmissions are different from the gas also I was thinking about putting a fan on only because the simple fact that I see some of the new engineering of all new vehicles and very stupid if you ask me is putting the condenser in with the trans cooler

I have a 6.4 Hemi Gas with the 66RFE Transmission, same Transmission that should be in your truck.

The diesel trans 68RFE, and gas trans 66RFE are the same gear packs, only differences are the torque converters and the transmission pans.

2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper St MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Redline 5W-30 RP 10-48
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

 

[bigbluecrew]

mine is a 5 speed and i’m told it’s a 545 but i’ll check the vin build sheet i have at work

 

[Nick Redmond]

ok so never owned a ram b4 and bought a 2011 2500 crew cab 5.7 hemi with8ft box only had 31k on it to tow my camper.
I’ve towed many trailers with many vehicles but it seems like the ram trans temp is high. We just went to hershey pa over the weekend towing 9000 lbs trans temp got up to 225 a few times climbing engine pegged at 5000rpm for extended periods of time. I also notice sitting in traffic trans temp will get to 200
so i guess my ?? is what’s to hot
ps i always tow in tow/haul mode and changed all fluids including trans fluid and filters when i got it.

View attachment 175690

I’ve also wondered this.I have

ok so never owned a ram b4 and bought a 2011 2500 crew cab 5.7 hemi with8ft box only had 31k on it to tow my camper.
I’ve towed many trailers with many vehicles but it seems like the ram trans temp is high. We just went to hershey pa over the weekend towing 9000 lbs trans temp got up to 225 a few times climbing engine pegged at 5000rpm for extended periods of time. I also notice sitting in traffic trans temp will get to 200
so i guess my ?? is what’s to hot
ps i always tow in tow/haul mode and changed all fluids including trans fluid and filters when i got it.

View attachment 175690

From what I’ve researched is it shouldn’t get higher then 230 I’ve towed a roughly 11k equipment trailer in the mountains with my truck and I’ve had to pull over multiple times to let the trans cool down. the temps have went from 199 to 260 in 6 miles of steep mountain roads and 8000 miles later the trans still shifts smooth and no problems so far. But I did change the fluid after that just to be on the safe side. The truck is a 2012 ram 1500 crew cab 4x4 longhorn edition with the 5.7 Hemi and paired with a 66rfe trans also has a 4in lift and 35in mud terrains that probably didn’t help much.

 

[bigbluecrew]

ok so i just checked vin buildsheet i have 545rfe transmission

 

[AFMoulton]

ok so i just checked vin buildsheet i have 545rfe transmission

Yep, I just saw that, there is a thermostatic valve on your trans up by the cooler, I know of some guys around the forum who have bypassed it by putting a different cooler on it and removing the old cooler


2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Arsenal 18x9 +12mm
Cooper St MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Redline 5W-30 RP 10-48
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

 

[bigbluecrew]

i just ordered this i’m going to put inline with my factory cooler so i’ll have 2 trans coolers

 

[bigbluecrew]

but i’ve also heard when that gets bypassed the pressure drops

 

[OC455]

I was out running around today and out of curiosity, I left my gauge up on my cluster just to see what temps were running.

I started driving just regular at 55MPH, and temps stayed towards the high 170 degree end but didn't go over 180.

I was waiting in a parking lot for about 10 minutes picking up kids, and sitting at idle, temps went to 185 on the transmission.

Got going again, was moving at normal road speeds, temps stayed above 185, then went higher when I increased speed above 60MPH 190 trans temps, then slowed down to speed limits of 40MPH and temps dropped.

Nothing in tow, ambient air temp was 70. Just my truck, nothing crazy. I figured if you're towing and your trans temps go up 10 to 15 degrees that would be normal.

 

[bigbluecrew]

mine will go 205 sitting in traffic
towing on thruway no hills it will stay under 190

 

[bigbluecrew]

going from buffalo ny to cape cod in 2 weeks towing camper will see how it does with extra cooler