Just took possession of 2008 250 diesel, first full size pick up and diesel, bought it to pull my 33 foot fifth wheel. Pretty much understand options but am not sure about the transmission cooler. Have read in fifth wheel towing mags that you need to install an additional cooler because the factory install one is for the truck only and will not handle towing in hot climates . Can anyone tell me about the 2008 250 system and what it will handle? thanks

 

Your truck has two transmission coolers, and they are plenty to cool your transmission.

The towing mag is clueless. Every truck manufacturer installs enough cooling to cool the truck when it is towing at it's maximum load. That's not true for cars or some SUVs, but it is true for all pickups.

 

Thanks Mark, good info.

 

I wouldn't quite go as far as to say that, look at all the 99-03 automatics that are burnt up because of insufficient cooling. In 04 or for the 6.0L diesels the tran cooler is about 4 times the size of the previous model. More than likely ford has kept this in mind for the 2008 year models as well. But being under warranty, I wouldn't do anything to it.

 

Install a trans temp guage and keep an eye on it if you are constantly getting hot when pulling then add a cooler

 

Thanks the truck comes with a trans temp guage, will watch.

 

Does it have digits or is it just "normal" "hot" and "cold"?

 

one of the four top guages, shows normal, yellow and red.

 

I'd go get Autometer. Shows degrees.

 

My 99 has a fairly sizeable external trans cooler on it. I pull a smaller travel trailer, but it appears more than sufficient for the load I am pulling.

I'd have to say it depends on how close to the trucks limits you are. If you are at or pushing the weight limits, an additional or larger trans cooler may be a good idea.

Just my .02

 

Without a reliable gauge, I wouldn't be confident I am within the limits.

 

I agree the OEM guages havn't been known to be the most accurate

 

If you have the "tow pkg" then you should have what is needed unless you exceed the listed weight.

 

SHOULD being the operative word. I'd rather KNOW than make a SWAG and trust Ford