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I have a 2016 F350 DRW that I use as my tow vehicle and I'm concerned with the amount that my temp gauge fluctuates when pulling.
To give you some history, I had a 2011 F350 that the radiator failed around 73k miles. I got it replaced and all was well. Fast forward to my current pickup and I again had a coolant leak around 80k miles. The radiator did not fail but the pump and lower radiator did and both were replaced.
I didnt pay much attention to the temp guage when I towed before the pump and hose were replaced but, now I'm watching it like a hawk and the guage moves around quite a bit. I might be overly concerned and this may be normal but I wanted to get opinions from those who tow.
I live in Colorado and pull a 43' toyhauler that weighs in at 18,000#. Max GVRW for the trailer is 20,000# and the pickup is good for 24,000# so I'm staying within specs. Last weekend we pulled the TH over Monarch pass which is pretty dang steep and the guage moved around quite a bit, but it never got hot (in the red). I chalked the varying temps to the steep incline. This weekend we took it to Nebraska and the guage still moved a bunch. The clutch fan is working properly. I keep my speed between 65-70 mph.
Has anyone experienced this scenario? Is there air in the system? Like I say, I might bit making a mountain out of a molehill but I dont want to damage the engine if something is wrong.
These 6.7L engines like to run hot. My engine oil hit 243° F going over Monarch Pass pulling my 11K toy hauler. Quite a bit less than your 18K, but there was still some wiggle room before it started to derate.
My toy hauler only gets used in riding season. Now, I have a 23' ski boat, that comes in at around 6200#'s with trailer. A couple of weeks ago, we were out at our favorite lake spot, and the drive home starts out with a 14 mile grade that is 6% with some 8% spots. Outside air temps were around 110.
Now, 6200#'s is nothing for these trucks. A few times going up the grade, my temp gauge went up past 3/4. The fan kicks on then settles down to the mid point again. Pulling the kind of weight you described, I would expect the temp gauge to move around, a lot.
In your situation, I personally would not be concerned unless the fan was not coming on, or the needle creeps up to the hot range.
Pulling 9 tons at 70 MPH in the mountains during summer just might be a bit much. Yes, it can be done, but why?
65-70 mph was through Nebraska, not in the mountains. I pulled Monarch pass at 20 mph at half throttle. Could I have pulled it faster, yes, but as you say why.
65-70 mph was through Nebraska, not in the mountains. I pulled Monarch pass at 20 mph at half throttle. Could I have pulled it faster, yes, but as you say why.
guilty as charged. I put it the floor and do the speed limit where posted.
Whelp, I just had to put a new radiator in the pickup yesterday as it was leaking when I got back from Nebraska. The original one was cracked at the seam on the driver side, which is the same place as my 2011. This explains why the temp was fluctuating so much.
In the last year, I've had to replace the water pump, lower coolant hose and now the radiator. I'm a die hard Ford fan but, they need to address the known issues with their coolant system.
I was up and down Monarch Pass twice in the last two weeks towing my 5th wheel (13,000lbs-14,000lbs loaded). My water temp never went over about 218-219 and that was with 80 degree temps at the bottom of the grade. Don't trust the factory dash gauges. They won't tell you much. I found that out with my 2006 F350 6.0 I had previously. I use the TorquePro app on my phone with a blue tooth adapter and watch my water, oil, transmission temps. I also watch the exhaust temps and can tell when the truck is doing a regen.
On top of Monarch Pass stopped for Lunch two weeks ago.
Pulling 9 tons at 70 MPH in the mountains during summer just might be a bit much. Yes, it can be done, but why?
These are the times when you can and should test your truck. I regularly reach into the mid to high 240's on oil temps, water 220ish, maybe 215-218 trans temps. I like to push mine all the time....well, most of the time, and the reason is....it burns me to have a Chevy or Ram pass me lol. I just crank up my tuner and watch those gauges! Thank god for some aftermarket products!
Whelp, I just had to put a new radiator in the pickup yesterday as it was leaking when I got back from Nebraska. The original one was cracked at the seam on the driver side, which is the same place as my 2011. This explains why the temp was fluctuating so much.
In the last year, I've had to replace the water pump, lower coolant hose and now the radiator. I'm a die hard Ford fan but, they need to address the known issues with their coolant system.
Frustrating!
This is the perfect thread to bring this up. I have no towing experience yet but since I'm such an aftermarket fan and have perused Mishimoto's website many times, I want to run this by you guys.
Mishimoto first developed their upper support bar for the 08 to 10 6.4 trucks. They have them for the 11 to 16s. They show a video where they pick up a 6.7 Powerstroke by that bar. They try it with the factory bar and it bends then snaps. I'm thinking the factory radiators would last longer with one of these in place to stop the frame flex which is cracking the radiators.
Pulling 9 tons at 70 MPH in the mountains during summer just might be a bit much. Yes, it can be done, but why?
exactly why 70 mph! going from 200' of elevation to 7,000' elevation at 110 degrees F. my cruise was set at 72, only because I didn't know the speed rating of the tires on the 5th wheel i was towing. never moved off of 72 mph even on 6+% grades.
