Engine Oil Cooler Recommendation for Truck that Overheats While Towing Fifth Wheel
Updated 06/09/2015 | Published 06/08/2015
Products Featured in This Question
Question:
Hi Folks - I have a 1996 Dodge RAM 2500 pickup with a 5.9 liter gas engine, a 46RH tranny, and a 4.10 rear end. It has a factory tow package that includes the extra tranny cooler in front of the radiator which is in addition to the embedded tranny oil cooler in the radiator itself. I recently bought a larger fifth wheel trailer that is a bit more of a challenge to tow. The engine wants to overheat well before the transmission however the transmission will also overheat on long uphill pulls. I suspect it is the transmission heat load being offloaded by the tranny into the engine radiator and into the water cooling circuit that is causing the engine heat to go up first. I therefore have a hunch that if I eliminate the heat load of the transmission from being shed into the engine radiator I might solve both problems. If true that would suggest that I should install a remote transmission cooler instead of an engine oil cooler however since this truck does not have an engine oil cooler at all there can be no question that it would benefit from one. I only have room for one or the other small area between the passenger side headlamp and the radiator/cowl assembly. What do You recommend so that I dont end up with one or the other that still overheats? Thanks much,
asked by: Roger S
Helpful Expert Reply:
Your problem would be best solved by a remote engine oil cooler. Since your engine is overheating first that would indicate that the problem is there and not in the transmission fluid.
The Derale Atomic Remote Engine Cooler part # D15450 would be a great option. This will drastically cool the engine oil temperature so that your radiator fluid will be lowered considerably which will then allow your transmission fluid to stay a bit cooler as well. Since this cooler has a fan attached to it you can install it virtually anywhere so in the unlikely event the transmission still gets too hot you could install a better transmission cooler as well.
Be sure that you aren't attempting to tow more than the capacity of your truck as well.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Derale Hyper-Cool Remote Engine Cooler Kit w/ Fan, -8 AN Inlets - Class V
- Engine Oil Coolers
- Stacked-Plate Cooler
- W/ Sandwich Adapter
- Class V
- 13W x 10T x 5-5/8D Inch
- With - 8 AN Inlets
- Derale
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Continue Researching
- Shop: Derale Hyper-Cool Remote Engine Cooler Kit w/ Fan, -8 AN Inlets - Class V
- Search Results: transmission cooler
- Search Results: engine oil coolers
- Shop: Transmission Cooler
- Shop: Derale Hyper-Cool Remote Transmission Cooler Kit w/ Fan, -8 AN Inlets - Class V
- Shop: Derale Hyper-Cool Remote Transmission Cooler Kit w/ Fan, -6 AN Inlets - Class V
- Shop: GSI Outdoors Propane Adapter Hose for Small Appliance - Type 1 x Male Flare - 5'
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a Class II and a Class III Hitch?
- Search Results: trailer hitch
- Video: Firestone Ride-Rite Air Bags with Easy Mount Compressor Feature Breakdown
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Shop: Curt Powered Tail Light Converter with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Shop: Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Search Results: trailer tires and wheels
- Video: How to Choose a Trailer Brake Controller
- Q&A: Lug Nut Torque Chart for Trailer Wheels
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
- Search Results: trailer wiring
- Article: How to Measure for Trailer Hitch Drop
- Shop: etrailer Anti-Rattle Hitch Collar for 2" Hitch Receivers
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a 4-Way and 7-Way Trailer Connector
- Search Results: trailer jack
- Q&A: Installation Time for Blue Ox BX1128 Flat Tow Base Plate Kit for 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Article: Wiring Trailer Lights with a 7-Way Plug (It's Easier Than You Think)
- Video: Clean Up Your Trailer Wiring
- Search Results: trailer hitch ball mount
on Engine Oil Coolers
