Towing problems- No transmission cooler on 2020 TRD Pro

My 2017 will stay under 215 in S4 and hits around 230 in D. I don’t think the absence of a cooler is being blown out of proportion.

 

I see what ya did there.

 

No, after that trip I have to agree. Truck currently has 7500 miles on it. I'll be doing a fluid change at 30k and sending it to Blackstone. At the current moment, warranty is more important to me than adding a trans cooler. I generally only keep vehicles for 2-3 years so keeping the warranty on the trans valid by not messing with it should cover me for the time that I own the vehicle.

 

I have a 19 and just towed through TX,NM, AZ,NV last week In 100F + temps for 12 hours a day with 2k in the bed and a sami on a trailer. Never got over 205F, but I am running a cooler(homebrew). Kept it in s5 most of the time with cruise set to 75. My tires got crazy hot and i40 was littered with recaps and blown travel trailer tires, but trans and coolant temps did fine.

 

I fully agree with not messing with things for the sake of the warranty. But I think that Toyota would find it very difficult to reject a warranty claim for a transmission if you add a cooler that uses actual Toyota components. You would probably get more flak for towing in D at 75 MPH. Remember that our trucks do have a black box, I know because I had to sign off on it.

 

Why the box gotta be black?

 

Yeah, I think the main "missing link" here is the external trans cooler.

 

It would be nice if there was a clear standard way Toyota expects people to tow with these trucks. Much debate over s mode vs drive etc.

Would love to know what configuration they used to test this trucks towing capacity without the cooler

 

Not sure, but mine runs around 220° just around town with a fairly light trailer. I can't imagine what it would be pulling a grade with a 7000# trailer. Adding a cooler is a no brainer for me.

For all of those concerned about adding a cooler and the warranty, I have never heard of a manufacturer denying a claim because a cooler was added to the transmission. This is most likely due to not smoking your transmission since you added a cooler.

 

From what I’ve read on some other threads on transmission coolers. Get the cooler installed by the Toyota dealer, warranty will cover this installation.

 

Makes sense. I just don't have the confidence in my dealer yet. I have only worked with the service department twice since 2016.

 

Doesn't matter if the dealer installs it or not. Dealers install all sorts of accessories that are not going to be covered under warranty in the name of $$$. You have to remember the dealer is a private bussiness and they submit a claim for warranty repairs. If corporates tells them to go pound sand who do you think is going to pay for that $6K tranny? I remember there was a dealer that was claiming that the lifted truck they were selling had been recalibrated for the TSS to work properly. I contacted them and asked how they manage to do that? Not a word back.

Has anyone ever called Toyota corporate and asked if they installed a cooler would they be denied coverage on a transmission repair?

 

Unintended pun. I'm not that witty.

 

Do the 21’s have a trans temp gauge? I have not seen it scrolling through the info system?

 

On the trucks info system, no. I have an OBD gauge with an ap on my phone to monitor it.

 

No. And the gauge doesn’t mean much anyway. In the 2010 it was in the middle between about 150 and 240. A digital gauge is the only way to do it.

 

Now I’m nervous towing my 5k TT (actually less empty) if I have to take it somewhere when I sell it. Just got my Tundra and previously towed it my F250.

 

I don't think you have anything to worry about. 5K is pretty light. Keep it in 4S and you will be fine for a trip to sell it.

 

In before those who say your bearings should have imploded and your axles melted.

A 5k trailer? Even a Tundra laughs at that. You won't even feel it.

 

Hopefully but damn, reading some of these posts of people towing less and reporting temp issues.....

 

There is… D + Tow/Haul and use S4 only when additional engine braking is needed. It’s in the manual.

 

I believe I did see that at some point here on the 3rd Gen section of the forum. That being said, I'll try to remember to call Toyota in the next week or so and ask. I'm stretching and doing a tube clip on the Samurai for the next month or 2 so no towing during that time.

I mean, my <5k load got me up to 266* trans temps at the pan.

 

That's exactly what I do. D when driving, S when slowing down (big stops, freeway ramps, downhills)

 

Actually it does matter. Talk to or email Toyota on tapping into the transmission or engine. This is not like changing out the shocks.

 

…That is where I am. I have Nick’s kit sitting in a box, but before installing I’d like to know where I’d land in case of a warranty claim. I will install it without a guarantee, but am looking for the best possible approach for making a case later. I will start email correspondence with Toyota corp.

 

I think your missing the point. I'm talking about accessories added by the dealer and that not all will be covered under the Toyota warranty. I was responding to someone who thought if they added a cooler at the dealer it would be covered under warranty because the dealer performed the work. Not necessarily. Toyota corporate reviews the warranty claim submitted by the dealer and may or may not approve. The only way to know for sure is to call Toyota ( not the dealer) and see if adding the cooler would void your powertrain warranty.

 

It’s not really tapping in to the transmission. You’re just bolting on a Toyota part that has been used for 12 model years.

One difference I can think of is in Toyota’s eyes is that they might say you didn’t fill it properly when the dealer can say they did if they install it.

 

Toyota: "We will not cover your transmission because you modified it"

Me: "Your saying that a transmission running hot is a good thing?"

Toyota: "Well, no...."

Me: "So it was a good idea to add the cooler?"

Toyota: "Well....sort of, but..."

 

Exactly. Once Toyota claims the modification caused the issue you are screwed. You can print out all the magnuson moss acts you want but it won’t matter