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Overheating issues w towing

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by Claystundy805, Jun 15, 2021.

  1. Jun 15, 2021 at 8:33 PM
    #1
    Claystundy805

    Claystundy805 [OP] Beachbum805

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    I took my 21 ft trailer out for the first trip of any distance last week. It towed like a champ, but I noticed going up and down the grade the temperature gauge showed it was getting hotter. I’m new to towing and basically mechanical illiterate, but wanted to know if there are mods I would need to get down the road for this. Wanna start taking the family on longer trips and was wondering what would be some upgrades that would be important for towing longer distances. Any advice much appreciated.
     
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  2. Jun 15, 2021 at 8:35 PM
    #2
    Rica25

    Rica25 Got Bam? IG ......@TNDRA08

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    What engine do you have?
     
  3. Jun 15, 2021 at 8:38 PM
    #3
    TILLY

    TILLY Gently Used Member

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    What do you consider getting hotter? Where was the needle, in the red?
     
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  4. Jun 15, 2021 at 9:54 PM
    #4
    Claystundy805

    Claystundy805 [OP] Beachbum805

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    The needle was was over the half way mark but not near the red, and returned to normal once on flatter road
     
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  5. Jun 15, 2021 at 9:57 PM
    #5
    TILLY

    TILLY Gently Used Member

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    I personally think that's totally normal, and you're fine.
     
  6. Jun 15, 2021 at 10:08 PM
    #6
    TunBrun

    TunBrun New Member

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    Use something to precisely monitor your temp. Trans temp is key. I use a Scan Gauge whenever I tow.

    Also using the S4 or S5 can keep temps lower. Something about the torque converter.
     
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  7. Jun 15, 2021 at 10:17 PM
    #7
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Have you done a coolant service yet with a thermostat swap? Any weeping from the water pump?

    I’m assuming the coolant level is correct….
     
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  8. Jun 15, 2021 at 10:55 PM
    #8
    Kanobi13

    Kanobi13 New Member

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    Have you verified this with the scan gauge?
     
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  9. Jun 16, 2021 at 4:16 AM
    #9
    blanchard7684

    blanchard7684 New Member

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    2016? What mileage?

    Not sure what actual temp you are hitting, what grade, what ambient temp...but all considered you might check your radiator cap. Possibly do coolant flush. The cooling system in the 5.7 Tundra is like the heart of the damn truck its insane.
     
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  10. Jun 16, 2021 at 4:59 AM
    #10
    BrakeDust

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    OP did you expect the needle to stay near "C" the whole day? I wouldn't call this overheating unless you have steam billowing from under the hood.
     
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  11. Jun 16, 2021 at 5:12 AM
    #11
    Lake.Life24

    Lake.Life24 New Member

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    I think you are fine. Depending on mileage I would take it to the shop and have them change fluids. Fresh fluids can make a big difference. Have them inspect for any leaks near the water pump like @ColoradoTJ stated. Common fail area. If they do the once over and say you are good; buy an OBD2 sensor and just monitor.
     
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  12. Jun 16, 2021 at 1:03 PM
    #12
    CMB

    CMB New Member

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    Not nearly enough room here!
    Absolutely:thumbsup: Depending on speed,road conditions and load, preventing needless shifting by choosing a gear that keeps the TC locked will do wonders to keep the heat down. Problem is, the Sequential Shifter will actually have to be touched to do this and like hazard flashers, park brakes and owner's manuals, they're all available but seldom used!:lalala::D
     
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  13. Jun 16, 2021 at 1:20 PM
    #13
    yoshi82

    yoshi82 New Member

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    I also pull a 22ft travel trailer and i have notice when we go up the hill and mountains in New Mexico the needle move. But it was never in the red or close to it. When we where in Midland it was in the middle and never move again only when going up hill I notice it move.
     
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  14. Jun 16, 2021 at 2:17 PM
    #14
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    Without you quantifying the temp change in any real way it is hard to know what you are getting?

    When you walk up an incline dont you get hotter too?

    I am serious,did you have any reason at all to worry about the temp gauge or have you not had one before to know that the entire point of one is to show the changes in temp as you drive around?

    In order to be of any real use to you we need to know what actually was happening,make sense?

    Were you Overheating as you suggest or just Heating which is normal?
     
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  15. Jun 16, 2021 at 2:27 PM
    #15
    Smallmouth King

    Smallmouth King New Member

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    A little over half way on the gauge is not a problem, IMHO.
     
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  16. Jun 16, 2021 at 2:40 PM
    #16
    SSPey

    SSPey .

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    As others have noted, nothing unusual to see the gauge move a bit, but maybe a good idea to get fluids checked / replaced. Regarding mods, probably not, as your 2016 has a transmission cooler integrated with the AC condenser. However, do know that the “lifetime automatic transmission fluid” does require occasional replacement (drain and refill, not a flush) on an accelerated schedule when towing, listed as a “severe” use in the owner’s manual.
     
  17. Jun 16, 2021 at 4:05 PM
    #17
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    The idiot gauges in vehicles really don’t show real time/actual temps.

    That is why I purchased the EDGE CTS3 Monitor.

    220FBAD9-574B-479E-A875-7D100F2ED511.jpg
     
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  18. Jun 16, 2021 at 4:12 PM
    #18
    Kanobi13

    Kanobi13 New Member

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    Did you use the edge on your Tundra
     
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  19. Jun 16, 2021 at 4:16 PM
    #19
    Green Thunder

    Green Thunder Smooth in the Cruise

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    This.
     
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  20. Jun 16, 2021 at 4:51 PM
    #20
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    No. I should have.

    Not gonna lie, I put a smack down on that Tundra for 89k miles.
     
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  21. Aug 20, 2021 at 11:11 AM
    #21
    Ders

    Ders Washington

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    Just to throw my 2cents in

    I wouldn't worry too much but just watch it.

    I tow a 6500lb travel trailer through the Cascades a few times a year, usually it’s no problem the temps stays right at half. But this last year we were going up a mountain pass and it was about 98deg outside and the temp started to rise, i shut off the AC and it fell back to normal.

    The second time this happened, we were trying to evacuate from a wild fire, similar conditions but it was going up a steep dirt road in 4x4 doing about 15miles per hour. Temp started to rise to about 3/4guage (i wasn't paying attention as the fire had my focus) anyways same deal shit off the AC and it returned to normal pretty fast. Either way we the proceeded home about 300miles and it was not an issue.

    that AC condenser coil as I understand is right by the radiator.


    I think they key is to watch it when going up hills and just make sure it doesn't get too hot, shutting the AC off seems to cool it down pretty fast.
     
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  22. Aug 20, 2021 at 11:20 AM
    #22
    Sundog

    Sundog Zoom Zoom

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    Also make sure your cooling stack is clean/free from debris.
     
  23. Aug 20, 2021 at 11:53 AM
    #23
    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

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    And consider 4Lo if you're driving slow in 4x4, especially with a heavy trailer.
     
  24. Aug 20, 2021 at 1:00 PM
    #24
    Ders

    Ders Washington

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    Yep, that crossed my mind but we were just trying to get the hell out of there, and you cant shift to 4lo in motion. Fire was a bit close for comfort
     
  25. Aug 23, 2021 at 7:00 PM
    #25
    drowhawk

    drowhawk New Member

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    A little late to the party-
    Like others have said, we need the ECT PID from the PCM in order to make any sort of conclusion on how hot the engine was actually running.
    Ambient temperature would be helpful in addition to your gear selector position at the time and a/c on or off.

    There was ONE time with my 2010 when I was hauling my grossly overloaded toy hauler up a very long incline on a 102 degree day. I say it happened once because we don't get 102F days very often in upstate NY. Anyways, I had cruise set at 75mph, the dash was showing 118F ambient temp (from the sensor in the grill area), and I was screaming along at 4500rpm for about 8 minutes when eventually the coolant gauge moved. I didn't have a scanner setup at the time so I would say it moved about 3/4 of the way up with some healthy meat left before the red zone. I have no idea how hot it was but I remember noting I didn't hear the fan which with those temps it should have sounded like a jet engine. I turned the a/c off, slowed down to around 50, and shifted from drive to S3 and the needle dropped almost instantly. Oh and I had the heat cranking in the cab at this point to shed as much heat as I could.

    I have noticed on my 2019 that under these extreme load conditions, I hear the fan much more audibly, which leads me to believe my 2010 likely had a weak fan clutch. The gauge on my 2019 never moves but I also don't tow in D anymore as I get much better mileage in S5. After all, the cooling systems on these trucks can regulate the temperature of a small star so more than likely I was fine where the gauge was at. I never had any temperatures at the time so I was just cautious. If it happened now, I could see where the "danger zone" actually is.
     
  26. Dec 17, 2021 at 5:49 PM
    #26
    Ders

    Ders Washington

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    What would be considered the danger zone for coolant temp? I got a scan gauge now to monitor trans and water temp more accurately?
     
  27. Aug 20, 2022 at 8:27 AM
    #27
    Ders

    Ders Washington

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    Recently towed again and up some hills I saw the temp go to 216F, gauge was still middle of the dial. What would be too hot or considered non normal temp?
     
  28. Aug 20, 2022 at 8:45 AM
    #28
    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

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    I don't think you have a transmission temperature gauge in your truck. That's the coolant you're looking at that's in the middle of the dial.
     
  29. Aug 20, 2022 at 8:49 AM
    #29
    Ders

    Ders Washington

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    Sorry, that’s what I am talking about. The trans temps are very stable pan only get to about 210 or so, its been the coolant temp that seems to climb more when towing up hills, i have a scan tool that’s how I saw the 216F reading
     
  30. Aug 20, 2022 at 8:51 AM
    #30
    sask3m

    sask3m New Member

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    The coolant on my 19 reads around 204 while towing my 6,000 lb trailer. Have you checked the radiator fins for blockages from bugs etc? That can make it run hotter due to less airflow.
     

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