Torture test towing: 104 degrees, 5% grade, 3600lbs trailer, 4 adults & more

[CajunMick]

I have my mycal handheld from Livernois hooked up to monitor.
have been also running amsoil trans fluid since 20k miles

Thanks for info. I look into that.

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[Surly Old Bill]

Question: How did you measure transmission temperature?

FYI, I had a F250 diesel towing a fifth wheel RV. On many “steep“ roads climbs, with cruise control on at 65 mph, the truck would downshift, engine speeds up, turbo pressure rises, trans temp would shoot up. When turn off cruise control, I drop speed to maybe 50 mph, hold steady, then trans temperature would fall, hold steady.

May be Ford Tough, but transmission fluid do have a peak high temperature rating, call it flash point, and start to break down.

Yeah, a lot of people think they can drive like they do when it's just them and their lunchpail when they are towing or hauling a heavy load.
Newsflash: They can't. Or shouldn't.
Noobs.

 

[basicUse]

I can say based on mpg for these trips. I’m not sure that the heavier load would make a difference in the heat.
I think once I hit close to the 4k it seems to get about the same mpg. More likely caused by the frontal area and wind drag.
Headed back to Atlanta tomorrow am and my maps is already telling me severe heat warning. But I will not be hauling a trailer this time.

agreed weight doesn't effect MPG. drag from a trailer does

 

[basicUse]

They more you tow like this the more often you should change your trans fluid imo. Even when ford says it's a lifetime fluid or whatever the f---

 

[Snox801]

They more you tow like this the more often you should change your trans fluid imo. Even when ford says it's a lifetime fluid or whatever the f---

I do change it fairly often just for that reason. Every 30-50k depends on timing. But I can say the amsoil seems to hold up much better in the conditions than the ford stuff. Never looks bad when draining and fill. Ford stuff looked rough after 20k

 

[basicUse]

I do change it fairly often just for that reason. Every 30-50k depends on timing. But I can say the amsoil seems to hold up much better in the conditions than the ford stuff. Never looks bad when draining and fill. Ford stuff looked rough after 20k

nice. Yeah pricier fluids could be better. For engine oils I know that mobil one and amsoil etc have better/higher grade base oils like grade 4(real full synthetic) vs grade 3 (fake synthetic) not to mention additives which are %50 of motor oil.
Idk about atf since it's a hyralic fluid but it's probably better than a cheap brand. As long as it's changed often regardless of brand, it's all good that's for sure. no lifetime stuff.

 

[thev8man]

So I made another trip to NC from Michigan and back. This one was extra spicy. Just below the max towing in my enclosed trailer. 3600lbs trailer and load in trailer 4 adults and some extra tools and gear In the bed. 45 lbs air in the air bags.

Now I’ve haul over double this weight through the mountains before but this time it was 103-104 degrees.

I hit the big hill on my route back. 5 percent grade for almost 7miles. Cruise set at 68mph this time.

Maverick only downshifted once. Held speed and temp got to 219 then dropped back to 217 and stayed.

Trans temp stayed right at 198-202.

This thing never missed a beat in this absolutely nasty heat and humidity.

Keep in mind I run a Livernois 87-93 flex octane tune for the last 75k miles. And was using 93 Oct fuel and the tune.

Truck has been tuned almost the entire time I’ve owned it .currently 80k miles on it.

Booyah
That's a good ride.
Did quite a few in my 22 hybrid at max towing and payload. Came out grinin'

 

[zorki1c]

Next time I make a crazy heavy run I’ll do it. Lol
I’m not sure the comments my passages would make would be suitable for consumption.

Give it a real test. Go from Jackson Hole Wyoming to Victor, Idaho on Highway 22 — 10 percent grade on a 90 degree plus day

 

[Snox801]

Give it a real test. Go from Jackson Hole Wyoming to Victor, Idaho on Highway 22 — 10 percent grade on a 90 degree plus day

I’d give it a go for sure. Seemed to have plenty of reserve on all
The stuff I’ve done. So not sure a slight increase in boost would make much of a difference but never know.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

it's probably better than a cheap brand. As long as it's changed often regardless of brand, it's all good that's for sure. no lifetime stuff.

I had "lifetime" transmission oil in one of my vehicles.

It only lasted 22 years and 255,000 miles. Then it got crushed when a tree fell on it.

Now I only buy oil with this symbol on the package:

 

[Nw_adventure]

Hit the Engine Coolant Over-Temperature warning at the Eastbound Peak of Parleys Canyon- I80 towing the Rove/Lite- 85 Degrees BIG HILL CLIMB- like the Maverick but it does have its towing limitations- Error cleared 3 minutes later doing the downhill - Not awesome but oh well -

 

[Snox801]

Hit the Engine Coolant Over-Temperature warning at the Eastbound Peak of Parleys Canyon- I80 towing the Rove/Lite- 85 Degrees BIG HILL CLIMB- like the Maverick but it does have its towing limitations- Error cleared 3 minutes later doing the downhill - Not awesome but oh well -

Do you have the 4k tow package? And what was your speed?
What fuel?
Wonder if the tune I run helps keep it cool or any other factors.

 

[Jacobrippey1]

Hit the Engine Coolant Over-Temperature warning at the Eastbound Peak of Parleys Canyon- I80 towing the Rove/Lite- 85 Degrees BIG HILL CLIMB- like the Maverick but it does have its towing limitations- Error cleared 3 minutes later doing the downhill - Not awesome but oh well -

Same thing. Mine went off on a 7% grade pulling my 1500lb trailer in my 4K FX4 running 91 octane. It was in the middle of the temp gauge and 10 seconds later, it was maxed out. I let off the throttle and turned off the AC and it went right back to the middle of the temp gauge a few seconds later. I don't think it liked being at full boost for a few miles.

 

[anthonym6]

With my 2025 I am seeing transmission temperatures up to 227, and coolant up to 205. Doesn't matter if I am towing in 80 or 100 degree temperatures. I have a 16' travel trailer that is loaded up to about 3300lbs. Towing flat at 65-70mph and fuel octane doesn't make any difference. Truck has 7500 miles on it. I did a drain and fill already at 5000 miles and plan on doing it again around 10000 miles. Easy and cheap enough to do. I was told the transmission temp is normal and they don't start heat mitigation until around 250.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

Same thing. Mine went off on a 7% grade pulling my 1500lb trailer in my 4K FX4 running 91 octane. It was in the middle of the temp gauge and 10 seconds later, it was maxed out. I let off the throttle and turned off the AC and it went right back to the middle of the temp gauge a few seconds later. I don't think it liked being at full boost for a few miles.

Unless you use an OBDII reader, you don't have a temperature gauge.

You have a simple cold - normal - hot indicator.

Your truck obviously didn't get hot in seconds. It just crossed a triggering threshold.

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