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

[Snox801]

So I’m wondering with how much over I have towed and purposely went wot to see how it did.
Could it be my tune that’s keeping things cool?
Maybe fans being in turbo mode early? Or simply better use of fuel?
I can say you may not see Octane on your temp gauge but it absolutely matters. 87 burns much hotter that heat needs to be cooled. Higher octane lower temps always been true.
But like said if you don’t have a gauge hooked up you truly don’t know .

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[Mavster Mechanic]

So I’m wondering with how much over I have towed and purposely went wot to see how it did.
Could it be my tune that’s keeping things cool?
Maybe fans being in turbo mode early? Or simply better use of fuel?
I can say you may not see Octane on your temp gauge but it absolutely matters. 87 burns much hotter that heat needs to be cooled. Higher octane lower temps always been true.
But like said if you don’t have a gauge hooked up you truly don’t know .

Umm.... it's not me. It's the internet.

The internet says all gasoline burns at the same temperature.

In a turbocharged engine, you are adding more air, and more fuel, and therefore burning hotter. Temperature comes from energy per unit of mass. Octane has no effect.

Fuel with alcohol can burn cooler though. Alcohol has less energy per unit of mass.

Also Ethanol has a higher heat of vaporization than gasoline, meaning it requires more energy to convert from a liquid to a vapor. This process absorbs heat from the engine, leading to a cooling effect.

The cooling effects of ethanol can be beneficial for engine performance, particularly in boosted or high-performance engines. It can lead to a more dense fuel mixture and potentially increase power output.

You probably were getting E10 gas. Or some states sell E15. In some markets the higher octane comes from ethanol.

 

[Snox801]

Umm.... it's not me. It's the internet.

The internet says all gasoline burns at the same temperature.

In a turbocharged engine, you are adding more air, and more fuel, and therefore burning hotter. Temperature comes from energy per unit of mass. Octane has no effect.

Fuel with alcohol can burn cooler though. Alcohol has less energy per unit of mass.

Also Ethanol has a higher heat of vaporization than gasoline, meaning it requires more energy to convert from a liquid to a vapor. This process absorbs heat from the engine, leading to a cooling effect.

The cooling effects of ethanol can be beneficial for engine performance, particularly in boosted or high-performance engines. It can lead to a more dense fuel mixture and potentially increase power output.

You probably were getting E10 gas. Or some states sell E15. In some markets the higher octane comes from ethanol.

Correct I guess I was assuming some kind of ethanol or methanol would be the raising factor for octane thus making it cooler. A lot of the fuel in my area is raised that way. All things equal yes.
My bad to assume knowing dang well I see 93 no E in a lot of places.
to add to that higher Octane fuel also will burn at a richer stoich ratio than lower without out any map changes thus giving a cooling effect.
So yes it not technically the higher octane burning cooler but they do reduce temps because they either use e content or they tend to run more rich. Also cooling

 

[Snox801]

Has me thinking though. Is my tune also using the same idea? When being pushed harder in towing, maybe it’s mapped to add more fuel at a slightly higher than perfect ratio. Or as temps climb it adds? Similar to the cat protection setting in the tunes. When they get hot they start dumping in fuel to cool?

 

[Aguy]

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.

Ummm hybrid? 4k? Fx4?AWD? Why would you not say in your post?

 

[Snox801]

It’s a ecoboost as the profile says, 4k and a lonely old xl with 265/60-18 copper rugged treks on it.
I know I know I’m ruining it. Montana already told me I was gonna ruin all the parts by running a bigger tire.

 

[Aguy]

It’s a ecoboost as the profile says, 4k and a lonely old xl with 265/60-18 copper rugged treks on it.
I know I know I’m ruining it. Montana already told me I was gonna ruin all the parts by running a bigger tire.

Thank you!

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

It’s a ecoboost as the profile says, 4k and a lonely old xl with 265/60-18 copper rugged treks on it.
I know I know I’m ruining it. Montana already told me I was gonna ruin all the parts by running a bigger tire.

The whole state of Montana???

 

[Snox801]

The whole state of Montana???

lol yes the whole state. And the member here who goes by said name!

 

[Nw_adventure]

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.

4K

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.

So just following up on this- For fun I just went out and checked the coolant level after the overheat session and its definitely below the min fill line- Heading to AutoZone now

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