Overheating while towing

[Sam22]

Hey, I was towing my trailer for the first time yesterday. It's a 5000lb travel trailer. I'd previously towed it with my 2017 Grand Cherokee V8 with no issues, so I was expecting it to be easy for the truck to handle it. But, while it towed well, the engine was quickly overheating. The tranny and oil were fine, but the engine was over 125C within 10 minutes of towing on the highway. This was pretty surprising and obviously really upsetting! Any ideas why this would be happening? Thanks!

 

[MFALRAM]

Was it in tow/Haul mode? I have a travel trailer almost same weight no issues. Was wondering if it was stuck in a lower gear running the rpms up there for awhile.

 

[Sam22]

Was it in tow/Haul mode? I have a travel trailer almost same weight no issues. Was wondering if it was stuck in a lower gear running the rpms up there for awhile.

I did have it in tow mode. I cranked up the heat and slowed down a bit and the engine temp went down pretty quick, but would go back up as soon as I turned the heater off. It was only 6C outside so I could get away with that, but that's harder come July! It wasn't evening high, around 2000rpm give or take.

 

[barr0208]

I did have it in tow mode. I cranked up the heat and slowed down a bit and the engine temp went down pretty quick, but would go back up as soon as I turned the heater off. It was only 6C outside so I could get away with that, but that's harder come July! It wasn't evening high, around 2000rpm give or take.

I would check your coolant level it sounds like may be down. if after shutting off your engine the dipstick shows no coolant I would be taking into the dealer I suspect it was not up to proper levels it will work fine till you put a heavy load on the engine. I pull 8200 lbs in the summer and never go over 212-215 f

 

[MFALRAM]

Thermostat maybe stuck partially closed not working properly

 

[Han Ridge]

There is definitely something wrong i towed a 6k travel trailer coast to coast in June and never had an issue.

 

[Nails]

Def a issue. Take it do dealer!!!

 

[Sam22]

Hey thanks, I took it to the dealer today and of course they could find nothing wrong with it...so that's great. So, I guess I'll just tow the trailer until something goes wrong then they can fix that!

 

[RamCares]

Hey thanks, I took it to the dealer today and of course they could find nothing wrong with it...so that's great. So, I guess I'll just tow the trailer until something goes wrong then they can fix that!

Hi @Sam22 - I apologize that your dealer was not able to determine a solution. If it would be of interest, I would be more than happy to escalate a case on your behalf to a specialist to ensure that this is documented and so that you can receive further support regarding next steps. We are always a private message away.

Mark
RamCares

 

[Sam22]

Well I hooked the trailer up again today and of course within 10 minutes it was overheating. The gauge got to 126C before I cooled it down by running the heat. There was also a message that came up that said service electronic stability control as well as a warning that the engine was overheating. Also, cruise control doesn't engage when the trailer is hooked up When I took it back to the dealer the service guy said it was fine to run it at 126C, that that was normal and that it could go over 200C. I don't really think that's accurate. Also, since they aren't going to tow anything with it and it runs fine on its own they aren't going to be able to replicate the problem so I'm sure they aren't going to fix anything. What a disappointing experience!

 

[RamCares]

Well I hooked the trailer up again today and of course within 10 minutes it was overheating. The gauge got to 126C before I cooled it down by running the heat. There was also a message that came up that said service electronic stability control as well as a warning that the engine was overheating. Also, cruise control doesn't engage when the trailer is hooked up When I took it back to the dealer the service guy said it was fine to run it at 126C, that that was normal and that it could go over 200C. I don't really think that's accurate. Also, since they aren't going to tow anything with it and it runs fine on its own they aren't going to be able to replicate the problem so I'm sure they aren't going to fix anything. What a disappointing experience!

Hi @Sam22 - I just wanted to follow up here to let you know that I had a chance to respond to your private message on this!

Mark
RamCares

 

[Sam22]

The dealer is saying the radiator is full of mud, which seems impossible as I've never driven in mud but I did buy the vehicle used from a dealership so who knows what the previous drivers did to it. I also don't understand how so much mud could get into the radiator. I'm still not sure how this mud issue would be related to the cruise control not working and the "service electronic stability control" message coming up when towing.

 

[Ride2little]

I suspect he means the mud was caked into the fins of the radiator rendering the cooling function inop. Not inside the radiator. Makes sense to me.

 

[chasetshaw44]

Was this issue solved then? Just curious to hear the rest of the story and if there was a final solution.

 

[HEMI19]

The dealer is saying the radiator is full of mud, which seems impossible as I've never driven in mud but I did buy the vehicle used from a dealership so who knows what the previous drivers did to it. I also don't understand how so much mud could get into the radiator. I'm still not sure how this mud issue would be related to the cruise control not working and the "service electronic stability control" message coming up when towing.

Did they replace the radiator on the truck and did that fix it? What’s going on with it now?

 

[SD Rebel]

TFL Trucks did a tow torture up the Ike Gauntlet, which has the steepest grade in the US. They used a RAM Rebel, driving up 8 miles of highway, which had a 7% elevation at 11,000 ft altitude towing over 10,000 lbs! Serious stuff.

During the test the coolant temp reached 240F (115C) and the oil temp reached 287F(142C). So based on that, your dealer is definitely full of it. Their test was double the weight up a steep highway grade yet their coolant temps were quite a bit lower than yours.

Hopefully they figured it out for you, I'm assuming "mud" on the radiator fins which hurt cooling? Still, the fact they said it could go 200C was ridiculous!

 

[Sam22]

Hey, I had a close look and there was mud caked on about half the radiator fins... I have no idea how that happened as I've never driven in anything muddy. They wanted $2000 to replace the radiator and condenser as warranty wouldn't cover it but I just bought some cleaner and a scrub brush and cleaned it all off. Seems to work fine now.

I still can't believe the idiot told me 200C was fine either!

 

[SD Rebel]

Hey, I had a close look and there was mud caked on about half the radiator fins... I have no idea how that happened as I've never driven in anything muddy. They wanted $2000 to replace the radiator and condenser as warranty wouldn't cover it but I just bought some cleaner and a scrub brush and cleaned it all off. Seems to work fine now.

I still can't believe the idiot told me 200C was fine either!

I think it was likely on there by the previous owners and your dealership didn't do a proper inspection and missed it and decided to pass it on to you.

Also, how many miles/km do you have? The powertrain is supposed to be covered by an extended 5 year / 60K miles, though maybe the the radiator is considered a non-powertrain part? Or because they are blaming you for abuse of that part? I would mention it to customer service that you didn't cake the mud on there and they should have spotted it before they sold you the truck.

 

[OldMarine]

No reason why the radiator shouldn't be fine after cleaning. Warranty wouldn't be expected to cover that. That's not a part "failure" or manufacturer defect.

 

[SD Rebel]

No reason why the radiator shouldn't be fine after cleaning. Warranty wouldn't be expected to cover that. That's not a part "failure" or manufacturer defect.

That's true, but it's possibly a dealership issue.

He bought it used from the dealership, based on what he said, he has never driven it in the mud. Which likely means it was a pre-existing issue from the previous owner who traded in the truck. However, since they likely didn't test the truck under towing conditions, they wouldn't have noticed the overheating, but should have caught it under pre-sale inspection.