V-10 cooling on hot trip
#3014650
02/12/22 11:17 AM
02/12/22 11:17 AM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 51 Duluth, Minnesota
Moondog
OP
member
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OP
member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 51
Duluth, Minnesota
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Hi all, I am planning a family vacation from Minnesota to Yellowstone in middle of summer pulling a 5000 pound travel trailer with my 2000 V-10 Ram that has 110,000 miles on it. It runs great locally, but have heard nightmare stories of the V-10 having bad head gaskets. I don’t know if that is true, but I plan on flushing cooling system and replacing water pump, thermostat, serp belt, and hoses for peace of mind. I hate to have any issues in 95 degree weather with an angry wife and family. I’m sure many of you know what that is like. Anyhow, any other suggestions? Thanks in advance.
Founder of, and reason for, the RED LIGHT RACE TEAM
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Re: V-10 cooling on hot trip
[Re: Moondog]
#3014750
02/12/22 06:04 PM
02/12/22 06:04 PM
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,331 Clinton, NJ
njmopar
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,331
Clinton, NJ
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I did a trip during August to Grand Tetons, then Yellowstone from NJ, 96 1500 Ram (3.92 gears) towing an almost 9000lbs trailer with all gear. Yes, engine coolant got a little hot on the long climbs, but not bad. I am running an underdrive crank pulley (180F t-stat), so whenever I slowed down, I had to keep RPMs up to keep things cool.
To me more importantly is your trans. I have a nicely built Level 10 trans in mine, so it was ready for it. I also have a deep pan and factory tow package cooler. I have a temp gauge in the pan and wow... does that fluid get hot on long climbs, over 230F easy (peaks higher). It was hard for me to look at that gauge. I would be more concerned about your trans fluid and for sure, if your trans cooler lines are original, keep an eye on the rubber sections up front. I would say bring some 3/8" trans line and some clamps or change that out ahead of time. They blow and you are done.
You may be disappointed in the naturally aspirated engine above 5000 feet. I swear it was like there was a parachute behind me going through Wyoming. Full throttle at times and could not maintain speed. Carry a spare 5 gallon gas can, as at times there are long stretches of nothing...
Oh and please have good brakes as well (truck and trailer). The downhill sections pulling a trailer will make you pucker, in particular when you start seeing the runaway ramps for trucks. Pulse your brakes.
But I would do the trip all over again. Loved it!
Last edited by njmopar; 02/12/22 07:38 PM.
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Re: V-10 cooling on hot trip
[Re: redraptor]
#3015015
02/13/22 01:07 PM
02/13/22 01:07 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 51 Duluth, Minnesota
Moondog
OP
member
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OP
member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 51
Duluth, Minnesota
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Thanks everyone, I learned a lot. Transmission is stock overdrive, which I plan to not use. Pusher fan, trans temp, and extra gas, got it!
Founder of, and reason for, the RED LIGHT RACE TEAM
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Re: V-10 cooling on hot trip
[Re: Moparite]
#3015016
02/13/22 01:08 PM
02/13/22 01:08 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 257 Alberta
440_Offroader
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 257
Alberta
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For general towing, I keep the rpms up, and don't have the pedal to the floor, going up long hills. Slow and steady. Should keep your coolant cooler. I know you don't want to be that slow guy going up hills, but you don't want to be that guy with the hood up on the side of the road either. As mentioned, 5000lbs should've a cake walk for your V10. For an auto, if you can keep the torque converter locked up, that will keep your tranny temps lower. Diesel trucks have a way you could wire up a switch to keep it locked up. I don't have the switch set up in my 01 diesel, but when the torque converter is locked, the transmission temp stays below 160F. That's pulling 10,000lbs. With some research, I'm sure you could wire in a switch to do the same for the V10.
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Re: V-10 cooling on hot trip
[Re: 440_Offroader]
#3015093
02/13/22 05:33 PM
02/13/22 05:33 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,552 Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart
Rhinotruck
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Rhinotruck
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,552
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
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Had a 96 and 01 V10 with no cooing issues ever. My 01 Cummins had a radiator go out on me last year while towing from Chicago to Florida and went bad in Birmingham. Autozone had one so Ubered over there and back then changed it in a gas station parking lot, easy peasy! V10's use the same radiator and they have the plastic side tanks, check to see if there is any weapage on yours now...
The funny thing about science is that if you change one miniscule parameter you change the entire outcome to the way you want it.
JB Rhinehart, Realist
A-Body's RULE!
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Re: V-10 cooling on hot trip
[Re: d-150]
#3017339
02/21/22 01:15 PM
02/21/22 01:15 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,566 Motor City
6PKRTSE
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,566
Motor City
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I got a V10 if u have 4.10 gears u could tow in overdrive no problem 3.55 I don't know I have a 96 2500 V10 with 3:55's and always tow in over drive with never any issues with trans or over heating of any kind. 174,000+ and it is still 95% all original.
1963 Belvedere 440 Max Wedge Tribute 1970 Charger R/T S.E. 440 Six Pack 1970 Challenger R/T, 528 Hemi 1970 Charger 500 S.E. 440 4 BBL 1970 Plymouth Road Runner 383 1974 Chrysler New Yorker 440 1996 2500 RAM 488 V-10 4X4 2004 3500 Dually Cummins 4x4 2012 Challenger R/T Classic.
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Re: V-10 cooling on hot trip
[Re: 6PKRTSE]
#3017584
02/22/22 01:25 AM
02/22/22 01:25 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,135 A Red State
SNK-EYZ
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,135
A Red State
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I got a V10 if u have 4.10 gears u could tow in overdrive no problem 3.55 I don't know I have a 96 2500 V10 with 3:55's and always tow in over drive with never any issues with trans or over heating of any kind. 174,000+ and it is still 95% all original. Same here, 190k on the truck and never had any problems towing in Overdrive. I'm also not dealing with serious mountains just some mid-western type hills and mostly flat interstates towing a 28 foot enclosed trailer.
Last edited by SNK-EYZ; 02/22/22 01:29 AM.
Kayse can't keep up at all now. lol
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Re: V-10 cooling on hot trip
[Re: Moondog]
#3017863
02/22/22 09:39 PM
02/22/22 09:39 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,640 in a cattle trailer down by th...
Guitar Jones
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
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Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,640
in a cattle trailer down by th...
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Thanks everyone, I learned a lot. Transmission is stock overdrive, which I plan to not use. Pusher fan, trans temp, and extra gas, got it! The V10 trans is essentially the same as the diesel trans. Towing in OD is not a problem, especially only 5000 pounds. My V10, with 3.55s pulled my 30 ft enclosed at 80 MPH and never a problem. On long mountain grades you may need to turn the OD off but I wouldn't leave it off. Only turn it off when you need to. Don't lug the engine, slow down and downshift the trans.
"Follow me the wise man said, but he walked behind"
'92 D250 Club Cab CTD, 47RH conversion, pump tweaks, injectors, rear disc and hydroboost conversion. '74 W200 Crew Cab 360, NV4500, D44, D60 and NP205 divorced transfer case. Rear disc and hydroboost conversion. 2019 1500 Long Horn Crew Cab 4WD, 5.7 Hemi.
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Re: V-10 cooling on hot trip
[Re: Moparite]
#3018637
02/24/22 09:20 PM
02/24/22 09:20 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 13,189 aZLiViN
J_BODY
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 13,189
aZLiViN
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Towing in OD will heat up your trans and put extra strain on the OD. If you look in the owners manual of your truck it will tell you to not tow with it on! Of course it depends on what you are towing. If you can maintain converter lockup tow in OD. You’d be amazed at how cool a 47RE runs down the highway in lockup.
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Re: V-10 cooling on hot trip
[Re: Guitar Jones]
#3018645
02/24/22 09:40 PM
02/24/22 09:40 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 13,189 aZLiViN
J_BODY
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 13,189
aZLiViN
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Thanks everyone, I learned a lot. Transmission is stock overdrive, which I plan to not use. Pusher fan, trans temp, and extra gas, got it! The V10 trans is essentially the same as the diesel trans. Towing in OD is not a problem, especially only 5000 pounds. My V10, with 3.55s pulled my 30 ft enclosed at 80 MPH and never a problem. On long mountain grades you may need to turn the OD off but I wouldn't leave it off. Only turn it off when you need to. Don't lug the engine, slow down and downshift the trans. GJ is spot on with his advice…. Honestly we didn’t see the torque converter issues with the V10 like we did the diesels of that era.
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Re: V-10 cooling on hot trip
[Re: 6PKRTSE]
#3018913
02/25/22 07:23 PM
02/25/22 07:23 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,419 Kalispell Mt.
HotRodDave
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,419
Kalispell Mt.
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I got a V10 if u have 4.10 gears u could tow in overdrive no problem 3.55 I don't know I have a 96 2500 V10 with 3:55's and always tow in over drive with never any issues with trans or over heating of any kind. 174,000+ and it is still 95% all original. I always tow in OD with my 518s a-500s and now 68RFEs, the only time I turn it off is if it's at the point where it is running with the lock up disengaged or constantly locking and un-locking, then I drop it into direct. Another thing you can do is just watch your trans temp with an add on gauge. I worked 2 years in a dodge dealership towards the end of V10 production and never did a head gasket job on them, as a matter of fact never saw any of the other mechanics in the shop do one either. I have seen a couple bad rockers on em. I have only seen about 2 V10 engines actually go bad in my life and I been a dodge specialist for over 20 years now (dang I'm getting old!).
I am not causing global warming, I am just trying to hold off a impending Ice Age!
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Re: V-10 cooling on hot trip
[Re: J_BODY]
#3019105
02/26/22 03:51 PM
02/26/22 03:51 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,419 Kalispell Mt.
HotRodDave
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,419
Kalispell Mt.
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They certainly know how to drink gas! My current 2011 ram 2500 I built a 392 for tows almost as good as my old V10 but over %50 better MPG
I am not causing global warming, I am just trying to hold off a impending Ice Age!
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