Towing with v6

[nygbrad]

I was wondering if anyone has had a problem with towing with a V6. I took a 5X10 trailer with a open grate gate and my temp started to rise after 30 minutes of driving. I had to take the gate down and drive it about an hour home. It was about 100 degrees down here in Florida today and I'm not sure if something is going wrong with my fan clutch or not.

Please let me know if anyone has had any issues similar to mine.

Thanks!!

 

[justchecking]

I was towing my trailer today in 90 deg weather and while driving around with frequent stops/starts (construction area) saw my temp get up to about 205 degrees (trans got up to 184 deg). I had a scan guage hooked up so I know what the internal temps were.

The thermostat in these is supposed to be fully open at 205.

 

[justchecking]

Forgot to add that I had lots of temp problems last year because of a $15 thermostat. Only takes a few minutes to replace them.

 

[nygbrad]

Well as far as I know the thermostat is stock. I bought the truck with 70K on it and now it's at 93K.

 

[ummduh]

I towed a 6x12 enclosed from WI to CA 2 years ago late June, we saw outside temps up to 121 degrees, and up mountain passes. The explorer never even hiccuped, was towing probably close to 6k, and the interior was PACKED also.

The worst was WOT up this mountain and barely maintained 25mph for about 10 minutes straight.

 

[smknls]

I have a 2001 Sport trac that I tow a 6x12 enclosed with on a daily basis, full of commercial lawn equipment and it never has given me any temp trouble I've been doing this for four years now. Also the truck has 145,202 miles on it...

 

[nygbrad]

I don't know why the temp went up because now am towing my motorcycle around and the temp stays normal. The only thing I can think is that gate at the back of the trailer is causing such a drag at 80mph it makes it rise. I'm stumped and kinda disappointed!!

 

[1_v8_merc]

nah the v6's are excellent towing vehicles.

You must have some kind of engine cooling related problem.

 

[ummduh]

I doubt that unless it was a GIANT gate.

This what I pulled. There is some serious frontage here.. (for a v6 explorer..)

 

[CALDWELL]

for a v6 our X's can tow pretty good...

my suggestion would be an INTAKE or go bold with an INTAKE / EXHAUST COMBO and that would greatly improve you towing ability... i noticed a big difference...

 

[nygbrad]

It's not a big gate, its only about 5 feet tall and it has holes all in it. I am going to try to replace the thermostat and see if that helps.

 

[clarks2001]

I towed a Grand Am on a Uhaul 2 axle trailer. I believe the trailer was 2k lbs in itself and the car was another 3800lbs or so. I went 70 miles on back roads with hills and temp gauge stayed put.
When you do replace the T-stat, might as well flush your cooling system since you are approaching 100k.

 

[nygbrad]

Yes I think I will try that in the next week or two. Do you recommend the stock temp thermostat or a lwer temp?