My truck came without a tow package, I've installed a receiver... but I know that I don't have any of the oil coolers. Am I going to have problems towing my ~3200 lb boat/trailer? I don't live in the mountains, but it will be towed frequently.

I'm thinking maybe the only thing I should be worried about is adding a tranny temp gauge to keep an eye on things? Or should I even worry about it?

I'm pretty pissed about not having a limited slip, I intend to install one before this winter.

 

ROund about guess without the year/stype and motor of your truck, 5000lbs easy.

 

Ok, do you think I need to take any precautions like adding a transmission temperature gauge or is it not worth worrying about?

 

There's a warning display for transmission temperature. I'm sure that's not the best way to gauge everything, but eh...


I pulled a ton of weight with my truck the other weekend. I pulled a trailer with a 10,000 watt sound system in it, along with a full stage of lighting equipment. My truck bed was full of another stages amplifiers, camping supplies, and beer. I fit three people in the cab, and my dog.

I couldn't definitely tell m truck was weighed down, but it pulled all of that for 350 miles to the event, and 350 miles back without a problem. Granted on the way back we were about four12 packs shorter than when we started, hehe. This was all in a 3.9l 2wd 99 dakota.

 

I would not hesitate to throw a trans cooler on there. The stock non-tow pkg radiator cooler is marginal at best. If you are going to tow 3200# plus what ever you have in the truck, it is well worth the under $100 to keep the trans much cooler = a longer running trans. Cheaper than fixin the trans later.

 

Last summer I pulled my boat and traliler about every weekend with my 98 3.9 4by. I also had to install the receiver. I can say that I encountered no problems at all. Couldn't even tell the boat was there. The tranny didn't keep shifting around or nothing like that. Smooth sailing here. Happy boating.

 

An aux cooler always would be a good idea. Trans temp guages arent needed unless you tow 10K+ lb trailers regularly IMO.

 

if you want to keep the truck for a long time and avoid problems, i'd install a trans cooler and change the fluid annually. tow with OD off while around town and/or uphills. i didn't bother with trans temp gauge.
https://dodgeforum.com/m_717634/tm.htm

 

ya the tranny cooler is a must IMO because it would just put you at peace of mind knowing that ur tranny wont overheat and it is one less thing to worry about.