Hey guys,
I just bought a nice used'04 Ram 1500 with a 4.7Lin Feb and just put a trailer hitch on it to haul my parents boat. well I was climbing some hills on interstate 81 in VA and my thermostat said my truck was almost overheating. The stretch is uphill for a mill or so at a fairly steep grade for an interstate, and about halfway up i had to back all the way down to around 40 mph to keep the needle from going into the red. I checked the radiator fluid and everything looks good. does anyone have any idea why the truck would get so hot just pulling a boat? Thanks!
Hokie

 

Watch the needle more often... Do you remember when the normal reading is? if it is running higher then that... the extra work just pushed it over... I know in my truck the normal mark is in the midlle of the guage... BUt keep an eye on it..

 

the needle usually sits in the middle, but a half ton pickup should be able to pull a 19' boat up a hill without overheating. i was just wonering if this was a common problem with the thermostat or something like that.
Thanks,
Hokie

 

I would flush the system and changed the thermostat. could be blockage in the radiator or even possibly fan clutch. may things can lead up to it. You are correct the truck should handle that with ease.