I've been searching the site and have not found anything that addresses my specific question....

I have a 2005 Quad Cab, Hemi with the 5sp auto trans, 3.92 LSD rear and 20" wheels. It did NOT come with the tow package, so I am adding all of the necessary parts. It did come from the factory with the auxillary trans cooler installed. I typically only tow a 4x8 box trailer with no more than 2,000 lbs (6 times a year), or my boat that is less than 3,000 loaded (10 times a year). I will be taking a friends trailer on vacation this summer for a week. I'm guessing it will weigh not more than 6,000 fully loaded.

Is the factory auxillary cooler sufficient for the towing I do? If not, should I keep the cooler that is already installed and add a 2nd small cooler, or pull it and add one big cooler?

When I did a search on factory tow packages for the Ram's I found the details for the factory tow package for a 2010 3500 that claimed it came with the AUXILLARY trans cooler, and NOT the HD (Heavy Duty) trans cooler. This just adds to my confusion.

Thanks

 

I think you should be fine when only towing 2000 lbs. These things can tow a lot more than that. The only time it would really be an issue is if you were doing a lot of hills.

 

My truck and transmission did just fine towing a 7000 pound trailer. You'll be fine with only 2000 pounds. Even with that light trailer make sure to use the tow/haul mode. It will save wear on the tranny. BTW, my truck only has 3.55 gears and didn't come with the towing package either.

 

You'll be fine. You already have a tranny cooler. There are many trucks out there that don't and still tow.
You won't even feel 2,000lbs back there. You'll find yourself looking in the side mirror to make sure it's still there...lol

 

Thanks for the response, but I think everyone missed the details. I spend more time towing a 3000lb boat, but my real concern is the 6000lb travel trailer I will be hauling around California for 1600 miles this summer. Thanks again.

 

your truck should be rated for over 8000 lbs. it should be fine, but i would keep an eye on how much gear you haul with it, and get the setup weighed before taking off on a 1600 mi adventure, just so you know what you are dealin with.

 

Good advise above. As to your question, the stock cooler is more than adequate.

 

yes, thats what i meant. the truck in stock condition is meant for over 8000 lbs...forgot to include that lol...

 

A trans temp gauge is a good idea if you are planning on towing heavier trailers. The computer will light up an idiot light on the dash if you get too hot, but it's after you've already got it way too hot.

You can see what happens with daily driving and with the 2,000 and 3,000lb trailers and determine whether a bigger or additional cooler would help.

If you are towing in the summer or hills/mountains, you may want to start with a heavier cooler to begin with. I have the towing package with heavy duty cooler, and have managed to get the temperature up to 190 when the outside temperature was somewhere around 75 (a long grade).

 

Great responses. Thanks. Since heat is what typically kills transmissions early, I'm not going to cheap out on a $30K truck by hoping for the best with the aux trans cooler. I'm going to go ahead and get the HD unit. If you think about, if Dodge is using torque management when shifting to help prolong the life of these transmissions, we should step up the maintenance schedule, only run the best fluids, and have at least the aux. trans cooler if you want the trans to last.