I have a Roadtrek mini-motorhome (the "Bus") which is based off a 91 Ram Van B250 with the 360 engine and auto overdrive tranny. With cabinets, appliances, and various holding tanks, the Bus is fairly heavy in it's own right. I'm now using it to tow a 14' dual axle trailer carrying a race car. I'm guessing car and trailer together weigh in around 2500 to 3000 lbs. I live in Louisiana, where high humidity and temps above 90 are the norm.

The cooling system in the Bus works very well, never had any troubles with overheating. Other than the occasional steep bridge, Louisiana is very flat...no mountains here.

I'd like to start attending more out-of-town events, max travel distance around 250 miles. Opinions on whether an auxillary tranny cooler is needed? Or a temp guage? Are these trannys sensitive to 'heat stroke'?

Thanks.

BTW, I call it the Bus because all motorhomes in La., regardless of size, read 'Private Bus' on the license plate. Had to giggle at that one.

 

I thought Roadtrek added external tranny coolers to all their units. If they don't, they should.

Check between the radiator and the AC condenser.

Heat is the biggest cause of tranny failures. You are not supposed to tow with the overdrive unit engaged, even on flat land.

 

I was told i was the number one reason for transmission failures



For the couple of hundred dollars for a electric trans cooler and thermostat control its well worth the piece of mind. Thats a lot of weight to be moving around and the trans is getting any newer.Temp gauge is a good thing to have if your going to be doing a lot of traveling , more diagnostic equipment you have the easier it is to see a problem before it leaves you stranded. I take it you are worried about it for some reason has it been giving you problems?

 

Had the grill off the other day and didn't see one, never thought to look between the radiator and condensor. I'll follow the piping and see where it leads.

Haven't had any problems, just new to towing. Backing up has been a whole new education

 

What...towing in OD or no external cooler?

 

By adding a "t" you have discarded/lost the humor in my post.

 

Oh sorry, I thought it was a typo because it was an "i" and not an "I".

 

I noticed that when i had to see where the "t" came from. Now stop spell checking me!!!

 

So you're saying that I shouldn't point out that, "Its ok they are easy to spot they know everything about every thing and what your doing is wrong." should read, "It's okay they are easy to spot, they know everything about everything and what you're doing is wrong."?

 

I copied off of the person next to me in class, leave me alone. If I fix it may I have an "A"?