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cyclecrazy · 03-08-2021, 06:24 AM

Hi All~
I have a 2017 F150 Lariat with max tow package and tow a 25' Airstream (5.5k trailer weight and drive and steer axles under spec from CAT scale). Temp gauge on recent hill accent (6% grade for 2 miles) shows 226 degrees and outside temp in 50's. I was driving in tow haul at 50 mph and 2500 RPM's. For all the F-150 owners out there, is this abnormally high or within range?

Joe15601 · 03-08-2021, 10:26 AM

I too have a 2017 Lariat Max Tow with 3.5 Eco / 10 speed. I tow a 27fb GT. On humid 90 plus degree days, the long steeper hills can have me at 240 degrees. I have tried running higher RPMs to circulate more coolant and use less boost which may help marginally. Doesn't seem to be an issue, I see many of these trucks with much higher miles than I will ever see that were used for towing.

tjdonahoe · 03-08-2021, 11:12 AM

Yep my 6.7ram cruises with our 31’ Classic..on a hot day. 194...degrees...

GPurcell · 03-08-2021, 11:21 AM

Try running higher RPM's and see if that will help. Loading a turbo'd motor at lower RPM's creates a lot of heat. Another cheap thing to try is run a cooler thermostat. That helped majorly with my last truck when towing.

GetawA-S · 03-08-2021, 02:04 PM

Just to be clear, is that the engine or transmission temperature? The V8 only has a gauge for engine temp, but a gauge and digital readout for the transmission. My transmission runs 195 to 205 F, 215 when pushed, but my trailer is smaller and I haven’t had it out west yet. It seems to run hotter in the lower gears, but you’ve got to get up that hill!

gypsydad · 03-08-2021, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyclecrazy

Hi All~
I have a 2017 F150 Lariat with max tow package and tow a 25' Airstream (5.5k trailer weight and drive and steer axles under spec from CAT scale). Temp gauge on recent hill accent (6% grade for 2 miles) shows 226 degrees and outside temp in 50's. I was driving in tow haul at 50 mph and 2500 RPM's. For all the F-150 owners out there, is this abnormally high or within range?

My 2014 F150 Platinum EB model would heat up towing my 25' AS going up grades outside Vegas all the time at 60+mph...I would have to slow down to 45 in the truck lane to get it to come down...but it was hot out also...that engine runs hot with the turbo engaged. Brakes also can be an issue with the 25' going down steep grades, so be careful there...the 25' is a heavy trailer. Your seeing an example of why many of us have upgraded to the 3/4T-1T with the turbo diesels in 25 or larger AS's.

garylind · 03-08-2021, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GetawA-S

Just to be clear, is that the engine or transmission temperature? The V8 only has a gauge for engine temp, but a gauge and digital readout for the transmission. My transmission runs 195 to 205 F, 215 when pushed, but my trailer is smaller and I haven’t had it out west yet. It seems to run hotter in the lower gears, but you’ve got to get up that hill!

I am addressing engine temp. Thanks for your reply

s1000pre · 03-08-2021, 07:51 PM

My 2019 limited runs about the same temp.

Daquenzer · 03-08-2021, 07:51 PM

I have never seen my temp gauge go up on my F150 while towing. Seems to stay pretty constant.

mojo · 03-08-2021, 07:57 PM

Yep, in the mountains they run very hot. Engine, tranny and brakes. Wait till it drops into the limp mode at the worst time. Traded my ecoboost for a 3/4 diesel.

Andrew T · 03-09-2021, 12:54 AM

I would agree with the others that suggest manually shifting to keep the RPM higher. I find with most boosted engines keeping rpm higher improved mileage and really reduces exhaust temperatures etc. If climbing a 6% grade keep it over 3000 RPM. Similar highway cruising in the low to mid 2000’s.

T James · 03-09-2021, 10:02 AM

I had a 2016 F150 3.5 multi fuel that pulled a 19’ AS with no problem except for a long climb out of Jackson Hole, WY over the Rockies. In this case, I had significant engine temp increase (but within acceptable range) and barely sufficient pulling power. I’ve since moved to a F150 2.7L eco boost pulling a larger 23’ AS with power to spare and an engine temp needle that barely moves irrespective of conditions.

alphamale49 · 03-09-2021, 10:23 AM

This crap has happened to me several times and I got the frightening 'engine powering down' message. I have managed to survive obviously. But since then I have avoided long steep climbs. As suggested here, exactly how do I up the RPMs to get out of this situation?

pappy19 · 03-09-2021, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyclecrazy

Hi All~
I have a 2017 F150 Lariat with max tow package and tow a 25' Airstream (5.5k trailer weight and drive and steer axles under spec from CAT scale). Temp gauge on recent hill accent (6% grade for 2 miles) shows 226 degrees and outside temp in 50's. I was driving in tow haul at 50 mph and 2500 RPM's. For all the F-150 owners out there, is this abnormally high or within range?

I highly recommend the Mike's 5 Star 89 octane performance/tow programmer, the Transgo shift kit, magnaflow exhaust system and AFE intake system. The more airflow into your turbo, the cooler it will run.

n2916s · 03-09-2021, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphamale49

This crap has happened to me several times and I got the frightening 'engine powering down' message. I have managed to survive obviously. But since then I have avoided long steep climbs. As suggested here, exactly how do I up the RPMs to get out of this situation?

Downshift manually until you get the rpm you want.

guskmg · 03-10-2021, 04:24 PM

This sounds contra, but I have studied cases where the coolant is pumped so fast through the radiator it does not have enough time to exchange the heat out the radiator. Hence, high coolant temps. I think that was the case with Ford early diesels.
guskmg

WayneS · 03-10-2021, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guskmg

This sounds contra, but I have studied cases where the coolant is pumped so fast through the radiator it does not have enough time to exchange the heat out the radiator. Hence, high coolant temps. I think that was the case with Ford early diesels.
guskmg

I’ve seen that mentioned before, but wouldn’t the coolant also gain less heat from the engine and be a net zero?

Edit to add: I have a 2010 F250 diesel and am following the Ecoboost threads with interest because the new Pro Power Onboard in the F150’s seems to address all of our issues with camping in the south in the summer!

Bobbo · 03-10-2021, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WayneS

I’ve seen that mentioned before, but wouldn’t the coolant also gain less heat from the engine and be a net zero?

Wouldn't pulling less heat from the engine contribute to the engine running hotter? It seems like the coolant pulling less heat from the engine and transferring less heat out the radiator both would contribute to engine overheating.

kscherzi · 03-10-2021, 08:01 PM

This is a known issue for this model year. I also have a 2017 F150 ecoboost 10 speed transmission. Yes, on long steep grades, especially at altitude above 5,000 feet on hot days with the A/C on it overheats. It has overheated to.the point where computer turns off the turbo and power drops a lot for a few minutes. Since I have an extended warranty I just floor it and forge ahead. Will sell it when the warranty expires.

My friend has a 2019 F150 ecoboost, we towed together to the same campground and he didn't have any temperature issue. So maybe newer models have this problem fixed.

Peter417 · 03-11-2021, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe15601

I too have a 2017 Lariat Max Tow with 3.5 Eco / 10 speed. I tow a 27fb GT. On humid 90 plus degree days, the long steeper hills can have me at 240 degrees. I have tried running higher RPMs to circulate more coolant and use less boost which may help marginally. Doesn't seem to be an issue, I see many of these trucks with much higher miles than I will ever see that were used for towing.

Probably better for a new thread, but how many are people putting on these motors?