Do I need an oil cooler for towing in the mountains?

Have a 2014 4.0 without factory tow package and looking at campers. I live in Colorado and its main use will be 100-200 mile trips in the mountains with occasional trips to the west coast. The campers I'm looking at are around 2000-2800 #'s dry weight, trying to keep it under the 3500 # rating of my truck when loaded. Adding a trans cooler and wondering if I will need an oil cooler as well. I have one of the obd monitors but I dont think theres a sensor for engine oil temps so I wont know if I'm running hot. I tow regularly at work but never towed with a small truck before and dont want to be the guy holding up traffic on 285 because my engine is running hot.

 

If you have the tow package, you have an oil cooler, it’s the donut thing under your oil filter. You also have a transmission cooler, two technically

 

I dont have the factory tow package so unfortunately lower tow limit on paper and no trans or oil coolers.

 

He doesn’t have the tow package.
He’s asking if he needs to add an oil cooler.

I’d be more concerned with ATF temps than oil.
You can “kind of” get an idea on oil temps via the coolant temp.


Both coolers would be “nice”.
But the ATF cooler is the more important.
The trans will get hotter, and get hotter faster, than the oil.

 

Well I can’t read

carry on

 

AT cooler, and you could also get the larger alternator.
I've towed extensively with my 15 DCLB in the Sierra and Coast ranges. Have the tow package. Should soon have ATF temp via Maestro in the new head unit I'm about to buy. I will be more at ease once I can see that data on steep inclines at altitude.

1. Do not neglect including your truck's fully loaded weight when towing. I have a cap at about 200 and gear probably another 300. Trailer is 1500 dry but closer to 2k loaded/wet.

2. Also look at the AT cooler relocate, which shifts it higher into more airflow in the grill. That is next on my list for cheap insurance.

Sounds like you might already be considering added truckload, though.

3. My trailer is pretty small and aerodynamic. Consider drag profile at the front of whatever trailers you are considering. Massive effect.

 

The fact the factory tow package had an oil cooler should be pretty telling i.e. Toyota didn't feel confident providing the powertrain warranty to tow 6500 lb without it.

 

OBD or Scangauge will give you transmission and oil temperatures. Bought scangauge III to see these and what actual gear the truck was selecting.

Consider renting a heavy utility trailer for a day and loading it up to 3000#. A test drive up to Bailey will probably be in third gear 3200 rpm the whole way at 35 to 42mph with traffic. Watch the OBD readouts. Downshifts ans climbing will shoot up Temps.
Always tow in manual "S mode" preferably with ECT mode on.

You'll want a Tow Controller for the trailer brake hookup. Red-D-Arc premium version has done well for me.

OEM leaf springs on SR5 were flat at 500 lbs. Firestone Air bag suspension has been great.

Did Anytime Backup Camera mod, had to hardwire 18awg back to camper rear to overcome voltage loss of undersized kit cables.

Good luck.

 

I don’t believe the 2nd gen trucks had an engine oil temp sensor.
ATF and Trans Temp is all you get.

 

2nd Gen will give converter temp and pan temp

No oil temp sensor

 

Lets not over complicate this...

YES

 

Thanks this is great info. Looking at early 2000's coleman popups right now and they seem pretty aerodynamic. I'm into peak bagging so I dont really bring a lot of gear. I just set up base camp for a few days and hike/scramble the surrounding mountains. Sketchy old mining roads are often involved getting to trailheads so I dont want to swap the taco for a full size. I upgraded the rear leaf springs to 2020 trd-or leaves with aals for a few inches of lift so half expecting to need to add airbags. Will start with a good wdh to try and get things level. I kept a fair amount of rake so that should help but the lift and heavy ko2's will hurt. AT cooler and 7 pin wiring going in tomorrow so I should be able to test tow something soon.

 

I’ve got two years of towing experience in the Colorado mountains up to 12,000 feet. I’m pulling a 3000 pound Colman which, is about as aerodynamic as a parachute. I believe my max loaded is about 4000lbs. We go to all parts of the state without worry whether it’s hot or not and my temps are perfect! I’ve got the 2.7L but added a supercharger and it dynos at 250TQ and 240HP at the rear wheels. I added a large trans cooler and the SC has it’s own oil cooler. My engine coolant temps never exceed everyday temps of about 200 to 210º. The Trans temps range from 140º in cold weather to a high of 218º on a very hot day and long 7º climb. I don’t have any concern for the oil temperatures and I base this on coolant temps and the condition of the oil at oil change time.

I don’t have any difficulty pulling on long, steep grades, but my one wish would be for the 5-speed manual transmission, as my four cylinder came with the four-speed automatic.

Let me know if you have any questions about towing here. We are in Centennial, CO, just south of Denver.