Temp gauge movement on long hills/higher RPM?

Maybe this is totally normal for the Tacoma/toyotas but for me who has never had a completely stock vehicle with a temp gauge that wasn't rock solid in placement after it warmed up its a bit weird.
Recent trip took me about 60 miles through hills, 80*F weather, and my 2.7 spent more time than I'd like it to at 5k rpm nothing over maybe 1/2 mile at a time each time. When it would level out and upshift I'd see the temp gauge flutter about 1/16" of an inch back towards cool. I couldn't spot it creeping up and it never left the vicinity of 12 o'clock but it still bothered me that it was moving.

30k miles on the truck, 100% stock, all fluids exactly at the level they should be at. Is this normal or is there trouble brewing?

My last truck 2500HD GMC did this when the thermostat was partially stuck(stupid AC delco t-stat failed about 2 months after install) open but the swings were 20+ degree swings, not flutters.

 

Doesn't sound too out of the ordinary, heck out here in Arizona in the summer when pulling hills there
are signs advising to turn off your A/C - and I've seen many a vehicle ( all sorts ) in flames on the shoulder
burning up like mad when they don't turn it off.

 

If you’re worried you can get a scan gage or similar and see the real numbers that correspond to the movement. On hills in heat with the rpms up it can easily climb, how much depends on how many rpm’s for how long and how hot. Heat is not kind to aluminum blocks/heads so overheating should be prevented at all costs.

 

I would highly recommend something like a scanguage if this is something that concerns you. I’ve seen 15 degree swings on my scanguage “195 - 210” and the dummy needle never moved.

 

In addition to a scan gauge you can also get a cheap Bluetooth OBD2 adapter and use an app to monitor coolant temps. If you want to monitor things like AT temps you'll have to buy the upgraded version of an app like "Torque Pro OBD2" and add the ID for the trans. Well worth the $25 or $30 you'll spend between us and the adapter and app.

 

I have a diablo inTune and a diablo predator X that I can run as scan tools, just honestly didn't even think about throwing the predator x on there and watching it on the app.
My last truck was a 2500 and even watching the scan it would only fluctuate 2-3* but then again the radiator was the size of this truck and my porsche would maintain 220 all day regardless of how hard you beat on it.

Thanks for the replies guys, just overthinking it it since I haven't had something "new" in a while.

 

It’s not generally something to worry about but having had engines die from heat related issues it’s something worth at least monitoring. I’d rather KNOW it’s not a problem than just assume it is.

 

+1 for a scan gauge. I knew I was doing a fair bit of towing this summer and with the way to truck is set up I wanted to keep a closer eye on all of my temps and pressures and my scan gauge 3 has been fantastic for it.