5.3l doesn't like towing grades with 6000 TT... Temps up!

hot37shot · February 13, 2016

What I have: 2011, 1500 ,5.3 ,6 speed ,343 gear ,TOW PACKAGE, leveled , with bigger tires, no engine mods but maintained to a top!

What I tow: 29' TT ultra lite , confirmed 6000lb trailer weight loaded

So both my trans temp and engine temp go up on grades. transmission climbs as high as 220 and engine temps get up to 225-230. Definitely makes me nervouse since normal no-tow temps are 160 trans and 210 engine. I always take it real easy, cuz I know I'm not driving a 2500 diesel. I know 95 degree outside temps don't help, but are you guys using any aftermarket parts to cool your 5.3/6 speed. Maby a bigger trans cooler or a super trick edelbrock water pump?

FishAr · February 13, 2016

My trailer is over 6000 and I've never seen my temps go up, trans is always below 200 on my 2015.

I haven't seen any 95 degree temps while towing though.

J-man67 · February 13, 2016

I tow about 7k almost daily with my 15 max tow. It's winter here but never see over 190 Trans and engine remains normal.

Snoringbear · February 13, 2016

"So both my trans temp and engine temp go up on grades. transmission climbs as high as 220 and engine temps get up to 225-230. Definitely makes me nervouse since normal no-tow temps are 160 trans and 210 engine. I always take it real easy, cuz I know I'm not driving a 2500 diesel. I know 95 degree outside temps don't help, but are you guys using any aftermarket parts to cool your 5.3/6 speed. Maby a bigger trans cooler or a super trick edelbrock water pump?"

I have a 25' TT, about 6,200 lbs or so loaded up. I had a 2008 Silverado 1500 CC 5.3/4 spd that I would pull with and during those Texas summer days of 95 ~ 105 temps both the engine and tranny temps would creep up when road tripping. Too get the temps down, especially on 100 + days, I would have to turn off the ac and drive about 55 mph or there abouts. My solution for the problem was a 2015 LTZ CC 6.2L/8 spd. Now, no worries about high temps, high rpm's, etc. just set my cruise, pop a soda, bag of pork rinds handy, sit back and enjoy the ride. The new 5.3 is a big improvement both in hp and torque no doubt about it. But, if you're doing any significant towing come up with the extra dough to upgrade to the 6.2/8spd. You'll never regret it

hot37shot · February 13, 2016

ya this is a creeping gradual increase in temps also. But always goes back down, past the grade. I would rather not see that gauge go up at all! Does the "max tow" come with a bigger trans cooler/ radiator/ water pump than the standard tow package? If so these parts should swap easy. Little upgrades will have to do till I can get my diesel in two years !!

Thanks gents

Colossus · February 21, 2016

Not realistic to expect to not see the temps rise when you are taxing your engine like that. That's normal behavior.

Nathan79 · February 22, 2016

Typical 5.3 performance. My 2012 with 3.42 did the same thing on any significant grade pulling 7500lb. Struggled to maintain any speed screaming up the hills. Coolant and transmission temp would increase. Had a supplementary transfer cooler installed to help on that side.

GeorgiaBII · February 22, 2016

The bigger tires are not helping you. Because of the tire change you changed the final gear ratio and the engine is having to work harder to pull the load.

Put stock size tires back on and I will bet you most of the issues go away.

Swinepartner · March 13, 2016

I pull a 8K camper w/ a 2012 burb, tow pkg, 5.3 6 sped and on I-95 transmission temp leveled out at 216 and it was 103 outside. Speeds varied between 60-63 mph. I read where trains temps are good to 275 or so. I had just had my fluid changed cause I knew I had a long trip in high heat.

BlackZ71Silverado · March 15, 2016

It seems that your trucks transmission cooler, oil cooler are both functioning as they should. Doesn't seem as if you have anything to worry about really. Is this your first time ever towing anything seeing that you are concerned with those temperature numbers?

00Silverado4x4 · March 18, 2016

To add to this, when was the last time you had your coolant system checked over? May want to get a flush and possibly a new thermostat.

ata3001 · March 25, 2016

2014 Silverado w/ 5.3 & tow pkg. I've had my trans temp hit 227°. Adding an external stacked plate type trans cooler very shortly.

J-man67 · April 21, 2016

I pull about 6-7k daily. I have max tow 5.3 and never seen over 192. I tow grades and all. Temps are only 70ish now. I'll keep my eye on it when warmer.

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BlackZ71Silverado · April 26, 2016

To add to this, when was the last time you had your coolant system checked over? May want to get a flush and possibly a new thermostat.

Why in the world would you want him to replace the thermostat?

From what is described, it's operating as it should. There is no need to throw money away by replacing parts that are not broken.

Snoringbear · April 27, 2016

Why in the world would you want him to replace the thermostat?

From what is described, it's operating as it should. There is no need to throw money away by replacing parts that are not broken.

BlackZ71, agree. Way back in the day, (did I mention that I'm old?) it was an annual ritual to remove the thermo for summer and reinstall for winter, and do a flush and change out antifreeze. But, those days are long past and those practices no longer have any validity, if they ever did. When it comes to engine overheat when towing, it's my personal opinion that it's best to take the conservative approach when it comes to judging towing capacities. For me, I judge down advertised tow rates by about 20%. So, if a truck has a factory max tow rate of 9000 lbs, I judge it down to about 7,000 lbs. So, this puts most pre-2014 5.3L's too close to the hairy edge to suit me. Again, just my personal way of judging my towing needs - which is why I decided to go with the 2015 6.2L LTZ.