jkilroy

Pennsylvania

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Joined: 01/23/2003

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I’m towing a 7500 lb. Cougar 28SGS. The truck I have is a 03 Silverado 2500 HD 6.0 with 4.10 rear. This rig tows fine in cooler weather with no A/C and fairly flat to moderate hills. When I pull in decent mountains and it’s hot the trans temp climbs past 200, and coolant goes to 230 range. As soon as I turn off a/c everything is fine. Has plenty of power I must say. I usually set rpm to 3000 and let it run.
So question is can I do anything to truck to help the problems? Can I put a cooler thermostat in it? I’ve already added a second trans cooler. It helped a little. A diesel is in my future but I’d like to pay off camper first if possible. They are so expensive.
2003 Chevy Silverado 2500HD
2013 Keystone Cougar 28SGS">
Pennsylvania Air National Guard">
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MinnCamper

Minnesota

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Joined: 02/13/2003

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I had the same problem with my 2000. Four years ago found a 06 Duramax and never looked back. I wish I could help on the issues. Good Luck
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donn0128

Pronounced Ore-gun

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Joined: 04/21/2005

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About all you can do short of another truck is take it to a radiator shop and have them deep clean the radiator, new thermostat, cap and fresh coolant. I suspect you bumping up on the trucks limits as the root of your problem regardless of the numbers.
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jkilroy

Pennsylvania

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I will be soon looking at a duramax. Trick is finding a older one without rust on frame and dosent have a million miles on it.
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tred0956

Shuswap, BC, Canada

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Joined: 07/18/2010

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Try some Water Wetter or other brand coolant additive, I think I used Royal Purple Ice, made a difference in my Class C with the 6.0
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Bessie-Hunter

Lyons, OH, USA

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Joined: 01/27/2005

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Have the fan clutch checked. May not be engaging, pulling more air through the radiator for better cooling.
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jkilroy

Pennsylvania

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tred0956 wrote: Try some Water Wetter or other brand coolant additive, I think I used Royal Purple Ice, made a difference in my Class C with the 6.0
Bessie-Hunter wrote: Have the fan clutch checked. May not be engaging, pulling more air through the radiator for better cooling.
I’ll try this
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Halmfamily

Munford, AL

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Bessie-Hunter wrote: Have the fan clutch checked. May not be engaging, pulling more air through the radiator for better cooling.
X2, had a bad fan clutch on our 06 Power Stroke and would overheat when pulling an incline, outside of that no cooling issues. When the fan clutch fully engages you will know it, should sound an airplane taking off under your hood.
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Dave H M

IL

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Joined: 08/11/2006

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Buy a diesel to fix the problem - i don't get it.
Sort out that fan clutch issue and if it is working then your radiator probably needs attention.
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Seamutt

Prince George BC Canada

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Joined: 01/27/2007

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It should not overheat, get the cooling system flushed and inspected. Also never use tap water only distilled water. Tap water will leave behind deposits inhibiting efficient cooling.
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