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Worried about Transmission Temp

mhbell

Full Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2020
Messages
19
Location
Utah
I upgraded to a bigger Travel Trailer. a 26 ft that weighs 5000 lbs. When I towed it home on a 80 deg F day. The transmission temp guage in the cluster went up to 227 deg. I was in tow haul and no steep hills mostly flat. My Avalanche / Truck is a LT / LT1 and I installed a B&M Stacked 14500 BTU Aux trans cooler. I suspect my gear ratio 3.08 std. is 227 deg to high? I would hate to have to sell my Avalanche and get a bigger truck. I have been told that the transmission is a weak link in the Avalanche. Any advise would be appreciated.
Mel
 
IMO, the 6l80 is not a weak link, some are running 500+ hp on stock transmissions including camaro/corvette configs.

How fast were you cruising to reach 227? If it helps, the transmission temperature warning light doesn't come on until 265.
 
I think you are right mhbell That 5,000 lbs is dry weight with no fluids or other stuff in the trailer After you load it up it's higher

But 227 is not considered high.
2009towing.JPG
 
IMO, the 6l80 is not a weak link, some are running 500+ hp on stock transmissions including camaro/corvette configs.

How fast were you cruising to reach 227? If it helps, the transmission temperature warning light doesn't come on until 265.
I was driving around 50 - 60
 
I hooked up the trailer and started home 15 miles away while keeping a eye on the trans temerature. It slowly climbed from around 210 untill it reached 227 deg when I pulled in the driveway at home. Nothing happened. I just thought that with my B&M Trans cooler that 227 was a bit High. I think I will have the trans fluid changed and the tranny flushed. There is a additive called lube protector that is supposed to help lower the trans temp. I haven't decided to use an aditive or not at this time. Some do more harm than good.
 
I have a 2003 Avalanche since new, its now at 347,000 miles. I love it. The only thing is I just put my 3rd tranny in it at 320K and if you read about them this is the one weak link Chev has is the tranny's. I've only towed a small 17 foot boat on very very few occasions about 9 to 10 miles. Seems like the trannys are good for about 160 K. Still very happy with the avalanche though.
 
I hooked up the trailer and started home 15 miles away while keeping a eye on the trans temerature. It slowly climbed from around 210 untill it reached 227 deg when I pulled in the driveway at home. Nothing happened. I just thought that with my B&M Trans cooler that 227 was a bit High. I think I will have the trans fluid changed and the tranny flushed. There is a additive called lube protector that is supposed to help lower the trans temp. I haven't decided to use an aditive or not at this time. Some do more harm than good.
227 should not be a problem, especially if you use synthetic trans fluid. I wouldn't start getting concerned until above 235. It's really not much hotter than the radiator.
 
Hay guys. Got a black diamond 3 years ago. Pull a 5000# camp trailer in the ROCKY mountains. 5 to 7% grades for 5 to 10 miles. up the mountain down the mountain. frabecated a wind sheld washer type system to spray water into the trany cooler. Don't run over 3500 rpms. have been up as high as 240 degrees on trany. So far so good. PS. have 115,000 on it. Got it with 92000 for $20k. Really like this truck.
 
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