Just wondering if water temp is ever an issue when towing a heavy load with or without a “box”. Imp talking up a 5% or so grade in 100* temps. It looks to me like the radiator is a little smaller in my 03 than what was in my 96. Anyone have some first hand experience along those lines?

 

I towed a 10K# 5er this summer for 10K miles, including 10% grades in southern Wyoming/northern Utah along Flaming Gorge and never got over 210F. Temp came back down to 200 or lower as soon as the road leveled off. I saw 108F in eastern CO with no issues whatsoever. I don't think you will have any problems. Used no oil or water all summer.

I have the 2500, HO,6 speed, 3.73 rear end with Jacobs exhaust brake.

 

I put a Cummins 180 stat in the first week I owned my truck and it stays cool all the time. The highest it has gotten is around 195 while towing in the middle of summer. I like my engines to run cool.......

 

Water temps are never an issue until you start to overheat. And its rarely ever close to home.

[quote author=Dodgezilla link=board=20;threadid=22395;start=0#msg209650 date=1068831597]
I put a Cummins 180 stat in the first week I owned my truck and it stays cool all the time. The highest it has gotten is around 195 while towing in the middle of summer. I like my engines to run cool.......[/quote]

I think the bigger question is, does your engine like to run cool? Its been shown that running cool isn't as good for it as some believe. This isn't a flame, since I've done the same thing but something to consider. Especially in light of the many threads on diesels running cold, wet stacking, bent valves, etc....

Do you run that 180 in the winter as well? I did this one winter in my Mustang and the heater didn't do a very good job of keeping me warm.

 

I have run cool stats in every vehicle I have ever owned. In my gas vehicles I always ran a 160 because that's the lowest I could find. I have owned 4 CTDs and I ran cooler stats in all but one (I only had it a week-it's a long story). I have never had a problem with the heater except that it just takes a little longer for the heater to start pumping hot air.