Posted: Aug 16 2009 at 9:01am | IP Logged

dannyg wrote: I`ve had a 24 foot trailer behind mine it was a bit much for my truck which is a 4.0 V6 auto tranny. If you are even close at looking at a trailer this size buy the add trailer brake controller

I definatly plan on adding a brake controler as per the owners maunal 3500 lb weight instruction. I guess I also should have mentioned that my truck has an auto trannny as well.

Posted: Aug 17 2009 at 1:52pm | IP Logged

..

If you’re towing with an automatic you will need an auxiliary transmission cooler.

I installed my t-cooler in front of the radiator before I realized it was not the best place for it. I know every one else installs them there but it’s not good for the A/C or engine cooling system.

The job of the add on cooler is to help dissipate heat but why put this additional heat in front of the radiator and in front of the air conditioning condenser?

Most modern vehicles are operating at temperatures over two hundred degrees and are being taxed to handle the added heat of transmissions under a heavy load. So in many cases the oil is going back into the transmission too hot. The life of the automatic transmission relies on the life of the oil and the additives in the oil and heat shortens the life of the oil and the additives in them.
... Add on coolers should be used as pre-coolers in series with the cooling core in the radiator but can bypass the radiator in the summertime.

. An after-cooler would cool the transmission oil better but still put too much heat into the engine coolant as well as be too cool in the winter.

TIP: I have noticed many stock cooling lines need to be insulated from headers and pipes.... I shielded my cooling lines with a scrap piece of aluminum.

... First look for a mounting place away from the exhaust system. Look for mounting places under the bed. The cooler will dissipate a lot of heat even without much air flow because the oil will be VERY hot when the transmission is under a load. For HD towing a small 12 volt fan could be installed.

... On top of many front skid plates are good mounting spots. Mount the cooler in the hot out-put line between the transmission and radiator and it and it will be a pre-cooler. I used a clear piece of hose connected to the in and out cooling lines to find out which was which. After connecting the clear hose have someone start the engine while you watch to see which way the bubbles flow to tell which line is which.

The Pre Cooler will reduce the frequency of needed automatic transmission fluid changes.

Have a good one while you can still laugh about it.. Don S.

Delusional style of thinking seems to fly high in Wastington D.C.

Posted: Sep 26 2009 at 2:32am | IP Logged

Boy I dont get around here enough. Well any how we had the opportunity to grab a Cherokee toy hauler that weighed about 4100lbs with my bike at 900lbs and some odss and ends we would probably still be under the the  spec 6000lbs/600lbsh*tch weight. (figures rounded)

But the wife back slides, says she dont wanta wear out "her truck" to fast.

Would this be a load for the nearest camp ground and back home or an everyday cross the country dont sweat it type thing?

Kinda askin the original topic starter question again

Like dannyg its about 24 ft, would have trailer brakes . I got an auto tranny 4x4 I was about to look into what exactly what all my towing pkg includes and if a trans cooler is there or needed when the ol lady put the skids out.

thanks for any help

 homeless on the road

Posted: Sep 26 2009 at 10:00am | IP Logged

Thanks for everyones help so far but I am now more confused than ever. i thought I had a safe empty trailer weight figured out but yesterday I went to the Nissan dealership. I talked to a guy in the service department and asked what a safe trailer weight would be and he told me that he wouldn't go over 3500 lbs. I have a 06 CC 4.0 auto! That , to me, seems really low for a 4.0 V6. I may try the other dealership in my area just to see if they say the same thing.