Transmission/Engine Coolers

[GoldHorde]

Continued discussion from previous "Trailer Limitations" thread BUT with a new subject. I've been advised to use a transmission AND/OR engine cooler on the towing vehicle which is a 6cyl Buick Century 3.1L). I saw a DUAL fluid cooler available out there to cool BOTH engine/transmission fluids for about 72.00. Basically it is a small radiator with or w/o a fan. The friend who advised this had a 6cyl Jeep Cherokee overheat quite badly on him and I've had a 6cyl S10 Blazer overheat on me during simple Uhaul tow jobs. Has anyone had experience with these coolers? I know the fluid piping for the engine cooler has to be larger than for the tranmission cooler. The coolers are definitely cheap enough BUT I suppose they cost megabucks to INSTALL in the vehicle.

[Surface Tension]

GoldHorde, I think the tranny cooler is a good idea. I don't know anything about the engine cooler though. Is this cooler specific to your vehicle or is it a one size fits all? That would make a big difference as to the level of frogging around with installation. I'm also wondering about where you find room to put it.
I'll say one thing, between the trailer brakes and coolers you'll be well prepared. Why don't you hold off on the brakes and give it a trial run first. You might find you have enough stopping power.
Good luck and keep us posted.

[GoldHorde]

RE: COOLERS - I have not found a transmission cooler specific to the vehicle make and model - but a search has found many instructions and tips for installing transmission coolers on various sedans. It seems they all need to be "fitted" using various parts that did not necessarily come with the install kit. They are not very large - BUT a couple of brands of Dual-Fluid coolers have caught my eye that would cool BOTH the transmission fluid and the engine oil. Generally place in fron of the existing radiator and some have forced fan attachments if placed elsewhere.
RE: Trailer Brakes - I'm quite certain that I must go with the trailer brakes due the fact that the vehicle itself will usually have 4 people and luggage in it during a boat/trailer tow which will fill my total gross vehicle weight (GVW) because I have to allow for the trailer tongue weight of 200-250lbs (which adds to the GVW limitation). Therefore any additional cargo will then need to be added to the boat which will increase the total trailer weight load which is already over the vehicle's tow rating for a "trailer without brakes". The trailer brakes with the addition of the transmission cooler (and possible an engine oil cooler) will make the vehicle doublt safe and vehicle health. The coolers run 36.00 to 150+ for the duals - but the install is another issue. The trailers brakes come in many flavors of course (to complicate matters) - trying to find out about surge brakes right now.

[Valv]

Check my post with trailer limitation.

Don't use a car to pull boats.

------------------
Val Vignati

www.kvesurplus.com
[email protected]

[GoldHorde]

Purchasing a 3rd vehicle has been debated furiously at the family financial table and is not an option for at least another season - and at my age I don't have many fishing years left.

[Lost]

I highly recommend a tranny cooler for anybody with an automatic, towing or not. This comes from living in the desert. I've seen tranny's fail like crazy out there during the summer months when it's 110° for 2 months straight.

If you don't want to install it yourself, just about any auto shop should do it for you. I know U-Haul sells them and will install them. I used to work for them. Tranny cooler installation wasn't my favorite activity but it is fairly easy. The hardest part for me had to do with connecting the tranny cooler to the radiator.

[panolo]

I had the same motor that you do but only on a Sierra. I got the biggest one that I could possibly get. If you are towing with a car this will save your transmission. I didn't have time to do mine myself and I think it costed me about $200 for the company to install one. It did not appear hard to do but I think I may had to have made a trip to the local auto parts store for some part that was not included.

[GoldHorde]

Trailer brakes are ordered and they will be installed over the winter by the dealer so that will be ready in for ice-out 2005 in MN (April/May) or "crappie-time" as we know it here. As far as the installation of the tranny cooler goes - I DO have an automotive mechanic pal who lives on a lake who is probably interested in exchanging install labor for "boat-borrowing-time".