Towing Question

[NKlekas]

I’m getting an overland trailer built and it should be ready in the next couple weeks. Im not worried about the weight of the trailer. Fully loaded with camping gear, extra fuel and my Roof Top Tent it should only weigh about 1200lbs max. I know my LJ can pull it no problem…however my question is….Should I get a Trans Cooler?
Where I live is pretty hilly/mountainous (Northern Nevada) and I’ve seen previous threads claiming it’s a good idea with the 42RLE. I’m running a proper gear set up with 5.13 and 33in tires. I’ll probably tow the trailer pretty good distances and at highway speeds. Is a Trans Cooler necessary?

 

[Rickyd]

Temp gauge and cooler would be a great idea

 

[JMT]

I’m getting an overland trailer built and it should be ready in the next couple weeks. Im not worried about the weight of the trailer. Fully loaded with camping gear, extra fuel and my Roof Top Tent it should only weigh about 1200lbs max. I know my LJ can pull it no problem…however my question is….Should I get a Trans Cooler?
Where I live is pretty hilly/mountainous (Northern Nevada) and I’ve seen previous threads claiming it’s a good idea with the 42RLE. I’m running a proper gear set up with 5.13 and 33in tires. I’ll probably tow the trailer pretty good distances and at highway speeds. Is a Trans Cooler necessary?

There’s no way I’d go without a gauge and cooler even not pulling a trailer. When I wheeled for 40 minutes without a cooler and just a gauge and ambient temps were 46*F my transmission temps were inching up to 210*F. Who knows what they would have been if I kept wheeling.

 

[MikeE024]

There’s no way I’d go without a gauge and cooler even not pulling a trailer. When I wheeled for 40 minutes without a cooler and just a gauge and ambient temps were 46*F my transmission temps were inching up to 210*F. Who knows what they would have been if I kept wheeling.

View attachment 533910

Curious was that in 1:1 or 2.72:1?

 

[JMT]

Curious was that in 1:1 or 2.72:1?

4:1

 

[MikeE024]

4:1

Got it, I just noticed that you have the Tera Low.

Dang, I wouldn't want to see the numbers when offroading in 1:1 without a cooler.

What external cooler are you running and what temps do you see when offroading in 1:1?

 

[JMT]

Got it, I just noticed that you have the Tera Low.

Dang, I wouldn't want to see the numbers when offroading in 1:1 without a cooler.

What external cooler are you running and what temps do you see when offroading in 1:1?

That’s a good question. The cooler is very new, so I don’t have any numbers yet for wheeling it in 1:1. This is the cooler.

Setrab 53-10748-01 ProLine... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C64FTTK?tag=wranglerorg-20

This is the install.

Post in thread '05 Flame Red TJ Build'
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/05-flame-red-tj-build.3998/post-1556850

This is the highest temp I’ve seen in 4:1 with the cooler and ambient temp at 67*F.

 

[MikeE024]

That’s a good question. The cooler is very new, so I don’t have any numbers yet for wheeling it in 1:1. This is the cooler.

Setrab 53-10748-01 ProLine... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C64FTTK?tag=wranglerorg-20

Perfect.

Blaine installed the same Setrab unit for me in 2022, while I was away from my rig.

Soon after getting back to AZ last summer, I repurposed the Setrab to cool my intake temps and installed the Derale to cool my 42RLE.

My temps are good to go in 4:1 with the Derale (160-180*).

The Derale sufficiently cools the transmission when in 1:1 on the street (170-200*) using a 150* thermostat for the Derale fan. That said, the Setrab kept the trans fluid more in the 150-180* range on the street iirc.

However, the Derale does not sufficiently cool the 42RLE while in 1:1 on the trails. I specifically installed the Rubicrawler so I could run trails faster without heating the transmission up too much (225*+).

It's a pretty big deal if you can do everything you want on the trail/sand in 1:1 with the Setrab installed without worrying about the 42RLE getting too hot under moderate & sustained load. I'm interested in finding out how hot things get on you under sustained load in the trails.

 

[JMT]

Perfect.

Blaine installed the same Setrab unit for me in 2022, while I was away from my rig.

Soon after getting back to AZ last summer, I repurposed the Setrab to cool my intake temps and installed the Derale to cool my 42RLE.

My temps are good to go in 4:1 with the Derale (160-180*).

The Derale sufficiently cools the transmission when in 1:1 on the street (170-200*) using a 150* thermostat for the Derale fan. That said, the Setrab kept the trans fluid more in the 150-180* range on the street iirc.

However, the Derale does not sufficiently cool the 42RLE while in 1:1 on the trails. I specifically installed the Rubicrawler so I could run trails faster without heating the transmission up too much (225*+).

It's a pretty big deal if you can do everything you want on the trail/sand in 1:1 with the Setrab installed without worrying about the 42RLE getting too hot under moderate & sustained load. I'm interested in finding out how hot things get on you under sustained load in the trails.

I don’t wheel in 1:1 very often. Just between obstacles. I need to go to the dunes to wheel in 1:1. They’re a couple hours away. I’ll report back if and when I do, but I’m sure Blaine would know. There isn’t a bigger and better cooler I know of that we can fit nicely on our rigs.

 

[MikeE024]

I don’t wheel in 1:1 very often. Just between obstacles. I need to go to the dunes to wheel in 1:1. They’re a couple hours away. I’ll report back if and when I do, but I’m sure Blaine would know. There isn’t a bigger and better cooler I know of that we can fit nicely on our rigs.

Yea man, the Setrab is the best that I know of. It's amazing. I still run it, but for a different purpose now.

I don't like being in 4:1 unless the rocks or a climb justifies it. I really like 2.72:1 for general offroading, but I wouldn't have gone that route had the trans temps stayed cool for me in 1:1.

I'm must curious about feedback since I never paid attention to my temps on the trails in 1:1 during the short time I was in that configuration. No rush man, just figured I'd ask.

 

[NKlekas]

There’s no way I’d go without a gauge and cooler even not pulling a trailer. When I wheeled for 40 minutes without a cooler and just a gauge and ambient temps were 46*F my transmission temps were inching up to 210*F. Who knows what they would have been if I kept wheeling.

View attachment 533910

I’ve always thought about getting one. Definitely a good idea. Seem liked the consensus was you HAVE to get one when you tow. I was curious on peoples opinions on the absolute necessity of them. Appreciate it man!

 

[LONGJP2]

Is a Trans Cooler necessary?

If you get a gauge, you'll want a cooler.
Most (without a gauge) don't realize how hot their trans. are getting.
It may not fail right away, but most need rebuilt eventually.